./20161121-1819-cet-simple-past-and-simple-present-1.png

  • The screenshot is from Google search.
  • Basically simple present is used for these.
    • Habit.
    • To give instruction.
    • To express arrangement in present or in the future.
    • To express future time.
  • Simple past is used in these situations.
    • Completed action in the past.
    • Series of completed action in the past.
    • Duration in the past. For example, "I lived in Brazil for 2 years.".
    • Past habit.
    • Past fact or generalization that happen in the past.
  • There is also "when clauses happen first", but this is not so relevant for me now.
  • Below are article that explains the usage of simple past, http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepast.html.
  • Below is the full screenshot.

./20161121-1819-cet-simple-past-and-simple-present-2.png

  • Simple present is used in these situations.
    • Repeated actions.
    • Facts or generalizations.
    • Scheduled event in the near future.
    • Thing that happen now.
  • There is also information about adverb placement.
  • Below is an article that shows the usage of simple present, http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.html.
  • Below is the full screenshot.

./20161121-1819-cet-simple-past-and-simple-present-3.png