Lesson

Past simple - I didn't, did you?

Past negatives and questions

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Past simple — I didn't, did you?

This lesson explains how to form negatives and questions in the past simple using the auxiliary did. In negatives we use did not (didn't) + base verb. In questions we use did + subject + base verb. Short answers use 'Yes, I did.' or 'No, I didn't.'

  • Negative: subject + did not (didn't) + base verb → I didn't attend.
  • Question: Did + subject + base verb → Did you attend?
  • Short answers: Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
  • The main verb stays in the base form after 'did' (no -ed).

Table

Past Simple: Affirmative, Negative, Question

Form Structure Example
Affirmative (regular) subject + past verb I worked late yesterday.
Affirmative (irregular) subject + past verb (irregular) She went to the client meeting.
Negative subject + did not (didn't) + base verb I didn't finish the report last night.
Question Did + subject + base verb? Did you review the contract?
Short answer (positive) Yes, subject + did. Yes, I did. (I reviewed it.)
Short answer (negative) No, subject + didn't. No, I didn't. (I didn't review it.)

Tip

Key Rule: 'did' + base verb

Always use did (or didn't) with the base form of the verb when making negatives and questions in the past simple.

  • Negative: I didn't + base verb → I didn't receive the invoice.
  • Question: Did + subject + base verb → Did you receive the invoice?
  • Affirmative sentences use the past form: I received the invoice.

The past form (e.g., received, went) appears only in affirmative sentences; in negatives/questions use the base form after 'did'.

Example

Examples in context

I didn't receive your email yesterday.

Did you attend the project meeting last week?

No, I didn't sign the contract — I needed approval.

Yes, I did send the invoice on Friday.

Tip

Common Mistakes

Watch out for these frequent errors when using did/didn't in past simple.

  • Using the past form after did or didn't (e.g., 'I didn't went') — incorrect.
  • Using 'did' twice or unnecessary auxiliaries (e.g., 'Did you did attend?').
  • Incorrect word order in questions (must be: Did + subject + verb?).
  • Using negative contraction in the wrong place (e.g., 'I did not went').
  • Choosing the wrong short answer form (e.g., answering 'Yes, I sent.' instead of 'Yes, I did.').

Always keep the main verb in its base form after 'did' or 'didn't'.

Quiz

Choose the correct past negative sentence:

Hint: Focus on the verb form that follows 'didn't'.

Quiz

Complete: _____ the meeting yesterday?

Hint: Remember the word order for past simple questions.

Quiz

Choose the best short answer to: "Did you send the invoice?"

Hint: Choose the short answer that uses the auxiliary for past simple.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

did

auxiliary verb CEFR A2 //dɪd//

Past tense auxiliary used to form questions and negatives in the past simple.

Did you finish the presentation?

GrammarPoint

didn't

auxiliary + negation CEFR A2 //ˈdɪdənt//

Contraction of did not; used to make negatives in the past simple.

I didn't attend the meeting.

GrammarPoint

base form

grammar term CEFR B1 //beɪs fɔːrm//

The verb in its infinitive form without 'to' (e.g., 'send', 'go', 'work').

Did you send the email? → 'send' is the base form.

GrammarPoint

past simple

tense CEFR B1 //pæst ˈsɪmpəl//

A verb tense used to describe completed actions in the past.

We completed the audit last month.

Vocabulary

yesterday

adverb CEFR A2 //ˈjɛstərdeɪ//

On the day before today; a common time expression used with past simple.

I sent the proposal yesterday.

Vocabulary

last week

adverbial phrase CEFR A2 //læst wiːk//

A time expression meaning the week before the current week; used with past simple.

They hired a new manager last week.

Expression

short answer

phrase CEFR B1 //ʃɔːrt ˈænsər//

A brief reply to a yes/no question (e.g., 'Yes, I did.' / 'No, I didn't.').

Did you complete the task? — Yes, I did.