Simple Present and Simple Past tense

Simple Present and Simple Past tense

by Putri Cindy Puspitasari

1. Descriptions

• We use the present form for descriptions in the present-future.

• We use the past form for descriptions in the past.

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2. Fixed Events

• We use the present form for fixed events in the future (these things can’t be changed). The speaker often says when they happen.

• We use the past form for events in the past (the past can’t be changed). We say or know when they happened

 3. Actions

• We use the present form for actions that happen in the present, as the speaker speaks. For example, for narration or sports commentary (These things finish in the present; they finish before we finish speaking.)

• We use the past form for actions that happened in the past. (These things finished in the past.)

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The following for more explanation about Simple Present and Simple Past Tense:

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​#SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

1. Use Of The Simple Present

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v  Repeated Actions

My friend often draws nice posters.

 

v  Things In General

The sun rises in the east.

 

v  Fixed Arrangements, Scheduled Events

The plane flies to London every Monday.

 

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 v  Sequence Of Actions In The Present

First I get up, then I have breakfast.

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v  Instructions

Open your books at page 34.

 

v  With Special Verbs

I understand English.

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2      Signal Words

·         Everyday    - Often

·         Always -  Sometimes

·         Never

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3.    Form

Infinitive  (3rd person singular he, she, it: infinitive + -s)

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4.      Examples

v  Affirmative sentences in the Simple Present

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​Long forms:

​I read books.

You read books.

He reads books

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​Contracted forms:

​not possible

v  Negative sentences in the Simple Present

Do not negates a main verb in English. Always use the auxiliary do for negations and the infinitive of the verb.

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​Long forms:

​I do not clean the room.

You do not clean the room.

He does not clean the room.

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​Contracted forms:

​I don't clean the room.

You don't clean the room.

He doesn't clean the room

v  Questions in the Simple Present

You need the auxiliary do/does and the infinitive of the verb.

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​Long forms:

Do I play football?

Do you play football?

Does he play football?

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​Contracted forms:

​not possible

​#SIMPLE PAST TENSE

1. Use Of The Simple Past

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v  Actions Finished In The Past

I visited Berlin last week.

 

v  Series Of Completed Actions In The Past

First I got up, then I had breakfast.

 

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v  Together With The Past Progressive/Continuous – The Simple Past interrupted an action which was in progress in the past.

They were playing cards, when the telephone rang.

 

1st action → Past Progressive → were playing

2nd action → Simple Past → rang

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2.       Signal words

·         Yesterday

·         Last week

·         A month ago

·         In 2010

 

3.      Form

regular verbs → infinitive + ed

irregular verbs → 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

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4.      Examples

v  Affirmative sentences in the Simple Past – regular verbs

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​Long forms:

​I cleaned my room

You cleaned your room.

He cleaned his room.

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​Contracted forms:

​not possible

v  Affirmative sentences in the Simple Past – irregular verbs

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​​Long forms:

​I went home.

You went home.

He went home

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​​Contracted forms:

​not possible

v  Negative sentences in the Simple Past

Do not negates a main verb in English. Always use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of to do) and the infinitive of the verb for negations.

There is no difference between regular and irregular verbs in negative sentences.

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​Long forms:

I did not clean the room.

You did not clean the room

He did not clean the room.

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​​Contracted forms:

I didn't clean the room.

You didn't clean the room.

He didn't clean the room.

References:

 https://www.realgrammar.com/present-simple-vs-past-simple/

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/simple_present_simple_past_contrasted.htm

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v  Questions in the Simple Past

You need the auxiliary did and the infinitive of the verb.

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​Long forms:

Did you play football?

Did he play football?

Did I play football?

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​Contracted forms:

​not possible