Simple Past Forms

The simple past is formed using the verb + ed. In addition, there are many verbs with irregular past forms. Questions are made with did and negative forms are made with did not.

• Statement: You called Debbie.

• Question: Did you call Debbie?

• Negative: You did not call Debbie.

Simple Past Uses

USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Use the simple past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Examples:

• I saw a movie yesterday.

• I didn't see a play yesterday.

• Last year, I traveled to Japan.

• Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.

• Did you have dinner last night?

• She washed her car.

• He didn't wash his car.