In this lesson, we will learn about tenses. The most difficult part in the English language is understanding how tenses work in both writing and spoken English. There are four tenses: simple, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous. They each have present, past and future forms. Today, we will look at simple and continuous tenses:

First, we have Simple Tenses:

The present simple tense describes a general truth or an action.

• Example: I jog every morning (action)
• Example: The sun rises in the East (general truth)

The past simple tense describes an event that started and ended in the past.

• Example: I jogged yesterday afternoon.

The future simple tense describes an action you will do in the future.

• Example: I will jog tomorrow afternoon.

Second, we have Continuous Tenses:

The present continuous tense describes an event that is happening right now.

• Example: I am jogging in the park. 

The past continuous tense describes an event that was going on in the past when another event happened. This is often used to describe two or more events occurring at the same time.

• Example: I was jogging in the park when I heard fireworks going off.

The future continuous tense describes an event that will occur in the future over a time period or at a given point in time.

• Example: I will be jogging in the park at 10 a.m.