In this lesson we’ll take a look at how we use the past simple tense when talking about things that we have done in the past.
What Did You Do?
The past simple tense is written by adding “ed” or “d” to a regular verb or by using the past tense form of irregular verbs.
Regular Verbs
- arrive – arrived
- play – played
- work – worked
Regular Verb List from EnglishClub
Irregular Verbs
- buy – bought
- go – went
- sit – sat
Irregular Verb List from EnglishClub
Tips for Learning Irregular Verbs in English from EspressoEnglish
Past Tense Examples:
Here are some example sentences using past simple tense:
- I went to the shop.
- Steve played football.
- They jumped out of the window.
I visited Bali.
Adverbial Phrases of Time
Sentences that use past simple tense often use adverb or adverbial phrases of time.
Some examples we can use when talking about the past are:
- a few minutes ago
- a fortnight ago (two weeks ago)
- last night
- a week ago
- four hours ago
- last week
- in 1996
- this morning
- three years ago
- yesterday
Examples:
Here are a selection of example sentences using past simple tense and adverb or adverbial phrases of time.
- In 1992 I visited my grandfather.
- Last night I watched a movie.
- Last week I went to Spain.
- Steve worked at Microsoft last year.
- We bought our house three years ago.
Yesterday I played golf.
Your turn!
Leave a comment below and write 10 sentences about things that you have done in the past. You could write about yesterday or 25 years ago. Try to use adverbs or adverbial phrases of time in your sentences.
Don’t forget to use the past simple tense!
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius