THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE

THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE

Learn how to form the simple past tense

WE USE THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE TO TALK ABOUT A COMPLETED ACTION IN A TIME BEFORE NOW. IT
IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE PRETERITE. TO FORM THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND
NEGATIVE FORM, WE SIMPLY ADD -ED TO THE BASE FORM OF THE VERB.

AFFIRMATIVE

SUBJECT + VERB + -ED

I + PLAYED

YOU + CALLED

NEGATIVE

SUBJECT + DIDN'T + BASE VERB

HE/SHE + DIDN'T + WATCH

WE + DIDN'T + WALK

INTERROGATIVE

DID + SUBJECT + BASE VERB

DID + THEY + GO

DID + YOU + SEE

Examples:

I played football last night.

He watched a movie at the cinema last weekend.

I didn't walk to work this morning.

Did you go to argentina last year?

 THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE
Extra practice using regular simple past tense verbs

Name: Section:

Date: Score:

FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE AFFIRMATIVE (+) FORM OF THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE.

1. Yesterday, I (play) tennis with my sister.

2. On Thursday, my brother (study) English at school.

3. Last night, my mother (call) me by telephone.

4. Two weeks ago, my grandparents (invite) me to go out to lunch with them.

5. In 2016, I (start) studying at university.

6. When I was younger, I (work) as a waitress at a restaurant.

7. My friends (enjoy) my birthday party.

8. The prisoner (escape) from the jail at night.

2. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE NEGATIVE (-) FORM OF THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE.

1. On Friday, I (go) to the party because I was sick.

2. I (pass) the exam because I didn't study hard enough.

3. Last night, my sister (eat) dinner because she was at her boyfriend's house.

4. My friends (sleep) very well after they watched the horror movie!

5. In 2012, I (travel) to New York, but I went to London.

6. My brother (do) his chores, so my mother was angry!

7. Yesterday, I (have) time to finish reading my book.

8. She (buy) coffee at the supermarket.

 THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE
E x t r a p r a c t i c e u s i n g r e g u l a r s i m p l e p a s t t e n s e v e r b s

3. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE INTERROGATIVE (?) FORM OF THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE.

1. (he, come) to your party last weekend?

2. (you, go) to the shopping centre yesterday?

3. (they, drink) tea this morning?

4. (Sarah, give) John her new address?

5. (your brother, study) English at school?

6. (we, win) the match last night?

7. (you, wear) your new shoes to work today?

8. (I, fail) the exam?