# Simple and Continuous Tenses (present, Past | SwaVid

Simple and continuous tenses (present, past, future): Use the simple present for habits and facts that are always true. Rules, examples and a quick check.

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# Simple and continuous tenses (present, past, future): rules and examples

## The rule, step by step

## Check yourself

## Common mistakes

## Frequently asked questions

## Keep practising

### Quick reference

### What is the rule for simple and continuous tenses (present, past, future)?

### Can you give examples of simple and continuous tenses (present, past, future)?

### What mistakes do students make in simple and continuous tenses (present, past, future)?

### Free English grammar test

### More in The Verb

Short answer. Use the simple present for habits and facts that are always true. Use the present continuous (am, is or are plus -ing) for an action happening right now.

1 . Choose the right verb. Hurry up! The guests ___ at the gate.

2 . Choose the right verb. While Mira ___ the floor, she found her lost earring.

Habits and facts: simple present. Happening now: am, is or are plus -ing.

Use the simple present for habits and facts that are always true. Use the present continuous (am, is or are plus -ing) for an action happening right now.

I want a glass of water now.

Wrong: Arjun is knowing the answer. Right: Arjun knows the answer. (State verbs)

Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.

All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- Habits and facts . Words like every day, each week, always and usually show a habit. Things that are always true, like facts about nature, are facts. Both take the simple present.
- Happening now . Look!, Listen!, now and at the moment show the action is going on as we speak. Use am, is or are plus -ing.
- State verbs . State verbs tell what someone knows, wants, likes, owns or what something belongs to. They are not actions, so they take the simple present even now, with no -ing.
- Finished or in progress? . Use the simple past for an action that finished at a past time. Use the past continuous (was or were plus -ing) for an action that was still going on at a past moment.
- Simple past . Yesterday, last week, in 2018 and ago name a finished time. The action is complete, so use the simple past.
- I want a glass of water now.
- Arjun is knowing the answer. → Arjun knows the answer. State verbs

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