Simple Past (Past Simple)

The simple past expresses an action in the past taking place once, never or several times. It
can also be used for actions taking place one after another or in the middle of another action.

Form of Simple Past

Positive Negative Question

no differences I spoke I did not spoke Did I speak?

For irregular verbs, use the past form.

For regular verbs, add ed.

 Exceptions when adding ed

Exceptions Example
after a final e only add d love - loved
final consonant after a vowel double the
admit - admitted
consonant and add ed
Final y after a consonant becomes i hurry - hurried

Use of Simple Past

 Action in the past taking place once, never or several times.

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 Actions in the past taking place one after the other.
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 Action in the past taking place in the middle of another action
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 Second Conditional Sentences: are useful for expressing outcomes that are completely
unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future.
 ________________________________________________________________
 ________________________________________________________________
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 ________________________________________________________________

Exercise 1. Was or were?

Complete the sentences with was or were.

1. I _____ happy.
2. You _____ angry.
3. She _____ in London last week-
4. He _____ on the holiday.
5. It _____ cold.
6. We _____ at school.
7. You _____ at the cinema.
8. They _____at home.
9. The cat (it) _____ on the roof.
10. The children (they) _____ in the garden.

Exercise 2. Positive Sentences

Write positive sentences in Past Simple.

1. he / the question / answer _______________________________________________________

2. you / a question / ask ___________________________________________________________
3. the dog / bark _________________________________________________________________
4. they / call / us _________________________________________________________________
5. we / a mountain / climb _________________________________________________________
6. John / stamps / collect __________________________________________________________
7. we / in London / live ____________________________________________________________
8. I / hungry / be _________________________________________________________________
9. they / a hamster / have _________________________________________________________
10. he / to school / go ______________________________________________________________