We use am, are, is + the -ing form of the verb.
- Plans and arrangements
- Regular unplanned events
- Change
- Temporary states
- Events at the time of speaking
We use the present continuous to talk about events which are in progress at the moment of speaking.
He is pressing the button but nothing is happening.
We use the present continuous to talk about temporary states which are true around the moment of speaking.
I'm developing the notification feature of this app.
We use the present continuous to talk about a gradual change
Maria, 37, is getting better and doctors are optimistic she will make a full recovery. Recent evidence suggests that the economic situation is improving.
We often use the present continuous with words like always, constantly, continually and forever (adverbs of indefinite frequency) to describe events which are regular but not planned, and often not wanted
My wife, she’s always throwing things out. I like to keep everything. I’m constantly spilling things.
We use the present continuous to refer to the future when we talk about plans and arrangements that have already been made
We’re moving to Cambridge in July.
- Events happening at a particular time in the past
- Context or Reason for Events - Background
- Ongoing and repeated events - Background
- Past continues and Adverbs -> Indicate Past Habits
We generally use the past continuous to talk about actions and states in progress (happening) around a particular time in the past. It can emphasise that the action or state continued for a period of time in the past
A: Where was Donna last night? B: I’m not sure. I think she was visiting her family.
I remember that night. You were wearing that red dress. (state)
We often use the past continuous to give a reason or context for an event:
A: I can’t believe you met Fran and Dave in Portugal. B: It was funny. They were staying in the hotel next to ours. (giving a reason/context for meeting them)
I didn’t make the meeting last week; I was travelling to Rome.
We can use the past continuous to talk about repeated background events in the past. It can suggest that the situation was temporary or subject to change:
She was feeding her neighbours’ cat every morning while they were on holiday. Then one morning, it was gone.
Warning We only use the past continuous for repeated background events. If they are repeated main events, we use the past simple:
I phoned you four times last night. Where were you? Not: I was phoning you four times last night.
Adverbs such as always, constantly, forever are used with the past continuous when we talk about repeated, unplanned or undesired events:
We were always spending so much time in traffic. That’s the main reason why we decided to move to the country and work from home. My boss was constantly phoning me in my last job. I hated it. She was forever losing her keys.
- When we use these two tenses together, it shows us that the past simple action happened in the middle of the past continuous action, while it was in progress.
While I was studying, I suddenly felt sleepy.
- These tenses are used together to show an action interrupting another action;
I was going to my home, I saw a car crash. We were watching television when the power went off. I was listening to the radio when Helen phoned.
We use the present perfect simple to refer to events in the past but which connect to the present.
- Finished
- Life experience [Keywords: ever, never]
- Unfinished time Word [keywords: this week, this month, this year, today]
- Present Result
- Recent events [keywords: just, already, recently, yet]
- Unfinished
Use this verbal tense to talk about our experiences up to now (The time of the experiences is not important)
I've seen "The witcher" and "Ricky and Morty" on netflix. I want to see "The office" next.
A: They are going to TANKA for dinner tonight. B: I have been there a couple of times before
Time Expressions [ever, never, before, in my life, so far, up until now]
- [ever, not ever and never]
It was the worst performance we have ever seen. Have you ever tried to write your name backwards She is never said sorry for what she did
- Before
We have met before, have we?
- So far - from a point in the past until now
They have sold 110 cars so far
Talk about finished events or states in in the very recently past.
- Key words [Recently, Just]
Our company has recently opened a new office in London. Have you heard anything? Augusto have just returncome back from an exchange in Sweden
She has broken her arm practiscing mountain bike.
talk about a present situation that began at a specific point in the past and is still going on in the present.
The house on the corner has been empty FOR three years. The house on the corner has been empty since 2003. I have been study English since 2018
Questions and negative statement
Don’t wash up that cup. I haven’t finished my coffee yet. Haven’t you done your homework yet?
Emphasize that something is done
I have already done all my exercises
Use to emphasize something expected to happen but continues not happen.
She still hasn't said sorry to me
Ask about duration of a state or activity
A: How long have you worked here ? B: Since 2018, so for about one year.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pt/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/past-simple-or-present-perfect
Use past simple to refer to definite time in the past.
I met your mother in January 1975
Use present perfect to talk about time up to now, that is, events that took place in the past, but somehow are connected with the present.
I haven't seen my parents since January 1975
- Past Simple: I didn't see her for 20 years and yesterday I met her. (I saw her yesterday but the last time I saw over 20 years ago.)
- Present Perfect: I haven’t seen her for over 20 years. (The last time I saw her was over 20 years ago.)
We use have/has + been + the -ing form of the verb.
Actions which have recently stopped (though the whole action can be unfinished) and have a result. Using the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity.
I am completely soaked, I have just been cleaning the car. I've been running, so I'm really hot.
We use the present perfect continuous for activities that began at a point in the past and are still continuing, but we don't answer the questions about 'how long' so clearly.
I've been reading a lot recently. I’ve been watching Breaking Bad – it’s great. They've been living with his mother while they look for a house. We have been doing extra shift to deliver the project.
Use present perfect continues to talk about the duration of actions and activities. Moreover, to say how long for unfinished actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
She's been working here since 2004. We've been waiting for the bus for hours.
A: How long have you been waiting for me? B: About ten minutes. Not too long. (I’ve been waiting for about ten minutes.)
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pt/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/present-perfect-simple-or-present-perfect-continuous These sentences are both used for finished and unfinished actions.
Present Perfect can be used (often with "since" or "for") to talk about unfinished actions started in the past and still true in the present.
I've known John for three years. Augusto has lived in Sweden for three years.
Present Perfect Continuous can be also used to talk about unfinished actions started in the past and still true. However, it is not possible use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs
He has been living here for three years. Augusto has been living in Swedish for three years. -- NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND THE PHRASE : Augusto has lived in Sweden for three years.
They've been waiting for hours (This emphasises the length of time). They've waited for fours (This doesn't emphasise the length of time).
She has drunk three cups of coffe this morning. This is not possible with Present Perfect Continues WRONG!!
She has been drinking three cups of coffe this morning
The present perfect continuous often focuses on the action itself, while the present perfect simple focuses on the fact that the action is completed.
I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but I'm not finished). I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished it, so we can talk about it).
I've been studying English recently I've studied English recently
The present perfect simple is used when the action is finished, and the result comes from the action being finished
We've eaten dinner, so let's go out She has done all her homework, so she can relax this evening
We've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table She has been doing her homework, so she is tired
- To describe an active finished before another action - with past simple
- To describe Cause and effect - with past simple
- How long to a point in the past
Edson had gone out when his order was delivered when we arrived the film had already started The plane had left by the time I got to the airport.
I got truck in traffic because there had been an accident My grade were really bad because I hadn't study enough He could not sleep last night because he had slept before
When we graduated, he had been in London for 4 years
Ask about duration of a state or activity
A: How long have you worked here ? B: Since 2018, so for about one year.
The past perfect continuous tells us 'how long', just like the present perfect continuous, but this time the action continues up to a point in the past rather than the present.
She had been working at that company for a year when she met James. I'd been walking for hours when I finally found the house.
The children had been playing and so the room was a mess! I'd been working before I saw you and that's why I was really tired.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pt/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/past-simple-or-present-perfect