Past Indefinite (Simple Past)
Definition of Past Indefinite:
Past Indefinite tense is used to show a completed action of recent past where exact time of happening of that action or event is sometime specified and sometime it is not specified.
Past Indefinite also expresses repeated action, habit, an array of events of past etc.
Usages of Past Indefinite:
- Past Indefinite Tense is used to show a completed action of recent past where exact time of happening of that action or event is sometime specified and sometime it is not specified.
- Alice went for shopping.
- Boys took examination of 12th grade.
- Old man cursed the naughty boys.
- To show a completed action of recent past where exact time of happening of that action or event is specified.
- People caught the thief last night
- Jacob lived in London five years ago.
- My friends visited Lake District last summer.
- To show an activity performed on regular basis in past.
- John took bath in pool after practice session.
- Some of my class mates told a lie about their homework.
- Girls sang hymns
- To show a habit in past.
- Jausha slept late.
- He did not get ready in time.
- Sick girl dozed a bit in the class.
- To show an array of completed events of past.
- We got up early in the morning, took bath, caught the train and went to the office.
- After the college, boys collected money, arranged tickets, went to cinema and enjoyed a movie.
- On the road, two buses collided, a bang and a cloud of dust rose, people gathered and rescued the injured.
- To state someone or something or use of was were.
- He was happy that day.
- Your poem was very nice.
- William Wordsworth was a great poet.
What is difference between Past Perfect and Simple Past
Simple Past is used when we are to describe sequential or chronological order of event. Past Perfect is used when we are to describe a particuar event at some point in the past and what had happened before or after that event.
Examples
Richard awoke up in the morning, took bath then breakfast and departed for school.
These sentences show the order of events in which they occure.
Richard had departed for school before his brother awoke.
This sentence shows action of departing is done before the action awoke.
Formation of Past Indefinite:
Affirmative Sentences
In positive or affrimative sentences of Past Indefinte Tense we use second form of verb with every kind of person i.e (1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person).
Examples
- Australian team won cricket world cup.
- Citi Bank auctioned their house.
- Watchman watched the house.
- The strangers welcomed us warmly.
- I saw a saw to saw woods.
Interrogative Sentences
In interrogative sentences of Past Indefinte Tense we use Did and first form of verb with all persons. Did comes at the beginning of sentence due to interrogation
Examples
- Did my foster mother give me a gift?
- Did he waste his time?
- Did I not tell a lie?
- Did cobbler mend the shoe?
- Did students get computer education?
Negative Sentences
In negative sentences of Past Indefinte Tense we use Did not and first form of verb with all persons i.e (1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person).
Examples
- Jimmy did not get up early in the morning.
- Hard working students did not waste their time.
- He did not agree with me.
- Harry did not hide his money in the box.
- He did not write his name on paper.