Simple Past Tense

When to use the simple past tense?

You need to use the simple past tense to describe activities that happened and finished in the past.

How to use the simple past tense?

You need to look at the final letters of the verbs:

1. If the final letters are (vowel o, i, u, a, e + y), add (ed). – (play-played/ stay-stayed/ enjoy-enjoyed).
2. If the final letters are (consonant + y), cancel (y) and add (ied). – (try -tried/ carry – carried/ study – studied).
3. if the final letter is (e), add (d).  (like – liked/ dance -danced/ live – lived).
4. If the final letters are (ss, es, sh, ch, x, o, z), add (ed).

The above simple past tense rules can be used with all subjects, unlike the simple present tense rules where you need to look at the subject to determine if it is singular or plural before making any changes to the verbs. I explained the use of the simple present tense here.

Let’s have a look at the following simple past tense sentences to learn more about the simple past tense rules:

He enjoyed watching TV last night.

They washed their bikes last weekend.

I cleaned my room this morning.

the baby cried a lot yesterday.

So, these examples are related to the use of Regular simple past tense. As for the Irregular simple past tense, there is not any specific simple past tense rules to follow, you just need to remember them. Well, you don’t need to remember them all, just pick the most commonly used ones and practice regularly to not forget them over time. If you follow this learning advice, you will find yourself using the irregular simple past tense verbs by heart!

Here are some of the Irregular simple past tense verbs:

buy = bought

do = did

go = went

say = said

and there are many more… I explained them here in the Irregular simple past tense sheet and on my YouTube channel 🙂 But if you want me to explain them a bit further, let me know!

How to form questions using the simple past tense?

to ask questions in the past, you need to start the question with (did) but make sure not to change the verb to the past! The simple past tense rules should be like this (did + subject + main verb + object). Let’s have a look at the following simple past tense sentences to learn more about the use of simple past tense questions:

Did she go to work?

Did they play football last Saturday?

Did he finish his homework?

Did you come early to the meeting?

So, in these simple past tense examples, the questions start with (did), and the verbs are maintained as they are without adding (ed, ied, or d). You need to add (ed, ied, d) when you don’t have (did). Also, you need to use (did) with all the subjects (he, she, it, they, we, you, I).

How to form negative simple past tense sentences?

You need to add (did not) after the subject, and the verbs should be maintained as they are without adding (ed, d, or ied). Let’s have a look at the following simple past tense examples to understand the idea better:

He did not travel to Paris last year.

She did not manage to finish her work.

They did not have school yesterday.

I did not go to the park last week.

In these simple past tense examples, we added (not) after (did), and (the verb) is maintained as it is without any changes. Also, you may use the full form (did not) or the contraction form (didn’t). It depends on the person you speak with. If it is a formal conversation, use (did not) and if it is an informal conversation, use (didn’t).

Let’s have a short simple past tense exercise & type your answers below in the comments section 🙂

She _____ (visit) her grandparents yesterday.

They _____ (play) football yesterday.

He _____ (finish) his work before dinner.

We _____ (watch) a movie yesterday.

I _____ (read) an interesting book last two weeks.

He_____ (not/go) to the party.

She_____ (not/see) the new movie.

He _____ (not/finish) his homework.

I _____ (not/take) the bus to school.

_____ you _____ (visit) your grandparents last weekend?

_____ they _____ (play) football yesterday?

_____ he _____ (finish) his work before dinner?

_____ we _____ (watch) a movie yesterday?

_____ you _____ (read) an interesting book last two weeks?

I hope you find this English grammar lesson useful, let me know if you have any questions related to the use of the simple past tense or if you have any suggestions for the upcoming topics. Yesterday, I explained about the use of the simple present tense so feel free to check it 🙂 Also, if you need a private discussion or lessons, email me 🙂

Have a great day & take care!