Once you know how to use present simple, your teacher will show you how to use past simple. So, when do we use past simple? How does the verb change? And, how can I make a question? Take a look at our basic guide below.
When do I use it?
We use past simple to talk about finished actions in the past, and we usually say when they happened.
It can be something that happened once:
I went to beach last Saturday.
It can be something that happened many times:
I saw Avengers five times at the cinema in 2019.
It can be something that happened for a long time (but is finished now).
I lived in New York for six years.
How does the verb change?
To make past simple, we change the verb to its past simple form. If the verb is regular, we just add ‘ed’ or ‘d’.
Play – played Live – lived
If the verb is irregular, you have to memorise its past form (because they are often very different!)
Make – made Speak – spoke
Do – did Fly – flew
Most verbs are regular, but we often use the irregular verbs the most, so you should learn the most common irregular verbs.
To make a negative sentence in the past, we usually add ‘didn’t’ and the verb doesn’t change to its past form.
I didn’t go to the cinema last night.
She didn’t go to the beach yesterday; she went to the cinema.
How do I ask a question?
To make questions, we add did, and swap the verb and subject.
Did they go to the beach yesterday?
Did you have a nice weekend?
Try to make some sentences about:
- what you did at the weekend
- Example: I went shopping and watched TV at the weekend
- where you lived when you were young
- Example: I lived in the countryside when I was young
- something you did lots of times last year
- Example: Last year I drank lots of coffee when I went for walks
Did you use regular or irregular verbs in your sentences? Do you know how to make your sentence negative? Is this grammar similar in your first language?
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