Past Simple Tense: Definition, Examples, Rules & Formula

Past Simple Tense

A Past Simple Tense is a verb form of a sentence that tells about any action, event, moment, or circumstance that happened in the past or occurred completely. It is also called a preterite or past indefinite.

The simple past tense containing a regular verb in a sentence ends up to “-ed.” And the sentences that contain irregular verb forms, have a variety of endings.

The verb form used in this sentence is also called the past simple form of the Verb.

Formula of Simple Past Tense

Subject + Verb(V₂) + Object.

Here, the Verb is in the past simple form.

Sentence Structure Rules

There are three possibilities of writing any sentence or a statement

1. Simple statements 
   [Subject + verb (ed) + object]
2. Negative statements 
   [Subject + did not + verb + object]
3. Question statements
   [Did + subject + verb + object + ?]

For statements like a negative one, we use did with the subject, and in question statements, we use did before the subject.

Where,

Did can be used with all three-person groups like first, second, and third persons.

While using did, the verb form will be in the simple form or infinitive form.

Examples of simple past tense in sentences

1. She completed her breakfast. (statement)
2. She did not complete her breakfast. (negative)
3. Did she complete her breakfast? (question)

1. She cleaned her bedroom. (statement)
2. She didn’t clean her room. (negative)
3. Did she clean her bedroom? (question)

1. They played a basketball game. (statement)
2. They did not play a basketball game. (negative)
3. Did they play a basketball game? (question)

1. I went to New york. (statement)
2. I didn’t go to New York. (negative)
3. Did I go to New York? (question)

More: Examples of Simple Past Tense

Exercises

Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of verbs.
(write, complete, leave, punish, come, hit, wear, cry, practice, enjoy, run, see, know, study, stop)

1. He _____ a large bird.
2. I enjoyed last night but my younger brother _____________ it much. (not)
3. ______ you __________ your homework?
4. We were exhausted totally, so we _____ earlier from the program.
5. How hard _____ he _____ the ball with the bat?
6. I _______ your secret.
7. We _______________ our rehearsals yesterday. (not)
8. Margaret _________ a letter to the principal.
9. He was a brave son, but he ______ at his father’s funeral.
10. _____ he ______ with you?
11. We _____ away from the Grocery shop.
12. They badly __________ him for his bad behavior in the class.
13. Jane __________ a single word for her exams. (not)
14. ______ you _______ these sports shoes for your practice?
15. The train _________ before the station.

Answers:

1. He saw a large bird.
2. I enjoyed last night but my younger brother didn’t enjoy it much.
3. Did you complete your homework?
4. We were exhausted totally, so we leave earlier from the program.
5. How hard did he hit the ball with the bat?
6. I know your secret.
7. We didn’t practice our rehearsals yesterday.
8. Margaret wrote a letter to the principal.
9. He was a brave son, but he cried at his father’s funeral.
10. Did he come with you?
11. We studied away from the glossary shop.
12. They badly cry him for his bad behavior in the class.
13. Jane didn’t know a single word for her exams.
14. Did you run these sports shoes for your practice?
15. The train stop before the station.

exercise of simple past tense

More Tenses:
1. Past Continuous Tense
2. Past Perfect Tense