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(also called the simple past tense)

Click here to download this explanation as a pdf.
Click here to learn about how to USE the past simple.

It's similar to the present simple because it has different rules for the verb 'be', which becomes 'was' or 'were':
The Past Simple with 'be'
Here's how to make the positive:

To make the negative with 'be', just add 'not':

Here's an exercise to practise the positive and negative forms with 'be'

To make a question, just like the present simple, we change the position of 'was / were' and the subject.

Here are the past simple 'yes / no' questions with 'be':

And the 'wh' questions with 'be' (the question word just goes at the beginning, everything else is the same):

And here's an exercise for 'wh' and 'yes / no' questions

Here's another exercise with 'be' (this time it's all forms - positive, negative and questions)

The Past Simple (Simple Past) with Other Verbs

We make the past simple just like the present simple except we use 'did' instead of 'do / does'. It's really easy because 'did' doesn't change, even with 'he / she / it'.

The positive:

We usually make the positive by adding '-ed' to the infinitive. For example, 'play' becomes 'played'. However, there are some irregular verbs, for example 'go' becomes 'went' and 'run' becomes 'ran'.

(Here's some help if you are not sure how to pronounce '-ed' at the end of a verb).

Click here for a list of 50 common irregular verbs (PDF file)

Click here for an exercise about irregular verbs in this verb tense

Click here for another irregular verb exercise

In the negative there aren't any irregular verbs. All verbs use 'did not (didn't) + infinitive':

Here's an exercise about the negative form

Questions are also very easy. Just put 'did' before the subject, and the infinitive after it.

Here are the 'yes / no' questions:

And here's an exercise about 'yes / no' questions

To make a 'wh' question, of course, put the question word at the beginning of the sentence:

And here's an exercise about 'wh' questions

Here are some exercises about making all the forms:
Mixed Exercise 1
Mixed Exercise 2
Mixed Exercise 3
Mixed Exercise 4
Click here to learn about when we use this tense

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Easy explanations and examples about how to make the past simple (or simple past) tense in English with lots of exercises and quizzes.

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Here’s an interactive exercise about irregular verbs - this one is to practise the past simple.

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Do all exercises, except FILL IN.

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This is a game for learning vocabulary words including preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, K-12, vocational school, community college, university, adult school, post-secondary, kindergarten. Enjoy learning.

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U.S. School System Part 2: Primary Education

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This is a game for learning vocabulary words including 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School. Enjoy learning.

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U.S. School System Part 3: Secondary Education

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This is a game for learning vocabulary words including Middle School, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, High School, 9th grade, freshman, 10th grade, sophomore, 11th grade, junior, 12th grade, senior, subjects. Enjoy learning.

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U.S. School System Part 4: Post-Secondary Education Part 1

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This is a game for learning vocabulary words including Adult School, ESL, ABE, GED, Citizenship, Vocational School, Hospitality, Healthcare, Technology, Construction. Enjoy learning.

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What information are the percentages about?

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Try to understand this conversation by listening to the audio WITHOUT reading the text.

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Describe EACH teacher's duties. Write a short paragraph. Follow the example.

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Describe EACH teacher's duties. Write a short paragraph. Follow the example.

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Mr. Alva teaches Beg. ESL in the morning. He works Monday through Friday. His class is two hours long. His class meets in room 305.

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Write about one of these topics. Then record yourself reading. Send the audio to your instructor.

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Write about one of these topics. Then record yourself reading. Send the audio to your instructor.

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1. Describe the elementary school teacher you remember the most. Why do you still remember that teacher?
2. When you were little, what did you want to become? Did you? if not, why not?
3. What is one profession you think is great?  Why?

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English with Ronnie · EnglishLessons4U with engVid

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Basic English Grammar - "Was" and "Were"

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Mixed exercise: question, negative & positive sentences

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Mixed exercise: question, negative & positive sentences

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This is the second of four exercises to practise making all forms of the past simple.