English grammar
Past simple: -ed, did you...?
Say what you did yesterday.
From the scene What did you do yesterday?
In short
For finished past actions, most verbs add -ed, the same for everyone. Ask with did + the base verb.
- work I worked
- cook he cooked
- walk we walked
- have (irregular) I had
- question Did you...? + base verb
Your turn
Which one goes with cook?
Options: we walked · he cooked · I worked
Show answer
cook → he cooked
How it works
For finished actions (yesterday, last night) most verbs add -ed: work → worked, cook → cooked, walk → walked.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
At his place. Javi (blank) a paella.
Clue: yesterday
Options: cooking · cooked · cooks
Show answer
At his place. Javi cooked a paella.
En su casa. Javi cocinó una paella.
Good to know
The past form is the same for every person. Some verbs are irregular (they don't follow the rule): have → had.
Good to know
To ask, use did + the base verb (the plain form): Did you have dinner? (not "did you had").
work I worked
Nuria
Yesterday I worked all day.
Ayer trabajé todo el día.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yesterday (blank) all day.
Options: I worked · He cooked · We walked
Show answer
Nuria
Yesterday I worked all day.
Ayer trabajé todo el día.
cook he cooked
Your turn
What goes with he cooked?
Options: walk · cook · work
Show answer
he cooked → cook
walk we walked
have (irregular) I had
Nuria
Yes, I had dinner with Javi.
Sí, cené con Javi.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, (blank) dinner with Javi.
Options: I worked · He cooked · I had
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I had dinner with Javi.
Sí, cené con Javi.
question Did you...? + base verb
Elena
And in the evening? Did you have dinner?
¿Y por la noche? ¿Cenaste algo?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And in the evening? (blank) have dinner?
Options: Did you · I worked · He cooked
Show answer
Elena
And in the evening? Did you have dinner?
¿Y por la noche? ¿Cenaste algo?
Common mistake
Not have or haved here. Have is irregular.
Yes, I had dinner with Javi.
Sí, cené con Javi.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| work | I worked |
|---|---|
| cook | he cooked |
| walk | we walked |
| have (irregular) | I had |
| question | Did you...? + base verb |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAt his place. Javi cooked a paella.En su casa. Javi cocinó una paella.
- ElenaDear, Javi walked past my window. With you. Twice.Cariño, Javi pasó por mi ventana. Contigo. Dos veces.
- ElenaAnd did you like it?¿Y te gustó?