English · A2 · verb · 4 minutes
Speak: past simple
Use spoke for all subjects and did + speak in questions/negatives.
Understand the choice
Spoke presents a finished past conversation or act of speech. Partner/topic prepositions remain with/to and about.
Core rule: Speak has irregular past spoke; its past participle is spoken.
Notice it in context
I spoke with the manager after the meeting.
Hablé con la gerente después de la reunión.
Spoke follows I; with the manager names partner; after the meeting gives time.
She spoke about the problem for an hour.
The problem was her conversation topic for one hour.
Spoke takes about + topic and for + duration.
Did you speak to the client?
Did a conversation with the client happen?
Did carries past; speak returns to base.
What to remember
- Spoke is past simple; spoken needs have/be: has spoken, spoken English.
- Talked is a regular alternative with a conversational nuance.
Common trap: Do not use spoken alone as simple past.