PAST TENSES & PRESENT PERFECT

PAST SIMPLE
When is the past simple used?

Completed action, event, or situation in the past.

When talking about a specific (period of) time in the past. -> often indicated bij
when or an adverbial of time.
Habits/repeated actions in the past.
PAST CONTINUOUS
When is de past continuous used?

A situation or action in progress at a certain time in the past.

If this action or situation is interrupted by another event, the other event usually takes
the past simple.
Its also used when talking about two event that were taking place simultaniously.
Used in combination with always and forever to talk about repeated behaviour
(sometimes expressing annoyance).
PRESENT PERFECT
The present perfect is used to form a bridge between past and present.
The specific time is unknown or unimportant.
Often, we can see a result in the present, or the situation is still the case.
It is used to talk about the duration of an event.

There are two forms of the present perfect: simple and continuous
PRESENT PERFECT
Simple
Used to talk about finished actions or
events in the past that have a result in
the present. Time is unimportant.
I have painted the door.
The emphasis is on frequency. Continuous
= incorrect in this case.
I have won three football trophies.
Continuous
Used to talk about events that have
been going on up until now/the resent
past. These may be unfinished.
Ive been painting that door all morning
but its still not finished.
The emphasis is on duration.
Ive been playing football since I was
nine.
PRESENT PERFECT
Simple
Use it if you can ask how often?
Ive never been to Thailand.
I have seen this movie twice.
NB: this is a rule of thumb, exceptions
are possible!
Continuous
Use it if you can ask how long?
Ive been living here for three years now.
Shes been working on her new novel for
ages.
Also use it for repeated past events or
actions that continue op to the present.
Hermiones been crying a lot ever since Rons
left.
PAST SIMPLE OR PRESENT PERFECT?
Past simple Present
Time isperfect
unknown or unimportant.
Specific time/period in the past. There is some connection to the present.
Action or event is completed.
Often used with
Fyn saabje
Often used with adverbial of time (last
week, three years ago, during his
lifetime) and the word when.
PAST PERFECT
Simple
Similar to present perfect simple but: not
referring to events up to the present, but
up to (or before) a certain time in the
past.
NB: unlike the pr.p.s., the past.p.s. can
refer to a specefic time in the past.
Continuous
Similar to present perfect continuous but:
not referring to events up to the present,
but up to (or before) a certain time in
the past.
NB: unlike the pr.p.c., the past.p.c. can
refer to a specefic time in the past.
STATIVE VERBS
Some verbs are NOT usually used in the continuous form, even when we are talking about
temporary situations or states. These are called stative verbs.

So, we say Im sorry, I dont understand. rather than Im not understanding.

1. Stative verbs are often verbs connected with thinking and opinions.
She doesnt know what to do. NOT She isnt knowing what to do.
Do you agree with me?
I dont recognise it, do you?
Other verbs in this group include: believe, doubt, guess, imagine, mean, remember, think
STATIVE VERBS
2. Other stative verbs are connected with feelings and emotions
I like this song. Who sings it? NOT Im liking this song.
What do you want to do now?
I hate my new boss!
Other stative verbs in this group include: dislike, love, prefer. want, wish

NB although enjoy is a verb of emotion, it is used in the continuous tense

Im enjoying the party.
STATIVE VERBS
3. see, hear, taste, smell, feel are verbs that describe senses.

These verbs arent usually used in continuous forms. They are often used with can.
It smells of smoke in here. NOT Its smelling of smoke in here.
I cant see anything. Its too dark.
STATIVE VERBS
4. Stative verbs describe things that are not actions.
Look carefully at these 2 sentences.
He smells of fish.
Hes smelling the fish.
The second sentence is an action not a state. The man wants to know if the fish is OK
to eat.
I think we should go to Croatia for our holiday this year.
Sorry, what did you say? I was thinking about my holiday.
The first sentence is an opinion but the second sentence is an action.