Present and Past forms

Simple present ?

• to talk about actions we see as temporary, in progress, and unfinished

• to talk about habits, permanent states, and the truth

• to describe finished action after another

• to emphasize an action in progress around a time in the past

Present continuous?

• to talk about habits, permanent states, and the truth

• to describe finished action after another

• to emphasize an action in progress around a time in the past

• to talk about actions we see as temporary, in progress, and unfinished

Simple past ?

• to emphasize one thing happened before a particular point in the past

• to talk about an action that was in progress over a period of time up to or before a particular point in the past

• to describe finished action after another

• to emphasize an action in progress around a time in the past

Past continuous ?

• to emphasize an action in progress around a time in the past

• to describe finished action after another

• to talk about an action that was in progress over a period of time up to or before a particular point in the past

• to talk about habits, permanent states, and the truth

Simple past perfect ?

• to talk about habits, permanent states, and the truth

• to describe finished action after another

• to talk about an action that was in progress over a period of time up to or before a particular point in the past

• to emphasize one thing happened before a particular point in the past

Past perfect continuous?

• to emphasize an action in progress around a time in the past

• perfect to emphasize one thing happened before a particular point in the past

• to talk about an action that was in progress over a period of time up to or before a particular point in the past

• to talk about actions we see as temporary, in progress, and unfinished

Which is about the present continuous?

• We’re talking about study-abroad programs.

• I miss my host family.

• I spend six months in Germany last year.

• I was actually thinking about cancelling my trip.

Which is about past perfect continuous?

• I’d never left Argentina!

• I’d been wanting to go there for ages.

• I was actually thinking about cancelling my trip.

• I spent six months in Germany last year.

Which is about simple present?

• We’re talking about study-abroad programs.

• I spent six months in Germany last year.

• I miss my host family.

• I’d never left Argentina!

Which is about simple past?

• I’d been wanting to go there for ages.

• I was actually thinking about cancelling my trip.

• We’re talking about study-abroad programs.

• I spent six months in Germany last year.