English Grammar Guide

Be: The Present Simple Tense vs The Past Simple Tense

Usage - Be: Present Simple vs Past Simple

We use the verb be with nouns, adjectives and prepositions.

BE + NOUN
BE + ADJECTIVE
BE + PREPOSITION

We use the verb be in the present simple for facts and routines.

We use the verb be in the past simple for actions in the past that are finished.

The Present Simple:
SUBJECT + am/are/is ...
+ ROUTINE
... now
+ FACT
The Past Simple:
SUBJECT + was/were ...
... last week
... last Monday
... 2 years ago
... in 2010
... yesterday

Grammar - Be: Present Simple vs Past Simple

The Present Simple:
I + am
You/We/They + are
He/She/It + is
The Past Simple:
I/He/She/It + was
You/We/They + were

Examples - Be: The Present Simple Tense

SUBJ.	BE	...

I	am	a doctor.
You	are	happy.
He	is	at work.
She	is	in London.
It	is	a book.
We	are	in the library.
They	are	busy.

Examples - Be: The Past Simple Tense

SUBJ.	BE	...	TIME PHRASE

I	was	a student	in 2005.
You	were	good	yesterday.
He	was	at work	last Monday.
She	was	in Boston	2 days ago.
It	was	a good game	yesterday.
We	were	in the library	earlier.
They	were	busy	last month.

Symbols & Abbreviations

SUBJ.	Subject

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English Grammar Guide

Be: The Present Simple Tense vs The Past Simple Tense

Usage - Be: Present Simple vs Past Simple

Grammar - Be: Present Simple vs Past Simple

Examples - Be: The Present Simple Tense

Examples - Be: The Past Simple Tense

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See Also

01) Be in the Present Simple Tense: am/are/is

02) The Present Simple Tense: Be vs Verbs

03) Be in the Past Simple Tense: was/were

04) Be: Negatives in the Past Simple Tense

05) Be: Open Questions in the Past Simple Tense

06) Be: Closed Questions & Short Answers in the Past Simple Tense

07) The Past Simple Tense: Regular Verbs

08) The Past Simple Tense: Verbs vs Be

English Grammar Guide

Be: The Present Simple Tense vs The Past Simple Tense

Usage - Be: Present Simple vs Past Simple

Grammar - Be: Present Simple vs Past Simple

Examples - Be: The Present Simple Tense

Examples - Be: The Past Simple Tense

Test your knowledge: Start the quiz

Do you need more practice on the topic of "Be: The Present Simple Tense vs The Past Simple Tense"? Get our app, English Grammar Star, for Android & iOS.

See Also

01) Be in the Present Simple Tense: am/are/is

02) The Present Simple Tense: Be vs Verbs

03) Be in the Past Simple Tense: was/were

04) Be: Negatives in the Past Simple Tense

05) Be: Open Questions in the Past Simple Tense

06) Be: Closed Questions & Short Answers in the Past Simple Tense

07) The Past Simple Tense: Regular Verbs

08) The Past Simple Tense: Verbs vs Be

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