Form of the Simple Past

How do we form the Simple Past?

We form the Simple Past:

  • with regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
  • with irregular verbs: 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

1.1. Affirmative sentences in the Simple Past – regular verbs

  • I played with a ball.
  • You played with a ball.
  • He played with a ball.
  • She played with a ball.
  • It played with a ball.
  • We played with a ball.
  • You played with a ball.
  • They played with a ball.

1.2. Affirmative sentences in the Simple Past – irregular verbs

  • I went home.
  • You went home.
  • He went home.
  • She went home.
  • It went home.
  • We went home.
  • You went home.
  • They went home.

► Use the same form of the verb every time regardless the subject.

2.1. Negative sentences in the Simple Past – regular verbs

  • I did not play with a ball.
  • You did not play with a ball.
  • He did not play with a ball.
  • She did not play with a ball.
  • It did not play with a ball.
  • We did not play with a ball.
  • You did not play with a ball.
  • They did not play with a ball.

2.1. Negative sentences in the Simple Past – irregular verbs

  • I did not go home.
  • You did not go home.
  • He did not go home.
  • She did not go home.
  • It did not go home.
  • We did not go home.
  • You did not go home.
  • They did not go home.

Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of do) every time regardless the subject.

Contracted forms in the Simple Past