Page 152 - Workplace English

Past simple
Positive form: He arrived yesterday.
I confirmed my meeting last week.
We visited the company last month .
She knew there was a delay.
We ate in the restaurant last night.

Negative form: He didn't [did not] telephone yesterday.
You didn't tell me that I would have to pay.
They didn't enjoy their visit.
I didn't expect to have to wait so long at reception.
Questions: Did Mr Lawson arrive yesterday?
Did you enjoy your visit?
Did the suppliers receive their money?
What did you buy in London?
Long answers: Yes, he arrived yesterday.
No, he didn't arrive yesterday.
Yes, we spoke to the manager about your problem .
No, we didn't speak to the manager about your problem.
Short answers: Yes, we did.
No, we didn't.
Yes, I did.
No, I didn't.
This tense is used for finished actions in the past:
• I visited your company last week.

and for longer situations in the past:
• I worked at Siemens for 20 years.

Words that often take the past simple are: yesterday, an hour ago, last year, in 2009,
last week, a year ago.

150 I Workplace English