Complete the conversation with had, did, was, or were.
Complete the sentences with the positive form of the verb.
Put the words in the correct order to make
questions. Then write true answers.
This worksheet contains activities about the simple present tense positives, negatives and questions. Students read and answer the activities. The answer key is attached.
* Download This English Worksheet: “Simple past tense Positives Negatives and Questions ESL worksheet”.
et’s delve into the simple past tense in English grammar. The simple past tense, also known as the past simple or preterite, expresses completed actions that occurred in the past. We use it to talk about events, actions, or states that happened and finished at a specific time in the past.
Now, let’s create a table covering the use of simple past tense in positive statements, negative statements, and questions:
Simple Past Tense: Positives, Negatives, and Questions
| Form | Usage | Example Sentences |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Describes an action or event that happened in the past. | She visited Paris last summer. |
| Use the base form of the verb (past simple) for regular verbs. | He played the piano beautifully. | |
| Irregular verbs have specific past forms (e.g., went, ate, saw). | They ate sushi for dinner. | |
| Negative | Expresses the absence of an action or event in the past. | He didn’t finish his homework. |
| Use didn’t (did not) + base form of the verb. | She didn’t watch the movie. | |
| Questions | Asks about an action or event that occurred in the past. | Did you visit the museum yesterday? |
| Use did + base form of the verb to form questions. | Where did they go on vacation? | |
| In yes/no questions, the auxiliary verb did comes before the subject. | Did she enjoy the concert? | |
| For information questions, use wh-words (who, what, where, when, why, how). | What did he eat for breakfast? |
Remember these key points:
- Regular verbs add -ed to form the past tense (e.g., walked, talked).
- Irregular verbs have unique past forms (e.g., ate, went, saw).
- The auxiliary verb did is used for negatives and questions.
- In questions, did comes before the subject, and wh-words help form information questions.
- Positive Sentences (Affirmative):
- These sentences describe actions or events that happened in the past.
- Regular verbs form the past tense by adding -ed to the base form (e.g., walked, talked).
- Irregular verbs have unique past forms (e.g., ate, went, saw).
- Examples:
- She visited Paris last summer.
- He played the piano beautifully.
- Negative Sentences:
- These express the absence of an action or event in the past.
- Use didn’t (did not) + base form of the verb.
- Examples:
- He didn’t finish his homework.
- She didn’t watch the movie.
- Questions:
- Questions inquire about actions or events that occurred in the past.
- Use did + base form of the verb to form questions.
- In yes/no questions, did comes before the subject.
- For information questions, use wh-words (who, what, where, when, why, how).
- Examples:
- Did you visit the museum yesterday?
- Where did they go on vacation?
- Did she enjoy the concert?
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