Past simple

Past simple

Level: beginner

With most verbs, the past tense is formed by adding –ed:

called liked wanted worked

But there are a lot of irregular past tense forms in English. Here are the most common irregular verbs in English, with their past tense forms:

Base form Past tense
be
begin
break
bring
buy
build
choose
come
cost
cut
do
draw
drive
eat
feel
find
get
give
go
have
hear
hold
keep
know
leave
lead
let
lie
lose
make
mean
meet
pay
put
run
say
sell
send
set
sit
speak
spend
stand
take
teach
tell
think
understand
wear
win
write
was/were
began
broke
brought
bought
built
chose
came
cost
cut
did
drew
drove
ate
felt
found
got
gave
went
had
heard
held
kept
knew
left
led
let
lay
lost
made
meant
met
paid
put
ran
said
sold
sent
set
sat
spoke
spent
stood
took
taught
told
thought
understood
wore
won
wrote

We use the past tense to talk about:

  • something that happened once in the past:

I met my wife in 1983.
We went to Spain for our holidays.
They got home very late last night.

  • something that happened several times in the past:

When I was a boy, I walked a mile to school every day.
We swam a lot while we were on holiday.
They always enjoyed visiting their friends.

  • something that was true for some time in the past:

I lived abroad for ten years.
He enjoyed being a student.
She played a lot of tennis when she was younger.

  • we often use expressions with ago with the past simple:

I met my wife a long time ago.

Past simple 1
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Past simple 2
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Past simple questions and negatives

We use did to make questions with the past simple:

Did she play tennis when she was younger?
Did you live abroad?
When did you meet your wife?
Where did you go for your holidays?

But questions with who often don't use did:

Who discovered penicillin?
Who wrote Don Quixote?

Past simple questions 1
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Past simple questions 2
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We use didn't (did not) to make negatives with the past simple:

They didn't go to Spain this year.
We didn't get home until very late last night.
I didn't see you yesterday.
 

Past simple negatives 1
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Past simple negatives 2
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Level: intermediate

Past simple and hypotheses

We can also use the past simple to refer to the present or future in hypotheses (when we imagine something). See these pages:

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Hello Anubhav,

Both sentences are grammatically correct. In 2, you could change 'had collected' to 'collected' and it would also be correct. In 1, it's a little strange to say 'the other day', which we usually use to talk about a non-specific day in the past, in combination with 'when she found out ...', which speaks about a specific time, but the sentence is not incorrect.

Both sentences refer to a finished past time that has no connection with the present, so the present perfect ('has been') would not be appropriate.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Naomi03 on Sat, 07/12/2019 - 16:22

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Is this past simple or present simple ‘the cars are exported’. I’m confused because ‘are’ is a form of be and used in the present but ‘ed’ on exported is a past tense marker. Help

Hello Naomi03

In this sentence, 'are exported' is a passive verb in the present simple tense. You're right that the ending '-ed' is a past tense marker, but it also has other meanings and uses -- in this case, for example, it a past participle.

You can find an explanation of all of this on our Active and passive page. If you have any other questions after reading that, please let us know.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Sad on Tue, 15/10/2019 - 22:38

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Can we say 'We learn at school' or 'We learn in school'? Please explain the difference. Thanks

Hello Sad,

In the UK, at school can mean either of these:

1. being a pupil (She is still at school can mean she is still a pupil)

2. being physically in the place (She is still at school can mean she has not come home yet)

In school generally only has the second meaning.

 

When you want to ask about, for example, what was done during the day, then either can be used:

What did you learn in school today?

What did you learn at school today?

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Does it make sense? 'We write at school'? Gives a meaning that we write the word 'at school'! 'At school, we learn to write words' Isn't it a correct structure? Regards

Hello Sad,

There is nothing grammatically wrong with either sentence. I think the most likely way to phrase it would be 'We learn to write at school', but it really depends on the context and to what question the person is responding, if any.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Thank you. It doesn't make sense to me if it's written ' We write at school.', I don't know why? However, the other 2 make sense, but which is stronger, 'At school, we learn to write.' Or 'We learn to write at school.' I mean, as a strong correct sentence structure! Regards

Hello Sad,

Both of these are fine:

At school, we learn to write.

We learn to write at school.

There is no difference in meaning or strength.

 

The sentence 'We write at school' is, as I said, grammatically correct. I think it's very unlikely anyone would say it in conversation but it's possible to think of a context in which it would make sense:

The teacher doesn't give us writing homework. Usually, we have lists of words to learn at home. We write at school.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by fdrewaserera on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 03:50

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why i cannot mention a specific time with present perfect tense or why the time is not important

Hello fdrewaserera,

I'm not sure there is a 'why' to explain this. It's simply a feature of how the verb system words in English. The present perfect has a retrospective meaning: it looks back on the past from now and thus requires an open time reference. It is never used with a completed time reference.

I can say

I've been to Spain. [some time in my life]

I've finished the book. [some time before now]

However, if I add a completed time reference then I need to use a past form:

I went to Spain in 1995.

I finished the book last week.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Thanks why we use just with present perfect tesns because the action is effect to the present or what
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Submitted by Kirk Moore on Tue, 10/09/2019 - 02:45

In reply to by fdrewaserera

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Hello fdrewaserera

Could you please give a specific example of what you're asking about?

Thanks.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by yasiraq on Fri, 06/09/2019 - 23:25

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hi I want to ask about this sentence : I lived abroad for ten years. Isn't it supposed to say I had lived abroad for ten years or I had been living abroad for ten years thank you
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Submitted by Peter M. on Sat, 07/09/2019 - 08:03

In reply to by yasiraq

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Hello yasiraq,

All of those are correct grammatically. Which one is appropriate in a given context will depend on the context.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Scarlettleg on Thu, 29/08/2019 - 12:28

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Hello, I was reading a book until I saw the sentence “I have to have fallen into the arms of the murderous Ghazis”. I don’t understand the grammatical structure of this sentence. Thank you for your time!

Hello Scarlettleg,

Could you check to see if you have quoted the sentence accurately, please? I think I recognise this from a Sherlock Holmes story, but I think you may have misquoted it.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Widescreen on Wed, 28/08/2019 - 09:26

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Hi Kirk, could you please clarify which tense is correct for this sentence? “ no one knows exactly how the planets come/ came/ had come/ have come into being”. Thank you

Hello Widescreen,

The correct form is 'came', because 'came into being' is a completed act (words such as 'survive', 'live' or 'endure' would describe ongoing actions).

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by AfnanAlAhmad on Sat, 10/08/2019 - 19:16

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Thank you for your explanation, I have a question: Is the past simple should be in a specific time ? like " last week, yesterday ..etc " thank you

Hello AfnanAlAhmad

Yes, with time expressions that refer to a completed past time (for example, 'last week', 'yesterday', 'five minutes ago', '10,000 years ago', 'last year') we use the past simple.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Sad1974 on Tue, 18/06/2019 - 08:20

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Hi. One question please. Can I say 'Does your child speak English in home'? If yes, why 'at' is not used here? Thanks.

Hello Sad1974

'at home' is the correct way to say this, not 'in home'.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by luna fernanda on Sun, 02/06/2019 - 21:05

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I am satisfied with the page

Submitted by patph0510 on Fri, 23/11/2018 - 13:04

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Dear Sir, I would like to ask a question about the usage of simple past tense. When we talk about a past event/what a person did in the past, and the relevant background information is still true now, should we use simple present or simple past? Eg 1: the terrorist attack last Sunday was/is disgraceful. Eg 2: The defendant was/is a taxi driver. He was convicted of careless driving 6 months ago.
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Submitted by Peter M. on Sat, 24/11/2018 - 08:23

In reply to by patph0510

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Hello patph0510,

I think the past simple is the most likely choice here, and we would only use the present tense if we wanted to emphasise that we consider it to be still a current event in some way.

For example:

The existence of slavery in the US was a national disgrace. [past as slavery existed in the past]

The existence of slavery in the US is a national disgrace. [present because the speaker wants to emphasise that the disgrace remains even though slavery ended]

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Thanks for your reply! Am I correct to say that even if the defendant is still a taxi driver, we would use past tense to emphasize the fact that he was a taxi driver when the accident took place? Thanks

Hello patph0510,

If the person is still a taxi driver then both past and present could be used. I think a newspaper describing an ongoing or very recent trial would probably use the present; someone describing a trial long ago would use the past.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by bakh.sh85 on Fri, 19/10/2018 - 18:46

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Hello Sir Which answer for the following question is correct? When I met him, he (type) the report. _ When I met him, he was typing the report. _ When I met him, he had typed the report. Can both "tenses" be used with the word "when"? Regards
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Submitted by Peter M. on Sat, 20/10/2018 - 07:40

In reply to by bakh.sh85

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Hello bakh.sh85,

Both of those sentences are possible, as are many others (he typed, he was going to type, he had been typing etc). Without any context, it is not possible to say which form is preferable.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by p t balagopal on Thu, 18/10/2018 - 15:06

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Sir, I came across the following sentence in a grammar book . "John has become engaged ; it took us completely by surprise." I would like to know whether we can use 'have taken' instead of 'took' in the second clause. Is there any rule regarding this ?
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Submitted by Peter M. on Fri, 19/10/2018 - 08:28

In reply to by p t balagopal

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Hello p t balagopal,

It would be possible to use 'has taken' here but it would depend upon the context.

The phrase 'become engaged' does not sound particularly natural to me, however. We would be more likely to say 'get engaged'.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by seelan65 on Thu, 18/10/2018 - 10:36

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Dear Sir Please clarify whether the example in the past simple usage - We went to Spain for our holidays is correct or should be 'We went to Spain for our holiday' Thanks
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Submitted by Peter M. on Fri, 19/10/2018 - 08:13

In reply to by seelan65

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Hello seelan65,

Both forms are possible here, but there is a difference in meaning.

The phrase 'for our holidays' can mean the time we have free (some weeks in the summer, for example) or it can mean a particular vacation or trip.

The phrase 'for our holiday' means a particular trip.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by seelan65 on Fri, 19/10/2018 - 10:37

In reply to by seelan65

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Thanks Peter M for your explanation

Submitted by Vivian888999 on Wed, 12/09/2018 - 14:46

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We use “Did...+infinitive” to form question in the past. In what situations I use “were” to form question? For example: what was the wealther like yesterday? Why cannot said like What did the wealther like yesterday? Or Were you alone? And Did you alone? What is different between those sentences.

Hello Vivian888999,

When the main verb in the sentence is a form of 'be' then we invert the verb and subject to form a question:

He is a teacher > Is he a teacher?

You are alone > Are you alone?

 

When the main verb is not 'be' we use the auxiliary verb 'do' in the appropriate form before the subject and the base form of the main verb:

She lives in London > Where does she live?

They watched the film at the cinema > Did they watch the film at the cinema?

 

When the verb has two parts, we invert the subject and the first auxiliary verb:

You have lived here for ten years > Have you lived here for ten years?

The class will be going to Paris next week > Will the class be going to Paris next week?

 

You can read more about question forms on this page and this page.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Abdel El on Fri, 22/06/2018 - 15:31

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hello is it right to say i have been to spain this year?
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Submitted by Peter M. on Sat, 23/06/2018 - 07:22

In reply to by Abdel El

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Hello Abdel El,

Yes, that is perfectly fine, grammatically speaking. Remember that names of countries should be capitalised (Spain rather than spain).

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Andrew international on Tue, 24/04/2018 - 10:53

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Dear Sir This question is under puntuation; I hope it is all right to ask. My quesstion: what does 'two o'clock' mean when one writes it without the apostrophe? Is it 'two on the clock' I am I right or wrong? Please let me know. Thank you. Regards Andrew int
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Submitted by Kirk Moore on Tue, 24/04/2018 - 17:47

In reply to by Andrew international

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Hello Andrew international,

 

'o'clock' is an abbreviation of 'of the clock', not 'on the clock'.

I can't think of a situation when I'd say 'two on the clock'. There is the phrase 'on the clock', which people use in a work context to refer to the fact that they are being paid to work at a given time and so, for example, they shouldn't be answering personal phone calls. But it's not used to refer to a specific time of day.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Emaximus on Wed, 21/02/2018 - 18:55

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Hello. Can I use past for the next case? > I played football for five years. I want to say that I played football maybe ten, maybe more years ago. Not the last five years. Somewhere in the past, but totally around five years.

Hello Emaximus,

You can say this sentence but it means something different. 'For' here tells us how long you played football so the sentence tells us that you played football in the past and do not now and that your playing career lasted five years.

I think the best way to express what you want, if I've understood correctly, would be this:

I haven't played football for five years or so.

I used to play football, five years ago or so.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by JJ53 on Fri, 02/02/2018 - 11:05

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Under the heading 'Questions and Negatives' why is the auxiliary 'did' used in the first four examples, but not in the last two examples? Could you please explain the grammar rules for this difference? Thank you.

Hello JJ53,

This is because those are subject questions. Please see our Question forms page for an explanation of this. If it's still not clear after you read that page, please don't hesitate to ask us again.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

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Submitted by alotar on Sat, 20/01/2018 - 09:26

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Good afternoon! Would You be so kind to help me with one question? There's one piece of conversation, it's from the book "Essential English for Foreign Students" by C. E. Eckersley "...The man couldn't answer for laughing. He laughed until the tears came into his eyes. Then he caught hold of the porter and said:"Did you see those two fellows get into the train and leave me here?" "Yes, I saw them." "Well, I was the one who was going to London; they only came here to see me off!"... "Did you see those two fellows get into the train and leave me here?"This sentence here in the form of question makes me somehow feel confused. Why did the author use here"get"and "leave"? Is it because of "Did"? Can we paraphrase this sentence? Thank You very much!

Hello alotar,

We often use a bare infinitive form in a clause after a verb of perception. Here, 'did you see' is the verb of perception (others are 'hear', 'watch', etc.) and then 'get' and 'leave' are the bare infinitives in the clause 'those two fellows get into the train and leave me here'.

It's also possible to use an -ing form -- in this case, 'get into' would be 'getting into' and 'leave' would be 'leaving'. The difference is that the bare infinitive form suggests we saw the action from beginning to end, whereas the -ing form focuses on the action as it was happening.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by SahilK on Mon, 08/01/2018 - 19:56

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Hello, Sir is it right to say " I graduated last year"? And can we say this in any other way? And sir please tell me about the tenses using which we can talk about specific times like in present, past and the future. Thanks in advance
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Submitted by Peter M. on Tue, 09/01/2018 - 08:08

In reply to by SahilK

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Hello SahilK,

It's perfectly fine to say I graduated last year. You could also say I got my degree last year or I finished university last year.

The verb system in English, including various tenses and aspects, is very complicated and not something we can explain in a quick comment! However, we have an extensive grammar section which covers this area in a lot of depth with explanations, examples and practice tasks.

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team