Past Simple Tense

The Past Simple tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. It is formed using the second form of the verb for regular verbs, or the irregular past form for irregular verbs.

Structure:

• Positive: Subject + verb (2nd form) + rest of sentence
• Negative: Subject + didn't + verb (base form) + rest of sentence
• Question: Did + subject + verb (base form) + rest of sentence

Usage:

1. For actions that occurred at a specific time in the past:

   Example: Apollo 13 set off for the moon in 1970.

2. For repeated actions in the past:

   Example: He watched a weekly TV show about space exploration when he was young.

3. For a series of completed actions in the past:

   Example: The astronaut finished routine checks, returned to the spacecraft, and wrote a report.

4. For past actions that will never be repeated:

   Example: They discovered water on Mars in 2013.

Vocabulary: Common time expressions for Past Simple include yesterday, last night, last week, two weeks/months ago, and in [year].

Used To, Would, Be/Get Used To

This section covers various structures involving "used to" and their different meanings in English.

Used To:

• Describes past habits or states that no longer exist:

  Example: He used to go camping every summer.

Would:

• Used for repeated actions in the past (not for states):

  Example: I would go to the Space Museum very often.

Be Used To:

• Expresses being accustomed to something:

  Example: Bart isn't used to living alone.

Get Used To:

• Describes the process of becoming accustomed to something:

  Example: I hope I can get used to living in a cold country.

Highlight: "Used to" can describe both past states and actions, while "would" is only used for past actions.