Pasttenses

1.- Simple Past vs Past Continuous

2.- Simple Past vs Present Perfect

Vs

Simple Past

Past Continuous

• Completed action in the past.

• Actions in the past happening one after another

• Did it rain?

• She didn't phone us

• I lived in London
• She came on time

Uses

Form

Simple Past

• A long action. in the past

• Were you crying?

• Action in progress at a given time in the past

Past Continuous

• She wasn't dancing

• I was singing
• They were skiing

Uses

Form

I was watching TV

The phone rang

20:00

18:00

YESTERDAY

TODAY

SIMPLE PAST VS PAST CONTINOUS

The phone rang while I was watching TV

19:00

Vs

Simple Past

Present perfect

• Time is given:
• She came at six

• Last
• Ago
• Yesterday
• When
• What time

Time Expressions

• I studied there
• She didn't write it
• Did she know you?

• Completed action in the past.:
• I sent it yesterday

Uses

Form

Simple Past

• Experience
• I have been to Edinburgh twice

• Unfinished action.:
• I have played the guitar for ten years (I still play it)

• Since
• For
• Yet
• So far
• Already
• Ever
• Never
• Just

• I have seen her
• She hasn't finished yet
• Have you ever been there?

Present Perfect

Time Expressions

Uses

Form

Present Perfect

We still live in this house

We started living in this house

2020

1998

PAST

PRESENT

SIMPLE PAST VS PRESENT PERFECT

I have lived in this house since 1998.