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Let's learn how to form the past simple tense (also called the simple past tense).

First we'll look at the important verb "to be" and then we'll learn how to form the tense with other verbs. We'll learn how to make positive and negative forms, short forms (contractions) and questions.

[ Note: Click here to learn how to use the past simple.]

Past simple with the verb "be"

We use the verb "to be" in the simple past with either a noun, adjective or prepositional phrase:

I was a university student. (with a noun)

You are happy. (with an adjective)

He was in the army. (with a prepositional phrase)

This chart shows the form of the verb "to be" in the positive (affirmative) form:

Yes/no questions with verb "be"

Questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no" answers are formed by inverting the subject and "was" or "were". Inverting simply means we change the order of the subject and verb form:

Affirmative statement: I was late. (the subject "I" is first, then the verb form "was")

Affirmative question: Was I late? (to make a question, the verb form "was" comes first then the subject "I").

Was I late for the bus?

Was he previously married?

Was she a brave woman?

Was that cookie delicious?

Were we happy children?

Were you teachers kind in elementary school?

Were your seats at the game very good?

Yes / no questions answers with "be"

We can answer yes / no questions with the verb "be" using a full or a shorter answer. We can use contractions (wasn't / weren't) with negative answers.

Were you late for class?

Wh- questions past simple with "to be"

Past simple with other verbs

To form the past simple tense with other verbs add "ed" to the infinitive form of the verb. We use the same form for each subject (e.g., I, you, he). It's easy!

My son enjoyed the birthday party yesterday.

The concert started 15 minutes ago.

We opened the store early this morning

I worked five days this week.

My girlfriend and I talked for six hours yesterday.

They played 80s music at the club last night.

Exceptions past simple tense

There are many irregular verbs in the past simple.

Unfortunately, you have to memorize them. Here are many more examples:

Spelling changes with past simple

There are also some spelling changes with this tense:

closed - closed (NOT: closeed)

measure - measured

plan - planned

benefit - benefitted

1. If the verb ends with "y", we change it to -i and add -ed (but only if there's a consonant before the -y):
Examples:

My brother studied English last night. (study - studied: "y" becomes "i" then add "ed")

My baby cried all night. (cry - cried)

The other student copied the answers from my test. (copy - copied)

The basketball player bounced the ball. (bounce - bounced: just add "d" not "ed")

She measured my hips and waist for the dress. (measure - measured)

I stopped the car suddenly. (stop - stopped: double the "p")

The sprinter benefitted from a tailwind during the 100m race. (benefit - benefitted)

The mother planned a surprise party. (plan - planned)

3. Double the final consonant after a short stressed vowel if the verb ends in a CVC (consonant vowel consonant)*:

*except CVC endings with w, x, or y

Negative form of the past simple

For the negative, we add did not (or didn't) for all subject forms and the infinitive.

Carefully note that we just add "did not" or "didn't" plus the infinitive so there are no irregular negative past forms.

I didn't play video games today. / I did not play video games.

My mother didn't tell me anything.

We didn't sleep much last night. / We did not sleep during the flight.

The teacher didn't give any homework. / The teacher didn't remember my name.

She didn't like my gift. / I did not spend much money on it.

Yes / No questions with the past simple

Wh- questions with the past simple

Notice the word order. The wh- question word comes before "did" and then the infinitive.

Practice Quiz

Are you ready for a short quiz? Click the "start" button below to begin.

Whew! We covered a lot of information on this page.

Click here to learn when to USE the past simple.

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Let's learn how to form the past simple tense (also called the simple past tense). First we'll look at the important verb "to be" and then we'll learn how to form the tense with other verbs. We'll learn how to make positive and negative forms, short forms (contractions) and questions.

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Określenia czasowe dla czasu PAST SIMPLE to : yesterday,last, in,at , ago

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W przeczeniach do DID dodajemy NOT i powstaje nam DID NOT = DIDN'T

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Tworzenie pytań w czasie Past Simple . Operator DID.
Czasowniki regularne mają zjadane kocówki 'ed' i wracają do formy bezokolicznikowej.
Czasowniki nieregularne wracają do I formy.

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Odmiana czasownika 'to be'- być w czasie past simple