Past Simple
- Adrian Nantchev
- Jun 24, 2023
- 2 min read
The past simple is used for actions or situations that happened and were completed in the past. Things that are over and finished.
It is made by adding "-ed" to the base form of regular verbs, while irregular verbs have specific forms.
1. Completed Actions in the Past:
I visited London last year.
Visitó Londres el año pasado.
2. Past Habits or Routines:
We always went for a walk in the park.
Siempre íbamos a dar un paseo al parque.
3. Past Facts or Generalisations:
Shakespeare wrote many famous plays.
Shakespeare escribió muchas obras famosas.
4. Sequences of Past Actions:
She arrived, unpacked her bags, and settled in.
Ella llegó, desempacó sus maletas y se instaló.
Learn more idioms & phrasal verbs at BuhoIngles.com/watch.
Positive sentences in the past simple:
Regular verbs:
Subject + verb + "-ed"
I played football yesterday.
Jugué al fútbol ayer.
Irregular verbs have specific forms that should be memorised:
Subject + irregular verb form
He went to the cinema last night.
Él fue al cine anoche.
Negative sentences in the past simple:
Regular verbs:
Subject + did not + verb
They did not visit the museum.
Ellos no visitaron el museo.
Irregular verbs:
Subject + did not + base form of the verb
She did not eat sushi for dinner.
Ella no comió sushi para la cena.
Open-ended questions in the past simple:
Did + subject + base form of the verb + ?
Did you see the concert?
¿Viste el concierto?
Master English with my online English courses at BuhoIngles.com/Workshops.
Closed-ended questions in the past simple:
Did + subject + verb + ?
Did he finish his homework?
¿Terminó él sus deberes?
It's important to note that the past simple is not used in the following situations:
1. When discussing ongoing or continuous actions in the past, we would need the past continuous.
I was reading a book.
Yo estaba leyendo un libro.
2. When talking about future actions. The past simple only talks about completed actions in the past.
Connect with us and join the speaking club at BuhoIngles.com/Speak.
Questions
Write your answers in the comments section below.
1. What _______ you do yesterday?
a) did
b) do
c) does
d) did
2. He _______ a famous novel last year.
a) writes
b) writing
c) wrote
d) written
3. When _______ you visit the Eiffel Tower?
a) did
b) do
c) does
d) done
4. We _______ to the beach on our vacation.
a) went
b) goes
c) going
d) gone
5. _______ they watch the football match on TV?
a) Do
b) Did
c) Does
d) Done
6. She _______ her best friend yesterday.
a) meet
b) met
c) meets
d) meeting
7. They _______ the new Italian restaurant in town.
a) visits
b) visiting
c) visited
d) visit
8. _______ your parents travel to France last summer?
a) Do
b) Did
c) Does
d) Done
9. I _______ a delicious pizza for dinner last night.
a) had
b) have
c) has
d) having
10. What _______ you buy at the market yesterday?
a) do
b) does
c) done
d) did
Connect with us and join the speaking club at BuhoIngles.com/Speak.
Comments