We use the Past Simple to talk about actions and states which we see as completed in the past.
We use it talk about specific point in time.
- She came back last Friday.
- I saw her in the street.
- They didn't agree to the deal.
It can also used to talk about a period of time.
- She lived in New York for seven years.
- They were in London from Monday to Thursday of last week.
- When I was living in New York, I went to all the art exhibitions I could.
You will often find the past simple used with the time expressions such as these:
- yesterday
- three weeks ago
- last year
- in 2002
- from March to June
- for a long time
- for 6 weeks
- in the 1980s
- in the last century
- in the past
Present Simple or Continuous
We use the Present Simple
- for regular action or event
I watch TV most evening.
- facts
The sun rises in the east.
- facts know about the future
The plane leaves at 5:00 in the morning.
- thoughts and feelings about the time of speaking
I don't understand.
We use the Present Continuous
- at the time of speaking ('now')
I'm watching a movie on TV.
- things which are true at the moment but not always
I'm looking for a new job.
- present plans for the future
I'm taking my husband to New York for his birthday.
Look at these sentences:
- I usually don't drink coffee but I'm having one this morning because there is nothing else.
- I often drive to work but I'm taking the train this morning because my car is in for repair.
- I'm thinking about dying my hair blond but I don't think my wife will be happy about it.
- My parents live in New York but I'm just visiting.
Notice how in all these examples we use the present continuous to talk about events which are temporary/limit in time and the present simple to talk about events which are habits/permanent.
- for regular action or event
I watch TV most evening.
- facts
The sun rises in the east.
- facts know about the future
The plane leaves at 5:00 in the morning.
- thoughts and feelings about the time of speaking
I don't understand.
We use the Present Continuous
- at the time of speaking ('now')
I'm watching a movie on TV.
- things which are true at the moment but not always
I'm looking for a new job.
- present plans for the future
I'm taking my husband to New York for his birthday.
Look at these sentences:
- I usually don't drink coffee but I'm having one this morning because there is nothing else.
- I often drive to work but I'm taking the train this morning because my car is in for repair.
- I'm thinking about dying my hair blond but I don't think my wife will be happy about it.
- My parents live in New York but I'm just visiting.
Notice how in all these examples we use the present continuous to talk about events which are temporary/limit in time and the present simple to talk about events which are habits/permanent.
Present Simple
Present simple is used to talk about actions we see as long term or permanent. It is very common and very important.
In these examples, we are talking about regular actions or events.
- I drive to work every day.
- She doesn't come very often.
- The games usually start at 8:00 in the evening.
- What do you usually have for breakfast?
In these examples, we are talking about fact.
- Water freezes at 0º or 32º F.
- I have three children.
- What does this word mean?
- I don't have any of my original teeth left.
In these examples, we are talking about facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart.
- The plane leaves at 5:00 tomorrow morning.
- Christmas day usually falls on a Saturday this year.
- Ramadan doesn't begin for another 2 weeks.
- Does the class begins this week or next?
In these examples, we are talking about our thoughts and feelings at the time of speaking. Notice that, although these feelings can be short term, we use the present simple and not the present continuous.
- I think you are wrong.
- She doesn't want to do it.
- They don't agree with us.
- Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
In these examples, we are talking about regular actions or events.
- I drive to work every day.
- She doesn't come very often.
- The games usually start at 8:00 in the evening.
- What do you usually have for breakfast?
In these examples, we are talking about fact.
- Water freezes at 0º or 32º F.
- I have three children.
- What does this word mean?
- I don't have any of my original teeth left.
In these examples, we are talking about facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart.
- The plane leaves at 5:00 tomorrow morning.
- Christmas day usually falls on a Saturday this year.
- Ramadan doesn't begin for another 2 weeks.
- Does the class begins this week or next?
In these examples, we are talking about our thoughts and feelings at the time of speaking. Notice that, although these feelings can be short term, we use the present simple and not the present continuous.
- I think you are wrong.
- She doesn't want to do it.
- They don't agree with us.
- Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
Present Continuous
The present continuous is used to talk about the present situations which we see as a short term or temporary. We use the present simple to talk about present situations which we see as a long term or permanent.
In these examples, the action is taking place at the time of speaking.
- It is raining.
- Who is Kate talking to on the phone?
- Look, somebody is trying to steal that man's wallet.
- I'm not looking. My eyes are closed tightly.
In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don't think it will be true in the long term.
- I'm looking for a new apartment.
- He is thinking about leaving his job.
- They're considering making an appeal against the judgment.
- Are you getting enough sleep?
- In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already been arranged.
- I'm meeting her at 6:30 .
- They aren't arriving until Tuesday.
- We're having a specific dinner at a top restaurant for all the senior managers.
- Isn't is coming to the dinner?
In these examples, the action is taking place at the time of speaking.
- It is raining.
- Who is Kate talking to on the phone?
- Look, somebody is trying to steal that man's wallet.
- I'm not looking. My eyes are closed tightly.
In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don't think it will be true in the long term.
- I'm looking for a new apartment.
- He is thinking about leaving his job.
- They're considering making an appeal against the judgment.
- Are you getting enough sleep?
- In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already been arranged.
- I'm meeting her at 6:30 .
- They aren't arriving until Tuesday.
- We're having a specific dinner at a top restaurant for all the senior managers.
- Isn't is coming to the dinner?
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