Grammar · Past & Perfect Tenses
Past Simple
Talk about things that happened and finished. Learn how with the film The Prince of Egypt.
Grammar › Past & Perfect Tenses › Past Simple
The rule in one sentenceFor a finished action, use the past word — he lived, he went — but with no and with questions, use did + verb — he didn’t live, did he go?
About the film
The Prince of Egypt is an animated film from 1998. Long ago, a mother put her baby in a basket on the river, and the queen of Egypt found him. The boy, Moses, grew up as a prince with his brother Rameses, and for many years he didn’t know the truth about his family.
What does it do?
We use this form for things that started and finished in the past. It can be a minute ago or a thousand years ago. The action is over.
In a “yes” sentence, the verb changes. Most verbs add -ed: live → lived. Some verbs change in their own way: go → went. In a “no” sentence or a question, we use did, and the verb does not change.
Look at the tiles. In the “yes” sentences, you see the past word: lived, found. In the “no” sentence and the question, you see did, and the verb stays simple: know, win.
In speaking, people nearly always use the short form of did not:
Moses and Rameses raced through the city. They didn’t stop for anything.
“Raced” is the past word. After “didn’t”, the verb is simple: “stop”, not “stopped”.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
Yes sentences — the past word
Moses lived in the palace.
live → livedThe queen loved the baby.
love → lovedMoses left Egypt.
leave → left (learn this one)No and questions — did + verb
Moses didn’t know his real family.
didn’t + know (not “knew”)Did Moses have a sister?
Did + person + verbWhere did the queen find him?
Question word + did + person + verbWhen to use each one
The past word — it happened
did + verb — it didn’t happen, or you ask
Words that help: is it the past?
These words tell you the action is finished. Look for them in the sentence.
Common mistakes
❌ Moses live in a palace when he was young.
✅ Moses lived in a palace when he was young.
It is finished, so add -d: lived.
❌ Moses didn’t knew the truth.
✅ Moses didn’t know the truth.
After “didn’t”, the verb does not change.
❌ Did Rameses raced Moses?
✅ Did Rameses race Moses?
After “did”, use “race”, not “raced”.
❌ Moses goed to the desert.
✅ Moses went to the desert.
“Go” is irregular. The past is “went”.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
“Be” does not use “did”. Use was or were, and add not for no.
✅ Moses was a prince. The brothers were close.
✅ Moses wasn’t happy. Were they good friends?
❌ Moses didn’t be happy. — with “be”, never use “did”.
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. Moses ___ in a palace.
A finished action → lived.
2. The queen ___ a baby in a basket.
find → found.
3. Moses didn’t ___ the truth.
After “didn’t” → know.
4. ___ Moses have a brother when he was young?
It is the past → Did.
5. Moses and Rameses ___ through the city.
A finished action → raced.
6. Where did the queen ___ the baby?
After “did” → find.
7. Moses ___ a prince.
With “be”, use was.
8. I ___ the film last night. It was great!
“Last night” → saw.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
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