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How would you explain the difference in structure and usage between these tenses to a low-level student?Past simple and past continuouspast simple and present perfectpresent perfect and past perfect

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
How would you explain the difference in structure and usage between these tenses to a low-level student?

Past simple and past continuous
Teach structure with examples, explaining how the tense is formed with the root of the verb.
Show them the conjugation of a simple verb like 'cook'. eg
I cooked dinner I was cooking dinner.
you cooked dinner you were cooking dinner
etc.

But really, you should teach simple past and ensure they are very much OK with it before you even look at past continuous.

Now let me focus on usage.
Begin by explaining that past simple refers to a point in the past. Illustrate this with examples accompanied by a chopping motion of your hand, also by a diagram on the board of the past as a line, and the event as a single dot or point on the line.

Then explain that past continuous refers to a longer period in the past, a period that has 'length'. Illustrate this with examples accompanied by a left to right movement of your hand, and by showing the period as a line above your earlier line on the board that represents the past.

Such diagrams are easily found in many grammar books.

past simple and present perfect I wouldn't even attempt to explain Perfect tenses to a low-level student. In my experience, it just causes considerable confusion.

present perfect and past perfect

Best wishes, Clive

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