Simple Past Tense
Use the simple past for actions that are already finished. Regular verbs add -ed. Many common verbs are irregular and change completely instead.
The rule
verb + -ed (regular) · go→went, have→had (irregular)
Right and wrong
I worked yesterday.
I work yesterday.
Use -ed for something that already happened.
She went to the market.
She goed to the market.
"Go" is irregular — it becomes "went", not "goed".
We had dinner at 8.
We haved dinner at 8.
"Have" is irregular — it becomes "had", not "haved".
He finished his work.
He finish his work.
Add -ed to show the action is already complete.
Practice
1. Yesterday, I ___ (call) my mother.
2. She ___ (go) to college last year.
3. We ___ (have) a great time at the wedding.
4. He ___ (watch) a movie last night.
5. They ___ (eat) lunch an hour ago.
Practise in the app
Day to Day English lets you practise grammar inside real situations, with audio and a story to follow.