This document provides instruction on forming and using the past simple tense in English. It explains that the past simple is used to talk about actions that occurred in the past. It provides rules for regular verb conjugation in the past simple using suffixes like "-ed" as well as irregular verb forms. Examples are given for affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences. Guidance is also provided on pronunciation of "-ed" verb endings. Links to additional exercises and audio help with practice using the past simple tense.

2. I studied French in high
school.
Columbus discovered
America in 1492.
 We use the past simple
to talk about things
that happened in the
past.

3. I worked
You worked
He worked
She worked
It worked
We worked
You worked
They worked
I didn’t work
You didn’t work
He didn’t work
She didn’t work
It didn’t work
We didn’t work
You didn’t work
They didn’t work
 Affirmative: INFINITIVE+ED
 Negative: DIDN’T + INFINITIVE

4. Did I work?
Did you work?
Did he work?
Did she work?
Did it work?
Did we work?
Did you work?
Did they work?
Yes, you did./ No, you didn’t.
Yes, I did. /No, I didn’t.
Yes, he did. / No, he didn’t.
Yes, she did. /No, she didn’t.
Yes, it did. /No, it didn’t.
Yes, we did. / No, we didn’t.
Yes, you did./ No, you didn’t.
Yes, they did./ No, they didn’t.
 Interrogative: Did +
subject + INFINITIVE
 Short answers: Did/didn’t

5. Like → liked
Arrive → arrived
Stop → stopped
Rob → robbed
 If the verb ends in –e,
add only –d.
 If the verb has ONE
syllable and ends in
vowel+consonant,
double the consonant.

6. Study → studied
Cry → cried
Play → played
Stay → stayed
 If the verb ends in
consonant + y, write –
ied.
 ! If the verb ens in
vowel + y, write -yed

8.  I was happy
 You were happy
 He was happy
 She was happy
 It was happy
 We were happy
 You were happy
 They were happy
 I wasn’t happy
 You weren’t happy
 He wasn’t happy
 She wasn’t happy
 It wasn’t happy
 We weren’t happy
 You weren’t happy
 We weren’t happy
 They weren’t happy

9.  Was I happy?
 Were you happy?
 Was he happy?
 Was she happy?
 Was it happy?
 Were we happy?
 Were you happy?
 Were they happy?
 Yes, you were / No, you weren’t.
 Yes, I was. /No, I wasn’t.
 Yes, he was. / No, he wasn’t.
 Yes, she was. / No, she wasn’t.
 Yes, it was. /No, it wasn’t.
 Yes, we were. / No, we weren’t.
 Yes, you were. / No, you weren’t.
 Yes, they were. /No, they weren’t.

10. I ate an apple
You ate an apple
He ate an apple
She ate an apple
It ate an apple
We ate an apple
You ate an apple
They ate an apple
She didn’t eat an apple.
Did she eat an apple?
Yes, she did.
No, she didn’t.
NOT: She didn’t ate an
apple / Did she ate an apple?
 Irregular verbs only
change in the
affirmative form.
 !! They are formed in
the same way in the
negative and the
interrogative forms.

11.  Exercises on agendaweb
http://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/past_simpl
e-exercises.html
 Pronunciation of –ed endings
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learninge
nglish/radio/specials/1413_gramchallenge26
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