SIMPLE PAST

Past simple

Introduction

The past simple tense is used to talk about:

• finished actions in the past
• habits in the past
• past facts
• periods of time in the past.

We can say when or for how long these actions happened.

Examples:

• I visited London last week.
• He wore glasses when he was young.
• Mary lived in Paris for six months.

Part 1 - Past simple positive

Regular past simple verbs take "–ed".

For example:

I You He / She / It We They	walked to the office.
	played tennis.
	laughed.
	washed the car.
	(worry =) worried all day.

Irregular past simple verbs are different and must be learnt!

For example:

I You He / She / It We They	fell off the wall.
	forgot the keys.
	left work early.
	bought some new clothes.

Some common irregular verbs:

	Past simple
I You He / She / It We They	did	do
	got	get
	went	go
	had	have
	heard	hear
	knew	know
	left	leave
	made	make
	said	say
	saw	see
	told	tell
	won	win

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Practice

• My mother  shopping yesterday. (go)
   
• We  in an apartment in Thailand. (stay)
   
• Bob  to the meeting by train. (travel)
   
• I  the news on the radio. (hear)
   

Part 2 - Past simple negative

To make a negative sentence we use
"didn't (did not)" + the infinitive of the main verb (without "to")


For example:

I You He / She / It We They	didn't	buy any new shoes.
		go to work yesterday.
		play badminton last night.

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Practice

• Sarah  the competition. (win)
   
• We  soup for dinner last night. (have)
   
• They  about the accident. (know)
   
• I  help with the project. (need)
   

Part 3 - Past Simple Questions

To make a question we use
"did" + the infinitive of the main verb (without "to")

Remember to put "did" before the subject: "Did you", "Did he"

Did you ask her to the party?	Yes, I did. / No, I didn't (did not).
Did he visit the office yesterday?	Yes, he did. / No, he didn't (did not).
Did they buy a new house?	Yes, they did. / No, they didn't (did not).