My notes about some basic tenses
The simple present is something that I do always, like walk, hike, teach, research, etc., while the present continuous is something that I’m doing in this exactly moment, like write this text, by example.
The simple past (or preterite) is something that I did in an exact moment in the past, like buying a book, while the past continuous is something that I was doing in a continuous way but in the past, not now, like play drums, or work at DGK, a Software Company.
However, I don’t understand so good the difference between past continuous and present perfect when the present perfect is simple. I understand that the present perfect is a continuity between the past and the present. I understand that the present perfect is something that I started in the past, I was doing that for a time, and I think (but I’m not sure about this), when is simple, I finished that before talking about that, but when is continuous, I keep doing that while I’m talking about that. By example, I started to think about travel around five months ago. I kept think about travelling. Then, two scenarios are possible:
1. I keep thinking about the travel right now;
2. I’m not thinking about the travel right now because I decided don’t think never more. Now, I want do that travel and I will do it.
In the first case, I suppose that it’s an example of present perfect continuous: I have been thinking about travelling (and I keep thinking yet about that). And, in the second case, I suppose that it’s an example of present perfect (simple): I have thought about travelling (but now, I’m going to travel).
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My notes about some basic tenses
The simple present is something that I do always, like walk, hike, teach, research, etc., while the present continuous is something that I’m doing in this exactly moment, like "I am writing" write this text, for example.
The simple past (or preterite) is something that I did in an exact moment in the past, like buying a book (I bought a book yesterday), while the past continuous is something that I was doing in a continuous way but in the past, not now, like (I used to play drums) play drums, or work at DGK, a Software Company.
However, I don’t understand so well the difference between past continuous and present perfect when the present perfect is simple. I understand that the present perfect is a continuity between the past and the present. I understand that the present perfect is something that I started in the past, I was doing that for a time, and I think (but I’m not sure about this), when is simple, I finished that before talking about that, but when is continuous, I keep doing that while I’m talking about that. For example, I started to think about travel around five months ago. I kept think about travelling. Then, two scenarios are possible:
1. I keep thinking about the travel right now;
2. I’m not thinking about the travel right now because I decided don’t think never more. Now, I want do that travel and I will do it.
In the first case, I suppose that it’s an example of present perfect continuous: I have been thinking about travelling (and I keep thinking yet about that). And, in the second case, I suppose that it’s an example of present perfect (simple): I have thought about travelling (but now, I’m going to travel).
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Thank you so much, @Ernest!
So, in your example, it would be bad to say "I was reading a book every week for a year", right?
If I want to be specific, I should to use "I had read a book every week for a year", or can I use "I was reading ..." too?
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The simple present is something that you generally do. For example: I read books. I speak English. I go to the movies with my friends.
The present continuous is something that you are doing at this very moment: For example: I am reading a book. I am speaking English. I am going to the movies with my friends.
The simple past is an action that you did in the past that is now completed. For example: I read a book. I spoke English. I went to the movies with my friends.
The past continuous is something that you were doing over an extended period of time in the past. For example: I was reading a book. I was speaking English. I was going to the movies with my friends.
The present prefect is something that you start in the past that you are still doing in the present. For example. I have been reading a book. I have been speaking English. I have been going to the movies with my friends.
The structure of the present prefect is "Have + Past Participle"
The past perfect is something you started in the past, you continued to do the activity and now, you no longer do it. For example: I had read a book every week for a year. I had spoken English with my language exchange partner. I had gone to the movies with my friends each week.
The different between the past continuous and the present prefect is that the the past continuous gives no indication that it is an activity that you are currently doing. For example: I was reading a book. I was speaking English. I was going to the movies with my friends. all mean that you were doing these activities in the past but it suggests that you are no longer doing these activities.
The present perfect means that you started the activity in the past and you are still doing the activity.
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