Last year - This is a completed action in the past. Example: I visited Paris last year. Past Simple is used because the action is finished and happened at a specific time in the past.
Last week - This is a completed action in the past. Example: She bought a new car last week. Past Simple is used because the action is finished and happened at a specific time in the past.
Yesterday - This is a completed action in the past. Example: They went to the cinema yesterday. Past Simple is used because the action is finished and happened at a specific time in the past.
Tomorrow - This is a future time. Example: I will go to the cinema tomorrow. Past Simple is NOT used for future actions. We typically use Future Simple or Present Simple for scheduled events.
Next month - This is a future time. Example: She will travel to Spain next month. Past Simple is NOT used for future actions. We typically use Future Simple or Present Simple for scheduled events.
Practice Past Simple Forms
Complete the sentences with the correct Past Simple form of the verbs in brackets:
1. I __________ (go) to the cinema last weekend.
2. She __________ (study) English for five years.
3. They __________ (not/visit) their grandparents yesterday.
4. __________ you __________ (watch) TV last night?
5. We __________ (have) a great time at the party.
Affirmative
Subject + V2 (Past Simple)
I worked yesterday.
She went to school.
They played football.
Negative
Subject + did not + V1 (base form)
I did not work yesterday.
She didn't go to school.
They didn't play football.
Interrogative
Did + Subject + V1 (base form)
Did you work yesterday?
Did she go to school?
Did they play football?
Try it yourself!
Select a verb and see how it changes in different forms: