English A2 – Pre-Intermediate

🚀 Grammar Boost

Mastering Negatives and Questions in the Past

🔑 The “Did” Magnet Rule

When Did or Didn’t is in the sentence, the main verb returns to its Base Form.

Think of “Did” as a magnet that pulls the past tense away from the verb!

📖 Negative Form

Subject + didn’t + base verb

I didn’t go to school yesterday.
She didn’t eat pizza last night.
They didn’t see the movie.

❓ Question Form

Did + subject + base verb + ?

Did you go to school yesterday?
Did she eat pizza last night?
Did they see the movie?

✅ The Answer Guide

Question	Positive Answer	Negative Answer
Did you see the teacher?	✔ Yes, I did. / Yes, I saw her.	✘ No, I didn’t. / No, I didn’t see her.
Did she go to the park?	✔ Yes, she did. / Yes, she went to the park.	✘ No, she didn’t. / No, she didn’t go to the park.
Did they eat pizza?	✔ Yes, they did. / Yes, they ate pizza.	✘ No, they didn’t. / No, they didn’t eat pizza.

📝 Practice

Complete the sentences and questions using the Past Simple:

1. She __________ (not / go) to school yesterday.
2. __________ you __________ (see) the movie last night?
3. We __________ (not / eat) pizza for dinner.
4. __________ they __________ (play) football yesterday?

*Check answers: 1. didn’t go | 2. Did… see | 3. didn’t eat | 4. Did… play