A2 Elementary Past tenses
Past simple — negative and questions
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can say what did not happen and ask about the past with didn't and Did.
When to use it
- Saying what did not happen: I didn't go to school yesterday.
- Asking about the past: Did you see the film?
- Short answers: Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
Form
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | S + past verb | She went home. |
| Negative | S + didn't + base verb | She didn't go home. |
| Question | Did + S + base verb? | Did she go home? |
| Short answer | Yes, S did. / No, S didn't. | Yes, she did. / No, she didn't. |
Step by step
- Decide whether the sentence is negative or a question.
- Use did as the auxiliary — it already carries the past meaning.
- Because did carries the past, the main verb goes back to its base form.
- For questions, put Did at the front.
The past is marked once
| Sentence | Right or wrong | Why |
|---|---|---|
| She didn't go. | ✓ correct | did already shows the past. |
| She didn't went. | ✕ sai | The past is marked twice. |
| Did you see him? | ✓ correct | Did already shows the past. |
| Did you saw him? | ✕ sai | The past is marked twice. |
Examples
I didn't watch TV last night.
She didn't come to the party.
Did you finish your homework?
Did they enjoy the trip? — Yes, they did.
We didn't have enough time.
Did your brother call you? — No, he didn't.
Common mistakes
Did you went to the party? → Did you go to the party?
With Did the verb must be in its base form. The past is marked once only.
I don't go to school yesterday. → I didn't go to school yesterday.
With yesterday the negative must be didn't, not don't.
He didn't finished his work. → He didn't finish his work.
After didn't comes the base form: finish.
Memory tip
Think of did as carrying the tense backpack. Once did appears, it carries the past, so the main verb walks free — back to its base form.
Summary
- Negative: didn't + base verb. Question: Did + S + base verb?
- The past is marked once — after did the verb does not change.
- Short answers: Yes, … did. / No, … didn't.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.