Simple Past is used for things done in the past, with a clear start and end.
The Simple Past tense is used to describe actions or events that were completed at a specific time in the past. It is also used for a series of events, habits, or states that no longer exist.
- Used for completed actions in the past
- Can describe past habits or routines
- Requires a past time reference (explicit or understood)
Examples:
- I visited Paris last year.
- She called me yesterday.
- They watched three movies on Saturday.
- When I was a child, I played soccer every weekend.
Only 'She baked a cake.' uses Simple Past correctly.
Correct forms are 'walked' and 'saw.'
Form
Regular Verbs
For most verbs, add -ed to form the past tense:
- play → played
- work → worked
- clean → cleaned
For regular verbs, add -ed.
Spelling rules:
- If a verb ends in -e, just add -d (love → loved)
- For one-syllable verbs ending in consonant-vowel-consonant, double the final consonant and add -ed (stop → stopped)
- If the verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change y to i and add -ed (try → tried)
Irregular Verbs
Some verbs have unique past forms. You must memorize them:
- go → went
- have → had
- see → saw
- eat → ate
- buy → bought
Negative Form
Use did not (didn't) + base verb for negatives:
- I did not (didn't) walk.
- She did not (didn't) see it.
Question Form
Use Did + subject + base verb for questions:
- Did you watch the show?
- Did they arrive on time?
Do not use the past form in questions or negatives (not: Did you saw...?).
Use 'did not' + base form of the verb.
The only correct form is 'went.'
The correct form is 'tried.'
Usage
| Situation | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Completed Action | I finished the report. | Action is done, in past |
| Specific Time | He left at 8 p.m. | Time can be stated or understood |
| Series of Actions | She packed, boarded, and left. | Multiple events in order |
| Past Habit | We visited grandma every Sunday. | Routine in the past |
| Past State | He was very tired. | Describes a past condition |
Conclusion
The Simple Past tense is essential for talking about anything you do, see, or experience in the past. Remember to use the correct verb forms and time clues for clarity.
- Use Simple Past for actions/events that started and ended in the past.
- Regular verbs get -ed; irregular verbs must be memorized.
- Use "did" + base verb for negatives and questions.
Only sentences describing past actions with correct verb forms are Simple Past.
The correct form is 'began.'
Use 'Did + subject + base verb' for questions.