Simple past tense examples and sentences. Usage examples of simple past tense. Positive sentences, negative sentences, questions (interrogative sentences) with simple past tense.
The simple past tense is a verb tense used to talk about actions or events that happened and were completed at a specific time in the past. Here's a breakdown of its usages:
Usage
Used to describes actions that started and finished at a specific point in the past. I ate breakfast at 7 am this morning. The simple past tense can also describe habits or states that existed for a period of time in the past. She lived in France for a year. When describing a series of past events, the simple past tense can be used to show the order in which they happened. I woke up, got dressed, and then ate breakfast. |
Usage Examples
Completed Actions in the Past
She met her friends yesterday.
I saw him yesterday afternoon.
She traveled to Paris last summer.
They moved to a new house last year.
She finished her homework last night.
He read an interesting book last week.
She finished her project two days ago.
She arrived at the party two hours ago.
The Berlin Wall fell in 1989.
I graduated from college on May 10th, 2020.
We went to the new restaurant on Monday.
We went on vacation to Hawaii in August.
He called his mother this morning.
The children played in the park after school.
I finished my homework before dinner.
We arrived at the station when the train left.
I was reading a book when the phone rang.
Past Habits and States
He never studied for exams.
I always woke up early for school.
She lived in France for five years.
We didn't have a car when I was a child.
They often went to the movies on Fridays.
In ancient times, Egypt was a powerful empire.
Back in the day, people traveled by horse and carriage.
Sequence of Past Events
It started raining heavily, so we ran inside and closed the windows.
We arrived at the campsite early in the morning. First, we pitched our tent. Then, we built a fire and cooked lunch.
The car skidded on the wet road, lost control, and then crashed into the guardrail.
We decided to go for a swim. First, we packed our towels and sunscreen. Next, we walked down to the beach.
Affirmative Sentences
I once visited Paris.
They got married in 2010.
I cleaned my room yesterday.
The party ended at midnight.
We believed in Santa Claus as children.
He played soccer with his friends.
I knew her when she was a child.
They believed the earth was flat.
He finished his work early this morning.
He read an interesting book last week.
They moved to a new house last year.
They bought a new car last week.
The scientist discovered a new vaccine.
They watched a movie together on Saturday.
The team won the championship last year.
They visited the museum last weekend.
The movie ended just a few minutes ago.
The dog barked loudly during the storm.
We went to the park last Saturday afternoon.
We finished painting the house last week.
They completed the puzzle in just a few hours.
She started her new job in February.
They went to the movies once a month.
We flew to Paris on August 15th, 2023.
My grandparents lived on a farm when I was young.
They visited their grandparents during the holidays.
He played football with his friends after school.
She studied for the exam every night last week.
We used to play board games every night with our family.
Negative Sentences
I didn't live in Paris.
She didn't study law.
We didn't swim in the lake yesterday.
She did not go to the party last night.
We didn't go to the beach last weekend.
The rain didn't stop in the afternoon.
She didn't study for her exam yesterday.
She didn't finish her homework on time.
He didn't finish his work early this morning.
The weather didn't use to be so hot in summer.
They didn't watch a movie together on Saturday.
We did not visit the museum during our trip.
The team didn't win the championship last year.
She did not answer the phone when it rang.
We did not find the keys that were lost.
They did not discover the hidden treasure.
The children didn't play in the garden.
She didn't like vegetables when she was a child.
Tom didn’t have many friends as a child.
We didn't find any seashells on the beach yesterday.
We did not enjoy the concert as much as we expected.
I didn't play tennis when I was young.
He did not see the movie that everyone was talking about.
Questions (Interrogative Sentences)
Did the train arrive on time?
Did you sleep well last night?
Did he win the race last month?
Did she buy a new car last year?
Did they finish the project on time?
Did she bake a cake for the party?
Did he attend the conference last week?
Did they go swimming this morning?
Did you finish your homework yesterday?
Did they have a good time at the party?
Did they go to the beach last summer?
Did she call you back after the meeting?
Did you use to play video games a lot?
Did you see that amazing movie last night?
Were you surprised by the test results?
Negative Questions
Didn't you have fun at the party?
Didn't he finish reading the book?
Didn't they get along very well?
Didn't you know that answer?
Didn't you guys go to the concert?
Didn't they regret their decision later?
Didn't you dislike vegetables as a child?
Didn't they win the championship game?
Didn't you clean your room yesterday?
Didn't you understand the instructions?
Didn't you wake up early this morning?
Didn't they play basketball at the park?
Wasn't the weather terrible yesterday?
Didn't she skip breakfast before the meeting?
Didn't they travel a lot before they had kids?
Didn't he decline the offer from the company?
Didn't they forget to lock the door before leaving?
Didn't you tell me you were going to be home early?
Question Words
What happened?
What did you cook for dinner?
What did she say during the meeting?
When did they arrive in the city?
When was the last time you went to the dentist?
Where did you buy those shoes?
Where did you find that old photograph?
Where did you go for your vacation last summer?
Why did she leave her job?
Why did they cancel the meeting?
Why did you wake up so early this morning?
Who wrote that famous novel?
Who won the game yesterday?
Who did you meet at the conference?
Who did he call after the meeting?
Whose phone rang during the meeting?
Whose car did you borrow?
Whose keys did she find in the garden?
Whose idea was it to have a barbecue?
Whom did you invite to the party last weekend?
Whom did you meet at the conference yesterday?
With whom did you discuss the project?
How did she learn to play the piano?
How did they solve the problem?
How did you meet your best friend?
Which book did you read last month?
Which dress did she wear to the party?
What time did the movie start last night?
How many people attended the concert?
How many books did they buy at the bookstore?
How much did the concert tickets cost?
How much coffee did she drink during the meeting?
How much money did you spend on your vacation?
Question Tags
You saw the movie, didn't you?
You saw the movie, right?
You didn't call me, did you?
They weren't happy with the service, were they?
He won the race last month, didn't he?
You enjoyed the concert last night, didn't you?
She bought a new car last year, didn't she?
He attended the conference last week, didn't he?
You finished your homework yesterday, didn't you?
They went to the beach last summer, didn't they?
She called you back after the meeting, didn't she?
Questions - Answers
Did you go to the party last night?
No, I did not go to the party last night.
Did they finish their homework on time? Yes, they finished their homework on time.
Did you eat breakfast this morning?
No, I didn't.
Did they play soccer yesterday? Yes, they did.
What did you do last weekend? I went hiking with some friends.
What time did you wake up this morning? I woke up early, at around 6:00 am.
Where did you buy that jacket?
I bought this jacket at the mall.
Which movie did you watch last night?
I watched "Inception" last night.
How did they travel to the city?
They traveled to the city by train.
Why did she leave the party early?
She left the party early because she was feeling sick
Who did you play with at the park yesterday?
I didn't play with anyone. I just went for a walk by myself.
You went to the party last night, didn't you? Yes, I went to the party last night.
You didn't eat breakfast this morning, did you?
No, I didn't eat breakfast this morning.
Comments