Simple Past Tense

Simple Past Tense is also known as Indefinite Past Tense.

Uses of Simple Past Tense

Use Case 1: Completed action

We use Simple Past to indicate an action completed in the past. It shows that an action is completely over.

I wrote a letter.

So, for Historical events in the past – We use Simple past tense

The Second World War has started in 1939. (incorrect)
The Second World War started in 1939. (correct)

India has got independence in 1947. (incorrect)
India got independence in 1947. (correct)

Use Case 2: With adverbs of past time

Simple Past is often used with adverbs (or adverb phrases) of past time (to express one time activity). For example, with:

  • yesterday, ago,
  • last + time expression,
  • period of time + back,
  • the other + day/week,
  • passed years such as 2016, 1920

The ship sailed yesterday. (yesterday - adverb)
He left the job a few days ago. (a few days ago – adverb phrase)

Sometimes this tense is used without an adverb of time. In such cases the time may be either implied or indicated by the context.

He didn’t sleep well. (i.e. last night)
She learned German in Noida.

Use Case 3: Past habits

Simple Past is also used for past habits, or to say that an action was repeated in the past, or to say that an action/a situation was permanent in the past.

He always carried a gun. (past habit)
He practiced for many hours every day. (action was repeated)
I liked the red colour. (a permanent situation in the past)

Use Case 4: Sequence of actions in past

Sequence of actions in past is expressed in simple past

Geetu reached home, had had a bath, and then had some sleep. (incorrect)
Geetu reached home, had a bath, and then had some sleep. (correct)

Monika came, saw, and conquered.




Different Sentence structures of the Simple Past tense

We use the following helping verbs in simple past tense (depending on person and number of subject):

tenses

It is not necessary that ‘did’ will always work as a helping verb. It can function as main verb too.

She did her assignment. (here ‘did’ is the main verb and not helping verb)
She did not do her assignment. (here ‘did’ is a helping verb, and ‘do’ is the main verb)

Structure of Declarative sentences

Affirmative Declarative Sentences

Pattern: Subject + $V_2$ + Object

Aanya went to college.
I went to college.

When we want to emphasize the main verb, then we use did + $V_1$

Pattern: Subject + did + $V_1$ + …….

Aanya did meet me.

Negative Declarative Sentences

Pattern: Subject + did not + $V_1$ + Object

Aanya did not go to school.
I did not go to school.

We can write did not as didn’t too.

Structure of Interrogative sentences

Affirmative Interrogative Sentences

Pattern 1: Did + Subject + $V_1$ + Object?

Did Aanya go to college?
Did they go to college?
Did she do her assignment?

Pattern 2: Wh. family + did + Subject + $V_1$ + Object?

When did Aanya go to college?
When did they go to college? 
When did she do her assignment?

Negative Interrogative Sentences

Pattern 1: Did + Subject + not + $V_1$ + Object?

Did Aanya not go to college?
Did they not go to college?
Did she not do her assignment?

Pattern 2: Wh. family + did + Subject + not + $V_1$ + Object?

Why did Aanya not go to college?
Why did they not go to college? 
Why did she not do her assignment?

Usually in a sentence, ‘do’ ‘does’ and ‘did’ are not used in positive sentences as a helping verb. But to emphasise the main verb, we use ‘do’, ‘does’ and ‘did’ before the main verb.

In such sentences main verb should be in ‘$V_1$ form’.

He did make a mistake. (make – main verb in $V_1$ form)

Extra Books and Tools


1. Wren & Martin - This book has been around for long and is still considered one of the best.

Links for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

High School English Grammar and Composition Paperback

Key to Wren and Martin

Link for Indian readers: Wren and Martin


2. More advanced learners may refer to the following books. However, buy them only if you must.

A. Essential English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Essential Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Essential English Grammar

B. Intermediate English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: English Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Intermediate English Grammar

C. Advanced English Grammar by Martin Hewings

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Advanced Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Advanced English Grammar


So much so for Englsh Grammar. But what about Comprehension skills and Vocabulary?

For this, I prefer to read on gadgets like Kindle. We may just tap on any word and see its meaning there and then. It's also not taxing on the eyes. There are a multitude of Kindle models and versions available. Though, any model will meet our basic reading needs.

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

Link for Indian readers: Kindle

If you want to know more about such recommended books, you may read this article of ours.
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