Elementary 📐 Grammar · #42 of 305

Past Simple: Negatives and Questions

Use did/didn't + base verb.

Examples

  • I didn't see him.
  • Did you eat?

Key rules

  • Negative: did not (didn't) + base verb
  • Question: Did + subject + base verb
  • The main verb returns to its base form after did
  • Short answers: Yes, I did. No, she didn't.

Common mistakes

  • I didn't saw him → I didn't see him
  • Did you went there? → Did you go there?
💡 Tip: After did or didn't, the main verb is always plain.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Elementary quiz
← Past Simple: Irregular VerbsWas and Were →

Related Elementary topics

See all Elementary grammar lessons →

Past Simple: Regular Verbs

Add -ed to finish actions in the past.

Past Simple: Irregular Verbs

Many common verbs have special past forms.

Was and Were

Past forms of be.

Past Continuous

was/were + -ing for actions in progress in the past.

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Use continuous for background; simple for interrupting events.

Future with Going To

be going to + verb for plans and evidence-based predictions.