3. Simple Past

Form of Simple Past

• P: He spoke.
• N: He did not speak.
• Q: Did he speak?

Use of Simple Past

Simple Past is used for actions and situations in the past.

• Facts and situations in the past
  Expresses a fact or given situation in the past.
  Beispiele:
  Our secretary worked very hard.
  I did not agree with you.
• Actions in the past
  Actions in the past that took place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)
  Examples:
  Mister Brown never attended any meeting. He always sent me.
• Actions taking place one after another
  Actions in the past that took place one after the other.
  Examples:
  Mister Sanders came into the office, checked his mailbox and went straight to the briefing.
  What a horrible day: first my computer crashed, then our best customer cancelled their order and on my way home my car broke down.
• Actions taking place in the middle of another action
  (Sudden) action that took place in the middle of another action. (see also: Past Progressive)
  Examples:
  I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
  When I came in, John was playing solitaire.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, If Clause Type II (If I talked, …)

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