How is the past simple formed? Negation in Past Simple: rule of formation

What is Past Simple (Past Idefinite)

Past Simple (Past Indefinite) is the simple past tense in English language, which is used to convey information about a specific event or action that happened in the past.

The name speaks for itself - this tense form is actually considered the simplest in the ocean of past tenses of the English language. The action could take place in the recent past or the distant past, and its duration, duration or completion does not matter.

Formula education Past Simple

When using correct English verbs:

Subject + verb infinitive without particle « to» + ending -ed.

My grandma danced a lot when she was young.
My granny a lot danced when I was young.

When using irregular English verbs:

Subject + 2 verb form.

Jessica hung out with her foreign mates at the record store last week.
Last week Jessica hanging out with my foreign friends.

Word markers and pointers in the Past Simple

The main indicators of “Past Simple” time include the following words and phrases:

• yesterday- yesterday,
• last week- last week,
• two hours ago- two hours ago,
• then- Then,
• in 1998- in 1998, etc.

Mom bought that bag by Gucci in 2005.
Ma bought that Gucci bag in 2005.

Yesterday they watched their favorite photos from the past.
Yesterday They watched your favorite photos from the past.

Affirmative sentences in Past Simple

The affirmative sentence in “Past Simple” is constructed quite simply. First comes subject, followed by verb with ending «- ed"if it is correct (regular); or second verb form, if it refers to irregular verbs. Regardless of the person and number of the English subject, the predicate remains identical for everyone. Past Simple rules and examples can be found in the table below.

Interrogative sentences in Past Simple

To create an interrogative sentence ( interrogative sentence) in “Past Simple”, you just need to put the auxiliary verb “ did", then subject and finally initial form of the semantic verb(i.e. infinitive without the particle “to”).

Negative sentences in Past Simple

As in a regular affirmative sentence, a negative sentence ( negative sentence) you should start with subject. Next we add the auxiliary verb “ did"with a negative particle" not»: « did not / didn't", and then we use the infinitive form of the verb without using the particle " to" Voila!

Formula for constructing a negative sentence in the Past Simple

REGULAR VERB		IRREGULAR VERB
I + DIDN'T+ PAINT	I didn't draw	I + DIDN'T + SLEEP	I did not sleep
You + DIDN'T+ PAINT	You didn't draw	You + DIDN'T + SLEEP	You did not sleep
She + DIDN'T+ PAINT He + DIDN’T+ PAINT It + DIDN'T+ PAINT	She didn't draw He didn't draw It didn't draw	She + DIDN'T + SLEEP He + DIDN'T + SLEEP It + DIDN'T + SLEEP	She didn't sleep He didn't sleep It didn't sleep
We + DIDN'T + PAINT	We didn't draw	We + DIDN'T + SLEEP	We didn't sleep
You + DIDN'T+ PAINT	You didn't draw	You + DIDN'T + SLEEP	you didn't sleep
They + DIDN'T+ PAINT	They didn't draw	They + DIDN'T + SLEEP	They didn't sleep

Using verbs in the Past Simple

When it comes to the past tense in English, many people probably have a question: “How to use the verb correctly?” be"?" To avoid asking such a question, let us recall that this verb has a couple of forms: “ was» / « were» / « been" Since we are talking about “Past Indefinite”, we, accordingly, need the second options based on the rules for constructing this English-speaking tense.

It's time to give a couple of examples " Past Simple" for clarity:

Gee, I don't have any idea where that guy was last time!
My God, I have no idea where was that guy last time!

Their kids were typical sweetums and binged on candies almost every day back in the days.
In the past their children were typical sweet tooths and ate candy almost every day.

Formation of Past Simple in active and passive

When we touch on "Past Simple", it is important to remember that this tense has 2 options. One is used for active voice - time " Past Simple Active" The second is for passive voice - time " Past Simple Passive».

• Passive voice:

If used correct verbs in " Past Simple»:

Subject + verb was/were + infinitive verb without particles « to» With ending «- ed».

That seascape was painted by Edward William Cooke in the 19th century.
That seascape was painted by Edward William Cook in the 19th century.

Subject + verb was/were + 3 form verb

Their names were forgotten two decades ago.
Their names were forgotten two decades ago.

Affirmative sentence: "Past Simple Passive" vs. "Past Simple Active":

"Black Widow" was written by Iggy Azalea in 2014.
Iggy Azalea wrote"Black Widow" in 2014.
Iggy Azalea wrote the song "Black Widow" in 2014.

Negative sentence: "Past Simple Passive" vs. "Past Simple Active"

"Cloud Atlas" wasn't directed by Hayao Miyazaki then.
Hayao Miyazaki didn't direct"Cloud Atlas" then.
Hayao Miyazaki was not the director of Cloud Atlas back then.

Interrogative sentence: "Past Simple Passive" vs. Past Simple Active"

Was that mansion built by my ancestors last century?
Did my ancestors build that mansion last century?
My ancestors built that mansion last century?

Uses of Past Simple

Difference between Past Simple and Present Perfect

Past Simple	Present Perfect
The action happened at a certain moment in the past.	The action ended at an indefinite moment, we have the result, but we do not know in what exact period of time the action occurred.
Elizabeth left us yesterday. Elizabeth left us yesterday.	Elizabeth has left for Seoul. Elizabeth went to Seoul.
An action happened at a certain point in the past and cannot be repeated.	The action happened, we have the result on this moment, and it can be repeated.
We met Princess Diana. We met Princess Diana.	We have spoken to Nicki Minaj. We spoke with Nicki Minaj.
Past Simple - a certain fact in the past, a given that some action took place in the past. We do not know whether it lasted, is still lasting, or has already ended; it just was.	Present Perfect - the specific result of an action at the present moment in time, the action not only happened but also ended. Whether it completed successfully or not will be clear from the context and the words of the markers.

Nota Bene: To understand “Past Simple” once and for all and understand what the difference is between it and “Present Perfect”, do not forget to pay attention to the free online simulator from EnglishDom. There you will find not only an explanation of the grammatical nuances of using these two tenses, but you will also be able to consolidate the learned material in practice.

Conclusion

So we figured out what this strange time “Past Indefinite” is, and also talked about the differences between “Past Simple” and “Present Perfect”. Feel free to use this time in English speaking and share your memories and impressions with friends and colleagues!

We invite you to familiarize yourself with other tenses of the English language

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

Past Simple(simple past) is one of the most common tenses in the English language. By using Past Simple we can convey events that happened in the past, and in some cases, events in the present. Therefore, at any level of English proficiency, you will learn something new about Past Simple.

How is the past simple formed?

Statement

In order to form Past Simple, we add an ending to the verb -ed, if the verb is correct ( work – worked, learn – learned, ask – asked). If the verb is irregular, then we look for the form for Past Simple in the second column. Most likely, at first it will be difficult for you to immediately determine which verb is in front of you. You will find the irregular verb in the table. If it's not there, it's correct.

• In the article “” you will learn about a method that will help you memorize irregular verbs easily and quickly.

Negation

In a negative sentence in Past Simple auxiliary verb appears did(second form of irregular verb do) and particle not. In an English sentence, only one verb can be in the past tense, so as soon as did, the main verb takes the form of the infinitive without a particle to (go, look, feel).

In colloquial speech did And not combine to form a shortened form didn't:

• He didn't tell.
• We didn't discuss.

Question

To ask a question in Past Simple, we put it first did, followed by the subject, then the main verb.

The verb to be in the Past Simple

As you already know from the article “”, to be is an irregular verb, so you need to remember the past tense form. But in the past tense it does not have one form, like all other verbs, but two: was(for singular nouns and pronouns) and were(for nouns and pronouns in plural).

In denial was (were) combines with not and forms the shortened form:

• I wasn't at work.
• They weren't happy.

For your convenience, we have divided all functions Past Simple into three groups according to the level of English language proficiency: elementary (green frame), intermediate (yellow frame), advanced (red frame). This way you can learn exactly those functions that correspond to your level.

Using the Past Simple

First level

Let us immediately note that the main functions Past Simple And Present Simple match up. We only need to transfer the action from the present to the past.

1. Past Simple shows a fact in the past or a single action that ended in the past.

   Words that indicate the duration of the action are often used here: yesterday(yesterday), two weeks ago(two weeks ago), the other day(the other day), a long time ago(for a long time), last month(last month), in 2010 (in 2010), on Monday(on Monday), during my holidays(during the holidays), etc. These words must necessarily denote a completed period of time.

   I saw him yesterday. - I saw his yesterday. (single action in the past, yesterday already ended)

   The Titanic sank in 1912. - Titanic sank 1912. (fact)

   He went to Italy last month. - He traveled to Italy last month.

   Words indicating the duration of the action may not be used in this feature.

   She spoke to him in a low voice. - She is quiet spoke with him. (single action in the past)

   Aivazovsky painted"The Ninth Wave". – Aivazovsky wrote painting "The Ninth Wave". (fact)

   Also Past Simple used to describe a condition in the past.

   They were friends many years ago. - They were friends many years ago. (they are not friends now)

   That museum had a great collection of paintings. - In that museum was huge collection of paintings. (currently the museum does not have a huge collection)

2. We use Past Simple to talk about old habits and repetitive actions. These actions have occurred many times in the past, but are no longer being done. Such sentences may contain adverbs often(often), sometimes(Sometimes), always(always) etc.
   

   We took evening courses two years ago. - We went for evening courses 2 years ago. (currently we do not take evening courses)

   He always bought newspapers on Sunday. - He always bought newspapers on Sundays. (he doesn't do that now)

   • We can also use the construction if we are talking about old habits.
3. We use Past Simple when we tell a story or list several events that happened one after another in the past.
   

   She came in, sat at the table, and started writing. - She came in, villages at the table and started write.

   He entered the cafe, he ordered a cup of tea and a piece of cake. - He has entered in the cafe, ordered a cup of tea and a piece of pie.

Where else is the Past Simple found?

Average level

1. We use Past Simple to tell the details of some news or some event that happened in our lives. We report the news itself in time Present Perfect. We can use other past tenses to give details, but Past Simple is used in these cases more often than others.
   

   I"ve hurt my leg. I fell off a ladder when I was repairing the roof. My telephone rank unexpectedly. - I hurt my leg. I fell from the stairs when I was fixing the roof, because suddenly rang telephone.

   I've got this job. It was a hard and exhausting interview, but it turned out that I was a perfect applicant. – I got this job. This was difficult, exhausting interview, but it turned out that I am the ideal candidate.

2. Past Simple used in subordinate tenses after conjunctions after(after), before(before), when(When), until(not yet) as soon as(as soon as). In such a sentence Past Simple shows a completed action in the past.
   

   As soon as she graduated from the university, she found a suitable job. – As soon as she graduated university, she found a suitable job.

   He was astonished when I told him the news. - He was amazed When I reported him this news.

Complex cases of using Past Simple

High level

1. Past Simple, as well as Present Simple, used in conditional sentences after the conjunction if(If). Past Simple we need to form conditional sentences of the second type ( Second Conditional). The situation in this type of conditional refers to the present or future tense. Such a sentence implies an unrealistic condition: that is, the probability that the condition will be satisfied is extremely small. Second Conditional is constructed as follows:
   

   If he had enough money, he would buy that car. – If him was enough money he I would buy this car. (now he has no money, if he had, he would buy a car)

   If I wanted to lose weight, I would eat less bread. – If I wanted lose weight, I I would eat less bread. (but I don't want to lose weight)

   If in the condition we encounter a verb to be, then we will use the form were for all persons and numbers.

   If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't rush into a decision. – If I were if I were you, I I wouldn't rush with a solution. (but I'm not in your shoes)

   If she were on her vacation, she would spend it in Australia. – If she was she's on vacation would spend him in Australia. (but she's not on vacation right now)

   • You can refresh your knowledge about conditional sentences in the article “”.
2. We use Past Simple after I wish(literally – I want, I wish). Offers with I wish express regret: we want to show that something we want does not happen the way we want, or does not happen at all.

   I wish- this is the main clause, it remains unchanged, followed by a subordinate clause. We use it in a subordinate clause Past Simple, if action is implied in the present or future. We connect I wish And clause by conjunction that(what, to), but in conversation this conjunction is most often omitted.

   I wish translated in two ways: “sorry” and “how I wish.” If we start with “sorry,” then we translate the sentence the other way around: a statement in English becomes a negation in Russian, a negation in English becomes a statement in Russian.

   I wish that I lived near the sea. – It's a pity, what am I I don't live near the sea. / How I wish I could live near the sea.

   I wish that I knew what to do about the problem. – It's a pity, what am I Don't know, How to solve this problem. / How I wish I knew, How to solve this problem.

   With verb to be we use form were for all persons and numbers. But in colloquial speech you can hear was, and this will not be considered an error.

   I wish you were here. – It's a pity, What you Here No. / I wish I could, to You Here was.

   I wish he were a friend of mine. – It's a pity, What he is not My friend. / I wish I could, to he was my friend.

3. We use Past Simple after construction It is time(it's time), she tells us that the action should have been performed, but this has not yet been done. Past Simple in this case denotes a situation occurring in the present or future. If we want to put more emotion into a statement, we can say: It is high time / It is about time(it’s high time, it’s about time).
   

   It is time we left for the station. The train leaves in two hours. – It's time us drive the station. The train leaves in two hours.

   It is high time you settled down and found a job! – It's time you already undertake for intelligence and find work!

Past Simple is one of the most common and easiest to understand tenses in the English language. It occurs in speech even more often than the present tense, and the range of its functions is very wide.

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Video lesson: Past Simple. Past simple tense

Past Simple (simple past tense) used to express an action that occurred at a certain time in the past, while the time for performing this action has already expired.

I went to the cinema yesterday. — I went to the cinema yesterday.
The action took place in the past, while the exact time is indicated - yesterday.

Education Past Simple

The past simple is used to form II form verb. If the verb is regular, then its II form is formed by: open - open ed . The II form of irregular verbs can be found in (in column 2).

Let's look at the formation of the Past Simple using two examples with the correct ( work- work) and incorrect ( buy- buy) with verbs.

Statement

Work is a regular verb, therefore, to form the past simple tense, you need to add to the verb initial form add ending -ed (work - work ed ):

I worked- I worked
We worked- We worked
You worked— You worked (You worked)
He worked- He worked
She worked- She worked
They worked- They worked

Buy- an irregular verb, therefore, we find the second form of the verb and remember this form ( buy - bought):

I bought- I bought
We bought- We bought
You bought— You bought (You bought)
He bought- He bought
She bought- She bought
They bought- They bought

About the rules for adding endings -ed to correct verbs, as well as pronunciation features -ed read .

Negation

Negation in the Past Simple is formed using an auxiliary verb did and particles not. Didn't is placed before the main verb. Wherein main verb used in I (initial) form.

did not work(did not work)

I did not work - I didn't work
We did not work - We didn't work
You did not work - You didn’t work (You didn’t work)
He did not work - He didn't work
She did not work - She didn't work
They did not work - They didn't work

did not buy(did not buy)

I did not buy - I didn't buy
We did not buy - We didn't buy
You did not buy - You didn’t buy (You didn’t buy)
He did not buy - He didn't buy
She did not buy - She didn't buy
They did not buy - They didn't buy

note that did not also used in short form:

did not = didn't (I didn't work. = I didn't work. - I did not work.)

Questions

For education interrogative sentences auxiliary verb is used did, which is placed before the subject. Please note that the semantic verb is used in the initial form.

Did you work?(Did you work?)

Did I work? - I worked?
Did are we working? - We worked?
Did are you working? - You worked? (Have you been working?)
Did he work? - He worked?
Did she work? - She worked?
Did are they working? - They worked?

Did you buy?(Did you buy?)

Did I buy? - I bought?
Did we buy? - We bought?
Did do you buy? - You bought? (You bought?)
Did he buy? - He bought?
Did she buy? - She bought?
Did do they buy? - They bought?

If a question begins with a question word (what? why? when? where? etc.), then this question word is placed before the auxiliary verb did:

What did do you buy? - What did you buy?
When did she buy this dress? — When did she buy this dress?

Please note that the question is to the subject who? (who?) is formed differently. In this case, no auxiliary verb is required. Question word who? is put in place of the subject, while the semantic verb is used in form II (as in affirmative sentences).

Who worked yesterday? — Who worked yesterday?
Who bought milk? — Who bought the milk?

Using the Past Simple

Past Simple (past simple tense) can mean:

An action that happened in the past and has nothing to do with the present moment

Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa. — Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa.

An action that happened at a specific time in the past

In this meaning, the Past Simple is often used with the words: yesterday(yesterday), last week(last week), at 2 o’clock yesterday(yesterday at 2 o'clock), 10 minutes ago(10 minutes ago), etc.:

I went to the cinema yesterday. - I went to the cinema yesterday.
We visited China in 2014. — In 2014 we visited China.

Actions that occurred sequentially (one after another) in the past

He came into the room, sat down and began reading. — He entered the room, sat down and began to read.

An action that often happened in the past and has no connection with the present

To show that an action has been repeated and habitual in the past, the words usually(usually), often(often), always(Always), every day(every day), etc.:

Every Sunday she visited her grandparents and helped them about the house. — Every Sunday she visited her grandparents and helped them around the house.
I studied German when I was a child. — I studied German when I was a child.

This value can also be expressed by the construct used to.

Past Simple is often used with words

The Past Simple is often used with words that indicate exactly when an action was performed:

yesterday[ˈjestədeɪ] - yesterday
ago[əˈɡəʊ] - ago
last week (month, year) - last week (last month, year)
two days ago- two days ago
long ago- a long time ago
the other day[ˈʌðə deɪ] - the other day

Do you have any questions on the topic? Ask them in the comments.

Past Simple is the past simple tense in English. When talking about the past, this tense is usually used. Using it, we talk about something that happened(that is, it just happened) in the past. If we are talking about something that happened(that is, lasted) in the past, is used.

Past Simple education scheme: rules and examples

Let's look at how sentences with the Past Simple are formed in the affirmative, negative and interrogative forms.

Most verbs form the past simple form using the ending – ed, have special forms of the past tense. Let's take the example of the regular verb to visit- visit.

Examples:

Last week Dana invited me to her birthday party – Last week Dana invited me to celebrate her birthday.

I completed the course on Monday – I finished the course on Monday.

2. Negative form: I didn’t visit

Negation is constructed using an auxiliary verb in the past tense form - did and particles not. The semantic verb is used in the initial form. In colloquial speech did not reduced to didn't’ t.

Examples:

Igor didn't meet me at the airport – Igor did not meet me at the airport.

We didn't order this meal – We did not order this dish.

3. Question form: Did I visit?

The interrogative form is also constructed using did- it is placed before . The semantic verb itself is used in the initial form (without endings).

Examples:

Did you go to school yesterday? – Did you go to school yesterday?

Did they feed your cat? – Did they feed your cat?

Meaning of Past Simple: When is the past simple used?

In most cases, the Past Simple denotes an action that happened at some point in the past. Unlike, it does not denote an ongoing, ongoing action. Let's look at the basic meanings of the past simple tense.

• An action that happened in the past (base case).

Action in the past, usually accompanied by clarifications like yesterday(yesterday), last week(last week), in 2011(in 2011), about two hours ago(about two hours ago) and so on.

This could be an action that happened at a certain moment:

I returned from the meeting an hour ago. – I returned from the meeting an hour ago.

We arrived to London at seven thirty-two PM. “We arrived in London at seven thirty-two in the evening.

At an approximate time in the past:

Karen purchased new car yesterday. – Karen bought a new car yesterday.

We met in 2011. – We met in 2011.

Or simply in the past, without specifying the time:

I lost my phone. – I lost my phone.

He won.- He won.

• An action repeated in the past.

In this case, there is tense in the sentence, otherwise it would be unclear what is meant. For example: last summer- last summer, every evening- every evening.

Last summer I spent a lot of time in the country – Last summer I spent a lot of time outside the city (that is, I visited the country from time to time).

She visited us almost every evening – She visited us almost every evening.

In the meaning of “a repeated action in the past”, instead of the past simple tense, the following is often used:

I used to spend a lot of time in country – I (often) spent a lot of time outside the city.

She used to visit us almost every evening – She visited us almost every evening.

Speaking any language, it is impossible to be fully understood without knowing the rules for the formation of tense forms. In this case, the English language has a wide variety of options for self-expression. However, the main tense group is the so-called “group of simple tenses” or simple tenses, which logically divides time periods into past, present and future. Today we will focus on the Past Simple (pronounced [past simple]) or simple past tense in English and look at the ways of its formation, as well as examples of use.

The Past Simple Tense (also known as the Past Indefinite Tense) is a tense that is used to express states or actions that happened in the past. The so-called simplicity of this time lies in the fact that when using it, do not focus on the duration, completeness, or sequence of one event in relation to another.

The action simply happened in the past, that's a fact, period. Due to the fact that people constantly strive to simplify language, this tense form often replaces other forms of the past tense in writing, and even more often in speech, so knowledge of this particular group is necessary to explain situations and thoughts at a simple level. Let's take a closer look at how, where and how this form is used in English.

The only part of speech that can be changed when forming the past tense are verbs, which can be regular or irregular.

If at first it is difficult for you to understand whether a particular verb is regular or irregular, refer to the table of irregular verbs: if the verb is not on the list, most likely it belongs to the category of regular ones.

Past Simple: sentence forms

Having understood the types of past tense verbs and how they are formed, you need to learn how to construct sentences with them grammatically correctly.

1. The affirmative form of the Past Simple does not require the use of auxiliary verbs. To construct a sentence in affirmative form It is enough to use the verb in the past tense.

In simple words, it is enough to take an affirmative sentence in the present tense and replace the verb in it with the past tense.

1. The negative form the Past Indefinite Tense is formed using the auxiliary verb did and the negative particle not (informally didn’t), which is placed after the subject. An auxiliary verb with a particle is followed by main verb in infinitive. This means that memorized irregular verbs and the ending -ed in negative sentences will not be useful to us.

	Ssubject (Subject)	Auxiliary verb +not	Verb (Verb)	Object (An object)
Present Simple (Present tense)	She	does not (doesn't)	love	him.
Past Simple (Past tense)	She	didn't (didn't)	love	him.

1. The interrogative form is also formed using the auxiliary verb did. It comes first in a sentence, followed by the subject and main meaning. infinitive verb.

For a short positive answer, it is enough to use auxiliary verbs; for a short negative answer, the particle not is needed. If the answer is negative, the auxiliary verb with the particle must be written together (didn’t). The full answer will be in the affirmative or negative form.

For the formation of special questions, the scheme remains practically unchanged. A question word is added to it only at the very beginning. Question words can be anything, here are some of them: what, why, how, how, which, where, where, when.

	? word	Auxiliary verb	Ssubject (Subject)	Verb (Verb)	Object (An object)
Present Simple (Present tense)	Why	do	you	like like	reading?
Past Simple (Past tense)	did	you	like liked it	reading?

An exception is the question word who, whose sentences do not require an auxiliary verb. This is where your knowledge of regular and irregular verbs will be needed.

Special questions cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”, so the answers to them are given in a completely affirmative or negative form.

Past Simple - use

The simple past tense is used very often in English. For correct application in practice, let's consider all cases of using Past Simple:

1. To express single actions/states or actions in the past, taken as a fact. Such sentences can be about both ordinary everyday situations and historical events. Often such sentences contain special indicator words expressed:

• circumstance of time, these include: yesterday - yesterday, the day before yesterday - the day before yesterday, last night - last night, last week / month - last week / last month, in 1999 - in 1999, then - then;
• by the adverb ago, for example: 5 years ago - five years ago;
• question words when and how.

Examples:

Agatha Christie wrote detective novels. (Agatha Christie wrote detective novels.)	fact
Bruce graduated from the university 3 years ago. (Bruce graduated from university 3 years ago.)
We talked to him about the upcoming performance. (We talked to him about the upcoming performance.)	single action
Steven Spielberg was born in 1946. (Steven Spielberg was born in 1946.)	fact indicating a specific year
She called you 5 minutes ago. (She called you 5 minutes ago.)	single action, presence of the adverb ago
The Great Patriotic War began on June 22, 1941.	historical fact
I was excited to take part in the contest yesterday. (I was glad to take part in the competition yesterday.)	condition with time circumstance
I didn't like your hairstyle then. (I didn't like your hair then.)	action in the past with a time adverbial (I didn’t like it before, but now I like it)
Jane drew portraits in the childhood. (As a child, Jane drew portraits.)	action in the past (I used to draw, now I don’t)
He visited us 2 weeks ago. (He visited us 2 weeks ago.)	single action, presence of the adverb ago
When did you meet each other? (When did you meet each other?)	question about the past the question word when is used

1. To express habits or actions that were repeated constantly/often in the past, but are not repeated now. Indicator words in this case are expressed:

• adverbs everyday - every day, always - always, often - often, sometimes - sometimes, each time - every time;
• the expression used + verb in the infinitive, which translates as “before”.

He always wore black jackets. (He always wore black jackets.)	used to wear it, doesn't wear it now
I didn't use to brush my teeth twice a day. (I didn't brush my teeth twice a day before.)	I haven’t cleaned it before, but now I do
Dad used to smoke up to 10 cigarettes a day. ((Previously) My father smoked up to 10 cigarettes a day.)	It was a habit, but now it's gone
Donald Trump used to host The Apprentice. (Donald Trump hosted The Apprentice.)	drove, but now no longer drives
Mike used to watch The Big Bang Theory. (Mike used to watch The Big Bang Theory.)	I watched it, but I stopped now
They took Chinese classes every day. (They studied Chinese every day.)	they don't do it anymore

1. When there is a story or listing of events that happened one after another in the past.

1. IN subordinate clauses time to express the completion of an action. Some indicator words for this case:

• as soon as - as soon as, once - as soon as, before - before, untill - until / until, after - after, when - when.

1. When using indirect speech, if the verb in the main clause is used in the Past Simple.

1. To characterize the subject in the past.

1. To report details of any news. To communicate the news itself, it should be used present time Perfect (present perfect), and sentences in Past S are used for description. However, if you are afraid of messing up with tenses, you can use the simple past tense everywhere in such situations.

1. Past Simple is also used to form a conditional sentence of the second type (Second Conditional), which is used to express events in the present or future tenses, the probability of which is very small or completely unrealistic. The Russian equivalent of the second type of conditional sentence may sound like “if only”. A similar sentence is constructed using the conjunction if (if). Table with education formulas:

Examples of use:

If I had a million dollars, I would found a charitable foundation. (If I had a million dollars, I would start a charity.)	Unreal situation. I don’t have any money right now, I can’t start a foundation.
If I were you, I would not do this. (If I were you, I wouldn't do this.)	Unreal situation. I cannot switch bodies with another person or act for them.
We would go swimming if the weather were fine. (If the weather had been good, we would have gone swimming.)	The weather is bad, the likelihood that we will be able to go swimming is very low.
If I had children, I would spend with them all day long. (If I had children, I would spend all day with them.)	But I don’t have children, such a situation is impossible at the moment.

Please pay attention to two nuances:

• If a sentence begins with a subordinate clause “if”, then a comma is placed at the junction with the second part so that the sentences do not merge and are easier to read;
• In a conditional sentence, the verb to be in the past tense is usually used only in the plural (were), even with pronouns singular I, he, she, it. The form were in such sentences is subjunctive. Although in everyday speech it is possible to substitute the form was for the singular, when taking tests, choosing was will be considered an error.

1. The Past Simple tense is also used with the construction I wish, which is equivalent to the Russian “It’s a pity that not.” Usually such a construction is used to express the desire for some action to happen or to happen differently. As in the case above, this design also consists of two parts. Education formula table:

Examples of use:

Pay attention to the features to understand how such sentences are constructed:

• If we translate the construction in the form “it’s a pity that not”, negative verbs turn into affirmative ones and vice versa;
• As in the formation of a conditional sentence of the second type, the verb to be is used only in the were form, although deviations from the rule are possible in colloquial speech.

1. Past Simple is used with another construction that can often be found in colloquial language - it is (it’s) time, which is translated as “it’s time.” Table with education formulas:

Examples of use:

These were all cases of using the Past Simple (Past Indefinite) or the simple past tense. They won't be too difficult, especially if you understand the grammar, learn irregular verbs, and practice using Past Simple Tense in different situations based on the examples above.