RULE: Use the Present Progressive to represent an action that is progress. Use the Simple Present for actions that repeat, like routines and habits. Adverbs of frequency like every day, often, sometimes, and never indicate that an action repeats, so you should use the Simple Present.

INCORRECT: Every day, I am doing my homework.
CORRECT: Every day, I do my homework.

Many English Second Language learners understand the difference between past, present and future tenses, but they struggle to understand the difference between the simple, progressive, perfect progressive and perfect aspects. What is the difference between the following sentences?

1. I work.
2. I am working.
3. I have been working.
4. I have worked.

Do you know the difference?

The effect of aspect on meaning on English verbs

Answer:

1. I work. The Simple Aspect emphasizes that an activity is normal and routine.
2. I am working. The Progressive Aspect emphasizes that an activity is temporary and in-progress.
3. I have been working. The Perfect Progressive Aspect emphasizes that the activity was recently finished or interrupted.
4. I have worked. The Perfect Aspect can express a past event to emphasize its present consequences.

Common Errors

• My brother is usually playing video games.
• I live here since I am born.
• I am working here for 4 years.
• After the party, while I was sleeping I’ve been dreaming about something wrong.

Aspect Error Practice Exercises

1. Practice finding aspect errors #1.
   Practice correcting aspect errors #1.
2. Practice finding aspect errors #2.
   Practice correcting aspect errors #2.
3. Practice finding aspect errors #3.
   Practice correcting aspect errors #3.
4. Practice finding aspect errors #4.
   Practice correcting aspect errors #4.

Useful Resources

• The Virtual Writing Tutor, the best online ESL grammar checker.
• Download the Error Correction Card Game
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• Order the Revision Strategies Card from Bokomaru Publications