In the past simple tense, questions are formed by using the auxiliary verb “did” followed by the base form of the main verb.
Whether dealing with regular or irregular verbs, the structure of past simple questions is consistent.
Question form of past simple tense – Regular verbs:
Regular verb examples:
Work (base form): Did I work late last night?
Play (base form): Did she play the piano beautifully?
Talk (base form): Did we talk about the upcoming project?
Question form of past simple tense – Irregular verbs:
Irregular verb examples:
Go (base form): Did they go to the beach on Saturday?
Eat (base form): Did he eat a delicious meal at the restaurant?
See (base form): Did we see a fantastic movie last week?
Table: Past simple tense – Question
| Subject | Past Simple Interrogative (question) | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | Did + base verb | Did I finish the assignment? |
| You | Did + base verb | Did you enjoy the movie? |
| He/She/It | Did + base verb | Did she visit the museum? |
| We | Did + base verb | Did we go to the park? |
| You (plural) | Did + base verb | Did you meet at the café? |
| They | Did + base verb | Did they complete the project? |
Usage of past simple tense in questions:
Seeking information about past actions:
Use past simple questions to inquire about specific actions or events that occurred in the past.
Example:
Did you visit the museum last weekend?
Asking about past habits or routines:
Pose questions about habits or routines that were characteristic of a person in the past.
Example:
Did she always walk to school when she was a child?
Inquiring about past experiences:
Use questions to gather information about experiences or situations that took place in the past.
Example:
Did they travel to Paris a few years ago?
Interrogating past events in narratives:
Commonly used in storytelling to ask about specific events or actions.
Example:
What did you do when you realized you lost your keys?
Common mistakes to avoid:
Incorrect: Did he worked hard yesterday?
Correct: Did he work hard yesterday?
Incorrect: Did we saw a shooting star last night?
Correct: Did we see a shooting star last night?
Understanding how to form questions in the past simple tense, whether with regular or irregular verbs, is essential for effective communication. Practice constructing past simple questions to enhance your language skills. Happy learning!
