Use which tense in these sentences?

[Waiyin Cheng]

I assume that I have a situation : This morning, Tina worn a white dress and I met her. After a moment (2 or 3 minutes, not too long, and in the morning of the same day) I met my fellow Tom, so in the moment I talked to Tom. I should say "Tina is wearing a white dress today (does it means only today she wears a white dress ? normally she wears black, rad, ...dress -> today special) / Tina worn a white dress (should it be the past tense ? because i met Tina in a few minutes ago) / Tina wears a white dress (should it be present tense because now, she is still wearing it)" which sentences is appropriate in this situation, help me to clarify them please ?

I am so confuse about the way of using of these tense simple/past/simple continuous (I knew the verb tense and structure of all the tenses in English Grammar, but the usage). Could you explain me the usage of them (i just need the explanation of this 3 tenses) ? it will help me using the right tense in the right situation.

One thing, why I cannot use put on (synonym : wear) in continuous tense ? someone told me because it is about the state verb (like, dislike, think, smell, feel....) and action verb (wear). is it right ?

[Alan]

Hi Waiyin Cheng,

To start with, the past simple of 'wear' is 'wore'. Let's go through the tenses using 'wear' as the verb, Tina as the subject and 'dress' as the object:

Tina wears a white dress today (Present Simple) This is an example of the present simple used for example by a fashion commentator who wants you to see what he sees and the use of this tense makes it more immediate.

Tina is wearing a white dress today (Present Continuous) describes what she is wearing now, at this moment.

Tina wore a white dress yesterday (Past Simple) tells you the simple fact that this was the dress she wore on that particular day.

Tina was wearing a white dress yesterday (Past Continuous) suggests that you are going to say more about this because this tense is often used as a background to something else and you could then say: Tina was wearing a white dress yesterday when she went to the part.

Hope that helps

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Waiyin Cheng]

Thanks Mr Alan for correcting the past tense of "wear" . In your comment, the right usage in my situation is "Tina is wearing a white dress today" / "Tina wears a white dress today" ? which one is more naturally for native speaker who wants to say with people about what Tina wears on this day.

one more thing, Can I say : Tina wore a white dress when she went to the park . What is the difference if I use " was wearing" (I mean the meaning that the listener get, does it mean the same ?)

and Mr Alan, it seems you miss my last point Put on vs. wear.

Once again, thank you for your explanation.

[Beeesneees]

I would say that 'Tina is wearing' is the more common expression in this sort of scenario (though that is only based on my instinct).

Tina wore/Tina was wearing are interchangeable. You can use either with the same meaning.

'Tina has put on a white dress today.' is acceptable.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Waiyin Cheng]

Hi, Beeesnees
why so much tenses are appropriate for this situation ? Are they different meaning for the listener when they hear it ?
It would be nice if you could help me out the 2 grammar points left :-) .
Can I say : Tina wore a white dress when she went to the park . What is the difference if I use " was wearing" (I mean the meaning that the listener get, does it mean the same ?)
why I cannot use put on (synonym : wear) in continuous tense ? is it right ?

[Beeesneees]

Please refer to my previous answer:

[Waiyin Cheng]

Thanks Beeesnees.
Can i use like that "She is putting on the white dress" ? is it the same meaning with She is wearing the white dress ?

[Beeesneees]

No.

'She is putting on' the white dress, then she is in the act of dressing at this moment. (present tense)

'She has put on the white dress' means that she is wearing it. (past continuous)

'She put on the white dress' - she may or may not still be wearing it. We don't know without further information. (past tense)
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi,

'She has put on the white dress' uses the present perfect for what she did at some time in the recent past and now she is wearing it (present continuous).

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms