The past simple expresses a past action that is finished and completed. The verbs are divided in two groups, regular and irregular verbs. Most of the verbs are regular, but the most used ones are often the irregular verbs. For a list of irregular verbs see Irregular verbs and for regular verbs go to Regular verbs. The form of the past simple for regular verbs is the same in all persons.
Positive
| I |
worked |
in a restaurant in 1997. |
| He/ She/ It | ||
|
We/ You/ They |
Negative
For negative forms we use 'didn't' + infinitive in all persons.
| I | didn't | go to Holland last year. |
| He/ She/ It | ||
|
We/ You/ They |
Question
For question forms we use did + infinitive in all persons.
| When/ Where | did | I | go? |
| He/ She/ It | |||
| We/ You/ They |
Yes/ No questions
| Did |
you she they etc. |
like enjoy |
the film? the party? |
Short answers
Yes, I did./ Yes, we did.
No , they didn't.
No, he didn't.