You will be able to talk about completed actions and events that happened at a specific time in the past.
The Past Simple is used to describe actions or states that finished in the past. It is the most common way to tell stories about what happened, when it happened, and in what order. We use it for completed events that have no connection to the present.
James sent the invoice last Tuesday.
The client arrived, we discussed the contract, and they signed it.
Sarah worked in Manchester for three years before she moved to London.
The office was closed yesterday because of the weather.
Did you attend the meeting on Friday?
Oliver completed the report yesterday.
Aisha did not finish the budget report last week.
Short form: Aisha didn't finish the budget report last week.
Did Emma send the email to the supplier yesterday?
Did you not receive the invoice last month?
Short form: Didn't you receive the invoice last month?
Common mistake. Many learners forget that the Past Simple verb does not change with the subject. It is always the same form: I worked, you worked, he worked, we worked. Do not add -s or -ed changes based on the subject.
Choose the correct form for each gap. Your answer is marked at once, with the reason.
1.The team ___ (attend) the conference in Edinburgh last month.
positive2.Tom ___ (receive) the cheque from the client yesterday.
positive3.Priya ___ (work) in the Bristol office for two years before she changed jobs.
positive4.The supplier ___ (deliver) the order on time last Friday.
positive5.The manager ___ (approve) the budget yesterday morning.
positive6.Sarah ___ (make) a decision about the new supplier last week.
positive7.The clients ___ (sign) the contract an hour ago.
positive8.James ___ (not / send) the report because he was on holiday.
negative9.The office ___ (not / close) yesterday, even though it was very cold.
negative10.Oliver ___ (not / attend) the training session last Tuesday.
negative11.The supplier ___ (not / deliver) the goods on time last month.
negative12.Emma ___ (not / finish) the presentation before the deadline yesterday.
negative13.___ (you / meet) the new manager last week?
question14.___ (the team / receive) the invoice from the supplier yesterday?
question15.___ (Tom / work) in the London office in 2022?
question16.___ (Sarah / attend) the conference last month?
question17.___ (the clients / sign) the contract two weeks ago?
question18.___ (you / not / send) the email to the client last week?
negative question19.___ (James / not / approve) the invoice yesterday?
negative question20.___ (the team / not / receive) the order on time last month?
negative question