Past Simple Verb Tense Structure - English Grammar - English The Easy Way
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English Grammar

Past Simple Verb Tense Structure

Positive Statements

Subject + Main Verb + _________.

There are 2 kinds of main verbs that are used in the past simple tense:

  • Regular Verbs - add -d or -ed to the end of the verb
  • Past Simple Tense
    Subject Base Verb + -d or -ed
    I walked to the store yesterday.
    We played football last night.
    They played football last night.


    Irregular Verbs - use V2/Past Simple Tense (see irregular verb chart.)
    Subject Main Verb
    V2/Past Simple Tense
    I ate dinner already.
    We came home early last night.
    The girls studied till late last night.


    Negative Statements

    Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Not + Main Verb + _________.

    • The auxiliary verb "did" is added after the subject
    • "not" is added between the auxiliary verb "did" and the main verb
    • the main verb stays in the base form
    Negative Statements
    Subject Auxiliary Verbs
    Did
    Not Main Verb
    The girls did not go to school today.
    They did not speak to the teacher after class.
    My brothers did not learn English in school.


    Questions

    Auxiliary Verb Did + Subject + Main Verb + _________.

    Questions the auxiliary verb "did" comes before the subject

    • the main verb stays in the base form
    Questions
    Auxiliary Verbs
    Did
    Subject Main Verb
    Did your sisters do their homework?
    Did you speak to your boss?
    Did we pay the electric bill?

    Past Verb Tense Lesson

    Past Verb Tense Chart

    Past Verb Tense Exercise 1

    Past Verb Tense Exercise 2

    Past Simple Tense

    Past Simple Tense

    Past Simple Tense Chart

    Past Simple Tense Exercise 1

    Past Simple Tense Exercise 2

    Past Verb Tense Quiz #1

    Past Verb Tense Quiz #2

    Past Verb Tense Quiz #3

    Past Simple Tense & Present Perfect Tense

    Past Continuous Tense