How do you form The Simple Past tense in French?

In French grammar, the simple past tense, also known as "passé simple," is primarily used in written and formal language, especially in literature. It is used to describe completed actions in the past. Here's how you form the passé simple:

Regular Verbs:

• Remove the infinitive ending (-er, -ir, -re) to find the stem.

• Add specific endings for different subject pronouns.

Example with the verb "parler" (to speak):

• Je parlai (I spoke)

• Tu parlas (You spoke)

• Il/Elle/On parla (He/She/One spoke)

• Nous parlâmes (We spoke)

• Vous parlâtes (You spoke)

• Ils/Elles parlèrent (They spoke)

Irregular Verbs:

Irregular verbs have unique conjugation patterns for the passé simple.

Example with the verb "être" (to be):

• Je fus (I was).

• Tu fus (You were).

• Il/Elle/On fut (He/She/One was). 

• Nous fûmes (We were).

• Vous fûtes (You were).

• Ils/Elles furent (They were).

The passé simple is mainly used in formal writing, literature, or historical contexts to describe completed actions in the past. It is not commonly used in spoken French.