SIMPLE PAST TENSE
The Basic Formula: S + Verb2
Study the table on how to change verbs to the simple past tense
Type Rule Example
Regular verbs Add –d/-ed to the verbs I never received such a letter.
Receive – received Until now, I never dreamed of being something like a
Dream – dreamed hero.
Love – loved He cried when his father passed away.
Form – formed They separated the new books from the old ones.
Irregular verbs There is no rule for the irregular Mira was absent yesterday.
verbs. Teddy read my message twenty minutes ago.
Am/is – was I saw him watering the plants two hours ago.
Are – were He went to the cinema with his girlfriend last night.
Read –read She came to my house last week.
Have/has - had We found a big treasure when we went to the wood.
Notes:
* The basic formula of the simple past tense is: Subject + verb2
• The use of simple past tense is to show an action which took place in the past time,
for instance: I saw him watering the plants yesterday.
• The simple past tense is also used to show a past habit, for example:
He always carried an umbrella.
They never drank wine.
• The time signals which are usually used are:
yesterday
two days before
------------ ago (preceded by a number of time e.g. two days ago, etc.)
last ------------- (followed by a specific time and a number of time e.g.
last Sunday, last three years, etc.)
etc.
The affirmative, negative and interrogative form of
simple past tense
Affirmative form Negative form Interrogative form
Subject + verb2 Subject + did + not + infinitive Did + subject + infinitive?
Examples: Examples: Examples:
1. Diana went to her 1. Diana did not go to her 1. Did Diana go to her
office. office. office an hour ago?
2. Mr. Blake taught us 2. Mr. Blake did not teach us 2. Did Mr. Blake teach you
yesterday. yesterday. yesterday?
3. Randy was absent 3. Randy was not absent last 3. Was Randy absent last
last Monday. Monday. Monday?
Present Perfect Versus Simple Past
Present Perfect Tense Simple Past Tense
Unfinished actions that started in the past and continue Finished actions:
to the present:
I knew Julie for ten years (but then she moved away
I've known Julie for ten years (and I still know her). and we lost touch).
A finished action in someone's life (when the person is A finished action in someone's life (when the person is
still alive: life experience): dead):
My brother has been to Mexico three times. My great-grandmother went to Mexico three times.
A finished action with a result in the present: A finished action with no result in the present:
I've lost my keys! (The result is that I can't get into I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now there is
my house now). no result. I got new keys yesterday).
With an unfinished time word (this week, this month, With a finished time word (last week, last month,
today): yesterday):
I've seen John this week. I saw John last week.
Remember:
We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the
present.
We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still
happening now OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word:
NOT: I've been to the museum yesterday.
You must always use the present perfect when the time of an action is not
important or not specified.
You must always use the simple past when details about the time or place that an
action occurred are given or requested.
Compare:
Present Perfect Tense nnmmnnnmm Simple Past Tense
I have lived in Lyon. I lived in Lyon in 1989.
They have eaten Thai food. They ate Thai food last night.
Have you seen Othello? Where did you see Othello?
We have been to Ireland. When did you go to Ireland?
Have you done your homework? When did you do it?
There is also a difference in attitude between the two tenses, which is often an
important factor in choosing which tense to use.
"What did you do at school today?" I use the simple past tense because the
question is about activities, and the school day is considered finished.
"What have you done at school today?" I use the present perfect because the
question is about results : « show me ». The time at which the question is asked
is considered as a continuation of the school day.
Thank you