In English grammar, the past simple is used to talk about finished events or actions in the past. Here are some example sentences including regular past simple verbs:
- I worked last Monday.
- They studied for an English test last week.
- She smiled when she saw him.
The past simple can also be used to talk about something you did not do.
- I didn’t work last weekend.
- He didn’t do his homework.
- You didn’t tell me!
The past simple verb doesn’t change when you talk about other people.
| Positive + | Negative – | |
| I | worked | didn’t work. |
| You | worked | didn’t work. |
| We | worked | didn’t work. |
| He | worked | didn’t work. |
| She | worked | didn’t work. |
| It | worked | didn’t work. |
| They | worked | didn’t work. |
The past simple verb doesn’t change when you ask questions.
| Did | I | work? |
| Did | you | work? |
| Did | we | work? |
| Did | he | work? |
| Did | she | work? |
| Did | it | work? |
| Did | they | work? |
To make the past simple tense form of regular verbs, we add +ed .
| Present | Past |
| I work | I worked |
| He works | He worked |