What is the Simple Past?
Definition · When to use it · Time expressions
Simple Past — Definition
The Simple Past is used to talk about actions that started and finished in the past. The action is completely done — it is no longer happening now.
With regular verbs, we simply add -ED to the base form: work → worked, play → played, study → studied.
When do we use the Simple Past?
- To describe a completed action at a specific time: "She called me yesterday."
- To talk about a past routine or habit: "When I was a student, I studied every night."
- To narrate a sequence of events: "He woke up, cooked breakfast, and left."
Time Expressions for the Past
With regular verbs, the Past Simple form is the same for all subjects: I worked · You worked · He/She/It worked · We/They worked. No changes needed for third person singular!
Structure: Affirmative, Negative & Questions
How to build sentences in the Past Simple
| Subject | Verb | Past form |
|---|---|---|
| I / You | work | worked |
| He / She | study | studied |
| We / They | call | called |
Examples:
"I worked late last night."
"She studied for three hours."
"They called us on Sunday."
| Subject | Auxiliary | Base verb |
|---|---|---|
| I / You | didn't | work |
| He / She | didn't | study |
| We / They | didn't | call |
Important: After "didn't," use the BASE verb (no -ED).
❌ "She didn't studied." → ✅ "She didn't study."
| Did | Subject | Base verb | ? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Did | you | work | yesterday? |
| Did | she | study | last night? |
| Did | they | call | this morning? |
Wh- Questions: Wh- word + did + subject + base verb?
"Where did you work before?" | "What did she study?" | "Who did they call?"
Short Answers
Spelling Rules for -ED
5 rules to form the Past Simple correctly
Pronunciation of -ED
Three different sounds: /t/, /d/, /ɪd/
The ending -ED is NOT always pronounced the same. The pronunciation depends on the last sound of the base verb. There are 3 possible sounds:
p, k, s, ch, sh, f, x, gh
(all others except /t/ and /d/)
(adds an extra syllable)
Your Reference: 100 Regular Verbs
Base form · Past Simple · Past Participle — all in one place
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Study these errors — they are the most frequent ones
Reading Passage
Past Simple verbs highlighted — affirmative · negative · questions
Last Saturday, Diego decided to drive to Jacó with his two friends, Pablo and Sofía. They planned the trip the night before and packed their bags quickly. Diego checked the weather app before leaving — it looked perfect.
They arrived at the beach around nine in the morning. Pablo jumped into the water immediately. Sofía stayed under a palm tree and listened to music on her headphones. Diego walked along the shore and collected some interesting shells.
Around noon, they stopped at a small restaurant near the pier. They ordered rice with fish, fried plantains, and fresh juice. Diego enjoyed every bite. Sofía didn't eat the plantains — she didn't like fried food — but she loved the juice.
After lunch, they rented surfboards. Pablo had surfed before, but Diego tried it for the first time. He didn't balance well at first and dropped into the water several times. But he didn't give up. By the end of the afternoon, he managed to stand on the board for a few seconds. He laughed and shouted with excitement.
On the drive home, Sofía called her mother and described the whole day. "Did you surf?" her mother asked. "Did Diego really try it?" Sofía smiled and replied: "Yes, he tried — and he loved it!"
They returned to San José tired but happy. Diego posted a photo of the waves online before he rested. He already wanted to go back the following weekend.
Reading Comprehension Quiz
10 questions about "A Weekend in Jacó." Re-read the passage before answering — the answers are all in the text.
Practice Quiz — Grammar & Spelling
20 questions · Structure · Spelling rules · Common mistakes
20 questions covering the full lesson: affirmative, negative, questions, spelling rules, and common mistakes.