Simple Past Tense: Negative and Questions

In this lesson, we'll explore the negative forms and question forms of the Simple Past tense. Building on your knowledge of affirmative Simple Past, you'll learn how to express what didn't happen, ask about past events, and form negative questions. These forms are essential for complete communication about past experiences and events.

We'll cover the use of the auxiliary verb "did" in questions and negatives, including short answers and question words.

1. Negative Forms of Simple Past

Structure: Subject + did not / didn't + base verb

To make negative statements in the Simple Past, we use the auxiliary verb "did" + "not" (or the contraction "didn't") followed by the base form of the main verb.

Important: Unlike affirmative Simple Past, we use the base form of the verb (not the past form) after "didn't".

Subject Did Not Contraction Base Verb Example
I did not didn't go I didn't go to work yesterday.
You did not didn't study You didn't study for the exam.
He did not didn't call He didn't call me last night.
She did not didn't finish She didn't finish her homework.
It did not didn't work It didn't work properly.
We did not didn't see We didn't see the movie.
They did not didn't come They didn't come to the party.

Special Case: Negative with "be"

The verb "be" doesn't use "did" in negatives. Instead, we add "not" directly after "was" or "were":

Subject Be + Not Contraction Example
I was not wasn't I wasn't at home yesterday.
You were not weren't You weren't ready for the meeting.
He was not wasn't He wasn't happy about the news.
She was not wasn't She wasn't feeling well.
It was not wasn't It wasn't a good day.
We were not weren't We weren't invited to the wedding.
They were not weren't They weren't interested in the offer.

2. Question Forms of Simple Past

Yes/No Questions

Structure: Did + subject + base verb + ?

To form questions in Simple Past, we use "did" at the beginning, followed by the subject and the base form of the verb.

Did Subject Base Verb Question Short Answer (+) Short Answer (-)
Did I call Did I call you yesterday? Yes, you did. No, you didn't.
Did you finish Did you finish your homework? Yes, I did. No, I didn't.
Did he come Did he come to the meeting? Yes, he did. No, he didn't.
Did she study Did she study for the test? Yes, she did. No, she didn't.
Did it rain Did it rain yesterday? Yes, it did. No, it didn't.
Did we meet Did we meet last week? Yes, we did. No, we didn't.
Did they arrive Did they arrive on time? Yes, they did. No, they didn't.

Questions with "be"

Questions with "be" don't use "did". Instead, we move "was" or "were" before the subject:

Was/Were Subject Question Short Answer (+) Short Answer (-)
Was I Was I late for the meeting? Yes, you were. No, you weren't.
Were you Were you at home last night? Yes, I was. No, I wasn't.
Was he Was he happy with the result? Yes, he was. No, he wasn't.
Was she Was she tired after work? Yes, she was. No, she wasn't.
Was it Was it a good movie? Yes, it was. No, it wasn't.
Were we Were we invited to the party? Yes, we were. No, we weren't.
Were they Were they satisfied with the service? Yes, they were. No, they weren't.

3. WH-Questions (Information Questions)

WH-questions ask for specific information using question words like what, where, when, who, why, how, etc.

WH-Questions with Regular Verbs

Structure: Question word + did + subject + base verb + ?

  • What did you do yesterday? (asking about activities)
  • Where did they go on vacation? (asking about place)
  • When did she arrive? (asking about time)
  • Who did you meet at the conference? (asking about person - object)
  • Why did he leave early? (asking about reason)
  • How did we get here? (asking about method)
  • How long did the meeting last? (asking about duration)
  • How much did it cost? (asking about price)
  • How many people did you invite? (asking about quantity)

WH-Questions with "be"

Structure: Question word + was/were + subject + ?

  • What was your favorite subject at school?
  • Where were you born?
  • When was the last time you saw him?
  • Who was your teacher in primary school?
  • Why were you late for work?
  • How was your trip to London?
  • How old were you when you learned to drive?
  • How long was the movie?

Special Cases: Questions about the Subject

When the question word (who/what) is the subject, we don't use "did":

  • Who called you last night? (Who is the subject)
  • What happened at the meeting? (What is the subject)
  • Who broke the window? (Who is the subject)
  • What caused the accident? (What is the subject)

Compare with object questions:

  • Who did you call last night? (You is the subject, who is the object)
  • What did you see at the movies? (You is the subject, what is the object)

4. Negative Questions

Negative questions are used to express surprise, confirm expectations, or show that you expected the opposite.

Negative Questions with Regular Verbs

Structure: Didn't + subject + base verb + ?

Negative Question Usage Expected Answer
Didn't you finish your homework? Expressing surprise Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
Didn't she call you back? Confirming expectation Yes, she did. / No, she didn't.
Didn't they arrive on time? Showing surprise Yes, they did. / No, they didn't.
Didn't it work properly? Checking assumption Yes, it did. / No, it didn't.

Negative Questions with "be"

Structure: Wasn't/Weren't + subject + ?

Negative Question Usage Expected Answer
Wasn't he at the meeting? Expressing surprise Yes, he was. / No, he wasn't.
Weren't you invited to the party? Confirming expectation Yes, I was. / No, I wasn't.
Wasn't it a good movie? Seeking confirmation Yes, it was. / No, it wasn't.
Weren't they happy with the result? Checking assumption Yes, they were. / No, they weren't.

5. Uses of Negative and Question Forms

When to Use Negative Forms

1. Expressing What Didn't Happen
  • I didn't go to work yesterday because I was sick.
  • She didn't study for the exam, so she failed.
  • They didn't arrive on time for the meeting.
2. Correcting False Information
  • A: "You went to Paris last year." B: "No, I didn't go to Paris. I went to Rome."
  • He didn't buy a car; he bought a motorcycle.
  • We didn't live in London; we lived in Manchester.
3. Describing Past States (with "be")
  • The weather wasn't good yesterday.
  • I wasn't happy with my performance.
  • They weren't ready for the presentation.

When to Use Questions

1. Asking About Past Events
  • Did you enjoy the concert last night?
  • Did she finish her project on time?
  • Were you at home when I called?
2. Gathering Information
  • What did you do during your vacation?
  • Where did they go for their honeymoon?
  • How was your first day at work?
3. Confirming Information
  • Did you say the meeting is at 3 PM?
  • Was that your brother I saw yesterday?
  • Didn't you tell me you were going to London?

6. Short Answers in Simple Past

When answering yes/no questions in Simple Past, we use short answers with "did" or the appropriate form of "be".

Short Answers with "did"

Structure:

  • Positive: Yes, + subject + did
  • Negative: No, + subject + didn't
Question Positive Short Answer Negative Short Answer
Did you call him yesterday? Yes, I did. No, I didn't.
Did she finish her work? Yes, she did. No, she didn't.
Did they come to the party? Yes, they did. No, they didn't.
Did it rain yesterday? Yes, it did. No, it didn't.

Short Answers with "be"

Structure:

  • Positive: Yes, + subject + was/were
  • Negative: No, + subject + wasn't/weren't
Question Positive Short Answer Negative Short Answer
Were you at home last night? Yes, I was. No, I wasn't.
Was she happy with the result? Yes, she was. No, she wasn't.
Were they ready for the exam? Yes, they were. No, they weren't.
Was it a good movie? Yes, it was. No, it wasn't.

Important Notes about Short Answers:

  • We never use the main verb in short answers: ❌ "Yes, I went." ✅ "Yes, I did."
  • We usually use contractions in negative short answers: "No, I didn't" (not "No, I did not")
  • Match the auxiliary verb from the question: "Did you...?" → "Yes, I did." / "Were you...?" → "Yes, I was."

7. Common Mistakes and Corrections

Incorrect Correct Explanation
I didn't went to school yesterday. I didn't go to school yesterday. Use base form after "didn't," not past form.
Did you went to the party? Did you go to the party? Use base form after "did" in questions.
She didn't was at home. She wasn't at home. Don't use "did" with "be" - use "wasn't/weren't."
Was you at the meeting? Were you at the meeting? Use "were" with "you," not "was."
What you did yesterday? What did you do yesterday? Correct word order: Question word + did + subject + base verb.
Who did called you? Who called you? Don't use "did" when "who" is the subject.
Yes, I went. (short answer) Yes, I did. Use auxiliary verb in short answers, not the main verb.

8. Tag Questions with Simple Past

Tag questions are short questions added to the end of statements to confirm information or seek agreement.

Rules for Tag Questions

  • Positive statement → negative tag
  • Negative statement → positive tag
  • Use the same auxiliary verb in the tag

Examples with Regular Verbs

  • You went to the concert, didn't you?
  • She didn't call you back, did she?
  • They finished the project, didn't they?
  • We didn't meet last week, did we?

Examples with "be"

  • You were at the meeting, weren't you?
  • He wasn't happy about it, was he?
  • It was a great movie, wasn't it?
  • They weren't invited, were they?

Simple Past Negative and Questions Test

Choose the correct negative or question form for each sentence.

1. She ______ to the party last night.

2. ______ you finish your homework last night?

3. They ______ at home when I called.

4. ______ happened at the meeting yesterday?

5. ______ she call you back? - No, she didn't.

Transform Sentences

Change the following affirmative sentences to negative or questions as indicated.

Short Answers

Provide appropriate short answers for the following questions.

1. Did you go to the movies last weekend? (Yes)

2. Were they at home when you called? (No)

3. Did she finish her project on time? (Yes)

4. Was it a good movie? (No)

5. Did they enjoy the concert? (No)

WH-Questions Practice

Choose the correct question word to complete each question.

1. ______ did you do last weekend?

2. ______ did they arrive at the airport?

3. ______ called you yesterday? (asking about person as subject)

4. ______ much did the tickets cost?

5. ______ did she decide to move to London?

Tag Questions

Complete the tag questions correctly.

Summary: Key Points to Remember

  1. Negative with regular verbs: Subject + didn't + base verb (I didn't go)
  2. Negative with "be": Subject + wasn't/weren't (I wasn't happy)
  3. Questions with regular verbs: Did + subject + base verb? (Did you go?)
  4. Questions with "be": Was/Were + subject? (Were you happy?)
  5. WH-Questions: Question word + did + subject + base verb? (What did you do?)
  6. Subject questions: Who/What + past verb? (Who called you?)
  7. Short Answers: Match the auxiliary verb from the question (Did you...? Yes, I did.)
  8. Negative Questions: Didn't you...? / Wasn't she...? (for surprise or confirmation)
  9. Tag Questions: Positive statement → negative tag, Negative statement → positive tag
  10. Always use base form: after "did/didn't" in questions and negatives

Mastering negative forms and questions in the Simple Past tense allows you to ask about past events, express what didn't happen, and engage in natural conversations about past experiences. Remember that the auxiliary verb "did" carries the past meaning in questions and negatives, so the main verb always stays in its base form. The verb "be" is special and doesn't use "did" - instead, it moves directly to form questions and adds "not" for negatives!