Simple Past

Basic form

Subject + Verb (past form)

Quick examples

I was sleepy.
He didn't learn any Italian when he was in Italy two year ago.
I went to the cinema, bought popcorn and watched a movie.

We use the Past Simple to talk about actions that happened at a specific time in the past. The actions can be short or long. There can be a few actions happening one ofter another.

Use 1: Past actions that are now finished

The first use of the Past Simple to express actions that happened at a specific time in the past. The actions can be short or long.

John cut his finger last week. short
I went to college 3 years ago. long
He ate the dinner 1 hour ago. short
I slept well last night. long

Use 2: Situation in the past

Another use of this tense is talk about situations in the past.

I lived in New York for 10 years (I don't live there anymore).

Use 3: A series of actions in the past

The Past Simple can also be used with a few actions in the past happening one after another.

He entered a room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests.

Form

Forming a sentence in the Past Simple is easy. To form a declarative sentence, all you need is the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog) and the past form of your verb (e.g. was, talked, swam). Questions and negative sentences are only a little more difficult, because they require an auxiliary verb.

Declarative Sentences

Subject	+	Verb (past form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.	+	e.g. walked, went, took, etc.

Examples

I lived in New York for 10 years.

Mike walked in, looked around and smiled to us.

He married a woman who lived in the same village.

I ate the cake yesterday.

I saw two colorful fishes in the lake yesterday. (Use 1)

Time Expressions

Common time expressions (time adverbials) in the Past Simple are:

yesterday
the other day
just now
the day before yesterday

Questions

DID	+	Subject	+	Verb (present form)
	+	e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.	+	e.g. go, make, have, etc.

Examples

How long did he work there?

Didthe telephone ring?

Did you see that?

Negative Sentences

Subject	+	Didn't	+	Verb (present form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.	+		+	e.g. go, make, have, etc.