📖 Quick Grammar Reference: Past Simple
| Form | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative (regular) | verb + -ed | She visited her grandmother last Sunday. |
| Affirmative (irregular) | unique past form | He went to Paris last year. |
| Negative (−) | didn’t + base verb | They didn’t arrive until midnight. |
| Question (?) | Did + subject + base verb | Did you see the news yesterday? |
Exercise 1 — Fill in the Blank (Put the verb in brackets in the correct past simple form.)
- She (visit) her grandmother last Sunday.
- They (not / arrive) until midnight.
- you (see) the news yesterday?
- He (go) to Paris last year.
- We (not / eat) breakfast this morning.
- She (buy) a new phone last week.
- they (finish) the project on time?
- I (not / sleep) well last night.
- The train (leave) at 9 am.
- he (call) you yesterday?
Exercise 2 — True or False (Read each statement about past simple rules and circle T (True) or F (False).)
-
We add -ed to regular verbs to form the past simple.
T F
-
Irregular verbs also add -ed in the past simple.
T F
-
We use did + base verb to form past simple questions.
T F
-
The negative form is doesn’t + base verb.
T F
-
The past simple describes a completed action at a specific time in the past.
T F
Print version: write T or F on the line next to each statement.
Exercise 3 — Write Your Own Sentences (Write 5 sentences about past events using the past simple.)
- What did you do yesterday evening?
- Where did you go on your last holiday?
- What did you eat for dinner last night?
- Did you watch TV last weekend? What did you watch?
- What time did you wake up this morning?
📋 Show Answer Key
Exercise 1
- visited
- didn’t arrive
- Did … see
- went
- didn’t eat
- bought
- Did … finish
- didn’t sleep
- left
- Did … call
Exercise 2
- True — work → worked, visit → visited
- False — irregular verbs have unique forms, e.g. go → went (not goed)
- True — Did you see…? (base verb after did, never the past form)
- False — the negative is didn’t (did not) + base verb, for all subjects
- True — e.g. “She visited her grandmother last Sunday.”
Exercise 3
Open answers. Check that students use: correct regular past form (-ed) or correct irregular past form, correct negative (didn’t + base verb), and a clear past time reference (yesterday, last night, last weekend, this morning, etc.).
Past Simple Worksheet — FAQ
What does this past simple worksheet cover?
This worksheet covers the past simple tense: regular verbs (-ed), irregular verbs (went, saw, ate), the negative form (didn't + base verb), and yes/no questions (Did + subject + base verb). It includes fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and sentence-writing exercises.
What level is this past simple worksheet?
This worksheet is designed for A2 (Elementary) learners who are practising the past simple tense for completed actions at a specific time in the past.
How do I form the past simple for regular verbs?
Add -ed to the base form of most regular verbs: work → worked, visit → visited, call → called. Verbs ending in -e just add -d (like → liked), and verbs ending in a consonant + y change the y to i and add -ed (study → studied).
How do I make a past simple negative?
Use didn't (did not) with all subjects, followed by the base form of the verb — never the past form. Example: They didn't arrive until midnight (NOT They didn't arrived).
How do I form a past simple question?
Use Did with the subject, followed by the base form of the verb. Example: Did you see the news yesterday? Did they finish the project on time?
Can I save this worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Click the orange ‘Print / Save as PDF’ button at the top of the page. In your browser’s print dialogue, select ‘Save as PDF’ as the destination. The worksheet is formatted for A4 paper.
Is the answer key included?
Yes. Scroll to the bottom of the worksheet to find the collapsible answer key. Click ‘Show Answer Key’ to reveal all answers. If you want to print the answers too, open the key before clicking Print.
What online exercise goes with this worksheet?
The related online exercise is Complete the Sentence at lexfizz.com/exercises/complete-the-sentence/ — it provides immediate feedback for the same type of past simple gap-fill practice.
Why are some past simple verbs irregular?
Irregular verbs do not follow the -ed pattern and have unique past forms that must be memorised: go → went, see → saw, eat → ate, have → had. These verbs are among the most common in English, so learners encounter them constantly and should learn them early.
How long does this worksheet take to complete?
The three exercises take approximately 20–25 minutes for most A2 learners. Allow extra time for the writing task in Exercise 3 if students need to think carefully about forming original sentences.