Native English speakers switch from one tense to another very quickly.
I wanted to help my students speed up their ability to switch so I made this overview showing the nine different verb tenses.
After we look at the verb tense differences, we play Verb Tense Ping Pong, switching rapidly from tense to tense. Students love it: it’s hard but at the same time, it’s fun too – rollercoaster style fun!
From side to side, there is time: present-past-future. From top to bottom, there is aspect: simple-progressive-perfect.
To show how each tense is used, there are easy-to-remember key words and contrasting model sentences which make up a nine sentence story about walking to work.
Verb Tense Ping Pong: by asking students rapid fire questions in different tenses – focusing on just two or three tenses or covering them all – students have to jump quickly from tense to tense in real time.
It helps increase speaking speed, grammatical accuracy and listening skills. Simple topics are best: drive, walk, eat, drink, shop, swim…It’s fast paced but fun too.
For example: the teacher asks…=>Student A Can you drive? Student A: Yes, I can. Did you drive this morning? No, I didn’t. Past Simple
Are you driving right now? No I’m not. Present Progressive Did you drive last Saturday? Yes I did. Past Simple
While you were driving, did you stop at a red light? I stopped at a red light while I was driving. Past Progressive =>Student B Can you drive? Student B: Yes I can.
Has Student A ever driven? Yes, he has. Present Perfect
Are you and Student A driving right now? No, we aren’t. Present Progressive
Do you drive everyday? No I don’t. Present Simple
When do you drive? I drive on weekends. Present Simple
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Advanced Business English Japan 
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