When is the simple past tense of the verb used?

Answer 1

Simple past is used:

to describe something that happened at a definite time in the past.

They went to Spain. (last year, in 1999, for Christmas).

to describe something which could not happen or is unlikely to happen in the present or future;

If I owned a Ferrari I would be happy.

Answer 2

The simple past tense is used to indicate an action that was completed in the past. It is often used to talk about a specific time in the past, narrate events, or describe past habits or routines.