Past Simple - Lesson

The Past Simple Tense

Formation of the Past Simple Tense

For affirmative sentences we use the Past Simple form of the verb: “verb + ed”. For negative sentences and questions we use the auxiliary verb “did” or “did not”. See the chart to learn the structure.

https://www.english-learn-online.com/grammar/tense/simple-past-tense/simple-past-tense-explanation/#sentence-images

To form POSITIVE sentences in the Past Simple Tense, we add “-ed“, “-ied” or just “-d” to the verb. We do NOT use “did” for positive sentences.

• I asked a question.

• She studied maths.

• Jack repaired the car last week.

• A traffic accident happened yesterday.

• She cleaned her room.

To form NEGATIVE sentences in the Past Simple Tense, we use “did” together with “not“. The short form is “didn’t”

• He did not want tea.

• We didn’t wait for the bus.

• I didn’t use your pen.

• Susan didn’t lie.

Regular verbs get “-ed“, “-ied” or “-d” in the Past Simple Tense.

• (+) I visited my uncle. 

• (-) I didn’t visit my uncle yesterday. 

• (?) Did you visit your uncle yesterday? 

The formation of irregular verbs in the Past Simple Tense has no standard rule. They need to be memorized.

• (+) They found the cat.

• (-) They didn’t find the cat.

• (?) Did they find the cat?

To form QUESTIONS (interrogative sentences) in the Past Simple Tense, we put “did” before the subject.

• Did you enjoy your holiday?

• Did she write an email?

• Where did Yuto go?

• What did Ali want?

Examples (did)

• Sally worked at the hospital.

• Sally didn’t work at the hospital.

• Did Sally work at the hospital?

• Where did Sally work?

Using “was”, “were” to talk about past states.

If you want to talk about a past state or condition, use “was, were”. The negative form is “was not, were not” or “wasn’t weren’t”. To ask questions, we use “was/were” before the subject.

⬤ I lived in London.

⬤ I was in London.

Examples (was-were)

• Sally was at the hospital.

• Sally wasn’t at the hospital.

• Was Sally at the hospital?

• Where was Sally?

Time expressions used in the Past Simple Tense

• ⬤ yesterday 

  I went to the cinema yesterday.

• ⬤ last week, last year, last Sunday, last month etc.

  He bought a car last week.

• ⬤ two years ago, four days ago, three minutes ago etc.

  I saw her five minutes ago.

• ⬤ in 1995, in 2003 etc.

  I had an accident in 2014.

He didn't play basketball. He just watched.

He waited for an hour, but the bus didn't arrive.

It rained yesterday.

He took a walk this morning. He was alone.

It died an hour ago.

The baby didn't sleep last night. He was awake.

Did he spend all his money last week?

I got lost last summer.

We talked about music.

Did she drink her milk?

Where did you find your keys?

Was he a good fisherman?

Where were you? Were you in bed?

Did she make a lot of money?

Why did he get angry? Was he in a bad mood?

Where did she go shopping?