Past-Indefinite-Tense

Simple Past Tense (Past Indefinite Tense)

The simple past tense, often just called the past tense, is easy to use in English. In general, the past tense is used to talk about something that started and finished at a definite time in the past.

Uses of past simple tense:
1. It is used for an action started and finished at a specific time in the past.
Examples.
I saw a movie yesterday.
He washed his car.

2. It is used to list a series of completed actions in the past.
Examples.
I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.
Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?

3. It is used with a duration which starts and stops in the past.
Examples.
I lived in Lahore for two years.
We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.

4. It is used to describe a habit which stopped in the past.
Examples.
I studied Arabic when I was child.
He played the violin.

5. It is used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true.
Examples.
He did not like tea before.
People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the past.

Sentence Structure of Simple Past Tense

Structure of positive sentence:

Subject + 2nd form of verb + Object.

Simple Sentences:
                            (Subject +     2nd Verb   +   Object)
                           (She                  went          to the market.)

She went to the market.         They went to the market
He visited his aunt’s home.    I visited my aunt’s home.
I rained in winter.                   We played a cricket match.
Peter wrote a letter.                 You ate a burger.

Structure of negative sentence: 

Subject + did + not + 2nd form of verb + Object.

Negative sentences:
                (Subject       +       Did Not + 1st Verb   +   Object)
                (They/I/We/You    Did not     Watch             T.V.)

They/I/We/You Did not Watch T.V.
He/She Did not Speak French properly.
It Did not Rain in Nepal daily.

Structure of interrogative sentence:

Did + Subject + 2nd form of verb + Object?

Interrogative Sentences:
         (Did +       Subject       +     1st Verb        +   Object)
       (Did     They/I/We/You           Make     a cake on Sunday?)

Did They/I/We/You Make a cake on Sunday?
Did He/She Take too much tea?
Did It Rain in Bhutan daily?

Note: The past tense of regular is made by adding ‘d’ or ‘ed’. The past tense of irregular verb is made by changing the spellings.