Simple Past
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: