Pasttenses

1.- Simple Past vs Past Continuous

2.- Simple Past vs Present Perfect

Past Continuous

Simple Past

Vs

Simple Past

Form

Uses

• Completed action in the past.

• Actions in the past happening one after another

• I lived in London
• She came on time

• She didn't phone us

• Did it rain?

Past Continuous

Uses

Form

• A long action. in the past

• Action in progress at a given time in the past

• Were you crying?

• I was singing
• They were skiing

• She wasn't dancing

The phone rang while I was watching TV

SIMPLE PAST VS PAST CONTINOUS

TODAY

YESTERDAY

The phone rang

18:00

19:00

20:00

I was watching TV

Simple Past

Present perfect

Vs

Simple Past

Form

Time Expressions

Uses

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

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

• Time is given:
• She came at six

• Last
• Ago
• Yesterday
• When
• What time

Present Perfect

Time Expressions

Form

Uses

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

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

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

• Experience
• I have been to Edinburgh twice

SIMPLE PAST VS PRESENT PERFECT

I have lived in this house since 1998.

PAST

PRESENT

1998

2020

Present Perfect

We still live in this house

We started living in this house