English Grammar Study

Simple Past Tense

Tenses

The simple past tense is used to describe the action that happened in the past.

Simple Past Tense

simple past tense

Simple Past Tense Formula

Subject + Past form of verb (V2) + object.

Type of
Sentence		FormulaSentences
Positive[Subject + V2 + object]She got up early in the morning.
Negative[Subject + did + not + V1 + object]She didn’t get up early in the morning.
Question[Did + subject + V1 + object + ?]Did she get up early in the morning?
Wh-Questions[Wh + Did + subject + V1 + object + ?]Why did she get up early in the morning?

Simple Past Tense Examples

AffirmativeNegativeInterrogative
I wrote letters. I did not write letters.Did I write letters?
You studied math.You did not study mathDid you study math?
He played soccer.He did not play soccer.Did he play soccer?
She sang beautifully.She did not sand beautifully.Did she sing beautifully?
They ate dinner.They didn’t eat dinner.Did they eat dinner?

Affirmative Sentences in Simple Past Tense

  1. He played soccer in high school.
  2. The sun rose early this morning.
  3. She cooked dinner for her family yesterday.
  4. They ate breakfast at the restaurant.
  5. It worried me to hear about the storm.
  6. It shocked me to see the accident.
  7. She wrote a letter to her best friend.
  8. We hiked to the top of the mountain.
  9. She learned how to ride a horse.
  10. He read a book in one sitting.
  11. It smelled delicious in the kitchen.
  12. She worked overtime to finish the project.
  13. They helped his neighbor with gardening.
  14. He took a nap after lunch.
  15. They met at the coffee shop.
  16. I went to the store yesterday.
  17. It relieved me to find my lost keys.
  18. He painted a beautiful landscape.
  19. We went on a tour of the city.
  20. He bought a new car last month.

Negative Sentences in Simple Past Tense

  1. We didn’t watch any movies.
  2. The phone didn’t ring loudly.
  3. I didn’t study hard yesterday.
  4. He didn’t paint a portrait.
  5. I didn’t travel to Europe.
  6. The tree didn’t grow tall.
  7. He didn’t run a marathon.
  8. The team didn’t win the championship.
  9. They didn’t study for the test.
  10. We didn’t travel to Europe together.
  11. She didn’t swim in the pool.
  12. We didn’t watch the fireworks display.
  13. The cat didn’t catch a mouse.
  14. She didn’t paint her bedroom blue.
  15. We didn’t go to the beach yesterday.
  16. They didn’t bake cookies for the party.
  17. He didn’t cook dinner for his family.
  18. The teacher didn’t grade the papers quickly.
  19. They didn’t watch a movie last night.
  20. She didn’t study for her exam diligently.

Interrogative Sentences in Simple Past Tense

  1. Did they play basketball yesterday?
  2. Did he read the book last night?
  3. Did we eat pizza for dinner?
  4. Did you finish your presentation?
  5. Did the team win the game?
  6. Did they swim in the pool?
  7. Did they take a nap this afternoon?
  8. Did he call his friend yesterday?
  9. Did they take the dog for a walk?
  10. Did they walk to school this morning?
  11. Did you visit the art gallery?
  12. Did the car break down on Monday?
  13. Did the baby take her first steps?
  14. Did I take a photography class online?
  15. Did she complete the puzzle in minutes?
  16. Did they watch a comedy movie?
  17. Did the weather get better?
  18. Did the phone ring all night?
  19. Did she draw a picture for me?
  20. Did he play tennis yesterday?

Interrogative-Negative Sentences in Simple Past Tense

  1. Didn’t he finish her homework before dinner?
  2. Didn’t she go shopping last weekend?
  3. Didn’t they play soccer yesterday?
  4. Didn’t he read the book?
  5. Didn’t the bus arrive on time?
  6. Didn’t she eat pasta for dinner?
  7. Didn’t you study for the exam?
  8. Didn’t they sing a song at the concert?
  9. Didn’t she ride his bike to work?
  10. Didn’t the team win the match?

Simple Past Tense Exercise

  1. The children _______ to the park. (go)
  2. All the birds _______ south for the winter. (fly)
  3. She _______ a letter to her friend. (write)
  4. The snow _______ gently on the trees. (fall)
  5. He _______ to the top of the mountain. (hike)
  6. She _______ a poem about the ocean. (write)
  7. You _______ for the exam last night. (study)
  8. He _______ late on Sunday morning. (sleep)
  9. She _______ a picture of the sunset. (take)
  10. They _______ in the ocean waves. (surf)

Answers

  1. The children went to the park. (go)
  2. All the birds flew south for the winter. (fly)
  3. She wrote a letter to her friend. (write)
  4. The snow fell gently on the trees. (fall)
  5. He hiked to the top of the mountain. (hike)
  6. She wrote a poem about the ocean. (write)
  7. You studied for the exam last night. (study)
  8. He slept late on Sunday morning. (sleep)
  9. She took a picture of the sunset. (take)
  10. They surfed in the ocean waves. (surf)

Examples of simple past tense

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