SIMPLE PAST TENSE EXERCISE 2: NEGATIVE SENTENCES (ESL)
level: Beginner (A1/A2)
✓ Useful for IELTS
✓ Useful for TOEFL
Good news first: didn't never changes, no matter the subject: I didn't, you didn't, she didn't, they didn't, all identical. The part that trips people up is what comes after it. This exercise drills exactly that.
GRAMMAR REVIEW
The simple past: negative sentences
To make the simple past negative, use did not (didn't) before the base form of the verb.
Structure:
Subject + didn't + base verb
→ She didn't work yesterday.
The one rule that matters most:
Didn't is exactly the same for every subject: I, you, he, she, it, we, they. There's no equivalent of the present tense's don't/doesn't split to worry about here.
The most common mistake at this level:
Once didn't is doing the "past" job, the main verb goes back to its plain base form. It does not also take the past tense ending or irregular form.
✗ "She didn't went to the party." (wrong: double marking the past)
✓ "She didn't go to the party." (correct)
This is true even for irregular verbs you already know the past form of, like go/went, see/saw, and have/had. All of them return to their base form after didn't.
Once you're confident here, try affirmative sentences, irregular verbs, or move on to wh-questions and yes/no questions.
To make the simple past negative, use did not (didn't) before the base form of the verb.
Structure:
Subject + didn't + base verb
→ She didn't work yesterday.
The one rule that matters most:
Didn't is exactly the same for every subject: I, you, he, she, it, we, they. There's no equivalent of the present tense's don't/doesn't split to worry about here.
The most common mistake at this level:
Once didn't is doing the "past" job, the main verb goes back to its plain base form. It does not also take the past tense ending or irregular form.
✗ "She didn't went to the party." (wrong: double marking the past)
✓ "She didn't go to the party." (correct)
This is true even for irregular verbs you already know the past form of, like go/went, see/saw, and have/had. All of them return to their base form after didn't.
Once you're confident here, try affirmative sentences, irregular verbs, or move on to wh-questions and yes/no questions.
Complete each negative sentence with didn't + the base verb.
Example: "We didn't eat (eat) the soup."
1. I (to like) the movie.✓
2. She (to finish) her homework.✓
3. They (to go) to the party.✓
4. He (to call) me back.✓
5. We (to have) enough time.✓
6. My brother (to win) the race.✓
7. You (to need) to worry.✓
8. The store (to open) on time.✓
9. I (to know) the answer.✓
10. She (to speak) to him.✓
11. They (to want) any help.✓
12. He (to work) on Saturday.✓
13. We (to watch) the whole movie.✓
14. My dog (to like) the vacuum cleaner.✓
15. You (to understand) the question.✓
16. The bus (to stop) here.✓
17. I (to agree) with the decision.✓
18. She (to believe) the story.✓
19. They (to celebrate) the holiday.✓
20. He (to remember) my name.✓
TRY SOME OF OUR OTHER VERB TENSE EXERCISES!
Simple Past 1: Affirmative (B)
Simple Past 3: Irregular Verbs (B/I)
Simple Past 4: Wh-Questions (B)
Simple Past 5: Yes/No Questions (B)
Past continuous 1 (B)
Simple Present/Present Continuous? 1 (I)
Simple Past/Present Perfect? 1 (I)
Simple Past 1: Affirmative (B)
Simple Past 3: Irregular Verbs (B/I)
Simple Past 4: Wh-Questions (B)
Simple Past 5: Yes/No Questions (B)
Past continuous 1 (B)
Simple Present/Present Continuous? 1 (I)
Simple Past/Present Perfect? 1 (I)
