Simple Past Tense Grammar

Formation

• The simple past is formed using the past tense of the verb:
  • Regular verbs: add -ed to the base form of the verb (e.g. walk -> walked)
  • Irregular verbs: have a unique past tense form (e.g. go -> went)

Usage

• The simple past is used to describe:
  • Completed actions in the past
  • Specific times or dates in the past
  • Sequences of events in the past
  • Past habits or states

Time Expressions

• The simple past is often used with time expressions such as:
  • Yesterday
  • Last night/week/month/year
  • Ago (e.g. 5 years ago)
  • In + year (e.g. in 2010)

Sentence Examples

• I went to the store yesterday.
• She studied English for three years.
• They didn't attend the meeting.
• We had a party last weekend.

Common Verbs in the Simple Past

• Be: was (singular) / were (plural)
• Have: had
• Do: did

Formation of the Simple Past

• Regular verbs: add -ed to the base form of the verb to form the simple past
• Irregular verbs: have a unique past tense form

Usage of the Simple Past

• Describe completed actions in the past
• Specify specific times or dates in the past
• Describe sequences of events in the past
• Describe past habits or states

Time Expressions with the Simple Past

• Used with time expressions such as:
  • Yesterday
  • Last night/week/month/year
  • Ago (e.g. 5 years ago)
  • In + year (e.g. in 2010)

Common Verbs in the Simple Past

Be

• was (singular)
• were (plural)

Have

• had

Do

• did