Topic: Simple Past Tense
1. Definition
The Simple Past Tense is used to describe actions that were completed at a specific time in the past. It does not directly connect to the present.
Example
I walked to the store.(The action of walking to the store was completed in the past.)
2. Formation of the Simple Past Tense
- Regular Verbs: Formed by adding -ed to the base verb.
- Walk→ Walked
- Play** → *Played
Irregular Verbs: Have unique forms that must be memorized, as they do not follow a regular pattern.
- Go→ Went
- Eat → Ate
3. Usage of the Simple Past Tense
Completed Actions in the Past:Used to talk about events that have already finished.
- She visited Paris last year. (The visit to Paris happened and finished last year.)
- Past Habits or Routines: Describes actions that were regularly performed in the past.
- He played tennis every Sunday.(Playing tennis was a regular habit in the past.)
- Sequence of Past Events: Indicates the order in which actions occurred.
- I finished my homework and then watched TV. (Homework was completed first, then TV was watched.)
4. Sentence Structure in Simple Past Tense
Affirmative Sentences: Subject + past tense verb + object.
- They watched a movie. (They completed the action of watching a movie.)
- Negative Sentences: Subject + did not (didn't) + base verb + object.
- She did not (didn't) go to the party.** (She did not complete the action of going to the party.)
- Questions:Did + subject + base verb + object?
- Did you see the new film? (The question asks if the action of seeing the film was completed.)
5. Key Time Expressions for Simple Past Tense**
- Yesterday
- Last week/month/year
- Ago (e.g., "two days ago")