Choosing the Correct Verb Tense

Not Always

Present Continuous Tense

I am eating my dinner right now.

Present Tense for “non-action” verbs

I want some chocolate ice cream.

Future with “will”

I will leave tomorrow

Future with “be going to”

I am going to leave tomorrow.

Future Continuous tense

I will be leaving tomorrow.

Future with Present Continuous tense

I am leaving tomorrow

Future with Present tense

I leave tomorrow.

Facts: Use Simple Past Tense only


I ate my breakfast at 7:00 this morning.

Relationship between two times.

I had eaten my breakfast when my roommate left.

Relationship between events.

I was eating my breakfast when the telephone rang.