Present Simple vs Past Simple — Comprehensive Comparison
Training in comparison
| Present Simple | Past Simple |
|---|
| Afirmativa | I work / She works | I worked / She went |
| Negativa | I don't work / She doesn't work | I didn't work / She didn't go |
| Question | Do you work? / Does she work? | Did you work? / Did she go? |
Marcadores temporales
| Present Simple | Past Simple |
|---|
| every day/week | yesterday, last week |
| always, usually, often | ago (2 years ago) |
| in the morning (routine) | in 2020, when I was young |
| today (if usual) | this morning (it's already happened) |
golden rule
- Present Simple = routines, facts, truths, habits → I eat breakfast at 7.
- Past Simple = actions completed in the past → I ate breakfast at 7 yesterday.
Ejemplos lado a lado
- She works in a bank. (works — routine) vs She worked in a bank. (worked — not anymore)
- He goes to the gym every day. vs He went to the gym yesterday.
- Water boils at 100°C. (done) vs The water boiled yesterday. (passed)
💡 When there is a past marker (yesterday, last week, ago), use past simple.