Verb tense comparison
Simple Present – Present Progressive
Both these tenses are used to express the present. However, we mostly use the simple present for actions that take place regularly and repeatedly, and the present progressive for actions that are taking place at the moment of speaking.
Օրինակ
He usually wears a hat, but he is not wearing a hat now.
Simple Past – Past Progressive
Simple past is the narrative past form. We mostly use it for events that took place one after the other. Past progressive emphasises the progression of an action in the past.
Օրինակ
I was doing my homework when my friends came to see me.
VERB TENSES |
Tense | Signal words | Use | Examples |
Simple Present | always, sometimes, usually, often, every day | 1. habits 2. general truths 3. repeated actions or events 4. fixed arrangements (present or future) | 1. He smokes. 2. Water freezes at zero degrees. 3. We go to Tsaghkadzor every winter. 4. Your exams start at \(09.00\). |
Simple Past | yesterday, last week, (\(2\) days) ago | a completed action in the past (no connection to the present) | We saw a good film last week. |
Simple Future | tomorrow, soon, next year | promises and predictions | I'll open the window. I think he will help me. |
Present Progressive(Continuous) | now just now right now at the moment Listen! Look! | 1. an action happening at the moment of speaking 2. an action going on at a certain period of time | Look, they are playing football. He’s studying a new language at the moment. |
Past Progressive(Continuous) | all day long yesterday, at this time yesterday, at \(6\) | an action going on at a certain period of time in the past | I was riding my bike all day long yesterday. I was watching TV at \(6\) o’clock yesterday. I was eating breakfast at \(7:00.\) |