Simple Past

The simple past tense in English is formed like this:Regular VerbsSubject  +  Verb  + ED

Examples:       

• I played hockey yesterday.
  
• He jumped on the bed.
  

Irregular VerbsIrregular verbs don’t end in "ed".  They have different
endings.  They are called irregular verbs because their endings
are different.

Examples:        

• Go = went
  
• Have = had
  

Verb to be in the simple past

I	Was
You	Were
He/She/It	Was
We	Were
They

USES Actions at a specific time in the past

• I ate dinner at 5:00 pm yesterday.
  
• He went to school this morning.
  

Completed actions in the past

• I finished my homework before dinner.
  
• She quit her job.
  

Past status

• I was a teacher 5 years ago.
  
• They were tired last night.
  

NEGATIVESSubject + Did + Not + Base Verb

Examples:        

• I did not eat yesterday.
  
• They didn't (did not) go to class last week.
  

QUESTIONSQuestions in simple past are the same as in the simple present.  

There are 2 types:
1. Did
2. Was/WereDid + Subject + Verb (in present)Examples:        

• Did you eat yesterday?
  
• Did they go to the store last week?
  

Was/Were  +  Subject Examples:

• Was he tired last night?
  
• Were they late this morning?
  

SIMPLE PAST TIME PHRASES

Time Phrase	Examples
Yesterday	I ate pizza yesterday.
Last + Time night week month class	I went to the park last week. Did you play soccer last month?
Time + Ago 2 minutes ago 3 days ago 4 weeks ago 8 years ago	I lived in New York 3 years ago. I finished my homework 30 minutes ago.