1Complete the sentence.
2Complete the sentence.
3Complete the sentence.
4Complete the sentence.
Past simple: explanation and exercises
A2Updated 2026-09-216 exercises
The past simple describes finished actions at a definite time in the past. Regular verbs add -ed; irregular verbs change shape and have to be learned, which is why students need many short, repeated encounters rather than one long list.
How it is formed
- Affirmative
I visited my aunt. (regular)
We went to the beach. (irregular)
- Negative
She didn’t call me.
They didn’t go out.
- Question
Did you see the film?
Where did he go?
When to use it
- Finished events with a time: I called you yesterday.
- A sequence of events in a story.
- Past habits: We played outside every day.
Common mistakes
Not this
He buyed a bike.Say thisHe bought a bike.
Buy is irregular. Learn irregular verbs in small groups.
Not this
Did you saw it?Say thisDid you see it?
After did/didn’t the verb returns to its base form.
Not this
I didn’t went.Say thisI didn’t go.
Only one verb carries the past: did, not the main verb.
Tips for teaching it
- Group irregular verbs by sound pattern (buy/bought, catch/caught, teach/taught) instead of alphabetically.
- Have students tell a real weekend story in pairs first, then formalise the grammar from what they said.
- Teach the three -ed sounds (/t/, /d/, /ɪd/) with a quick sorting game; it fixes pronunciation and spelling together.
Practice: past simple exercises
Try these exercises. Answers are checked in your browser and never sent to us. Teachers can share this page with a class as it is.
Frequently asked questions
How many irregular verbs do A2 students need?
Around 50 to 70 of the most common ones cover most everyday use. Teach them in themed groups and recycle them in every unit.
Why is it “did you go” and not “did you went”?
In questions and negatives, did already shows the past. The main verb goes back to its base form.