A2 · Lesson 21 · 20 min
Past questions and negatives
In this lesson
- I can ask and answer simple questions about the past.
- I can make negative sentences with did not, was not and were not.
Grammar in context
On Monday, Amina and Leo talked about their weekend. Amina visited her aunt, but Leo did not go out because he was tired. They also remembered a rainy school trip last month.
Which sentences use did, and which sentences use was or were?
Questions with did
Use did to ask about a finished action in the past. Put did before the subject, then use the base verb. Do not use the past form after did: say Did you see?, not Did you saw? You can begin with a question word, such as Where, When or Why. Use did with all subjects: I, you, he, she, it, we and they.
- Did Noor call her brother last night?
- Where did the bus stop?
Negatives with didn't
For most past actions, use did not or didn't plus the base verb. The base verb stays the same after didn't, even when the positive sentence has an irregular past form. Compare He went home with He didn't go home. Didn't is common in speaking and informal writing. Use a time phrase when it helps the listener understand which past time you mean.
- We didn't buy any snacks at the station.
- Marta did not take her coat yesterday.
Was and were
Use was and were for past forms of be. To make a question, put was or were before the subject. To make a negative, add not: wasn't or weren't. Do not use did with be. Short answers repeat was or were, not the full sentence. Use was with I, he, she and it; use were with you, we and they.
- Were the children at the library? Yes, they were.
- I wasn't late for the meeting.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
Did Sam went to the café?
Use
Did Sam go to the café?
After did, use the base verb go, not went.
Avoid
They didn't were at home.
Use
They weren't at home.
Use was or were directly with be; do not add did.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.