Simple Present, Present Continuous, Simple Past, and Past Continuous, Stative Verbs and Other Exceptions

I. PRESENT

 

In English, we usually use “am/is/are + ing" when we are talking about an action happening now.

1. Present Simple (Used to describe facts, habits, and routine)

When the subject is singular, the verb ends in “s” or “es”. When the subject is plural, do not add “s” or “es” to the verb.

a)  The manager works hard all the time.
b)  The managers work hard all the time.

Examples:

“Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.” (fact)

“I like photography.” (fact)

“I go to work at 7 every morning.” (habits or routine)

What do you routinely do? –

 

Time markers: [a] every day/Monday/week/month/year, [b] one/twice a day/week/month/year [c] these days, nowadays, at present, currently [d] in the morning/afternoon/evening, at night, on weekends 

 

2. Present continuous [am/is/are + ing] (used to describe actions happening or not happening now/at the moment)

“I am talking on the phone now.”

“I’m not talking on the phone now.”

What are your colleagues doing at the moment/now? –

 

Time markers: [a] now, [b] at the moment, [c] right now, [d] currently, presently.

 

II. PAST

 

3. Past simple (used to describe actions and situations that are finished) –

“I played football last week.” (action)

“I was a football player when I was young.” (situation)

What happened to you yesterday? What did you do yesterday? – 

 

4. Past continuous [was/were +ing] (used to describe actions happening at a specific time in the past, in the middle of the action)

“I was watching TV when the phone rang”

“I was watching TV around 7 PM.”

 

What were you doing when you received my email a while ago? – 

What were you doing this time yesterday –

 

Q: I called you three times yesterday at 8 PM but you did not pick up the phone. What were you doing? -

 

 

SIMPLE PAST	PAST CONTINUOUS Was / were + ing
I CLEANED my room last night	I WAS CLEANING my room around 7 last night.
TIME MARKERS (general time) Yesterday ___ ago (e.g., a minute ago, two days ago, 2 years ago)  last _____ (e.g., last night, last Sunday, last week, last year) in the morning/afternoon	TIME MARKERS (Exact or specific time) About 7 PM yesterday Around 7 PM last Monday Between 7 and 8 last night When + subject + past (when you arrived)

I was sleeping yesterday. - INCORRECT (“Yesterday” is not a specific time in the past)

Simultaneous Actions
The tense can describe two actions happening at the same time in the past.
Example: She was cooking while he was fixing the sink.

Politeness or Indirect Speech
The past continuous is sometimes used to sound more polite or less direct, especially when asking questions or making requests.
Examples:
I was wondering if you could help me.
Were you hoping to join us for dinner?

 

III. EXCEPTIONS

EXCEPTIONS: STATIVE VERBS

Stative verbs are typically not used in the present participle (-ing) form because they describe states, feelings, or conditions rather than dynamic actions. [Les verbes statifs ne sont généralement pas utilisés à la forme du participe présent (-ing) car ils décrivent des états, des sentiments ou des conditions plutôt que des actions dynamiques.]

Verbs of Senses and Perception
See, Hear, Smell, Taste, Feel
Examples:
Incorrect: I am seeing the car now.
Correct: I see the car now.

Exception: When describing deliberate or temporary actions, these verbs can be used in the -ing form:
"I am seeing the doctor tomorrow" (temporary).
"I’m smelling the flowers" (action).

Verbs of Emotion and Preference
Love, Like, Hate, Want, Need, Prefer, Dislike
Examples:
Incorrect: She is hating chocolate.
Correct: She hates chocolate.

Exception: Informal expressions like "I'm loving it" are often used for emphasis.

Verbs of Possession
Have, Own, Possess, Belong
Examples:
Incorrect: I am having a car.
Correct: I have a car.

Exception: "Have" can be dynamic in certain contexts: "I’m having lunch" (temporary action).

Verbs of Thought, Belief, and Existence
Know, Believe, Understand, Realize, Mean, Suppose, Seem, Appear
Examples:
Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.
Correct: I know the answer.

Verbs of Measurement or Description
Contain, Include, Consist, Weigh, Measure
Examples:
Incorrect: The box is containing books.
Correct: The box contains books.


EXCEPTIONS IN PRESENT CONTINUOUS USAGE
The present continuous tense is often used to describe actions happening "now," but there are exceptions where it has different meanings. These exceptions are particularly useful in describing future plans, temporary situations, annoying habits, and changes over time.

1. Future Arrangements
The present continuous is commonly used to refer to fixed future plans or arrangements, often with a time reference.

Key Time Markers: tomorrow, next week, on Monday, this evening.

Examples:
We are meeting them at 6 PM tomorrow.
She is flying to Paris next week.

2. Temporary or Changing Situations
The present continuous can describe temporary actions or states that are ongoing but not necessarily happening right now.

Examples:
He is working remotely this month.
Prices are rising due to inflation.

3. Annoying or Repeated Habits (with adverbs like "always" or "constantly")
The present continuous is used to express irritation or criticism about repeated actions.

Key Adverbs: always, constantly, forever.

Examples:
She is always complaining about the weather.
You are constantly interrupting me!

4. Gradual Changes or Development
The tense is used to describe actions or situations that are evolving or changing over time.

Examples:
Technology is advancing rapidly.
He is getting better at his job.

5. Polite or Tentative Questions
When asking politely about someone's plans or actions, the present continuous can be used even if the action isn't happening at this exact moment.

Examples:
Are you staying for dinner?
Are you thinking of applying for the position?

6. Unusual or Unexpected Behavior
The present continuous can emphasize actions that deviate from the norm, even if they aren't immediate.

Examples:
You’re so quiet today! What are you thinking about?
He is being unusually generous lately.