PRESENT VS PAST TENSE

 

Hello, friends :). Learning grammar in a language is certainly a basic thing that should not be missed. The same is true when you learn English. This article will discuss the differences between present tense and past tense that you must know.

Tenses are a change in the form of a verb based on the adverb of time and the nature of the event. So if based on the time information, tenses are divided into 4 namely present, past, future, and past future. 

So that you understand better, let's discuss more deeply what the present and past tenses are, as well as examples of sentences.

Come on guys, just check the explanation below!

A. Present tense

This tense you will often find and use because the present tense works to talk about the present.

1. Simple present tense

You will use the simple present tense when you state a habit or activity that has been happening continuously until now. This tense is also used when stating general truths, orders, and something that will come but is an activity that has been planned.

Example          :

·         (+) he plays football

·         (-)  he doesn’t play football

·         (?) Does he play football?

Exercise           :

You can change the sentences below into negative and interrogative sentences as practice :)

1.      (+) she likes eating out.

   (-)   …………………..

   (?)  …………………..

2.     (+) he loves to play basketball.

  (-)  …………………………..

  (?) …………………………..

Great job!

2. Present continuous tense

If you want to express an ongoing activity, use this tense. Then you can also state an activity that will happen soon or an event that keeps on repeating and the adverb must be mentioned. 

Example          :

·         (+) i am starting

·         (-) I’m not starting (i am not starting)

·         (?) Am i starting?

Exercise          :

Complete the questions below. Keep spirit!

1      (+) ……………

  (-) i am not learning English

  (?) Am i learning English?

2.    (+) we are going to Bali

 (-) we are not going to Bali

 (?) ……………………….

 

B. Past Tense

The past tense is the tense used when talking about the past.

1.      Simple Past Tense

Of course, you will use the simple past tense when you talk about something that happened in the past. And you can also talk about past habits that are no longer practiced.

Example          :

·         (+) I went to school yesterday

·         (-) I did not go to school yesterday

·         (?) did you go to school yesterday?

 

Exercise           :

Complete the questions below. You can do it!

1.   (+) He met his wife 6 years ago

            (-)  he did not (didn’t) meet her 6 years ago

           (?) ………………………………………..

      2.  (+) we made a cake for you

           (-) ………………………..

           (?) did we make a cake for you?

2. Past Continuous Tense

When stating something that is happening at the end but there are other events that are also present, then the tenses you need to know are the past continuous tense

Example          :

·         (+) i was playing

·         (-) I was not playing

·         (?) was I playing?

Exercise           :

Complete the questions below. Keep training!

1.      (+) I was sleeping when you come

(-) I was not sleeping when you come

(?) ………………………………….

 

2.      (+) she was studying English

           (-)………………………..

      (?) was she studying English?

Exercise about present and past tense

be careful to answer the question

1. Billy ... for six hours. 
a. had been driven
b. had been driving
c. had been drove
d. had been drive

2. Sindu ... the dog when his father slept. 
a. fed
b. feeding
c. was fed
d. was feeding

3. I ... my friend three days ago. 
a. visit
b. visits
c. visiting
d. visited

4. ... Edy been at your house till two days ago? 
a. was
b. were
c. has
d. had

5. Sindu's cat ... sick last week. 
a. is
b. are
c. was
d. were

6. My father ... at home by 6 o'clock. 
a. arrived
b. was arriving
c. had arrived
d. had been arriving

7. She ... very pale yesterday at 3 p.m. 
a. was
b. were
c. had been
d. has been

8. Edy ... attend math class yesterday. 
a. was not
b. were not
c. did not
d. does not

9. My family ... to the museum last holiday. 
a. go
b. gone
c. went
d. wented

10. Isabella ... a sandwich before breakfast this morning. 
a. prepared
b. was preparing
c. had prepared
d. had preparing

GOOD LUCK :)

answer: 

1. b,                 6. c,

2. d,                 7. a,

3. d,                 8. c,

4. d,                 9. c,

5. c,                 10. c.

You did a great job friends :)

That's an explanation of the present tense vs past tense. Is it not difficult to understand these two tenses? if there is something you want to ask friends, please leave a comment below. I will be very happy if I can help you.

Also, you can watch the video below to increase your knowledge about the present and past tense!