A short effective explanation of the past simple negative for ESL learners.

1. The Past Simple
Negative

2. Past Simple: Affirmative
• Why do we use the Past Simple?

3. Past Simple: Affirmative
• Why do we use the Past Simple?
• To talk about the past and finished actions.

4. Past Simple: Affirmative
• Why do we use the Past Simple?
• To talk about the past and finished actions.
For example:
Last year, I travelled to South Africa.
In 2008, I went to Ibiza.
Twenty years ago, I was a child.

5. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?

6. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
Last year, I travelled to South Africa.

7. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
Last year, I travelled to South Africa.
Last year, I didn’t travel to South Africa.
didn’t + infinitive verb
For all other verbs

8. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
Last year, I travelled to South Africa.
Last year, I didn’t travel to South Africa.
NOT: I didn’t travelled to South Africa.
didn’t + infinitive verb
For all other verbs

9. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
In 2008, I went to Ibiza.

10. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
In 2008, I went to Ibiza.
In 2008, I didn’t go to Ibiza.
didn’t + infinitive verb
For all other verbs

11. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
In 2008, I went to Ibiza.
In 2008, I didn’t go to Ibiza.
NOT: I didn’t went to Ibiza.
didn’t + infinitive verb
For all other verbs

12. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
Twenty years ago, I was a child.

13. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
Twenty years ago, I was a child.
Twenty years ago, I wasn’t a child.

14. Past Simple: Negative
• How do we make the Past Simple negative?
• Can you make this negative?
Twenty years ago, I was a child.
Twenty years ago, I wasn’t a child.
Verb ‘be’ is an exception.
Was = wasn’t / were = weren’t