The Past Simple

I went

How to Use the Past Simple

We use the past simple:

1. To talk about completed actions in the past. The action started and finished in the past.

For example: I went to the cinema yesterday.

2. To talk about a series of completed actions in the past. The actions started and finished in the past.

For example: I got up, had breakfast and went out.

3. To talk about past habits (similar to used to)

For example: When I was a child, I had piano lesson every week.

4. To talk about past facts and generalisations

There was less crime when I was a child.

5. To talk about duration in the past. The duration starts and finishes in the past.

For example: I worked in Rome for two years

Compare:

I worked in Rome for two years. I have worked in Rome for two years.

Past Simple Present Perfect Simple

Now I don’t live there. I live there now.

For example: Verbs connected with: thought processes (know), desires (like), senses (smell).