# What tense is didn't?

- Updated: 2026-11-05
- Level: A2

## Quick answer

**Didn't** (did not) is the negative of the **past simple**. The pattern is subject + **didn't** + base verb: *I didn't go to school yesterday.* Every subject takes didn't, and the verb after it has no -ed.

## Formula

I / You / He / She / We / They + didn't + base verb

## The pattern

| Positive | Negative |
| --- | --- |
| I **went** to school. | I **didn't go** to school. |
| She **watched** TV. | She **didn't watch** TV. |

- *Didn't* is short for *did not*. In the past, every subject takes *didn't*.
- *Didn't* already carries the past, so the main verb goes back to its base form: *went → go*,
  *watched → watch*.

## Examples

- I **didn't sleep** well last night.
- He **didn't answer** my message.
- We **didn't have** enough time.

## What about was and were?

*Was* and *were* don't use *didn't*. Add *not* directly:

- I **wasn't** at home.
- They **weren't** ready.

Ordinary verbs (go, eat, call…) borrow *didn't*; *was/were* become *wasn't/weren't*.

## Common mistakes

| Wrong | Right | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| She didn't ~~went~~ out. | She didn't **go** out. | Base verb after didn't. |
| I ~~didn't be~~ tired. | I **wasn't** tired. | Was takes not. |
| He ~~doesn't~~ call me yesterday. | He **didn't** call me yesterday. | Yesterday is past. |

## Practice

- [Practise didn't (with answers)](https://hienglishquiz.com/grammar/did-and-didnt-a2)

## Lesson

- [Past Simple: Negatives and Questions](https://hienglishquiz.com/grammar-lessons/past-simple-negatives-questions)