2. DEFINITION
The simple past expresses an action in the past
taking place once, never, several times. It can
also be used for actions taking place one after
another or in the middle of another action.
Simple past can be used for most past actions;
we can use it for:
• Actions that happened quickly,
• Actions that happened over time, or
• Actions that were habits in the past.
3. Use of Simple Past Tense
Action in the past taking place once, never or
several times Example: He visited his parents
every weekend.
Actions in the past taking place one after the
other Example: He came in, took off his coat
and sat down.
Action in the past taking place in the middle
of another action Example: When I was having
breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.
4. Signal Words of Simple Past
Yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other
day, last Friday
5. Examples
I arrived home at five.
Yesterday I worked on my math homework for
three hours.
I didn’t drink coffee in college, but I drank it a
lot in grad school.
