.webp "the form and uses of the past simple")
Form and uses of the simple past tense
Simple Past Tense
| Form | Subject + Verb2 + Object |
|---|---|
| Use (1) | It is used for actions completed in the past at a definite time. |
| Examples | I studied English two years a go. He passed the exam yesterday. They ate lunch an hour a go. |
| Use (1.1) | It is used with yesterday — last week/ month etc. — in 1950 etc. — ... ago etc. |
| Examples | I met him yesterday. She visited her uncle last week. My grandfather died in 1990. I went back home 3 hours a go. |
| Use (3) | It is used for a past habit with adverbs or adverb phrases such as: usually, always, rarely, never, often, sometimes, occasionally, every week, on Mondays, twice a year etc. |
| Examples | She always forgot her homework. I never went to the cinema. She rarely got up at 6 a.m.. They always drank tea at night. |
| Use (4) | It is used in conditonal type 2. |
| Examples | If I had money, I would buy a phone. I would take some pictures if I brought my camera. If I learnt English, I would speak with foreign people. I would play football with my friends if I had a ball. |
| Use (5) | It is used with expresions like I wish ... — it's time — I'd rather . |
| Examples | I wish I spoke three languages. It's time I met Mostapha. I'd rather you went back home early. |
Check out the conjugation of Verb "to be" in the simple past.
Check out the conjugation of Verb "to do" in the simple past.
Check out the conjugation of Verb "to have" in the simple past.