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English Grammar and Exercises / Verbs tenses / How to use the Simple PastTense

How to use the Simple Past Tense

Simple Past Tense - Form
Click here for Simple PastTense Exercises
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THE USE OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE
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1) For a completed action in a time before now
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Use simple past to talk about a completed action that started and finished at a specific time in the past.
EXAMPLES
  • Albert Einstein developed the general theory of relativity.
  • I met my husband in 1993.
  • The cat broke the lamp yesterday.
  • Last year, I traveled to Canada.
  • She did not eat anything for 2 days.
  • They played baseball over twenty years ago.
  • Did you open the door last night?
  • What did you do last weekend?
  • Why didn’t you do your homework?

​2) For events that were true for some time in the past
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Use simple past to indicate the duration of past events. 
EXAMPLES
  • They lived in Russia for three years.
  • The baby did not cry for five minutes.
  • I talked on the phone for fifteen minutes.
  • He waited for two hours.

​3) For a list of completed actions in the past
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Use simple past to tell a story or a list of completed actions in the past in order to express actions which follow each other.
EXAMPLES
  • Ryan came in, took off his coat and sat down.
  • Yesterday, I had a very rough day. I woke up late so I missed my train to work.
  • I bought a cup of tea and a newspaper. I found a chair to sit on. I drank my tea and read the newspaper.
  • Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?

​4)
For habits in the past 
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Use simple past to talk habitual or repeated actions that took place in the past. 
EXAMPLES
  • She saw him every day.
  • When I was a child, I played the piano.
  • Tom visited his parents every weekend.
  • I drove to work every day.
  • Did you play the violin when you were young?

​5) For past fact
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Use simple past to talk about past facts which are no longer true.
EXAMPLES
  • He did not like eggs before.
  • Did you live in Senegal when you were younger?

​6) To talk about an action in the past that takes place in the middle of another action
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Use simple past to talk about an action in the past taking place in the middle of another action.
EXAMPLES
  • When she arrived, I was watching TV.
  • They were playing volleyball on the beach when she broke her arm.
  • I was having a bath when the phone rang.

​Adverb placement

You can use adverbs such as: always, never, once, frequently, just, rarely, etc. with the simple past tense.
EXAMPLES
  • You always invited me to your birthday parties.
  • She never played volleyball in the colleague.
  • I met him once.
  • He frequently changed jobs.
  • Did you just call her?
  • I just wanted to say what I mean.
  • Kevin rarely missed classes.
Click here for Simple PastTense Exercises
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