Instruction grammar Simple Past
Form I worked You worked He worked She worked It worked We worked You worked They worked I + verb + ed You + verb + ed He + verb + ed She + verb + ed It + verb + ed We + verb + ed You + verb + ed They + verb + ed
Basic rule Verb + ed
Exceptions I was lonely. (verb = to be) You wept a lot. (verb + to weep) He/she/it split. (verb = to split) We wrote a letter. (verb = to write) You meant business. (verb = to mean) They left early. (verb = to leave)
Rule for irregular verbs Choose verb in 2 nd row of list. In doubt? Check the list first.
Rules Verb + ed Or Irregular verb
Questions Did I see you? Did you see this? Did he know? Did she listen? Did it fit? Did we agree? Did you like rice? Did they sleep? Did + verb
Rule for questions I, you, he, she,it, we, you, they: Did + verb
Negatives I didn’ t do this. You didn’t have a car. He didn’t live there. She didn’t like him. It didn’t sound right We didn’t go there. You didn’t hear me. They didn’t know me. Did + not + verb
Rule for negatives: I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they: Did + not + verb
Most important uses Completed action(s): ‘He passed his exam last week.’ Repeated actions: ‘I read that article twice.’ Simultaneous actions: ‘They listened to the radio, and we watched a movie.’
Uses continued Actions in sequence ‘First I put the kettle on, then I fetched some cups.’ Polite request ‘I wondered if you could show me the way.’ Strong wish ‘I wish I was still on holiday.’
Uses continued Recommendation ‘You’d better not interrupt.’ Preference ‘I’d rather have a cup of coffee.’
Uses Generally speaking you use the Simple Past for: Things that happened in the past Things that are complete/over
Summary Form: Verb + ed Or irregular verb Questions: Did + verb Negatives: Did + not + verb Uses: Completed action(s) Repeated actions Simultaneous actions Actions in sequence Polite request Strong wish Recommendation Preference