Structure: Subject + past tense form of the verb

• I wrote.
• They played.
• She danced.
• The baby smiled.
• It rained.
• The fire burned brightly.
• The birds sang sweetly.
• I worked hard for my exam.

The simple past tense is used:

1. To describe an action completed in the past.

• She came yesterday.
• I received your letter yesterday.
• His father died two years ago.
• She wanted to be a nurse.

2. To talk about a habitual action in the past.

• I attended the church regularly in my youth.
• My father went for a walk every morning.
• Granny always brought us nice gifts.

Notes: To talk about a habitual action in the past we can also use used to + infinitive.

• I used to attend the church regularly in my youth.
• My father used to go for a walk every morning.
• Granny used to always bring us nice gifts.