Master English Tenses: Present Continuous & Past Simple

Posted on May 28, 2025 in English and Classical Studies

English and Spanish Present Continuous Examples

Here are some common examples of the Present Continuous tense in English, paired with their Spanish translations:

Present Continuous Practice Sentences

Practice your Present Continuous tense with these sentences:

1. I’m doing my homework in the evening.
2. She’s calling her boyfriend.
3. He’s running in the park.
4. My father is driving the new car.
5. My mom is making a delicious cake.
6. I’m watching The Simpsons.
7. Mary is looking at Billy.
8. Homer isn’t talking to his friends.
9. They’re sitting on the sofa.
10. They aren’t spending time with their friends.
11. Are you having fun?
12. Mr. Cormack is getting up.
13. I’m cooking breakfast.
14. I’m going to work.
15. She’s talking to her mother.
16. They’re playing soccer.
17. I’m not watching videos.
18. Silvia is listening to music.
19. I’m eating an ice cream.
20. You’re reading books.

Past Simple Practice Sentences

Here are more sentences to practice the Past Simple tense:

1. He did the homework.
2. He was playing soccer.
3. She went to Italy.
4. I played in classes.
5. The birthday was.
6. She played with her cousin.
7. We didn’t do the job.
8. They participated in an activity.
9. He ate too.
10. She lost the race.
11. He beat his teammate.
12. The wise Italian.
13. He had a new game.
14. He won many awards.
15. She played basketball in Germany.
16. I walk by the seashore.
17. He was in another country.
18. She went to the beach at night.
19. John went to the cinema to see a horror movie.
20. A child paid for coins outside the bank.
21. I visit my grandparents on Sunday.
22. My cousin called me to leave.
23. A child was crying in the supermarket.
24. He returned to Italy.
25. He flew on a helicopter.
26. We played all afternoon.
27. They didn’t know English.
28. They sang at the theater.
29. I struck a worker.
30. The bathroom was at the beach.
31. She watched TV all afternoon.
32. He gave her a necklace to a friend.
33. I ran in the Olympic Games.
34. They participated in a South American championship.
35. We played in the square.
36. Yesterday it rained in Talca.
37. They saw the work.
38. He read many books in class.
39. We had to write many sentences.
40. They danced in the square.
41. All the test questions were answered.
42. She sold all her toys.
43. I bought many games.
44. He was in France.
45. He played all night.
46. She had to go to her cousin.
47. We went to where some friends were.
48. She cleaned her house.
49. I broke the window.
50. He lost the keys.
51. She lent me a book.
52. I liked the movie last night.
53. He pronounced the words well.
54. You noticed Julia’s new dress.
55. You missed me last week.
56. They arrived this morning.
57. She used the correct word.
58. We waited for you after class.
59. She invited him to her party.
60. I expected to see her yesterday.
61. They received a letter this morning.
62. Yesterday, I had lunch at Mary’s house.
63. Last year I read awesome books.
64. You left me.
65. You took a part of me when you went away.
66. I bought milk and bread at the grocery.
67. Mary washed her car carefully.
68. Mother prepared the meals.
69. Shops and galleries were closed.
70. My car broke down.
71. You were there.
72. I went to university yesterday.
73. We ate pizza last week.
74. They went to school last year.
75. I bought a dress yesterday.
76. They played a football match last week.
77. We studied for the test last week.
78. They drank orange juice yesterday.
79. She went to the supermarket last week.
80. They ate empanadas last weekend.

Past Simple Questions and Short Answers

Practice forming questions and giving short answers in the Past Simple tense:

• Did you go to the supermarket? – Yes, I did / No, I didn’t
• Did he go to the zoo yesterday? – Yes, he did / No, he didn’t
• Did she go shopping last week? – Yes, she did / No, she didn’t
• Did they go to the cinema? – Yes, they did / No, they didn’t