Form of the Past Simple

How do we form the Past Simple?

We form the Past Simple:

• with regular verbs: infinitive + –ed
• with irregular verbs: 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

1.1. Affirmative sentences in the Past Simple – regular verbs

• I played football.
• You played football.
• He played football.
• She played football.
• It played football.
• We played football.
• You played football.
• They played football.

1.2. Affirmative sentences in the Past Simple – irregular verbs

• I went on holiday.
• You went on holiday.
• He went on holiday.
• She went on holiday.
• It went on holiday.
• We went on holiday.
• You went on holiday.
• They went on holiday.

► Use the same form of the verb every time regardless of the subject.

2.1. Negative sentences in the Past Simple – regular verbs

• I did not play tennis.
• You did not play tennis.
• He did not play tennis.
• She did not play tennis.
• It did not play tennis.
• We did not play tennis.
• You did not play tennis.
• They did not play tennis.

2.1. Negative sentences in the Past Simple – irregular verbs

• I did not go on holiday.
• You did not go on holiday.
• He did not go on holiday.
• She did not go on holiday.
• It did not go on holiday.
• We did not go on holiday.
• You did not go on holiday.
• They did not go on holiday.

Use the auxiliary did (Past Simple of do) every time regardless of the subject.

Contracted forms in the Past Simple