The verb to work · Conjugation
Past Simple of work
The answer: worked
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to work is worked.
Example: I worked late yesterday.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | worked |
| You | worked |
| He / She / It | worked |
| We | worked |
| You (pl.) | worked |
| They | worked |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I work late yesterday ❌
With yesterday, use the Past Simple: I worked late yesterday. Work is regular, so just add -ed: work → worked → worked.
2. My laptop doesn't works ❌
Work means to do a job, but also to function: It works! After doesn't, use the base form: My laptop doesn't work.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of work?+
Work is regular: add -ed. The Past Simple and the past participle are both worked: I worked late yesterday.
Is it work for, at, in or as?+
It depends on what comes next. Work for + a company: She works for a bank. Work at + a place: He works at the station. Work in + an area of work: They work in tourism. Work as + a job: I work as a nurse.
What does work out mean?+
Work out can mean to do exercise (He works out at the gym) or to find a solution (We worked out the answer). It worked out means it ended well.
What does workaholic mean?+
A workaholic is someone who works too much and finds it hard to stop. The word is work + -aholic, an ending for a person who can't stop doing something.
What does WFH mean?+
WFH means working from home: you do your job at home, not at the office. She worked from home all week. It became very common in 2020.
Related pages: work Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/work/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to work are coming soon.