Simple Past

(Verb)+ed

A completed action in the Past

I saw a film yesterday.

Several finshed actions in the past.

I finished work, walked home, and went to sleep.

Single duration

I lived in Paris for three years.

1. A completed action in the Past

The Simple past is used to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past.

  • I saw a film yesterday.
  • I didn’t see a film yesterday.
  • Last year, I travelled to London.
  • Last year, I didn’t travel to London.
  • She washed her hair this morning.
  • She didn’t wash her hair this morning.

2. Several finshed actions in the past.

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th...

  • I finished work, walked home, and went to sleep.

3. Single duration

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past.

  • I lived in Paris for three years.
  • Shauna studied Czech for three years.
  • They sat in the pub all day.

4. Active / Passive voice

  • Peter repaired the television. Active
  • The television was repaired by Peter. Passive
 

Tests: