How to make sentences in Past Indefinite Tense

How to make sentences in Past Indefinite Tense

Past Indefinite tense -

As you all know there are 12 types of Tenses. Each tense has its importance. Let's start with 2 Tense i.e. Past Indefinite Tense which is also known as the Past Simple Tense. Past Simple tense is used to talk about an action that was completed in the past.

As the name itself describes it's very simple.

We use this tense most of the time and also if someone asks you about what you did yesterday or last weekend then you just need to use this tense only. This is the only tense in which we use Verb IInd form only in Affirmative sentences. One more thing you don't need to worry about helping verbs in this tense because there is only one helping verb (Did) that will be used with all subjects.

Present Indefinite Tense

Past Indefinite Tense Rules-

Helping Verb -

Did - Use with all subjects.

We need to use Verb IInd Form only in Affirmative sentences in Past Simple Tense. We never use any helping verb in Affirmative sentences in Past simple tense. However, there are always some exceptions so keep in mind that if the sentence starts with "Who" you need to make the sentence the same as Affirmative and use Verb IInd form. In all other sentences, we use the Verb Ist form with the helping verb "Did".

हिन्दी पहचान- ता था, ते थे, ती थी, आ, ई, ए, या।

Formation of sentences in Past Simple Tense  -

1. Affirmative Sentences -

Subject + Main Verb IInd Form + Object.

Eg-
1. I went to school.
- मैं स्कूल गया।

2. Rahul went to school.
- राहुल स्कूल गया।

3. You went to school.
- तुम स्कूल गए।

2. Negative Sentences -

Subject + did + not + Main Verb Ist Form + Object.

Instead of did not use didn't in the sentences. Didn't is the contraction of did not.

Eg-
1. I did not go to school.
- मैं स्कूल नही गया।

2. Rahul did not go to school.
- राहुल स्कूल नही गया।

3. You did not go to school.
- तुम स्कूल नही गये।

3. Interrogative Sentences (Positive)-

Did + subject + Main Verb Ist Form + Object?

Eg-
1. Did I go to school?
- क्या मैं स्कूल गया?

2. Did Rahul go to school?
- क्या राहुल स्कूल गया?

3. Did you go to school?
- क्या तुम स्कूल गए?

4. Interrogative Sentences (Negative)-

Did + subject  + not + Main Verb Ist Form  + Object?

Eg-
1. Did I not go to school?
- क्या मैं स्कूल नही गया?

2. Did Rahul not go to school?
- क्या राहुल स्कूल नही गया?

3. Did you not go to school?
- क्या तुम स्कूल नही गए?

5. Double Interrogative Sentences (Positive)-

W.H. words  + did + subject + Main Verb Ist Form + Object?

Eg-
1. When did I go to school?
- मैं स्कूल कब गया?

2. How did Rahul go to school?
- राहुल स्कूल कैसे गया?

3. Why did you go to school?
- तुम स्कूल क्यों गए?

6. Double Interrogative Sentences (Negative)-

W.H. words + did + subject  + not + Main Verb Ist Form  + Object?

Eg-
1. When did I not go to school?
- मैं स्कूल कब नही गया?

2. How did Rahul not go to school?
- राहुल स्कूल कैसे नही गया?

3. Why did you not go to school?
- तुम स्कूल क्यों नही गए?

Past Indefinite Tense Examples-

1. I watched a movie yesterday.
2. I ate an apple.
3. I completed my graduation in 2021.
4. He did not write a letter.
5. Did she see the Taj Mahal?
6. Did you watch the movie last night?
7. Who knocked on the door?
8. Why did you not go there?
9. Did we not help everyone?
10. When did you call me?

11. I lived in Mumbai for 5 years.

12. My grandfather went to London 5 times.

13. I didn't see her yesterday.

14. Which game did he play?

15. Why did you not run with me?

Tips -

1. If you mentioned the time for finished action then you must use Past Simple Tense.

2. If Past time is important to mention then use Past Simple tense.

3. If we talk about a person who is not alive then use Past simple Tense.

Happy Learning 😊