A2Verb tense review

A2 verb tense review

Choose among present simple, present continuous, past simple, past continuous, present perfect and common future forms according to time and meaning.

Overview

What this grammar does

Choose among present simple, present continuous, past simple, past continuous, present perfect and common future forms according to time and meaning.

Form and rules

How it works

Identify whether the situation is routine, happening now, finished in the past, connected to now, or future.

Look for time markers, but use the meaning of the whole sentence rather than one word alone.

Use present perfect for unfinished connections to now and past simple for finished past time.

Use continuous forms to show actions in progress or temporary situations.

Choose will, going to or present continuous according to decision, evidence, intention or arrangement.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Use continuous forms to show actions in progress or temporary situations.

Choose will, going to or present continuous according to decision, evidence, intention or arrangement.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

I usually work at home, but today I'm in the office.

We were eating when he called.

I've known her since 2020.

I saw him last Tuesday.

We're meeting the supplier tomorrow.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

She lived here since 2021.

She has lived here since 2021.

Since gives a starting point for a situation that continues now, so use the present perfect.

At eight last night, we had dinner.

At eight last night, we were having dinner.

Eight last night is a point inside an action in progress, so use the past continuous.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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