Simple Past Tense: Rules, Examples & Usage | English Grammar
Last Updated: 01 Jul, 2025
Welcome! In this lesson, you'll learn all about the Simple Past Tense in English grammar. We'll cover the formation, usage, regular and irregular verbs, and provide plenty of examples. You'll find real-life examples, a quick quiz, and pro tips to help you master this fundamental tense.
What is Simple Past Tense?
Simple Past Tense Definition: Simple past tense describes actions that were completed in the past. It shows that something happened and finished at a specific time before now.
Why is Simple Past Important? It's essential for narrating events, telling stories, describing completed actions, and talking about past experiences.
Simple Past Tense Structure
| Sentence Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + Past Verb | I worked / She went |
| Negative | Subject + didn't + Base Verb | I didn't work / She didn't go |
| Question | Did + Subject + Base Verb? | Did I work? / Did she go? |
Note: In negative and question forms, use the base verb, not the past form.
When to Use Simple Past Tense
1. Completed Actions at Specific Times
- I visited Paris last summer.
- She finished her homework yesterday.
- They moved to London in 2020.
- We watched a movie last night.
2. Past Habits (now finished)
- I walked to school every day when I was young.
- She played piano for five years.
- They lived in Japan for a while.
- He worked at that company before.
3. Sequence of Past Events
- I woke up, had breakfast, and went to work.
- She opened the door and saw her friend.
- They arrived at the station and bought tickets.
- We entered the room and sat down.
4. Past States and Feelings
- I was happy yesterday.
- She felt tired after the long journey.
- They were excited about the trip.
- The weather was beautiful last week.
Forming Simple Past Tense
Regular Verbs (-ed rules)
| Rule | Base Verb | Past Form |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs: add -ed | work, play, call | worked, played, called |
| Ends in -e: add -d | like, move, save | liked, moved, saved |
| Consonant + y: change y to -ied | study, try, carry | studied, tried, carried |
| CVC pattern: double final consonant + -ed | stop, plan, prefer | stopped, planned, preferred |
Common Irregular Verbs
go → went
come → came
see → saw
have → had
do → did
make → made
take → took
get → got
say → said
📌 Simple Past Challenge!
Complete the sentences with the correct past form:
- She _____ (go) to the market yesterday.
- I _____ (not/finish) my homework last night.
- _____ you _____ (see) the movie?
- They _____ (study) English for two hours.
Show Answers
- She went to the market yesterday.
- I didn't finish my homework last night.
- Did you see the movie?
- They studied English for two hours.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Wrong: I didn't went there.
✅ Correct: I didn't go there.
Use base verb after didn't, not past form.
❌ Wrong: Did you went home?
✅ Correct: Did you go home?
Use base verb after Did in questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is simple past tense?
Simple past tense describes completed actions in the past. It uses the past form of verbs (verb + ed for regular verbs) to show actions that happened and finished at a specific time in the past.
How do you form simple past tense?
Add -ed to regular verbs (work → worked) or use irregular forms (go → went). For negatives, use didn't + base verb. For questions, use Did + subject + base verb?
What are some examples of simple past tense?
Examples include: I worked yesterday, She went to Paris, They played football, We watched a movie, He didn't come, Did you see him?
When do we use simple past tense?
Use simple past for: completed actions in the past, past habits or repeated actions, sequences of past events, and actions at specific past times.
What's the difference between simple past and present perfect?
Simple past is for specific past times (I went yesterday), while present perfect connects past to present (I have gone there before - experience matters now).
How do you make negative sentences in simple past?
Use didn't (did not) + base verb for all subjects: I didn't work, She didn't go, They didn't play.
How do you ask questions in simple past?
Use Did + subject + base verb: Did you work? Did she go? Did they play? What did you do?
What are the rules for adding -ed to regular verbs?
Most verbs: add -ed (walk → walked). Verbs ending in -e: add -d (like → liked). Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y to -ied (study → studied). One syllable ending in consonant-vowel-consonant: double final consonant + ed (stop → stopped).
Conclusion
Simple Past Tense is fundamental for narrating past events and experiences. Master both regular (-ed) and irregular verb forms to describe completed actions and tell stories effectively!