Grammar / A1 Grammar lessons and exercises Past simple: Negatives and questions /
Past Simple: Negatives and Questions
We use did and didn’t to make negatives, questions, and short answers in the past simple.
Word Order in Questions:
Remember that the word order in questions is QWASI: (Question Word), Auxiliary (did), Subject, Infinitive.
The word order in questions is:
Example: Did you go to the concert?
Infinitive Without "to"
We use did or didn’t with the bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without "to").
✓ Correct: I didn’t work yesterday.
✗ Incorrect: I didn’t worked yesterday.
✓ Correct: Did you go to the concert?
✗ Incorrect: Did you went to the concert?
Don’t Use "Did" in Positive Sentences
Use did or didn’t only in negatives, questions, and short answers — NOT in positive statements.
✓ Correct: We stayed home yesterday.
✗ Incorrect: We did stay home yesterday.
✓ Correct: I went out last night.
✗ Incorrect: I did go out last night.
Did or Was/Were?
Use did and didn’t — not was/wasn’t or were/weren’t — as the auxiliary verb in negatives and questions when the main verb is not "be".
✓ Correct: We didn’t eat at 6.
✗ Incorrect: We weren’t eat at 6.
✓ Correct: Did you do your homework?
✗ Incorrect: Were you do your homework?
Exception: When the Main Verb is "Be"
We do NOT use did or didn’t when the main verb is be. Instead, we use was/wasn’t or were/weren’t.
✓ Correct: They weren’t happy.
✗ Incorrect: They didn’t be happy.
✓ Correct: Was he at home?
✗ Incorrect: Did he be at home?
Tip: Use did/didn’t + bare infinitive for questions and negatives (except with be). Never use did in positive sentences. Use was/were when the verb is be.