Use the Simple Past to express an action that started and finished at a specific time in the past.
Signal words
I told you we have regular and irregular verbs in the past but negative sentences and questions are similar in both groups. Have a look at the explanation:
Negative sentences:
Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of do). Remember all subjects take the same form of the verb.
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I did not play football. | I did not go to the supermarket. |
NOTE: Short forms in negative sentences in the Simple Past are used quite often.
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I didn’t play football. | I didn’t go to the supermarket. |
Questions: (Wh?) + did + subject + verb ? [ Remember formula (Qu) A+ S+I]Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of do). Remember all subjects take the same form of the verb. .
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
Did you play football? | Did I go to the supermarket? |
Now, find below some exercises to practise: