Complete Grammar Syllabus (145 Units)

Grammar Mastery

Comprehensive reference, real-world IELTS band-boosting tips, clear structural formulas, and interactive short quizzes for intermediate to advanced English learners.

Past Simple (I did)

Used for finished actions, historical facts, and events that occurred at a specific time in the past.

Core Structure & Formula

Regular Verbs: Verb + -ed (published, submitted, launched, planned)

Irregular Verbs: Unique forms (wrote, built, went, flew, broke)

Questions & Negatives: did / didn't + Infinitive (Did you finish? / I didn't attend)

Past of Be: was / were (I was nervous / They were at the conference)

AFinished Past Events

Use past simple when the time period is completely finished (yesterday, in 1969, two years ago, last night).

•The engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel lived from 1806 to 1859. He built several famous bridges and railways.

•I didn't submit the essay because I didn't finish the research in time.

•Did you attend the seminar last night, or were you too busy revising?

BAuxiliary "did" in Questions and Negatives

Remember that after did/didn't, the main verb returns to the base infinitive form.

•What did you do at the weekend? (not What did you at the weekend?)

•I didn't do anything unusual. (not I didn't anything)

•How many candidates did they interview for the position?

IELTS Band 7–9 Exam Impact

Essential for IELTS Writing Task 1 historical charts (past dates like 2010–2020) and IELTS Speaking Part 2 describing past memories.

Common Candidate Errors

✗ Did you went to the museum yesterday?

✓ Did you go to the museum yesterday?

After auxiliary 'did', the main verb must be in the base infinitive form.

✗ I didn't anything yesterday.

✓ I didn't do anything yesterday.

In negative sentences with 'do' as main verb, both 'didn't' and 'do' are required.

Unit 5 Interactive Short Quiz

Test your understanding with 3 verified practice exercises.

Question 1 of 3

Brunel ______ several famous bridges and railway lines.

Question 2 of 3

We were exhausted after the flight, so we ______ the reception early.

Question 3 of 3

What ______ at the conference?