Al presente:  Oggi...

(use the regular present indicative,)

Al passato prossimo:  Ieri...

(use passato prossimo with avere)

I’ll wash (I’m washing) the dishes. lavare

I washed the dishes

I’m putting my keys here. mettere

I put my keys here.

I’m having (taking) a salad. prendere

I had a salad.

I’m trying the wine. provare

I tried the wine

I’m listening to the song. ascoltare

I listened to the song.

I remember the number. ricordare

I remembered the number.

I’m doing the grocery shopping. fare

I did the grocery shopping.

I’m holding the glass. tenere

I held the glass.

I’m helping Cinzia. aiutare

I helped Cinzia.

I see you. vedere

I saw you.

I’m walking. camminare

I walked.

I’m having breakfast. fare colazione

I had breakfast.

Oggi, tu...

Ieri, tu...

Are you looking for the station? cercare

Did you look for the station?

When are you calling Silvio? chiamare

When did you call Silvio?

You sing well. cantare

You sang well.

Are you preparing dinner? preparare

Did you prepare dinner?

Are you opening the door? aprire

Did you open the door?

Are you finding the shoes? trovare

Did you find the shoes?

Are you forgetting something? dimenticare

Did you forget something?

What are you reading? leggere

What did you read?

Do you have something to eat? avere

Did you have something to eat?

What are you studying? studiare

What did you study?

What are you ordering? ordinare

What did you order?