By the end of this page, you should ...
- Be able to create questions in the past simple tense in English with the auxiliary verb "do"
- Be able to create questions in the past simple tense in English with the auxiliary verb "be"
Asking questions in the past simple tense can be tricky and this is because there are two different structures we can use. The first structure uses the auxiliary verb “do” (did) and the second structure uses the auxiliary verb “be” (was/were).
Structure 1
We must use structure 1 when we have a main verb. This verb must be in the infinitive form. You can see lots of examples above (dance, sing, walk, read).
Remember, you can insert a question word before all of this structure too.
Structure 2
We must use structure 2 when we don’t have a main verb. The verb to be is quite selfish and must be the only verb in the question in the past simple. After the subject, you could have a noun, a noun phrase or an adjective.
Remember, you can insert a question word before all of this structure too.
Putting It Together
Let’s take an example…
Where _____ you go yesterday?
We can see an infinitive verb here (go), so we know we must use structure 1. Where did you go yesterday?
Why _____ she in the park?
We can’t see any verbs here, so we know we must use structure 2. Why was she in the park?
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