Simple Past Tense

The Simple Past Tense is used to describe actions that were completed in the past.

Structure#

Affirmative:

• Subject + Past form of the verb + Object
  • Example: “She visited the museum.”

Negative:

• Subject + did not + Base form of the verb + Object
  • Example: “She did not visit the museum.”

Interrogative:

• Did + Subject + Base form of the verb + Object?
  • Example: “Did she visit the museum?”

Usage#

1. Completed Actions in the Past:

   • Actions or events that happened and finished in the past.
   • Example: “He finished his homework.”

2. Series of Completed Actions:

   • When several actions happened one after another.
   • Example: “She entered the room, switched on the light, and started reading.”

3. Duration in the Past:

   • Actions or situations that lasted for some time in the past.
   • Example: “They lived in London for five years.”

4. Habits in the Past:

   • Repeated actions or habits in the past.
   • Example: “She always played tennis on weekends.”

5. Past Facts or Generalizations:

   • Facts or generalizations that were true in the past.
   • Example: “People believed the earth was flat.”

Time Expressions#

The Simple Past Tense is often used with specific time expressions such as:

• Yesterday
• Last night/week/month/year
• In 1990 (or any other specific year)
• Two days/weeks/months ago
• When I was a child
• For two years (or any specific duration)