SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
Formula :
The Simple Present is one of four present tenses in English, and is used in various ways. In the examples given below, the verbs in the Simple Present tense are underlined.
For instance, the Simple Present can be used to refer to actions which occur at regular intervals.
Example :
We visit our friends every Sunday.
They take a holiday once a year.
The Simple Present is also used in stating general truths.
Example :
Gas expands when heated.
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.
In addition, the Simple is used when referring to printed material, and when describing events portrayed in a book, film, or other work of art.
Example :
The report present the information clearly.
At the end of the film, the hero finds the hidden treasure.
Occasionally, the Simple Present is used to express actions occurring in the future or the past.
Example :
Our plane leaves at eight o'clock tomorrow night.
Burglar Steals Valuable Paintings
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Formula :
In English, the Present Continuous tense is usually used to express continuing, ongoing action which are taking place at the moment of speaking or writing. In the examples given below, the verbs in Present Continuous tense are underlined.
Example :
At the moment the plane is flying over the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The Present Continuous tense is often used in conversation.
Example :
What are you doing ?
I am working on my English assignment.
Occasionally, the Present Continuous tense is used to refer to a future event.
Example :
we are leaving tomorrow.
SIMPLE PAST TENSE
Formula :
The uses of the Simple Past are somewhat similar to the uses of the Simple Present, except that past states or actions are expressed. In the examples given below, the verbs in the Simple Past are underlined.
For instance, the Simple Past can be used to express actions which occurred at regular intervals in the past.
Example :
Last year I drove to Yarmouth once a week.
In addition, the Simple Past is used to describe situations which existed for a period of time in the past.
Example :
Millions of years ago, dinosaurs inhabited the earth.
The Simple Past is also used to express non-continuous actions which occurred at a definite time in the past.
Example :
Columbus reached America in 1492.
PAST CONTINUOUS
Formula :
The Past Continuous tense is used to express continuous, ongoing action which took place in the past. In the following examples, the verbs in the Past Continuous tense are underlined.
Example :
He was traveling in Europe last summer.
The Past Continuous tense is frequently used to refer to an onging action which was taking place when something else occurred in the past.
Example :
I was washing the dishes when the telephone rang.
We were entertaining friend when the parcel arrived.
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SOURCE :Marjorie Fuchs, Bonner Margaret, Grammar Express for self study and classroom use, Addison Wesley Longman 2OO1.
Mary Ansell, Free English Grammar.
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