When do we use Past Simple?
For completed actions in the past
Past Simple describes actions that started and finished in the past. The action is completely done — it is not connected to now. Look for signal words like "yesterday" or "last week"!
Something happened and is now finished. We know when it happened.
Leo visited his grandpa last summer.
"last summer" = signal word
She watched a film yesterday.
"yesterday" = signal word
They played football two hours ago.
"ago" = signal word
Several actions happened one after another in the past.
Leo woke up, ate breakfast and ran outside.
sequence of events
She opened the door, walked in and sat down.
one after another
Something was true in the past but may not be true now.
Leo lived in the city when he was young.
past state, no longer true
She loved chocolate as a child.
past fact
NOT for habits or routines! "He played football every day" (past habit) is different from "He plays football every day" (present habit → Present Simple).