Past simple: Negatives and questions
Past simple negatives and questions
We use did and didn’t to make negatives, questions and short answers in past simple.
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Word order in questions
Remember that the word order in questions is QWASI: (Question Word), Auxiliary (did), Subject, Infinitive.
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Infinitive without to
We use did or didn’t with the bare infinitive of the main verb (= infinitive without to).
- I didn’t work yesterday.
- I didn’t didn’t worked yesterday.
- Did you go to the concert?
- Did you went to the concert?
Don’t use did in positive sentences
We use did or didn’t in negatives, questions and short answers, but NOT in positive sentences.
- We stayed home yesterday.
- We did stay home yesterday.
- I went out last night.
- I did go out last night.
Did or was/were?
We use did and didn’t (NOT was/wasn’t or were/weren’t) as the auxiliary verb in negatives and questions in past simple.
- We didn’t eat at 6.
- We weren’t eat at 6.
- Did you do your homework?
- Were you do your homework?
We do NOT use did or didn’t in past simple negatives or questions when the main verb is be.
- They weren’t happy.
- They didn’t be happy.
- Was he at home?
- Did he be at home?
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