The present simple and past simple tenses are two fundamental English grammar points, frequently tested in IELTS. To use them accurately without confusion, spend a few minutes reviewing the comparison below!
1. How We Use Present Simple vs Past Simple
Tense | Uses | Example |
|---|---|---|
Present Simple | Describes universal truths, routines, schedules, permanent facts, states, and emotions | The Earth goes around the Sun. I go to church every Sunday. I feel excited before the trip. |
Past Simple | Describes completed actions in the past, repeated past actions, or a sequence of past events | My children came home early last night. Anna came home, took a nap, then had lunch. Helen visited her grandma every weekend when she was unmarried. |
2. Key Time Signals for Each Tense
Present Simple: always, usually, sometimes, rarely, every day/week/month, etc. These often follow to be verbs or auxiliaries.
Past Simple: in the past, yesterday, ago, last week/year, if only, would sooner, etc.
3. Grammar Structures with To Be and Regular Verbs
To Be Verb Conjugations
Tense | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
Present Simple | S + am/is/are + complement | S + am/is/are + not + complement | Am/Is/Are + S + complement? |
Past Simple | S + was/were + complement | S + was/were + not + complement | Was/Were + S + complement? |
Regular Verb Conjugations
Tense | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
Present Simple | S + V(s/es) + object/adverb | S + do/does + not + base verb | Do/Does + S + base verb? |
Past Simple | S + V2/ed + object/adverb | S + did + not + base verb | Did + S + base verb |
4. Rules for Verb Forms
Present Simple: Third Person Singular
Add ‑es to verbs ending in ch, sh, x, s, o (e.g., goes, watches)
Change y to i + es after consonants (e.g., studies, carries)
Irregular case: have becomes has
Otherwise add ‑s
Pronunciation of -s endings:
/s/: after /ð/, /t/, /k/, /p/, /f/
/iz/: after s, z, sh, ch, x, ge
/z/: after vowels and remaining consonants
Past Simple: Regular Verb Forms
Add ‑ed to most verbs (watch → watched)
If verb ends in ‑e, add just ‑d (love → loved)
Double consonants in single‑syllable verbs ending in consonant‑vowel‑consonant (stop → stopped)
For verbs ending in vowel‑y, if preceded by consonant: change y to i + ed (cry → cried)
If preceded by vowel: just add *‑ed (stay → stayed)
Pronunciation of -ed endings:
/id/: after /t/ or /d/
/t/: after ch, s, x, sh, k, f, p
/d/: elsewhere
5. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose Present or Past Simple
Why ... you ... help your sister? – do … help (present), is (present)
They seldom drink alcohol in the forenoon.
My cat sometimes catches a mouse and brings it to the door.
She arrived, checked in, and met everyone.
Last year, I travelled to New York.
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option
Dad didn’t buy an old bike.
I didn’t watch TV last week.
Do you like memes?
Anna left for Hong Kong last year.
Did Jennifer come to the party?
Exercise 3: Spot the Errors
“Vaxilin is a famous goalkeeper...” (corrected am → is)
“Jeni and Lisa don’t go swimming...” (corrected doesn’t)
“How often does he go shopping?” (corrected goes)
“Mr. Alexander taught them when they were freshmen.” (corrected teaching)
“It was May in October, Luca had to take... ” (corrected is having → had)
Conclusion
This detailed comparison between present simple and past simple—along with usage rules, structures, and examples—will strengthen your grammar foundation and support your IELTS preparation.