What is the Simple Past?

We use the simple past to talk about finished actions in the past.

🕐 She worked late last night.  |  They went to the cinema yesterday.  |  I had a great holiday last summer.
Regular Verbs – add -ed
Base formPast simpleExample
workworkedShe worked late last night.
playplayedThey played football yesterday.
studystudiedHe studied for two hours.
likelikedI liked the film a lot.
watchwatchedWe watched a film last night.
Spelling rules:
🔸 Most verbs: add -ed   work → worked
🔸 Verb ends in -e: add -d   like → liked
🔸 Verb ends in consonant + y: change y to -ied   study → studied
Irregular Verbs – learn these!

These verbs do not follow a pattern. You need to learn them.

Base formPast simpleExample
gowentShe went to the cinema last night.
havehadWe had a great time.
getgotHe got home very late.
makemadeShe made dinner for everyone.
comecameThey came from Spain.
seesawI saw an old friend yesterday.
taketookHe took the bus to work.
feelfeltShe felt tired after the journey.
knowknewWe knew the answer.
sendsentI sent her a message.
Negatives & Questions
FormExample
PositiveShe went to the party.
NegativeShe didn't go to the party.
QuestionDid she go to the party?
Short answerYes, she did. / No, she didn't.
Remember! After didn't and Did, always use the BASE form of the verb — NOT the past form.
✓ She didn't go. / Did she go?
✗ She didn't went. / Did she went?
True or False?

Read each sentence. Click True or False.

Multiple Choice

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Gap Fill

Complete each sentence with the correct past simple form of the verb in brackets.

Matching Exercise

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Word Order

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Error Correction

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