Sentence structure: Tenses that are easy to mix up

Some pairs of tenses look very similar. Put them side by side and the difference is clear.

Bring the pieces together

In this chapter

One question is enough
For each pair, ask yourself one question: habit or right now? · is the time given? · plan or quick decision? · long action or short event?
Present simple ↔ present continuous
A habit → present simple.
Example: Dad drives to work every day.
Example: Dad is driving right now.
Past simple ↔ present perfect
The time is given (yesterday) → past simple.
Example: I lost my key yesterday.
Example: I have lost my key.
will ↔ going to
A plan made earlier → going to.
Example: We are going to visit Grandpa on Sunday.
Example: The phone is ringing!
Past simple ↔ past continuous
Long action in progress → was reading; short event → went out.
Example: I was reading when the lights went out.
Example: I read a book and went to bed.
Tip
Look at the signal words: yesterday, last week, ago → past simple (not the present perfect). now, Look! → present continuous. every day, usually → present simple.

Position 9 of 9 chapters at B1.