Past Indefinite Tense | How to Learn with Formulas Examples Exercise

Learn Past Indefinite Tense with the help of definition, formulas, recognition, examples, rules, and exercises.

Past Indefinite Tense | How to Learn with Formulas Examples

STEP – I

Past = passed/gone

Indefinite = that is for unknown length of time

Tense = time period/verb

Present Indefinite Tense = any action happened for unknown length of time in past times

STEP-II

Definition of Past Indefinite Tense:

In this tense anything is done, happened or borne in just past times.

Recognition of Past Indefinite Tense in English:

S + 2nd form of Verb + O

They did their duty.

First of all, subject is placed at the start of sentence then 2nd form of verb and object at the end with full stop.

Examples:

* 2nd V=Second form of verb

S + 2nd V + O

S	IIV	O
He	ate	bread

S	IIV	O
Moosa	ate	food

S	IIV	O
I	went	England

Note:In this tense, we will not add “s” or “es” at the end of verb.

STEP – III

Exercise:

S	IIV	O

We	played	cricket

We played cricket.

S	IIV	O

You	drove	a car

You drove a car.

STEP – IV

Negative Sentence of Past Indefinite Tense:

To make a sentence negative, add only “did not“right after subject. Let us formulate it.

S + did not+1V +O

Remember, after adding ‘did not’, it is compulsory to change the 2nd form of the verb 1st form.

S	did not	1V	O

He	did not	go	school

He did not go to school.

S	did not	1V	O

Ali and Amir	did not	tell	a lie

Amir and Ali did not tell a lie.

STEP -V

Interrogative Sentence of Past Indefinite Tense:

To make a sentence interrogative, add “did” right before subject. Let us formulate it.

Did + S + 1V + O + ?

Did	S	1V	O?

Did	Aamir	go	market?

Did he go to the market?

Did	S	1V	O?

Did	they	do	homework?

Did they do homework?

STEP -VI

Interro-Negative Sentence of Past Indefinite Tense:

To make a sentence interro-negative, add “did” right before the subject of a negative sentence and put sign of interrogation at the end. Let us formulate it.

S + + 2nd V + O (Simple)
S + did not +1V + O (-ve)
Now Interronegative Sentence
Did + S+not +1V + O?

Did	S	not	1V	O?

Did	they	not	go	school?

Did they not go school?

Both the ‘did not’ and ‘first form of the verb’ express the meanings of past tense/past participle/second form of the verb.

Did	S	not	1V	O?

Did	they	not	do	homework?

Did they not do homework?

Past Indefinite Tense Exercise

There are many examples of the Past Indefinite Tense having affirmative, negative, interrogative, and interro-negative sentences and each sentence has these three converted sentences in every paragraph of the five sentences below. So, you can find any sentence converted into negative, interrogative, and interro-negative sentences.

He worked in the education department. (Affirmative)
He did not work in the education department. (Negative)
Did he work in the education department? (Interrogative)
Did he not work in the education department? Or
Didn’t he work in the education department? (Interro-negative)

They put in great effort every time.
They did not put in great effort every time.
Did they put in great effort every time?
Did they not put in great effort every time? Or
Didn’t they put in great effort every time?

You loved to eat Chicken Tikka Pizza.
You did not love to eat Chicken Tikka Pizza.
Did you love to eat Chicken Tikka Pizza?
Did you not love to eat Chicken Tikka Pizza? Or
Didn’t you love to eat Chicken Tikka Pizza?

We sat in the sunshine after job time.
We did not sit in the sunshine after job time.
Did we sit in the sunshine after job time?
Did we not sit in the sunshine after job time? Or
Didn’t we sit in the sunshine after job time?

My children loved to do homework together.
My children did not love to do homework together.
Did my children love to do homework together?
Did my children not love to do homework together? Or
Didn’t my children love to do homework together?

The led TV gave clearer video than the old television.
The led TV did not give clearer video.
Did led TV give clear video?
Did led TV not give clear video? Or
Didn’t led TV give a clear video?

The girls knited the sweaters.
The girls did not knit sweaters.
Did the girls knit sweaters?
Did the girls not knit the sweaters? Or
Didn’t the girls knit sweaters?

Ali went to college by bicycle.
Ali did not go to college by bicycle.
Did Ali go to college by bicycle?
Did Ali not go to college by bicycle? Or
Didn’t Ali go to college by bicycle?

This kid crossed the road easily.
This kid did not cross the road easily.
Did this kid cross the road easily?
Did this kid not cross the road easily? Or
Didn’t this kid cross the road easily?

He spoke and writes English fluently.
He did not speak and writes English fluently.
Did he speak and write English fluently?
Did he not speak and write English fluently? Or
Didn’t he speak and write English fluently?

She did her work in two hours.
She did not do her work in two hours.
Did she do her work in two hours?
Did she not do her work in two hours? Or
Didn’t she do her work in two hours?

Smith ran every risk for his friends.
Smith did not run every risk for his friends.
Did Smith run every risk for his friends?
Did Smith not run every risk for his friends? Or
Didn’t Smith run every risk for his friends?

He told a lie in front of me.
He did not tell a lie in front of me.
Did he tell a lie in front of me?
Did he not tell a lie in front of me? Or
Didn’t he tell a lie in front of me?

The long hair of a lion looked very attractive.
The long hair of a lion did not look very attractive.
Did the long hair of a lion look very attractive?
Did the long hair of a lion not look very attractive? Or
Didn’t the long hair of a lion look very attractive?

The beats hunted on the weak animals.
The beats did not hunt the weak animals.
Did the beats hunt on the weak animals?
Did the beats not hunt on the weak animals? Or
Didn’t the beats hunt on weak animals?

Some people tamed the cubs.
Some people did not tame the cubs.
Did some people tame the cubs?
Did some people not tame the cubs? Or
Didn’t some people tame the cubs?

This intelligent student did his classwork very beautifully.
This intelligent student did not do his classwork very beautifully.
Did this intelligent student do his classwork very beautifully?
Did this intelligent student not do his classwork very beautifully? Or
Didn’t this intelligent student do his classwork very beautifully?

He partook in everyone’s weal and woe.
He did not partake of everyone’s weal and woe.
Did he partake of everyone’s weal and woe?
Did he not partake of everyone’s weal and woe? Or
Didn’t he partake of everyone’s weal and woe?

Halima played with the toys.
Halima did not play with the toys.
Did Halima play with the toys?
Did Halima not play with the toys? Or
Didn’t Halima play with the toys?

Jack and Jill went up the hill.
Jack and Jill did not go up the hill.
Did Jack and Jill go up the hill?
Did Jack and Jill not go up the hill? Or
Didn’t Jack and Jill go up the hill?

He loved the sea since his childhood.
He did not love the sea since his childhood.
Did he love the sea since his childhood?
Did he not love the sea since his childhood? Or
Didn’t he love the sea since his childhood?

This hen laid golden eggs twice a week.
This hen did not lay golden eggs twice a week.
Did this hen lay golden eggs twice a week?
Did this hen not lay golden eggs twice a week? Or
Didn’t this hen lay golden eggs twice a week?

Musa’s mother cooked fried fish.
Musa’s mother did not cook fried fish.
Did Musa’s mother cook fried fish?
Did Musa’s mother not cook fried fish? Or
Didn’t Musa’s mother cook fried fish?

The weaver wove the clothes.
The weaver did not weave the clothes.
Did the weaver weave the clothes?
Did the weaver not weave the clothes? Or

Didn’t the weaver weave the clothes?

The carpenter made the wooden goods.
The carpenter did not make the wooden goods.
Did the carpenter make the wooden goods?
Did the carpenter not make the wooden goods? Or
Didn’t the carpenter make the wooden goods?

The blacksmith made the iron goods.
The blacksmith did not make the iron goods.
Did the blacksmith make the iron goods?
Did the blacksmith not make the iron goods? Or
Didn’t the blacksmith make the iron goods?

The potter made very beautiful pots with mud.
The potter did not make very beautiful pots with mud.
Did the potter make very beautiful pots with mud?
Did the potter not make very beautiful pots with mud? Or
Didn’t the potter make very beautiful pots with mud?

Man made his own fate.
Man did not make his own fate.
Did man make his own fate?
Did man not make his own fate? Or
Didn’t man make his own fate?

He repaired electronic goods.
He did not repair electronic goods.
Did he repair electronic goods?
Did he not repair electronic goods? Or
Didn’t he repair electronic goods?

They played in the same cricket team.
They did not play in the same cricket team.
Did they play in the same cricket team?
Did they not play in the same cricket team? Or
Didn’t they play in the same cricket team?

I took a bath in cool water in summer.
I did not take a bath in cool water in summer.
Did I take a bath in cool water in summer?
Did I not take a bath in cool water in summer? Or
Didn’t I take a bath in cool water in summer?

I borrowed money from anyone.
I didn’t borrow money from anyone.
Did I borrow money from anyone?
Did I not borrow money from anyone? Or
Didn’t I borrow money from anyone?

We studied newspapers in our free time.
We did not study newspapers in our free time.
Did we study newspapers in our free time?
Did we not study newspapers in our free time? Or
Didn’t we study newspapers in our free time?

He liked desert walk.
He did not like desert walk.
Did he like desert walk?
Did he not like desert walk? Or
Didn’t he like desert walk?

I drank juice daily on an empty stomach.
I did not drink juice daily on an empty stomach.
Did I drink juice daily on an empty stomach?
Did I not drink juice daily on an empty stomach? Or
Didn’t I drink juice daily on an empty stomach?

He picked cotton in the fields.
He did not pick cotton in the fields.
Did he pick cotton in the fields?
Did he not pick cotton in the fields? Or
Didn’t he pick cotton in the fields?

You fed cattle regularly.
You did not feed cattle regularly.
Did you feed cattle regularly?
Did you not feed cattle regularly? Or
Didn’t you feed cattle regularly?

You used a dictionary on mobile or PC.
You did not use a dictionary on mobile or PC.
Did you use a dictionary on mobile or PC?
Did you not use a dictionary on mobile or PC? Or
Didn’t you use a dictionary on mobile or PC?

All my friends cooked together.
All my friends did not cook together.
Did all my friends cook together?
Did all my friends not cook together? Or
Didn’t all my friends cook together?

You took a walk early in the morning.
You did not take a walk early in the morning.
Did you take a walk early in the morning?
Did you not take a walk early in the morning? Or
Didn’t you take a walk early in the morning?

The Children played with plastic blocks.
The children did not play with plastic blocks.
Did the children play with plastic blocks?
Did the children not play with plastic blocks? Or
Didn’t the children play with plastic blocks?

I helped the poor with my salary.
I did not help the poor with my salary.
Did I help the poor with my salary?
Did I not help the poor with my salary? Or
Didn’t I help the poor with my salary?

The maid did laundry every Sunday.
The maid did not do laundry every Sunday.
Did the maid do laundry every Sunday?
Did the maid not do laundry every Sunday? Or
Didn’t the maid do laundry every Sunday?

The farmers fertilized the wheat crop.
The farmers did not fertilize the wheat crop.
Did the farmers fertilize the wheat crop?
Did the farmers not fertilize the wheat crop? Or
Didn’t the farmers fertilize the wheat crop?

We played a friendly cricket match every Sunday.
We did not play a friendly cricket match every Sunday.
Did we play a friendly cricket match every Sunday?
Did we not play a friendly cricket match every Sunday? Or
Didn’t we play a friendly cricket match every Sunday?

The poets loved the moon.
The poets did not love the moon.
Did the poets love the moon?
Did the poets not love the moon? Or
Didn’t the poets love the moon?

The goats fed in the farmhouse.
The goats did not feed in the farmhouse.
Did the goats feed in the farmhouse?
Did the goats not feed in the farmhouse? Or
Didn’t the goats feed in the farmhouse?

My mother fetched the pail of water.
My mother did not fetch the pail of water.
Did my mother fetch the pail of water?
Did my mother not fetch the pail of water? Or
Didn’t my mother fetch the pail of water?

We friends bathed in the canal in summer.
We friends did not bathe in the canal in summer.
Did we friends bathe in the canal in summer?
Did we friends not bathe in the canal in summer? Or
Didn’t we friends bathe in the canal in summer?

Children put books in the bag to close.
Children did not put books in the bag to close.
Did children put books in the bag to close?
Did children not put books in the bag to close? Or
Didn’t children put books in the bag to close?

Students practiced writing on notebooks.
Students did not practice writing on notebooks.
Did students practice writing on notebooks?
Did students not practice writing on notebooks? Or
Didn’t students practice writing on notebooks?

Soldiers unfurled the flag.
Soldiers did not unfurl the flag.
Did soldiers unfurl the flag?
Did soldiers not unfurl the flag? Or
Didn’t soldiers unfurl the flag?

Taj delt in toys.
Taj did not deal in toys.
Did Taj deal in toys?
Did Taj not deal in toys? Or
Didn’t Taj deal in toys?

Google provided all kinds of information all the time.
It did not provide all kinds of information all the time.
Did it provide all kinds of information all the time?
Did it not provide all kinds of information all the time? Or
Didn’t it provide all kinds of information all the time?

Daniel always wore a helmet.
Daniel did not always wear a helmet
Did Daniel always wear a helmet?
Did Daniel not always wear a helmet? Or
Didn’t Daniel always wear a helmet

Akram taught English to the 6^th class.
Akram did not teach English to the 6^th class.
Did Akram teach English to the 6^th class?
Did Akram not teach English to the 6^th class? OR
Didn’t Akram teach English to the 6^th class?

Yusuf worked in a marriage hall.
Yusuf did not work in a marriage hall.
Did Yusuf work in a marriage hall?
Didn’t Yusuf work in a marriage hall? OR
Did Yusuf not work in a marriage hall?

He often forgot things regarding responsibility.
He did not often forget things regarding responsibility.
Did he often forget things regarding responsibility?
Did he not often forget things regarding responsibility? Or
Didn’t he often forget things regarding responsibility?

Jack liked to play on the grass.
Jack did not like to play on the grass.
Did Jack like to play on the grass?
Did Jack not like to play on the grass? Or
Didn’t Jack like to play on the grass?

We bathed in rain every time.
We did not bathe in rain every time.
Did we bathe in rain every time?
Did we not bathe in rain every time? Or
Didn’t we bathe in rain every time?

You should also learn:

Present Indefinite Tense

Future Indefinite Tense

Future Continuous Tense

English Tenses Complete