This page helps you to learn about the simple past tense and how it is used in our life.
Simple past tense is used to express the finished activities and habitual activities in the past.
How to form sentences in the Simple Past Tense using ‘be’ verbs?
Formation of sentences in the Simple Past Tense using ‘be’ verbs with the noun.
Example
- I was a professor last year.
- We were students.
- You were a merchant.
- You were painters.
- They were engineers.
- He was a pilot.
- She was a dancer.
- It was iron.
Formation of sentences in the Simple Past Tense using ‘be’ verbs with the adjective.
Example
- I was happy.
- We were innocent.
- You were alluring.
- They were amazing.
- He was honest.
- She was pretty.
- It was jubilant.
Formation of sentences in the Simple Past Tense using ‘be’ verbs with the adjective and noun.
Example
- I was a very good painter.
- We were intelligent investigators.
- You were a charming girl.
- You were bright students.
- They were wonderful players.
- He was a handsome actor.
- She was a gorgeous girl.
- It was a wonderful day.
Now, let’s learn how to form sentences in the Simple Past Tense using other verbs?
Subject + Stem Verb in Past Form
- Add ‘ed’ with the verb
Example: work – worked, play – played
- Add ‘d‘ with the verbs ending in -silent e
Example: die – died, close – closed
- eliminate -y and add ‘ed‘ with the verbs ending in –vowel+y
Example: play – played, decay – decayed
- Add ‘ied‘ with the verbs ending in -consonant+y
Example: carry – carried, cry – cried
- Most of the verbs are irregular past forms
Example: come – came, go – went
We use the simple past tense to express past activities in our life.
The simple past tense used for:
- Talk about finished actions.
Example: I wrote a letter.
- Talk about a finished time.
Example: Jane went to London last week.
- Talk about recent actions that have completed.
Example: I had my lunch before 30 minutes.
- Talk about our lives in the past.
Example: I was a teacher.
- Talk about holidays and trips.
Example: I travelled to many places.
- Talk about true stories.
Example: I saw a thief yesterday.
- Talk about facts about the past.
Example: Theresa May served as Home Secretary in the United Kingdom.
The full form and contracted forms of the Simple Past Tense
The affirmative sentence of the verb to be in the Simple Past Tense
The affirmative sentence of other verbs in the Simple Past Tense
Now we learn to compose negative sentences of the verb to be and other verbs in the Simple Past Tense
The negative sentence of the verb to be in the Simple Past Tense
The negative sentence of other verbs in the Simple Past Tense
Here, we look at how to make positive and negative interrogative sentences in the Simple Past Tense.
The interrogative sentence in Simple Past Tense
Positive Questions of the verb to be in the Simple Past Tense
Positive Questions of other verbs in the Simple Past Tense
Now, we learn to make positive ‘wh’ questions with the verb to be and do/does in the simple past tense. It’s easy to compose ‘Wh’ questions. We just need to add the ‘Wh’ question word in front of the verb to be and other verbs.
Positive ‘Wh’ Questions with the verb to be in the Simple Past Tense
Positive ‘Wh’ Questions with other verbs in the Simple Past Tense
It’s very easy to make negative questions using the verb to be and other verbs in the simple past tense. You are just required to add the word ‘NOT‘ in the question.
Negative Questions of the verb to be in the Simple Past Tense
Negative Questions of other verbs in the Simple Past Tense
(OR)
Negative ‘Wh’ Questions with the verb to be in the Simple Past Tense
Negative ‘Wh’ Questions with other verbs in the Simple Past Tense
Here are some essays and a conversation using Simple Past Tense to create a clear picture of Simple Past Tense.
Short essays
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was a famous personality in the world. He was born in Tamil Nadu in India. He was a great scientist of the 21st century. He was the 11th president of India and served his country. He was the most valued person in India. He contributed a lot to the Indian Space Research Organization. He helped in the development of Agni and Prithvi missiles. He was a dedicated citizen and the government awarded him with the highest civilian award. He was honored by Indian organizations and committees and also by many international organizations and committees. He wrote many books. He died while delivering a lecture to students in Shillong by sudden cardiac arrest in 2005.
Summer vacation
I spent my summer vacation happily. I did many things which kept me interested and busy during my holidays. I joined the summer camp and did interesting activities. I met new faces in that camp. I also read new interesting novels which helped to improve my knowledge and reading ability. I joined a sports club to learn swimming. I also visited my native village and met my relatives. I had a nice time with my friends too. I spent this summer vacation in a useful and effective way.
A day out with my friends
I liked to go out with my friends. I and my friends went out last week. We visited many places in the town. We did the shopping and bought new classy outfits. We had our lunch in a restaurant. The food was so delicious and the restaurant was good. We went to the park and clicked on many photos. That was the most interesting and fabulous day. We had a lot of fun. I enjoyed it a lot last week.
Conversation
Catherine: Hi Diana. How was your weekend?
Diana: Hi Catherine. It was good.
Catherine: What did you do last weekend?
Diana: Well, I got up early and played badminton with my sisters.
Catherine: Nice. Where did you play badminton?
Diana: We played in the park near my home.
Catherine: Did you go out last weekend?
Diana: Yes. I went out with my parents. We had lunch in a new restaurant.
Catherine: Oh! That’s nice. What you had?
Diana: We had a submarine and burger. It was so delicious.
Catherine: How was the restaurant?
Diana: It was so good.
Catherine: Ok. See you later.
Diana: Bye.