In English we use the past simple tense to talk about finished actions in the past.
We use 'did' as an auxiliary verb in negatives and questions and we often use the past simple with past time phrases such as 5 minutes ago, yesterday, last week, in the 1980s, and when I was a child.
Notes for use of past simple :
In English, to change verbs to the past tense, we add '-ed' to regular verbs. For example;
work --> worked
live --> lived
walk --> walked
If the verb ends in 'e', we drop the 'e' before adding '-ed'. For example;
dance --> danced
smile --> smiled
phone --> phoned
If the verb ends in a vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant. For example;
stop --> stopped
tag --> tagged
plan --> planned
If the verb has more than one syllable, we double the consonant at the end only if the last syllable is stressed. For example;
prefer --> preferred
permit --> permitted
regret --> regretted
If the last syllable of the verb is not stressed, we do not double the last consonant. For example;
visit --> visited
happen --> happened
develop --> developed
In British English, verbs ending in 'l' double the 'l' before '-ed' whether the last syllable is stressed or not. For example;
travel --> travelled
cancel --> cancelled
If the verb ends in a 'y' or a 'w', we do not double it when we add '-ed'. For example;
stay --> stayed
play --> played
sew --> sewed
In English we do not double the consonant if the verb has two vowels before the last consonant. For example;
boil --> boiled
explain --> explained
In English we also do not double the consonant if the verb ends in two consonants. For example;
help --> helped
start --> started
However, irregular verbs change to completely different words in the past tense. For example;
go --> went
take --> took
know --> knew
The table below shows the different forms of past simple :
Example Verb : live | I / You / We / They / He / She / It |
Positive | ... lived. |
Negative | ... didn't live. |
Questions | Did ... live? |
Short answers | Yes, ... did. / No, ... didn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'was' and 'were'' in the past simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb : Be | I / He / She / It | You / We / They |
Positive | ... was ... | ... were ... |
Negative | ... wasn't ... | ... weren't ... |
Questions | Was ... ... ? | Were ... ...? |
Short answers | Yes, ... was. / No, ... wasn't. | Yes, ... were. / No, ... weren't. |
Past Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Past Simple :
Negative Examples of Past Simple :
Question Examples of Past Simple :
Past simple example sentences | |
---|---|
I wasn't complaining, I just wanted to let you know about it. | Non mi stavo lamentando, volevo solo fartelo sapere. |
When did you last visit your parents? | Quando hai fatto visita ai tuoi genitori l’ultima volta? |
Good morning my friend, did I wake you up? | Buongiorno amico mio, ti ho svegliato? |
I can't believe that, you were a very nice couple! | Non riesco a crederci, eravate una gran bella coppia! |
To tell you I came here earlier than we agreed! | Per dirti di venire qui prima del tempo! |
Did you get yourself a cappuccino, too? | Hai preso un cappuccino anche per te? |
It's a nice area, I considered living there once, too... | È una bella zona, ho considerato anch'io di vivere là… |
Dude, I heard you shagging till late last night. | Bello, ti ho sentito darci dentro fino a tardi ieri notte. |
Unfortunately, it is... Weren't there any pictures of the house? | Sfortunatamente, lo è… Non c’erano delle foto della casa? |
Yes, that's me, hello, I think we talked on the phone before... | Sì, sono io, Salve, penso che abbiamo parlato al telefono… |
If you are allergic to cats, why didn't you talk to me directly? | Se sei allergica ai gatti, perché non ne hai parlato direttamente con me? |
Really, how long did you live here? | Davvero, per quanto tempo hai vissuto qui? |
Didn't you forget something, dear? | Non ti sei dimenticata qualcosa, cara? |
Dear, I think you were absolutely right! | Caro, penso avessi assolutamente ragione! |
An old lady came out and shouted at me very angrily! | È venuta fuori una vecchia signora e mi ha gridato contro molto arrabbiata! |
It was nice meeting you. | È stato un piacere conoscervi. |
Did you sleep well last night? | Hai dormito bene ieri notte? |
The first appointment was at 07:30 in the morning! | Il primo appuntamento era alle 7:30 del mattino! |
Yes, I thought about moving upstairs. | Sì, avevo pensato di spostarmi al piano di sopra. |
Hmm, why weren't we here at the time?... | Hmm, perché non eravamo qui a quell’ora?… |