There are several uses (functions) of the Past Simple:
Use the Past Simple (VERB+ed or irregular verbs) to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. It is not necessary to mention the specific time but it is implied in the verb form.
I saw a great film yesterday.
I didn't see Peter at the party last night.
I travelled to Milan last month.
Didn't you travel to Thailand a month ago?
He painted his bedroom red.
We use the Past Simple to speak about a series of actions in the past that happened chronologically.
I finished work at five, went to my favourite café and spent an hour just watching the world go by.
First boil water then add the ingredients.
The Past Simple can be used to speak about a duration which starts and stops in the past.
I lived in Spain for two years.
I studied Italian when I was at school.
They did not stay in Paris for very long.
I spoke to him on the phone for half an hour.
The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to". To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.
I did Judo when I was a child.
He didn’t play the guitar, he played the piano.
He worked at a restaurant when he was at university.
Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school
Now complete the following using the correct form:
