Past Simple
Talk about finished actions and events at a specific time in the past.
What is it?
The past simple describes actions and situations that started and finished in the past. Often we say or know when they happened.
When to use it
- Finished actions: I called my mum last night.
- A series of past events: He got up, had a shower and left.
- Past habits: We walked to school every day.
- Stories: Once upon a time, a fox lived in a forest.
When not to use it
If the time period is not finished, or the result matters now, use the present perfect: I’ve lost my keys (I still can’t find them).
How to build it
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | verb + -ed (or irregular form) | She visited / went. |
| Negative | didn’t + base verb | She didn’t go. |
| Question | Did + subject + base verb? | Did she go? |
Common irregular verbs: go → went, see → saw, eat → ate, buy → bought, take → took, have → had, make → made, come → came.
Examples
- We watched a film yesterday.
- Joe didn’t come to class on Monday.
- Where did you buy that bag?
- I was tired, so I went to bed early.
Common mistakes
- I didn’t went to work.I didn’t go to work.
- Did you saw the match?Did you see the match?
- She buyed a new phone.She bought a new phone.
Memory tip
“Did” takes the past for you. Once you use did or didn’t, the main verb goes back to its base form.
Joe & Monica
Joe: How was your weekend?
Monica: Great! I visited my grandparents in Sylhet. We drank a lot of tea!
Joe: Did you take any photos?
Monica: Yes, hundreds. I’ll show you.
Interactive Practice
Pick an answer to check your understanding.
Question 1 of 5
We ___ a great film last night.
Question 2 of 5
Did you ___ the email I sent?
Question 3 of 5
She ___ in Sylhet for five years before she moved to Dhaka.
Question 4 of 5
When I was a child, I ___ to the beach every summer.
Question 5 of 5
I ___ my keys, so I couldn’t get into the house.
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