Past simple: -ed, did / didn't

The past simple of regular verbs adds -ed (worked, played) — the same for every subject; there is no extra -s for he / she / it. Negatives and questions use the helper verb did / didn't, and the main verb goes back to the base form.

Didn't = did not (the full form is for formal writing or emphasis). The verb be doesn't use did — it has its own past forms, was / were (see the lesson “Be: am / is / are, was / were”). Many common verbs don't add -ed (go → went, see → saw) — see the lesson “Past simple (irregular verbs)”.

💡Did already carries the past, so the verb after did / didn't takes no -ed: Did you call? (not: Did you called?), I didn't watch it (not: didn't watched). It works just like does, which takes away the -s.

Never double w, x or y: show → showed, fix → fixed. A final l after an unstressed vowel is doubled in British English (travelled, cancelled) but not in American English (traveled, canceled) — both are correct. Note: pay → paid and say → said are spelling exceptions.

Only the first group (after /t/ or /d/) adds a syllable. Worked /wɜːkt/ and played /pleɪd/ are still one syllable.

💡Many learners drop final consonants, so “I worked” sounds like “I work” and the listener can't tell it's the past. Say the final /t/ or /d/ clearly, but don't turn every verb into “work-ed”. Before a vowel, link the sounds: worked‿at → /wɜːk tæt/.

1. A finished action at a time in the past — the time is stated, or both people know when it was

• I called my mum last night.

• We moved to Hue in 2019.

• Did you enjoy the film?

  the film you just saw — the time is clear

2. A series of actions, one after another — for telling a story

• She opened the door, looked around and smiled.

• I finished work, walked to the station and waited for the train.

3. Past habits or situations — that are now over

• When I was a kid, I played football every afternoon.

• My grandparents lived in the countryside for forty years.

  they don't live there now

Past habits can also be expressed with used to — see the lesson “Used to”.

• yesterday, yesterday morning, the day before yesterday
• last + time (no the): last night, last week, last month, last Sunday. For the night before, say last night (yesterday evening is fine too, but yesterday night sounds odd).
• a period of time + ago (counting back from now): ten minutes ago, two days ago, a long time ago
• in + year / month: in 2020, in May · on + day: on Monday, on 2 September
• when + a past period: when I was a child, when we lived in Hanoi
• Asking about time: When did you arrive? · What time did the meeting start?

With words like yesterday, last…, …ago or in 2020, use the past simple, not the present perfect — see the lesson “Present perfect vs past simple”.

💡In some languages a time word like “yesterday” is enough to show the past. In English the verb must change too, even when there's a time word: Yesterday I watched a film (not: Yesterday I watch a film).

• ✗I didn't watched the match.

  ✓I didn't watch the match.

  Base form after didn't.

• ✗Did you finished your homework?

  ✓Did you finish your homework?

  Base form after did.

• ✗She call me yesterday.

  ✓She called me yesterday.

  Even with yesterday, the verb needs -ed.

• ✗He studyed all night.

  ✓He studied all night.

  Consonant + y → ied.

• ✗When you arrived?

  ✓When did you arrive?

  The question needs did + base form.

• ✗I visited Da Lat two years before.

  ✓I visited Da Lat two years ago.

  Counting back from now uses ago; before means before another point in time.