Past simple

We use the past simple to talk about a finished action that happened in the past.

The past simple is formed using the past form of the verb. Most regular verbs end in -ed in the past simple:

• "Kyle suddenly stopped the car."
• "I finished the book last night."

But many verbs are irregular:

• "Davina went (past form of go) to see her father yesterday."
• "Simon ate (past form of eat) the rest of the cake for breakfast."

Learn the irregular verbs! A list of irregular verbs can be found in good learners' dictionaries and in grammar books.

Questions and negative sentences are formed using the help verb did:

?    Did you go to Jane's party at the weekend?

+    Yes, I went to the party.

–    No, I didn't (did not) go to the party. I didn't feel well.

Look out for time signals. They'll help you know when to use the tense.

e.g. last night, yesterday, two hours ago, five years ago, etc.

Now try the exercise on the next page.

Dagmar Taylor