Understanding English Tenses: Present and Past in Real Life

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Understanding English Tenses: Present and Past in Real Life


Watch this video.
Read this post.

Practice more here with these quizzes:

Simple present and present continuous:

Present perfect and present perfect continuous:

Simple past:



By Sergio Viula


Learning how to use English tenses correctly makes your sentences sound natural and precise. Let’s explore how to use the Simple Present, Present Continuous, Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, and Simple Past.


1. Simple Present – Facts and Routines


We use the Simple Present to talk about facts, habits, and routines.

It describes things that are generally true or that happen regularly.

Examples:

  1. I study English every day.
  2. I don’t work out five times a week.
  3. She lives in Brazil.
  4. The sun rises in the east.


Common mistake:

Incorrect: I am not work out five times a week.

Correct: I don’t work out five times a week.

Use do/does for negatives and questions — not am/is/are.


2. Present Continuous – Actions Happening Now

Structure: am / is / are + verb + ing


The Present Continuous (also called Present Progressive) is used for actions happening at this moment or temporary situations.

Examples:

  1. I’m studying English right now.
  2. She’s working from home this week.
  3. They’re watching a movie at the moment.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: I study English right now.

Correct: I’m studying English right now.


3. Present Perfect – Life Experiences and Actions Until Now

Structure: have / has + past participle


We use the Present Perfect for experiences, changes, or actions that started in the past and continue until now.

We don’t say when they happened.

Examples:

  1. Have you ever eaten Japanese food?
  2. How long have you lived here?
  3. I’ve visited New York twice.
  4. She has worked here for five years.


Common mistake:

Incorrect: How long do you live here?

Correct: How long have you lived here?


4. Present Perfect Continuous – Actions Continuing Until Now

Structure: have / has been + verb + ing



We use the Present Perfect Continuous to focus on the duration of an activity that started in the past and continues until now or has just finished.


Examples:

  1. I’ve been working overtime lately.
  2. They’ve been studying for the test all week.
  3. She’s been learning English for two years.


5. Simple Past – Completed Actions in the Past


The Simple Past is used for completed actions in a specific time in the past.


Examples:

  1. I watched three movies yesterday.
  2. We studied English last night.
  3. She traveled to Paris in 2022.


Common mistake:

Incorrect: I have watched three movies yesterday.

Correct: I watched three movies yesterday.

Remember: If you mention when something happened, use the Simple Past.


Summary 

Simple Present - Idea: Facts, routines - Example: I study English every day.

Present Continuous - Idea: Actions happening now - Example: I’m studying English right now.

Present Perfect - Idea: Life experiences, time until now - Example: I’ve studied English for years.

Present Perfect Continuous - Idea: Duration of an ongoing action - Example: I’ve been studying English since 2020.

Simple Past - Idea: Completed actions in a defined time - Example: I studied English last night.


Quick Tip

Think of time:

  1. Now → Present Continuous
  2. Regularly → Simple Present
  3. Until now → Present Perfect
  4. Still happening → Present Perfect Continuous
  5. Finished → Simple Past


Remember:

Grammar is not about memorizing rules — it’s about understanding when and why we use each form. Once you see the logic, English becomes much easier to master.

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