Short forms and long forms in the Past Simple
How to use short/contracted forms with the Past Simple?
We often use short/contracted forms of auxiliaries in spoken English. The Past Simple is formed with a main verb, so short/contracted forms are only used with negative forms.
1. Affirmative forms
| Pronouns | Long forms | Contracted forms |
|---|---|---|
| I, he, she, it, we, you, they | I worked | not possible |
| you worked | ||
| he worked | ||
| they worked |
2. Negative forms
| Pronouns | Long forms | Contracted forms |
|---|---|---|
| I, he, she, it, we, you, they | I did not work | I didn’t work |
| you did not work | you didn’t work | |
| he did not work | he didn’t work |