The Simple Past Tense - English Grammar Lesson
This lesson explains the simple past tense in simple English, with rules and examples for students and exam preparation.
Rule
Use the simple past for completed actions at a definite time. Regular verbs add -ed; irregular verbs change form.
Examples
- I visited Rome last year.
- She wrote a letter.
- They went home.
Common Mistake
| Incorrect | I seen him yesterday |
|---|---|
| Correct | I saw him yesterday |
Practice Tip
Write three original sentences about this topic, then check each one against the rule above.
Related: Parts of Speech and English Tenses.