Simple Past Tense
Master the basic past tense for completed actions and events
What Is the Simple Past Tense?
The simple past tense is used to describe actions, events, or situations that happened and were completed at a specific time in the past. It's one of the most commonly used tenses in English.
This tense helps us talk about what happened yesterday, last week, or any time before now.
How to Form the Simple Past
Regular Verbs
Add "-ed" to the base form
work → worked
play → played
study → studied
visit → visited
Irregular Verbs
Have unique past forms
go → went
see → saw
eat → ate
write → wrote
When to Use Simple Past
Completed Actions in the Past
Actions that happened and finished at a specific time
I visited Paris last summer.
She finished her homework at 8 PM.
They played soccer yesterday.
Past Habits or States
Things that were true in the past but aren't now
I lived in London for five years.
She worked as a teacher.
They liked classical music.
Sequential Events
Actions that happened one after another
I woke up, showered, and went to work.
She opened the door and entered the room.
The movie started at 7 PM and ended at 9 PM.
Common Time Expressions
Specific Time
Exact times and dates
yesterday, last night
last week, last month
in 2010, on Monday
at 3 PM, two hours ago
General Past
Vague past time references
before, ago, previously
once, in the past
when I was young
during my childhood
Interactive Quizzes
Quiz 1: Form Simple Past
Change these verbs to simple past:
1. I (visit) my grandmother last week.
Answer: I visited my grandmother last week.
2. She (go) to the store yesterday.
Answer: She went to the store yesterday. (irregular verb)
Quiz 2: Choose the Right Form
Select the correct verb form:
1. I _____ (work/worked) in that company for five years.
Answer: worked (simple past for completed past action)
2. She _____ (see/saw) the movie last night.
Answer: saw (irregular verb in simple past)
Quiz 3: Time Expressions
Complete with appropriate time expressions:
1. I finished my homework _____.
Answer: yesterday, last night, two hours ago, etc.
2. She lived in Paris _____.
Answer: in 2010, last year, for five years, etc.
Quiz 4: Simple Past vs. Present Perfect
Choose the correct tense:
1. I _____ (went/have been) to Paris in 2010.
Answer: went (simple past for specific past time)
2. I _____ (went/have been) to Paris before.
Answer: have been (present perfect for life experience)
Important Notes
• Simple past is used for completed actions with specific time references.
• Regular verbs add "-ed," but irregular verbs have unique forms that must be memorized.
• Don't use simple past for actions that continue to the present - use present perfect instead.
• Time expressions help determine whether to use simple past or present perfect.
Pro Tip
To identify when to use simple past, ask yourself: "Did this action happen at a specific time in the past and is it finished?" If yes, use simple past. If the action continues to the present, consider present perfect.