The past simple

A Introduction

The past simple means We finished an action in a closed period of time.

B Positive form

A regular past form ends in -ed.

It happened very quickly.

The van crashed into the car.

I posted the letter yesterday.

We once owned a caravan.

For spelling rules, see Appendix 2.

Some verbs have an irregular past form.

The car came out of a side road. (come)

Vicky rang earlier. (ring=make a phone call)

I won the game. (win)

I had breakfast at six. (have)

The train left on time. (leave)

We took some photos. (take)

For a list of irregular verbs, see page Appendix x.

The past simple is the same in all persons except in the past tense of be.

I/he/she/it was

I was ill last week.

you/we/they were

Those cakes were nice.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they/ liked

I liked the cake.

They liked the party.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they/ came

I came to the party.

They came to the party.

C Negatives and questions

We use did in negatives and questions.

NEGATIVE

I/you/he/she/it/we/they did not stop OR didn't stop

The car did not stop.

The driver didn't look to his right.

QUESTION

did I/you/he/she/it/we/they stop?

What did you tell the police? ~ Nothing.

Did you ring home? ~ Yes, I did.

We DO NOT use a past form such as stopped or rang in negatives and questions.

NOT The car didn't stopped.

and

NOT Did you rang?

We also use was and were in negatives and questions.

NEGATIVE

I/he/she/it was not OR wasn't

you/we/they were OR weren't

I wasn't very well last week.

The gates weren't open.

QUESTION

was I/he/she/it?

were you/we/they?

Where was your friend last night?

Was your steak nice?

D Use

We use the past simple for something in the past which is finished.

Emma passed her exam last year.

We went to the theatre on Friday.

Elvis Presley died in 1977.

I knew what the problem was.

When did you buy this car? ~ About three years ago.