Formation of the past simple

In positive sentences, the past simple is usually composed of the infinitive (base form) of the respective verb plus the ending ‘-ed’ if the verb is regular. However, there are some exceptions where further changes occur, which are explained in detail in the description of the past participle. For irregular verbs, the past form can be found in the second column of the table of irregular verbs.

In negative sentences as well as in questions, the past tense of ‘to do’, which is ‘did’, is used together with the infinitive of the corresponding verb. To get an overview of the forms, compare the table below and these examples:

• Example sentences including verbs conjugated in the past simple:
  • “Peter went home after the party.”
  • “All my brothers played the piano.”
  • “Did you see the football match yesterday?”

Verb forms of the past simple

Example verb: ‘to play’

Positive/affirmative sentences

Negative sentences

Further explanations related to the topic ‘Formation of the past simple’

The following explanations relate to the ‘Conjugation and verb forms of the English past simple tense’ and can be helpful:

• Use of the past simple
• Formation of the past simple in passive voice
• Verb forms of ‘to do’ in the past simple
• Verb forms of ‘to be’ in the past simple
• Exercise 1: past simple