This document provides instructions on how to form sentences in the past simple tense in English. It explains that regular verbs are formed by adding "-ed" and irregular verbs use the second column form. Affirmative sentences use subject + verb, negative sentences use subject + did not/didn't + verb, and questions use did + subject + verb. Time expressions like yesterday and last year are usually used with past simple. Irregular verb forms must be learned. The verb "to be" is an exception and does not use "did" in negatives or questions.

1. PAST SIMPLE
HOW TO FORM IT:
Affirmative sentences:
regular: -ed
Subject + Verb
irregular: 2nd
column
• They played football yesterday.
• She swam in the sea last summer.

2. PAST SIMPLE
HOW TO FORM IT:
Negative sentences:
Subject + did not / didn’t + Verb
(infinitive)
• They didn’t play football yesterday.
• She didn’t swim in the sea last summer.

3. PAST SIMPLE
HOW TO FORM IT:
Questions:
Did + Subject + Verb (infinitive) ?
• Did they play football yesterday ?
• Did she swim in the sea last summer ?
ANSWERS: Yes, they did /No they didn’t

4. PAST SIMPLE
WHEN TO USE IT:
We use the PAST SIMPLE to talk
about actions that started and finished
in the past.
Time expressions that usually appear with
past simple are: yesterday, last week /
month/ year / etc., two years ago…

5. PAST SIMPLE
REMEMBER!
In order to use the past simple tense
accurately you need to learn the list of
the irregular verbs in English.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/
verbs/irregular-verbs

6. PAST SIMPLE
The verb TO BE is an exception in the
use of past simple. For making negative
sentences or questions it does not need
DID.
• They were at home yesterday.
• She was sick last week.
• They weren’t at home yesterday.
• She wasn’t sick last week.
• Were they at home yesterday?
• Was she sick last week?