Verb Tenses, Timelines & Aspect Rules

Mastering verb tenses is fundamental for both CEnT grammar questions and cloze passages.

• Past Simple vs Present Perfect:
• Past Simple (finished time): "She visited Milan *in 2023*." (specific completed time expression).
• Present Perfect (unfinished time / experience): "She *has lived* in Italy *since* 2021." (action continuing to present).
• Time Markers:
• *since* + starting point ("since 2018", "since Monday").
• *for* + duration ("for 5 years", "for two months").
• Past Continuous Interruption: "I *was studying* when the phone *rang*."

1. Locate time adverbs or temporal prepositions.
2. Determine if the action is finished or connects to the present.
3. Select the matching verb tense and auxiliary form.