Comparison of Tenses
Past Simple vs. Past Progressive Past Simple describes a complete action in the past. Past Progressive describes the event in progress, at some time between its beginning and its end.
Present Perfect (simple) vs. Present Perfect Progressive (1) When no time reference is given in the sentence – Present Perfect describes completed actions while Present Perfect Progressive describes the activity. When time reference is given, both tenses can be used to describe an activity that started in the past and continues up to the present and possibly into the future
Present Perfect (simple) vs. Present Perfect Progressive (2) Present Perfect is used for repeated actions, permanent situations and the focus of the action is on present results Present Perfect Progressive implies duration of the action, the focus of the action is on the activity and it is also used for temporary situations
Present Perfect (simple) vs. Past Simple Past Simple is used with exact time reference, it has no present relevance and it implies finished time and finished state/action Present Perfect is used when no time reference is given, it has present relevance and it may imply unfinished time and unfinished state/action
Future Progressive vs. will future will future expresses intention, belief, hope, assumption, request, promise and willingness Future Progressive indicates a future action in progress but does not express intention or willingness
Future Progressive vs. Present Progressive Present Progressive describes arranged (pre-planned) future actions Future Progressive can be used for planned actions in the future that are relevant to the main future event in the sentence. It is not used when the plan is introduced for the first time.