Exercise: verb "to be" in past simple negatives.

How to use "not" in the past with verb "to be".

Write the negative form of past simple using the words below and the verb to be in brackets.

IDEA: Firstly, you can do the exercise with the full forms of the verb "to be" and check your answers. Then, do the exercise a second time with the contracted forms of the verb "to be".

Example:
You (not be) at the library yesterday.

Answers:
You were not at work yesterday.
or,
You weren't at work yesterday.

1) You (not be) not at John's house when I called yesterday.

You at John's house when I called yesterday.

2) John (not be) at university last year.

John at university last year.

3) Mary (not be) in Madrid in 2012.

Mary in Madrid in 2012.

4) There (not be) any hairs in your salad.

There any hairs in your salad.

5) There (not be) any snow on the mountains last winter.

There any snow on the mountains last winter.

6) They (not be) frightened of the Dracula film last night.

They frightened of the Dracula film last night.

7) We (not be) angry when we heard the news.

We angry when we heard the news.

8) She (not be) bored in the English class last Wednesday.

She bored in the English class last Wednesday.

9) They (not be) at the club last night.

They at the club last night.

10) It (not be) there.

It there.

*Incorrect answers are shown in red. You have TWO chances to find the correct answers.

Solutions and help...

See explanations of negative forms of verb to be in past simple...

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