Simple Past

Simple Past

Form of Simple Past

• P: He spoke.

• N: He did not speak.

• Q: Did he speak?

Use of Simple Past

Simple Past is used for actions and situations in the past.

• Facts and situations in the past Expresses a fact or given situation in the past.

Beispiele: Our secretary worked very hard. I did not agree with you.

• Actions in the past

Actions in the past that took place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)

Examples: Mister Brown never attended any meeting. He always sent me.

• Actions taking place one after another

Actions in the past that took place one after the other. Examples:

Mister Sanders came into the office, checked his mailbox and went straight to the briefing. What a horrible day: first my computer crashed, then our best customer cancelled their order and on my way home my car broke down.

• Actions taking place in the middle of another action

(Sudden) action that took place in the middle of another action. Examples:

I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang. When I came in, John was playing solitaire.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, If Clause Type II (If I talked, ...)

Form of Simple Past

Positive Negative Question no differences I spoke. I did not speak. Did I speak? For irregular verbs, use the past form. For regular verbs, just add “ed”.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed Example after a final e only add d love – loved final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

admit – admitted travel – travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried

Use of Simple Past

• action in the past taking place once, never or several times Example: He visited his parents every weekend.

• actions in the past taking place one after the other

Example: He came in, took off his coat and sat down.

• action in the past taking place in the middle of another action

Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

• if sentences type II (If I talked, ...) Example: If I had a lot of money, I would share it with you.

Signal Words of Simple Past

• yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday