Form the negative with didn’t plus the base verb, and the question with did plus subject plus base verb, as in I didn’t watch the movie or did she call you. The main verb always stays in its base form after did or didn’t, even with irregular verbs.
Grammar Rule
Didn’t + base verb forms the negative; Did + subject + base verb forms the question. The main verb never changes to the past form.
Past Simple: Negative and Questions
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | didn’t + base verb | I didn’t watch the movie last night. We didn’t finish the project on time. |
| Question | Did + subject + base verb | Did she call you yesterday? |
| Wh- question | Wh- word + did + subject + base verb | Where did they go on vacation? What time did he arrive? |
Remember: check that the verb after did or didn’t is in the base form, never in the past.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below forming the correct negative or question in the past simple. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Past Simple – Negative and Questions (Revision)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a negative sentence in the past simple?
Use didn’t plus the base form of the verb, as in I didn’t watch the movie last night, keeping the main verb unchanged regardless of whether it is regular or irregular.
How do you form a yes/no question in the past simple?
Put did before the subject and use the base verb, as in did she call you yesterday, without adding -ed or changing the main verb.
How do you form a wh- question in the past simple?
Start with the wh- word, followed by did, the subject, and the base verb, as in where did they go on vacation.
Does the main verb ever take the past form after did or didn’t?
No, the main verb always stays in the base form after did or didn’t; only did itself carries the past tense.