Simple Past

Simple Past Forms

Most Verbs Most verbs conjugate by adding -ed like. Examples:     You called Debbie.     Did you call Debbie?     You did not call Debbie.

Irregular Verbs (link to Past Tense Irregular Verbs List ) Many verbs, such as "have," take irregular forms in the Simple Past. Notice that you only use the irregular verbs in statements. In negative forms and questions, "did" indicates Simple Past. Examples:     You had breakfast.     Did you have breakfast?     You did not have breakfast.

To Be The verb "be" is also irregular in the Simple Past. Unlike other irregular verbs, there are two Simple Past forms: "was" and "were." It also has different question forms and negative forms. Always remember that you DO NOT use "did" with the verb "be" in the Simple Past. Examples:     You were there. / I was there.     Were you there? / Was I there?     You were not there. / I was not there.

Modal Verbs Modal verbs behave very strangely in the Simple Past. The most important verb to remember is "must." Notice how it becomes "had to" in the Simple Past. "Must" becomes "had to":     I must call my wife now.     I had to call my wife yesterday.

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