Unit 21: PAST SIMPLE
This formation means 'not here and not now'. Something happened at a definite past time. Now it is finished.
Formation
AFFIRMATIVE (past form)
EXAMPLES:
I washed before breakfast.
They arrived twenty minutes ago.
NOTICE: Many important verbs do not have an -ed past form. For example:
Brazil won the match. [past of win]We saw her yesterday. [past of see]
They are irregular. Look at Appendices 10 and 11.
QUESTIONS AND NEGATIVES (did + base form)
EXAMPLES:
When did they arrive?
They did not arrive until four o'clock.
He didn't wash the car yesterday.
NOTICE: Do not use did for a subject question. (Unit 10)
Use
PAST STATES AND HABITS
EXAMPLES:
He lived in Rome for eight years. [but not now]
Shakespeare worked in London all his life. [he is dead now]
PAST EVENTS AT A DEFINITE TIME OR PLACE
EXAMPLES:
Did you have a good time on holiday?
Shakespeare died in his home town of Stratford.
IMAGINING (Unit 86)
EXAMPLES:
I wish I had a lot of money.
If I did, I'd travel all over the world.
POLITE REQUESTS AND SUGGESTIONS
EXAMPLE: I thought we could go to the cinema together.
NOTICE: Past simple or past continuous or present perfect? (Unit 40)
