Grammar: Past Simple (Negative)
A2 Lesson 18: Using 'Didn't' Correctly
The Golden Rule
To make a negative sentence about the past with an action verb, we need the helping verb didn't (did not). When we use didn't, the main verb must return to its simple, base form. Think of it like this: the word "didn't" already contains the past tense, so the main verb doesn't need to!
The Grammar Rule 📖
How to Form Past Simple Negatives
| Verb Type | Positive (+) | Negative (-) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | I visited the museum. | I didn't visit the museum. |
| Regular | She liked the food. | She didn't like the food. |
| Irregular | We went to Pub Street. | We didn't go to Pub Street. |
| Irregular | He saw his friend. | He didn't see his friend. |
Avoiding a Common Mistake
The biggest mistake learners make is keeping the past tense verb after 'didn't'. This is always incorrect. Remember the golden rule!
Incorrect: I didn't went to the market.
Correct: I didn't go to the market.
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Make it Negative
Change the positive sentences into negative sentences. Remember the rule!
- She ate breakfast this morning.
→ She didn't eat breakfast this morning. - They watched the sunrise at Angkor Wat.
→ They didn't watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. - I bought a souvenir.
→ I didn't buy a souvenir. - He had a lot of free time.
→ He didn't have a lot of free time.
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Things You Didn't Do
Write three true sentences about things you did not do yesterday. Use 'didn't' in each sentence.
Example: I didn't drink coffee yesterday. I didn't ride a moto.
Key Vocabulary
- Base Form The simplest form of a verb, with no endings like '-s', '-ed', or '-ing' (e.g., go, eat, see).
- Negative A word or statement that expresses denial, refusal, or "no."