Past Simple

Past Simple Tense

(example : to play)

The past simple tense of regular* verbs is formed by adding - ed to the infinitive
(for example: - infinitive : to play, Past Simple : I played)
*See past simple tense of irregular verbs
The auxiliary did is used to form the negative and interrogative forms

AFFIRMATIVE	NEGATIVE		INTERROGATIVE
Past Simple Tense
	Long Form	Contracted Form
I played	I did not play	I didn't play	Did I play?
You played	You did not play	You didn't play	Did you play?
He/she/it played	He/she/it did not play	He/she/it didn't play	Did he/she/it play?
We played	We did not play	We didn't play	Did we play?
You played	You did not play	You didn't play	Did you play?
They played	They did not play	They didn't play	Did they play?

The past simple tense is used to talk about finished actions in a finished period of time,
for example :

Yesterday evening I played tennis with a friend.
Last year I started taking tennis lessons.
When I was at school I hated history.
Five minutes ago I finished the report for my boss.
Last week I attended a meeting in Tokyo.