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Past Simple (-) Grammar

The document explains the formation of the past simple negative, emphasizing the use of 'did not' or 'didn’t' with the base form of the main verb. It also covers the past simple negative of the verb 'be' and how to form questions in the past simple using 'did' or by swapping the subject and 'was/were'. Common mistakes and examples are provided to clarify the rules.

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Анастасия Зыбинская
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17 views4 pages

Past Simple (-) Grammar

The document explains the formation of the past simple negative, emphasizing the use of 'did not' or 'didn’t' with the base form of the main verb. It also covers the past simple negative of the verb 'be' and how to form questions in the past simple using 'did' or by swapping the subject and 'was/were'. Common mistakes and examples are provided to clarify the rules.

Uploaded by

Анастасия Зыбинская
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The past simple negative

The past simple negative is used to talk about things that See also:
did not happen in the past. It is always formed the same Past simple 7 Present simple negative 2
Types of verbs 49
way, unless the main verb is “be.”

THE PAST SIMPLE NEGATIVE


The past simple
negative uses “did
not” or “didn’t”
with the base form “played” is the To make the negative,
past simple. “didn’t” is used with
of the main verb. the base form.
The main verb is
not put into the
past simple.
LAST WEEK YESTERDAY TODAY

HOW TO FORM
SUBJECT “DID NOT / DIDN’T” BASE FORM OF VERB REST OF SENTENCE

“Didn’t” or “did not” are used The base form of the


to make the negative, no main verb is used in
matter what the subject is. the past simple negative.

FURTHER EXAMPLES

“Did not” is only used for


emphasis, or in formal situations.

28
COMMON MISTAKES BASE FORMS IN THE PAST SIMPLE NEGATIVE

When using the negative form of the past simple, “didn’t” plus the main
verb in the base form is used. The main verb is never in the past simple.

“Play” should be in The main verb should only go into the


the base form. past simple if it’s a positive statement.

THE PAST SIMPLE NEGATIVE OF “BE”


To form the past simple negative of “be,”
“not” is added after “was” or “were.”

HOW TO FORM

SUBJECT “WAS / WERE” “NOT” REST OF SENTENCE

FURTHER EXAMPLES

“Was not” is often “Were not” is often


shortened to “wasn’t.” shortened to “weren’t.”

29
Past simple questions
Questions in the past simple are formed using “did.” For See also:
past simple questions with “be,” the subject and the verb Past simple 7 Forming questions 34
Types of verbs 49
“was” or “were” are swapped around.

QUESTIONS IN THE PAST SIMPLE


Use “did” plus the base form of the verb
to ask a question in the past simple.

In the statement the main


verb is in the past simple.

“Did” goes before The main verb You can add question words
the subject. is in its base form. to ask open questions.

HOW TO FORM

“DID” SUBJECT BASE FORM OF VERB REST OF SENTENCE

FURTHER EXAMPLES

Add question words


to make open questions.

30
QUESTIONS IN THE PAST SIMPLE WITH “BE”
To make a question
using the verb “be” in In a statement, the subject
the past simple, swap comes before the verb.
the order of the subject
and “was” or “were.”

In a question, the verb and The subject comes after the verb.
the subject swap places.

HOW TO FORM

“WAS / WERE” SUBJECT REST OF SENTENCE

FURTHER EXAMPLES

Add question words


to make open questions.

31

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