Simple Past – Free Exercise

display incorrect answers

Exercises

Type in the verbs in the Simple Past.

William (visit) his grandparents last weekend.regular verb → add ed
Jane (arrive) an hour ago.regular verb that ends in e → add a d
We (go) to Bob's birthday party yesterday.irregular verb, 2nd verb form (go-went-gone)
I (be) on holiday last week.irregular verb, 2nd verb form (be-was/were-been)|for I/he/she/it we use was
She (see) fire.irregular verb, 2nd verb form (see-saw-seen)

Complete the sentences in the negative form.

I phoned Lucy last night. → I Lucy last night.did + not + verb in the basic form
You tidied up your room. → You up your room.did + not + verb in the basic form
Olivia became an actress. → Olivia an actress.did + not + verb in the basic form
We found the treasure. → We the treasure.did + not + verb in the basic form
He spoke Spanish. → He Spanish.did + not + verb in the basic form

Construct questions.

(you/dance) at the party last night?Did + subject + verb in the basic form
(she/do) her homework?Did + subject + verb in the basic form
(Robert/work) at the post office?Did + subject + verb in the basic form
(they/help) you with the washing-up?Did + subject + verb in the basic form
When (I/say) that?Did + subject + verb in the basic form

Online exercises to improve your English

Improve your English with Lingolia. Each grammar topic comes with one free exercise where you can review the basics, as well as many more Lingolia Plus exercises where you can practise according to your level. Check your understanding by hovering over the info bubbles for simple explanations and handy tips.

Simple Past – Free Exercise

Simple Past – mixed exercise

Lingolia Plus English

Unlock all grammar exercises for English with a Lingolia Plus account

983 interactive grammar exercises for English
sorted by topic and level (A1–C1)
with a built-in progress tracker and awards system

Get started with Lingolia Plus

Simple Past – Lingolia Plus Exercises

Simple Past – was/were (1) A1
Simple Past – was not/were not A1
Simple Past – was/were questions A1
Simple Past – was/were (2) A1
Simple Past – was/were (3) A2
Simple Past – was/were mixed A2
Simple Past – regular verbs (1) A1
Simple Past – regular verbs (2) A1
Simple Past – regular verbs (3) A1
Simple Past – regular verbs (4) A2
Simple Past – regular verbs (5) A2
Simple Past – irregular verbs (1) A1
Simple Past – irregular verbs (2) A1
Simple Past – irregular verbs (3) A1
Simple Past – regular and irregular verbs A1
Simple Past – affirmative (1) A1
Simple Past – affirmative (2) A1
Simple Past – negative (1) A1
Simple Past – negative (2) A1
Simple Past – negative (3) A1
Simple Past – negative (4) A2
Simple Past – positive or negative? A2
Simple Past – questions (1) A1
Simple Past – questions (2) A1
Simple Past – questions (3) A2
Simple Past – questions (4) A1
Simple Past – positives, negatives and questions B1
Simple Past – questions and short answers A2
Simple Past – wh- questions (1) A2
Simple Past – wh- questions (2) A2
Simple Past – wh- questions (3) A2
Simple Past – mixed (2) A2
Simple Past – one-off past actions (1) A1
Simple Past – one-off past actions (2) A1
Simple Past – repeated past actions A1
Simple Past – one off/repeated actions A1
Simple Past – successive actions A1
Simple Past – interruptions B1
Simple Past – second conditional B1
Simple Past – telling stories (1) A2
Simple Past – telling stories (2) A1
Simple Past – Tom and Nancy B1
Simple Past – Salma and Fran A2
Simple Past – Holly and Joe A2
Simple Past – Chanel the parrot A2
Simple Past – Amelia Earhart A2
Simple Past – Katherine G. Johnson B2

A1Beginner A2Elementary B1Intermediate B2Upper intermediate C1Advanced