Present and Past Tense

The simple past in English is used to talk about actions that occurred and were completed at a specific time in the past.

Simple Past

Present Continuous

Simple Present

The simple present in English is used to talk about habitual actions, general truths, or facts that happen in the present.

Past Continous

StructureSubject + verb in present + complement

ExampleI drink coffee every morning.She reads a book every night.

StructureSubject + verb in the past + complement.

ExampleHe finished his homework last night.We traveled to Spain last summer.

Past Continuous is used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific moment in the past.

Structuresubject + was/were + verb in gerund (-ing) + complement

ExampleShe was reading a book when I called her.They were watching TV at 8 p.m.

Present Continuous is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or for temporary situations.

Structuresubject + am/is/are + verb in gerund (-ing) + complement

ExampleI am cooking dinner at the moment. The kids are playing in the park.

Present andPast Tense