This document discusses the differences between the past simple tense, past continuous tense, and present perfect tense in English. It provides examples and explanations of when to use each tense. The past simple tense is used to talk about completed actions in the past, while the past continuous tense describes actions that were ongoing or in progress at a specific time in the past. The present perfect tense refers to actions that started in the past and continue to the present or actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past. Adverbs can help identify whether to use the past simple or present perfect tense. The document also notes certain verbs that are only used with the past simple tense.

1. Spoken English
Present Perfect Tense Vs Past Simple Tense
Vs Past Continuous Tense
By
Ash Vyas

2. There are Types of Past Tense
•Past Simple Tense
•Past Continuous/Progressive Tense
•Past Perfect Continuous Tense
•Past Perfect Tense

3. We Will Learn
•Past Simple Tense
•Past Continuous/Progressive Tense
We will also see how, Past simple is different than Present Perfect Tense

4. Past Simple Tense
Usage:
•To talk about a completed action in a time before now (in past).
Note:
•The time of the action can be in the recent past or the distant past.
•Action duration is not important.

5. Past Simple Tense Syntax
Positive
Subject + verb(ed)/Past tense form of irregular verbs
Negative:
Subject + did not + verb

6. Past Simple Tense Examples
Positive sentences:
•I was in Japan last year.
•She went to park yesterday.
•We did our homework last night.
•We saw a good film last week.
•Yesterday, I arrived in Ahmedabad.
•She finished her project last week.

7. Past Simple Tense Examples
Negative Sentences:
•You did not visit me during your tour to India. Why?
•We didn't have time to visit you.
•He didn't buy anything till date.
•We didn't have any money at that time.
•He didn't find any work during his stay in Mexico.
•Kids did not like the movie.

8. Past Simple Tense Notes:
•When the last character in a regular verb is ‘-e’, just add ‘d’ instead of ‘-ed’
Example:
Love = Loved File = Filed Race = Raced
Smile = Smiled Like=Liked Type = Typed
*Make is irregular verb so Past Tense form is ‘Made’

9. Past Simple Tense Notes:
•In regular verb, if last character is consonant + ‘y’, replace it with ‘I’; and add ‘-ed’
Example:
Cry = Cried Spy = Spied Fry = Fried
Try = Tried Vary = Varied Worry = Worried
*For vowel + ‘y’, simply add ‘ed’ at end of the verb.
Example:
Annoy = annoyed Enjoy = Enjoyed Play = Played Stay = Stayed

10. Past Simple Tense Notes:
In regular verb, if it ends with ‘one vowel + one consonant’, then double the last
character and add ‘ed’
Example:
Beg = Begged Clap = Clapped Hop = Hopped
Jog = Jogged Slam=Slammed

11. Past Simple Vs Present Perfect
Past Simple:
To show certainty of time
Example: I saw the movie (sometime ago)
Present Perfect:
To show uncertainty of time
Example: I have seen the movie (in recent past; uncertain when)

12. Past Simple Vs Present Perfect
Past Simple:
To refer to repeated main events which is no longer true.
Example: We used to go to India in winter.
Present Perfect:
To refer to repeated main events which happens repetitively from past to now
Example: We have been in India several times during winter.

13. Use Present Perfect, not Past Simple
1. To talk about repeated action from past to now.
Example: I have seen that movie several times
2. To talk about finished action at uncertain time
Example: I have finished that course.

14. Use Present Perfect, not Past Simple
3. To talk about something which never happened with usage of adverb: Never
Example: I have never been to foreign
4. To ask a question about something which may have never happened. Use
adverb: Ever
Example: Have you ever been to India?

15. Tip:
Adverb can help to identify verb form Past Simple or Present Perfect.
Simple Past Tense Common Adverbs:
last night, last year, yesterday, today, ago, first, then, later, when
Present Perfect Tense Common Adverbs:
before, after, already, yet, for, since, recently, still, time
*Please be advised, this is not thumb rule. Exceptions are there

16. Past Continuous Tense Usage
Usage:
Usage 1: (Most Common)
To talk about action in progress in the past at a specific time.
Example:
•I was reading the book yesterday at this time.
•It was snowing heavily last Wednesday.

17. Past Continuous Tense Usage
Usage 2:
To talk about an action happening in the past when an interruption occurred. In
other words, a small action in progress before interruption or next action/event
occurrence.
Example:
•I was working in the office when you called me.
•He was sleeping when his mother arrived.

18. Past Continuous Tense Syntax
Positive
Subject + was/were + verb(ing)
Negative:
Subject + was/were + not + verb(ing)

19. Past Continuous Tense Examples
Positive sentences:
•Simon was playing on the computer while his brother was watching TV.
•Yesterday at six o'clock, Ash was explaining Grammar lesson
•You were studying when she called.
•What were you doing at 8 o'clock yesterday?
•I was collecting old newspapers.
•The police sirens were wailing.
•He was writing a letter yesterday.

20. Past Continuous Tense Examples
Negative Sentences:
•Sorry, I wasn't listening. Could you say it again please?
•I had my car fixed because it wasn't working properly.
•It was lucky we weren't sitting under that tree when the lightning hit.
•You were not making him angry.
•She was not taking any decision.
•They were not expecting anything.
•Were you not solving the problems?

21. Past Continuous Tense Notes:
•Apply all rules and exceptions to convert a simple verb into ‘ing’ form (which we learned in
class of present continuous and present perfect continuous tense)

22. Past Simple Vs Past Continuous
A few cases where you should always use Past Simple instead of Past Continuous
Past Simple: Use Past simple to talk about (past) habits. (for current habit: Present simple)
Example: I walked her school everyday when she was young.
Past Simple: To use definite time in the past (this is how its usage differ from present perfect where time
is uncertain).
Example: I woke up at seven o’clock this morning

23. Past Simple Vs Past Continuous
A few cases where you should always use Past Simple instead of Past Continuous
Past Simple: To refer to repeated main events which is no longer true.
Example: We used to have picnics in the park in the summer.
Past Simple: To talks about state and feelings
Example:
•I forget your name.
•We understood the instructions.

24. Past Simple Vs Past Continuous
Certain verbs are used only with Past Simple Tense (never use them with Past
Progressive Tense).
State: be, have (for possession only)
Senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
Brain work: believe, know, think, understand

25. Past Simple & Past Continuous, both can be used
There can be a few cases where you can use both tenses depends on what you want to emphasize.
Use Past Simple to talk about main event and Past Continuous to talk about background/ secondary
event
Example:
•I was talking to him when Ash called me in.
(I talked with him about HR Policies while Ash was calling me.)
•I saw an old friend when I was waiting for my driver.
(My driver came with car when I was talking with my old friend in the street)

26. Any Questions?
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