Formation of Simple Present Tense

Subject + Verb + Complement

Affirmative Form
I speak English.

Subject + Don't / Doesn't + Verb + Complement

Negative Form
I don't speak English.

Do / Does + Subject + Verb + Complement ?

Question Form
Do you speak English?

Don't / Doesn't + Subject + Verb + Complement ?

Negative Question Form
Don't you speak English?

The third person singular (he, she, it) is usually formed by adding -S to the root of the
verb. Sometimes -ES is added. -S, -ES and IES are added in positive sentences.

a. Hamid listens to music every night.

Affirmative

I walk
You walk We walk
He walks You walk
She walks They walk
It walks
b. He rarely watches TV.
c. She usually takes the train to work.

Uses of Simple Present Tense

1. To show a habit
We drink coffee every morning.

2. To express a general truth

Water boils at 100 degrees.

3. To express an action with a future time expression

I leave tomorrow.

Negative
I don't cry
You don't cry We don't cry
He doesn't cry You don't cry
She doesn't cry They don't cry
It doesn't cry

Example Sentences

1. We buy a newspaper every Sunday.

2. He doesn't visit his father.
3. Does she lie to her mother?
4. My sister works at the theater.
5. The boss gives us a lot of work to do.
6. Marry and Lucas don't play fairly.
7. Do you like to read comic books?
8. They spend a lot of money.

PASADO SIMPLE

I saw the manager a few minutes ago.

In the seventeenth century Europe, there were many problems.
When questioned about the latest events, the minister gave very little away.

We use the past simple for situations that existed for a period of time in the
past but not now.

When I was at high school, I played soccer. (used to play)

The teacher at high school was very strict. He severely punished any misbehaving
students.

When, while, after, before, as we should pay attention to tense agreement

in sentences with time clauses.

He always ---- at me, before he ---- to me.

a) shouts / listens
b) shouted / listened
c) had shouted / listens
d) shouts / listened

It ---- almost midnight now, we ---- out.

a) is / would
b) is / will go
c) was / would go
d) was / will go

We can also use for with simple past tense.

I stayed in Canada for 6 months.

I had stayed in Canada for 6 months before I came back.

In some cases simple past doesnt refer to past actions.

It is high (about) time, somebody did something (It has a present meaning)

Its time you found a decent job.

Its time to find a decent job.
Its time you gave up smoking. (to give up)

Its time you ---- and ---- realistic.

a) grow up / became
b)grew up / become
c)have grown up / become
d)grew up / became

It was time you had started (start) studying.

If Clause

If someone did something / someone could do something (present meaning)(would)

If I went shopping, I would buy some bread.

Even if I knew the answer, I wouldnt tell you.

Wish Clause

I wish you worked with us. (but you dont)

I wish we were in Miami lying on the beach.

As if / As though (pretend to be)

She speaks as if she was an expert.(she is not)
I feel as though the world turned round me.(it doesnt)
She speaks as if she is an expert.(I believe she is)

Would Rather sb did sth = Wish Clause

I would rather you smoked less.

I wish you smoked less.

Time expressions used with simple past:

four hours / two days / three weeks ago

I saw Jack yesterday then he disappeared.
Last night / year / week
in + past time (In June, in 1986)
Yesterday
the day before

I ---- the holiday enormously. Although the weather ---- disappointing.

a)enjoy / would have been

b)enjoy / is
c)enjoyed / was
d) had enjoyed / had been
e)have enjoyed / was

FUTURO SIMPLE

USAGE:

We use "Will" future tense for

1. Prediction (The things that we think will happen in the future)

My grandfather will be sixty years old two days later.

I think it wont rain tomorrow.
My son will start school when hes 6.
Doris moved to another country. Youll never see her again.
Fortune Teller: You will marry a millionaire.
"Will" is often used with verbs such as "think, know, believe, suppose, expect, hope, be
sure, be afraid, wonder" etc.

I think Ill pass the exam.

I expect theyll come to my birthday party this evening.
I hope things will improve soon.

2. The actions that we decide to do now, at the moment of speaking

I am hungry. Ill have a toast.

A: What would you like to drink?

B: Ill have coke , please.

A: The phone is ringing.

B: Ok. Ill answer it.

3. Offers

Your luggage looks very heavy. Ill help you with it.
You dont have a car. I will take you to the airport.

4. Promises

Thank you for giving me your book. Ill give it back to you next week.
Well find the right job for you. Dont worry!
I will come home before nine, dad.
I promise, I wont tell anybody your secret.

5. In newspaper and news broadcast for announcements of future plans

The Minister will return from Ireland next week.

The political parties will meet at the parliament next Friday.
The Prime Minister will open the new hospital on Monday.

6. To express a willingness, or unwillingness to carry out a future action

I will do my best with the "future tense" quiz tomorrow.
He wont drive in snow or fog.

7. In requests and to tell people what to do.

Will you pass me salt, please?

The baby is sleeping. Will you please be quite?

NOTE: "Wont" and the contraction of "will not" have two meanings.

Sarah will not be at home today.(negative future)

Sarah wont eat this meal. (Refusal)

Formation of Present Progressive Tense

Subject + am / is / are + Verb (ing) + Complement

Affirmative Form
I am learning English right now.

Subject + am not / isn't / aren't + Verb (ing) +

Complement
Negative Form
I am not learning French right now.

Am / is / are + Subject + Verb (ing) + Complement

Question Form
Is he going to work?

Am...not / isn't / aren't + Subject + Verb (ing) +

Negative Complement
Question
Am I not coming with you to the mall?

Quick Exercise

Fill in the blanks using present progressive tense.

1. Look! it (rain)
is raining

2. They (watch) the news on TV.

3. The birds (fly) to South.

4. Matt (wait) for the bus.

5. The chef (not cook)anything today.

6. What Helen (do) at the moment?

Forming present continuous

subject + am/is/are + V ing.

I am studying.
Tom is working.
The children are playing.

Forming past continuous tense

subject + was/were +V -ing.

I was studying.
Tom was working.
The children were playing.

PDF Exercises: Past Continuous 1 / Past Continuous 2

AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENTS NEGATIVE STATEMENTS

Past
Subjec Base Form of Past Tense of Base Form of
Tense of Subject
t Verb +Ing Be + Not Verb +Ing
Be

I I
He He was not
was working. working.
She She (wasn't)
It It

We We
were not
You were working. You working.
(weren't)
They They
Yes / No Questions

YES/NO QUESTIONS

Past Tense Base For of Short Answers Short Answers

Subject
of Be Verb + Ing Affirmative Negative

I I I
he he he was not
Was working? Yes. was No.
she she she (waasn't)
it it it

we we we
were not
Were you working? you were you
(weren't)
they they they

Example Sentences

I was studying chemistry last night.

In 1992 we were living in Cuba.
Today shes wearing a blue dress, but yesterday she was wearing a black one.
Jimmy wasnt working very hard.
The players were not playing well.
When the phone rang I was cleaning the windows.
I fell asleep while I was reading a book.
He was driving fast when the accident happened.

Were you watching television when I called you?

No, I wasnt. I was listening to music.

Was it raining when you left the house?

No, it wasnt. It was sleeting when I left the house.

Punctuation and Order

We can change the order of the two parts of a sentence containing a continuous action
(main clause). When we begin with the main clause, we do not use a comma (,)
between the two parts. When we begin with the time clause, we add a comma (,)
between the two parts.

I was walking along the beach when it started to rain.

When it started to rain, I was walking along the beach.

Jonathan arrived while I was sleeping.

While I was sleeping, Jonathan arrived.

My father arrived as my mother was cooking.

As my mother was cooking, my father arrived.

It started to rain just as we were coming out of the building.

As we were coming out of the building, it started to rain.

TIME EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY USED WITH THE PAST CONT:

As we were playing, it started to rain.

While we were playing, it started to snow.
This time yesterday we were playing basketball.
All last night they were traveling through Anatolia.
We were having dinner between seven and eight yesterday evening.
It was raining at noon yesterday.
I was not visiting the museum at ten yesterday. I was visiting the castle then.

Time expressions:

tomorrow (morning, afternoon, night)

next (week, month, year)
later
soon
again
in
this time tomorrow

Forming Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + will + be + verb (ing)....

Affirmative Form
We will be studying for the exam.

Subject + won't + be + verb (ing)...

Negative Form
We won't be playing games.
 Will + subject + be + verb (ing)...?
Question Form
Will you be driving?

Won't + subject + be + verb (ing)...?

Negative Question
Won't we be working on the project?

More Examples

a. This time next tomorrow, they will be moving to Chicago.

b. This time next month, they will be taking the final exam.
c. Tomorrow morning at the same time, I will be waiting for you.
d. Next month at this time, you will be working at the company.
e. When we reach Alaska, it will probably be snowing.
f. This time next year, Herman will be attending Stanford.

Also See:

Simple Future Tense

Present Continuous Tense

Quick Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the future continuous tense form of the verbs in
brackets.

1. We (watch) the football match when you come

w ill be w atching

back.
2. I don't know what they (do) when we get there.

3. I (shop) all day tomorrow.

4. What (do) this time tomorrow?

5. I (not sleep) at midnight. I want to go out tonight.

Forming Present Perfect

We use the past participle (verb3) of verbs to form the present perfect tense. The past
participle of regular verbs is formed in the same way as in the past tense.
See Irregular Verbs for a list of present, past and past participle forms of irregular
verbs.

Subject + have / has + verb3 + complement

Affirmative Form
She has found her book.

Subject + haven't / hasn't + verb3 + complement

Negative Form
She hasn't found her book.

Have / Has + subject + verb3 + complement ?

Question Form
Has she found her book?

Haven't / Hasn't + subject + verb3 + complement ?

Negative Question
Hasn't she found her book?

Use of Present Perfect

1) We use present perfect for a past action whose time is not mentioned and
has a relation to the present. We are not interested in its time but the action
itself.

I have never been to London.

I have read Hamlet.
I have never seen a famous person.
Have you ever played chess?
She has seen the Golden Gate Bridge.

NOTE: The question word when is only used with Past Simple. We cannot use it with
Present Perfect.

When did you arrive? (When have you arrived?)

See Present Perfect vs Simple Past Exercise

Present Perfect vs Simple Past Exercise 2

2) We often use present perfect tense for actions which happened in the past
and that have an effect or a result in the present.

Ive washed my hair.(My hair is wet now)

The party has finished. (The house is untidy )
Oh no! You have broken your arm. (His arm is in plaster)
The teacher has just gone out. (The teacher is not here)
Rabia has cut her finger. (Her finger is bleeding)

3) We use it for an action which began in the past and is still happening now.

I have seen him this morning. ( It is still morning )

My grandparents have lived in Florence for sixty years. (They are still living in
Florence.)
Have you been busy this month? ( It is still the same month )

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SINCE and FOR

We can use the present perfect tense with for and since to talk about actions and
events that take place in a period of time from the past until now.
Since For Usage and Exercises

Present Perfect With JUST / YET / ALREADY

Also See:

Ever Never Just Already Yet

Present Perfect Exercise with Just / Have / Yet

JUST: The adverb just is used with the present perfect tense to tell a recently
completed action. Just comes after the auxiliary verb have/has. This combination is
used chiefly in the affirmative, though the interrogative from is possible. It isnt
normally used in the negative.

The teacher has just gone out.(She went out a few minutes ago)
The bus has just arrived.
Has he just gone out? Yes, he has.
Mr.Trick has just finished the cake.

ALREADY: The adverb already is used when something has happened before we
expected. Already comes after the auxiliary verb have/has. We use already in
affirmative.

Ive already written a letter to my friend.

Shes already finished her homework.
The policemen have already arrested the thief.
YET: The adverb yet is used when we are expecting something to happen but it
hasnt happened. Yet comes to the end of the clause. We use yet in the negative
sentences and in questions.

Mrs. Roberts hasnt replied to my letter yet. (She hasnt replied but she will).

Gone vs Been

Look at the difference between these two sentences.

George has been to Spain. -> Hes now at home again.

George has gone to Spain. -> Hes in Spain now.

He has been: He has finished his trip and turned back home.

He has gone: He has begun his trip.

Look at this example in order to see the difference more clearly.

A: Wheres Julie?
B: Shes away. Shes gone to Paris.

Julie has gone to Paris. -> She is in Paris now.

Two weeks later:

Adam: Hello, Julie!

Julie: Hello, Ive been on holiday. Ive been to Paris.

Julie has been to Paris -> She went to Paris but now shes back.

Forming Past Perfect Tense

Subject + had + verb3 + complement

Affirmative Form
He had left the office

Subject + hadn't + verb3 + complement

Negative Form
He hadn't left the office.

Had + subject + verb + complement ?

Question Form
Had he left the office?
 Hadn't + subject + verb3 + complement ?
Negative Question
Hadn't he left the office?

Examples

His customers had waited outside until Mark came to the shop.

Customers were already outside when Mark arrived to the shop. Act of waiting
occurred before Mark's arrival.

The train had just left when I got to the station.

The train left and a few minutes later I got to the station.

Hint:

Use the Past Perfect Tense after 'AFTER'

Use the Past Perfect Tense before 'BEFORE'

She had cooked dinner before I got home.

I got home after she had cooked dinner.

Exercise

Complete the following sentences using the past perfect tense form of the
verbs in brackets.

1. We ---- (not see) Mrs. Janker before she went to London.

hadn't seen

2. The plane ---- (depart) when I got to the airport.

3. Adams ---- (already finish) typing when I arrived at the office.

4. I suddenly realized that I ---- (meet) her at school.

5. Oliver ---- (not have) a cup of coffee before he came to our table.
6. Had you ---- (just turn out) the lights when she woke up?

7. Chuck ---- (not put) my name into the list yet when I last saw him.

8. I ---- (buy) a new camera before I went to England.

9. I started the machine after I ---- (have) my lunch.

We use the future perfect tense to show that an action will take place, or will be
completed before another action or time in the future.

Time Expressions

by then then

by that time the end of this year

by next year next year

tomorrow in two month

I will have graduated by the time you start school.

Our car will have done 20,000 miles by the end of the year.

Formation of Future Perfect Tense

Subject + will + have + verb3 + complement.

Affirmative Form
He will have finished the project by tomorrow.

Subject + won't + have + verb3 + complement.

Negative Form
He won't have finished the project by tomorrow.

Will + subject + have + verb3 + complement ?

Question Form
Will he have finished the project by tomorrow?

Negative Question Won't + subject + have + verb3 + complement?

 Won't he have finished the project by tomorrow?

Examples

By this time next week, I will have received my diploma.

When will he have written your book? In six months?
She will have prepared the breakfast before we come back from swimming.
By the end of next week, Mr. Ross will have finished my new dress.
By the end of today Matt and Loyd will have stayed there for 48 hours.

Forming Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + have / has + been + verb(ing)...

Affirmative Form
I have been waiting for the train.

Subject + haven't / hasn't + been + verb(ing)...

Negative Form
I haven't been waiting for the train.

Have / has + subject + been + verb(ing)...?

Question Form
Has she been watching TV?

Haven't / hasn't + subject + been + verb(ing)...

Negative Question
Haven't they been looking for Victoria?

More Examples

a. The poor man has been waiting at the corner for an hour.
b. I have been practicing the piano for twenty minutes.
c. How long have you been learning English?
c. How long have you been living in this city?
e. The students have been waiting for the results.
f. Henry has been watching TV since seven o'clock.
Quick Exercise

Complete the following sentences using the present perfect continuous tense
form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Mrs. Rose (teach) English for ten years.

has been teaching

2. Her grandma (talk) for three hours.

3. A little boy (stand) at the door since noon.

4. I want to help Kelly. She (not work) for months.

5. A strange man (follow) us for hours.

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Tense
6. The baby (cry) for fifteen minutes.

7. How long (Dan drive)?

8. (you watch) me?

Forming Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + had + been + verb(ing)...

Affirmative Form
I had been studying English.

Subject + hadn't + been + verb(ing)...

Negative Form
I hadn't been living in poverty.

Had + subject + been + verb(ing)...?

Question Form
Had she been sleeping?

Hadn't + subject + been + verb(ing)...

Negative Question
Hadn't they been waiting for you?
More Examples

a. The old man had been sleeping on the corner until you came.
b. I had been practicing the violin before my dad arrived.
c. How long had you been learning English before you moved to USA?
d. The students had been waiting for the results until yesterday.
e. Henry had been watching TV before you called him.

Quick Exercise

Complete the following sentences using the present perfect continuous tense
form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Mrs. Sally (teach) English for thirty years before she retired.
had been teaching

2. My grandpa (sleep) for three hours when I woke him up.

3. A young boy (stand) at the door until a policeman arrived.

4. Daniel (not work) for months before he was offered a management

position.
5. My father (try) to fix the broken pipe for an hour before we

eventually called a plumber.

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Tense
6. The baby (cry) for fifteen minutes before her mother heard her cry.

7. How long (Dan drive)before he fell asleep and had an

accident?
8.How long (you teach) before you were offered this position?

Forming Future Perfect Continuous Tense

 Subject + will + have + been + verb(ing)...
Affirmative Form
I will have been cooking for three years by 2018.

Subject + will not / won't + have + been +

verb(ing)...
Negative Form
I won't have been living here by 2019.

Will + subject + have + been + verb(ing)...?

Question Form
Will she have been sleeping for an hour by 5?

Won't + subject + have + been + verb(ing)...

Negative
Question Won't they have been wokring for us for a year by
next year?

More Examples

a. Mr. Anderson will have been attending our course for a year by 2006.
b. I will have been practicing the piano for two years by 2007.
c. How long will you have been learning English by 2010?
c. How long will you have been living in this city by 2010?
e. My friends will have been cooking for an hour by the time we arrive.
f. Sam will have been living with us for five years by 2010.

Quick Exercise

Complete the following sentences using the Future Perfect Continuous Tense
form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Neo (attend)our class for two years by 2021.

w ill have been attendin

2. My brother (sleep) for three hours by noon.

3. Jack (watch) TV for five hours by the time my father comes.

4. Eli (not travel) for months by the time she is

paid.
5. Two young athletes (work out) for hours by the time one of them

finally gives up.

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Tense
6. They (play) for three hours by noon.

7. (you waiting) for me?

En ingls hay varias maneras de formar las oraciones correctamente y lo ideal es comprobar
qu estructuras se pueden utilizar y familiarizarse con ellas para ponerlas en prctica
eficientemente.

La oracin afirmativa en ingls se construye de acuerdo con la siguiente estructura:

Sujeto + Verbo + Objeto Directo

I + eat + cake
You + want + help
We + had + a car

En la oracin negativa el auxiliar se sita antes del verbo principal:

Sujeto + Auxiliar negacin + Verbo + Objeto Directo

I + dont + eat + cake
You + dont + want + help
We + didnt + have + a car

En la oracin interrogativa el auxiliar se sita al comienzo de la misma:

Auxiliar + Sujeto + Verbo + Objeto Directo ?

Do + I + eat + cake ?
Do + you + want + help ?
Did + we + have + a car ?

Otros complementos de la oracin como lugar, tiempo, entre otros, se pueden situar al
final de la misma:
I eat cake at dinnertime.
You want help for your homework.
We had last year.

Usualmente el complemento de lugar se coloca antes del complemento de tiempo:

I eat cake at home at dinnertime.

You want help for your project at work tomorrow.
We had a car at home last year.

Cuando hay adverbios en las oraciones se suelen situar delante del verbo en las formas
simples, y entre el auxiliar y el verbo principal en las formas compuestas (hay numerosas
excepciones):

I always eat cake at home.

I have always eaten cake at home.
You never want help.
You have never wanted help.