Present Simple / Present Progressive
Children today are eating more sugar.
What is Present progressive.
Use the present progressive for changes that happen over time.
She was watching TV at 9:00. Now she’s asleep.
Past Progressive - use for an action or event that was in progress: at a specific time in the past
We had finished dinner, so we ordered dessert.
Past Perfect - The past perfect is used to show that one action or event happened before another past action, event, or time.
We have lived in New Jersey for a long time.
Present Perfect
actions or events that started in the past and continue in the present;
I think the movie will be very popular.
Use will and be going to for predictions.
Be careful! Use be going to only when you are certain about something in the future because of evidence or information you have now.
My car is always breaking down.
Use the present progressive with always to emphasize repeated actions. Sometimes, these actions are not typical or are unwanted.
We ate lunch at noon.
What is Simple Past
completed actions or events
She had never eaten a kiwi until her trip.
Past Perfect
Already, always, ever, just, and never usually go before the past participle.
She has traveled to France.
Present Perfect
an action or event that happened at an indefinite time in the past;
We are going to see that new movie this weekend.
Use be going to for plans or intentions.
(An intention is something you decide to do.)
I drink coffee every day.
Simple Present - routines and habits
We were driving to the store, and our car broke down.
What is Past Progressive. When another action or event happened. The second action or event may cause the action in progress to end.
She had been climbing for half an hour when she suddenly got a pain in her leg.
Past Perfect Progressive- when an action or event was happening for a period of time until (or just before) another action, event, or time
She has taught English for 20 years. Now she wants to write a book.
Use the present perfect to connect the past to the present.
I won’t be late. I promise.
Use will for promises
The sky often looks blue
Simple Present
Facts and general truths
Jim was sick yesterday.
Simple Past- a past state or feeling
We’d been trying to win the contest for five years.
Past Progressive - to talk about how long something happened
What have you heard?
Present Perfect
(Wh-) + Have/Has + Subject + Past Participle
Do you want some tea? I’ll get you some.
Use will for
a. sudden decisions (made at the time of
speaking) b. offers
I can’t talk now, I am eating dinner.
Present Progressive -Happening now, at the moment of speaking
Where did you go last night?
Simple Past - Wh- Questions
What had been causing that noise?
Past Perfect Progressive
Who/What + Had (Not) + Been + Verb + -ing
The employees have already left work. It’s late.
Present Perfect
Already, always, ever, and never often come before the past participle.
My parents won’t lend him any more money.
Use won’t for refusals.