Past Simple
Lesson 6 of 7 · ~4 minutes

Lesson 6 · Past Simple

Questions

Question

A question starts with Did, then the person, then the verb in its base form — the same for every person.

Order

Did + who + base form + the rest. As in the negative, the past is already shown in Did, so the verb doesn't repeat it.

Statement

You worked late.
She went home.
They saw the film.

Question

Did you work late?
Did she go home?
Did they see the film?
Statement
Question
You worked late.
Did you work late?
She went home.
Did she go home?
They saw the film.
Did they see the film?

Did you see him yesterday?

Short answer

The answer repeats did, not the verb. A question with was / were is answered with the same word.

Question

Did you go?
Did she work?
Were they at home?

Yes

Yes, I did.
Yes, she did.
Yes, they were.

No

No, I didn't.
No, she didn't.
No, they weren't.
Question
Yes
No
Did you go?
Yes, I did.
No, I didn't.
Did she work?
Yes, she did.
No, she didn't.
Were they at home?
Yes, they were.
No, they weren't.

Where people usually slip

Not Yes, I went and not Yes, I go — the short answer repeats did: Yes, I did.

The verb doesn't move into the answer: it was already said in the question.

In short

  • questionDid + who + base form
  • answerYes, I did / No, she didn't
  • beWas she … ? → Yes, she was
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