Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 12 · A1

I didn't ... Did you ... ? (past simple negative and questions)

In the past simple, negatives use didn't + the base verb, and questions use did + subject + base verb: I didn't go, did you go?

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 24 minutes

In this lesson

did, didn't + the base formA1 screen of questions
NegativesB2 screens of questions
Questions and short answersC2 screens of questions
Put it together+4 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

did, didn't + the base form

Use did in past simple questions and didn't (did not) in negatives. The verb after them is the base form: go, not went.

Positive Negative Question
I, she, they played I, she, they didn't play did I, she, they play?
I, she, they went I, she, they didn't go did I, she, they go?

Do and does are for the present; did is the past for everybody.

  • I played darts yesterday, but I didn't win.
  • Did you do the shopping? No, I didn't have time.
  • We went to the shop, but we didn't buy anything.
  • She saw the film, but she didn't like it.

Point A · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with did or didn't and the verb in brackets.

  1. I to the party. I was too tired. (go)

  2. you the match on Saturday? (see)

  3. We went to the market, but we anything. (buy)

Point B of 3

Negatives

didn't + base form. Never didn't went or didn't saw.

  • I didn't watch the match last night.
  • It didn't rain on Saturday.
  • We didn't go out, because we were shattered.
  • Jen didn't know the answer. (not didn't knew)

Point B · Exercise 12.1

Complete the sentences with the verb in the negative.

  1. Example

    I saw Barbara, but I didn't see Jane.

    AnswerI saw Barbara, but I didn't see Jane.

  2. They trained on Saturday, but they on Sunday.

  3. We went to the chemist's, but we to the supermarket.

  4. She had a pen, but she any paper.

  5. Jack did French at school, but he German.

Point B · Exercise 12.2

Write questions with Did ... ?

  1. Example

    I watched telly last night. And you?

    Did you watch telly last night?

    AnswerDid you watch telly last night?

  2. I enjoyed the party. And you?

  3. I had a great weekend. And you?

  4. I finished work early. And you?

  5. I slept badly on the ferry. And you?

Point C of 3

Questions and short answers

did + subject + base form. The short answers are Yes, I did and No, I didn't.

With a question word: What did you do? Where did they go? How did it happen?

  • Did you have a nice weekend?
  • Did it rain in Scotland?
  • "Did you see Paul?" "Yes, I did."
  • "Did they win?" "No, they didn't."
  • What did you do at the weekend?
  • Where did you go on holiday?
  • How did you break your arm? (not How you broke)

Point C · Exercise 12.4 · part 1 of 2

Write B's questions. Use: arrive, cost, go, go to bed late, happen, have a nice time, stay, win.

Use these

arrivecostgogo to bed latehappenhave a nice timestaywin

  1. Example

    A: We went to Edinburgh last month. B: Where ... ? A: With some friends.

    Where did you stay?

    AnswerWhere did you stay?

  2. A: I was late for work this morning. B: What time ... ? A: Half past nine.

  3. A: I played tennis this afternoon. B: ... ? A: No, I lost.

  4. A: I had a lovely holiday. B: Good. Where ... ? A: To the Lake District.

  5. A: We got a cab back from the club. B: How much ... ? A: Fifteen pounds.

Point C · Exercise 12.4 · part 2 of 2

Write B's questions. Use: arrive, cost, go, go to bed late, happen, have a nice time, stay, win.

Use these

arrivecostgogo to bed latehappenhave a nice timestaywin

  1. A: I'm shattered this morning. B: ... ? A: No, but I didn't sleep very well.

  2. A: We went to the seaside yesterday. B: ... ? A: Yes, it was brilliant.

  3. A: The window's broken. B: How ... ? A: I don't know.

Put it together · Exercise 12.3 · part 1 of 2

What did you do yesterday? Write positive or negative sentences about yourself.

  1. Example

    (watch TV)

    I watched TV.

    Example answerI watched TV.

  2. (get up before 7 o'clock)

  3. (have a shower)

  4. (buy a magazine)

  5. (eat meat)

Put it together · Exercise 12.3 · part 2 of 2

What did you do yesterday? Write positive or negative sentences about yourself.

  1. (go to bed before half ten)

Put it together · Exercise 12.5 · part 1 of 2

Put the verb in the right form: positive, negative or question.

  1. Example

    We went to the match, but our team played badly. We didn't enjoy it. (enjoy)

    AnswerWe went to the match, but our team played badly. We didn't enjoy it.

  2. Nadia some things for the new flat yesterday: a lamp, a rug and two cushions. (buy)

  3. " yesterday?" "No, it was a lovely day." (rain)

  4. The party wasn't very good, so we long. (stay)

  5. The office was stuffy, so I the door. (open)

Put it together · Exercise 12.5 · part 2 of 2

Put the verb in the right form: positive, negative or question.

  1. "Did you post the parcel this morning?" "No, I time." (have)

  2. "I cut my hand this morning." "How that?" (do)

Lesson 12 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: I was doing (past continuous)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. did, didn't + the base form–Not checkedB. Negatives–Not checkedC. Questions and short answers–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked