Unit 5: Past simple (I did)

English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 5: Past simple (I did)

Study this example:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian musician and composer.
He lived from 1756 to 1791.
He started composing at the age of five and wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
He was only 35 years old when he died.

Lived/started/wrote/was/died are all past simple.

Very often the past simple ends in -ed (regular verbs):

I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a department store.
We invited them to our party, but they decided not to come.
The police stopped me on my way home last night.
Laura passed her exam because she studied very hard.

For spelling (stopped, studied etc.), see Appendix 6.

But many verbs are irregular. The past simple does not end in -ed. For example:

Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music. (write -> wrote)
We saw Tanya in town a few days ago. (see -> saw)
I went to the cinema three times last week. (go -> went )
lt was cold, so I shut the window. (shut -> shut)

In questions and negatives we use did/didn't+ infinitive (enjoy/see/go etc.):

I
she
they

enjoyed?
saw?
went?

did

you
she
they

enjoy?
see?
go?

I
she
they

didn't

enjoy
see
go

A: Did you go out last night?
B: Yes, I went to the cinema, but I didn't enjoy the film much.
'When did Mr Thomas die?' 'About ten years ago.'
They didn't invite us to the party, so we didn't go.
'Did you have time to do the shopping?' 'No, I didn't.'

In the following examples, do is the main verb in the sentence (did ... do / didn't do):

What did you do at the weekend? (not What did you at the weekend?)
I didn't do anything. (not I didn't anything)

The past of be (am/is/are) is was/were:

I/he/she/it	was/wasn't
we/you/they	were/weren't

was	I/he/she/it?
were	we/you/they?

Note that we do not use did in negatives and questions with was/were:

I was angry because they were late.
Was the weather good when you were on holiday?
They weren't able to come because they were so busy.
Did you go out last night or were you too tired?

5.1 Read what Laura says about a typical working day:

I usually get up at 7 o'clock and have a big breakfast. I walk to work, which takes me about half an hour. I start work at 8.45 . I never have lunch. I finish work at 5 o'clock. I'm always tired when I get home. I usually cook a meal in the evening. I don't usually go out. I go to bed at about 11 o'clock, and I always sleep well.

Yesterday was a typical working day for Laura. Write what she did or didn't do yesterday.

⁽¹⁾ at 7 o'clock.
She ⁽²⁾ __________ a big breakfast.
She ⁽³⁾ __________ .
It ⁽⁴⁾ __________ to get to work.
⁽⁵⁾ __________ at 8.45.
⁽⁶⁾ __________ lunch.
⁽⁷⁾ __________ at 5 o'clock.
⁽⁸⁾ __________ tired when ⁽⁹⁾ __________ home.
⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ a meal yesterday evening.
⁽¹¹⁾ __________ out yesterday evening.
⁽¹²⁾ __________ at 11 o'clock.
⁽¹³⁾ __________ well last night.

5.2 Complete the sentences using the following verbs in the correct form:

buy
catch
cost
fall
hurt
sell
spend
teach
throw
~~write~~

Mozart ⁽¹⁾ more than 600 pieces of music.
'How did you learn to drive?' 'My father ⁽²⁾ __________ me.'
We couldn't afford to keep our car, so we ⁽³⁾ __________ it.
Dave ⁽⁴⁾ __________ down the stairs this morning and ⁽⁵⁾ __________ his leg.
Joe ⁽⁶⁾ __________ the ball to Sue, who ⁽⁷⁾ __________ it.
Ann ⁽⁸⁾ __________ a lot of money yesterday. She ⁽⁹⁾ __________ a dress which ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ £100.

5.3 You ask James about his holiday. Write your questions.

Hi. How are things?
Fine, thanks. I've just had a great holiday.

Where ?
To the U.S. We went on a trip from San Francisco to Denver.
How __________ ? By car?
Yes, we hired a car in San Francisco.
It's a long way to drive. How long __________ to get to Denver?
Two weeks.
Where __________ ? In hotels?
Yes, small hotels or motels.
__________ good?
Yes, but it was very hot - sometimes too hot.
__________ the Grand Canyon ?
Of course. It was wonderful.

5.4 Complete the sentences. Put the verb into the correct form, positive or negative.

It was warm, so I off my coat. (take)
The film wasn't very good. I it much. (enjoy)
How __________ ? By car?
Yes, we hired a car in San Francisco.
I knew Sarah was busy, so I __________ her. (disturb)
We were very tired, so we __________ the party early. (leave)
The bed was very uncomfortable. I __________ well. (sleep)
The window was open and a bird __________ into the room. (fly)
The hotel wasn't very expensive. It __________ much to stay there. (cost)
I was in a hurry, so I __________ time to phone you. (have)
It was hard carrying the bags. They __________ very heavy. (be)

Answer Key

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