SIMPLE PAST TENSE

The Simple Past Tense, often just called the Past Tense, is easy to use in English.

If you already know how to use the Present Tense, then the Past Tense will be easy.

In general, the Past Tense is used to talk about something that started and finished at a definite time in the past.

Past Tense Regular Verbs

To change a regular verb into its past tense form, we normally add –ED to the end of the verb.

• play – played
• cook – cooked
• rain – rained
• wait – waited

I COOKED YESTERDAY

Irregular Verbs in the Past Tense

Irregular verbs are ONLY irregular in affirmative/positive sentences.
(An exception to this is with the verb TO BE in the Past Tense).

It does not end in –ED so it is considered irregular.
EX:
I WENT TO THE CINEMA THE LAST WEEK.

Negative sentences in the Past Tense

We use didn't (did not) to make a negative sentence in the past tense.
This is for regular AND irregular verbs in English.
(Exception is To Be and Modal Verbs such as Can)

Both don't and doesn't in the present tense become didn't in the past tense.

Examples of negative sentences in the Past Tense

• I didn't want to go to the dentist.
• She didn't have time.
• You didn't close the door.
• He didn't come to my party.
• They didn't study so they didn't pass the test.
• We didn't sleep well last night.

Questions in the Past Tense

We use did to make a question in the past tense.
This is for regular AND irregular verbs in English. 

The main verb (live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DID shows that the question is in the past tense.

NOTICE: The only difference between a question in the present tense and a question in the past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.
Both Do and Does in present tense questions become Didn't in past tense questions.

Examples of Questions in the Past Tense

• Did you go to work yesterday?
• Did they arrive on time?
• Did she like the surprise?
• Where did she go?
• What did you do yesterday?
• What did you say? - I didn't say anything.
• Why did we have to come?

LET'S PRACTICE

1. Put the verbs into the simple past:

1. Last year I (go)  to England on holiday.
2. It (be)  fantastic.
3. I (visit)  lots of interesting places. I (be)  with two friends of mine .
4. In the mornings we (walk)  in the streets of London.
5. In the evenings we (go)  to pubs.
6. The weather (be)  strangely fine.
7. It (not / rain)  a lot.
8. But we (see)  some beautiful rainbows.
9. Where (spend / you)  your last holiday?

2. Put the sentences into simple past.

1. We move to a new house. → 
2. They bring a sandwich. → 
3. He doesn't do the homework. → 
4. They sell cars. → 
5. Does he visit his friends? →