Present Simple

The Present Simple is the most basic tense in the English language. It is an interesting
tense because it can be used to express the future. Generally, though, we use it to
describe the present activities or to talk about routines or habits.

Use
Use 1: Facts, Generalizations and Univeral Truths
We use the Present Simple to talk about universal truths (for example, laws of nature)
or things we believe are, or are not, true. It's also used to generalize about something
or somebody.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celcius. Universal Truth
It is a big house. Fact
The Earth goes around the Sun. Universal Truth, Fact
Dogs are better than cats. Generalization
Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Fact
The Elephant doesn't fly. Fact
London is the capital city of France. Fact (Remember: the sentence does not have to be
true)
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a scientist who says: "The Earth goes around the Sun".
Why is the Present Simple used in this sentence? Because the scientist expresses
a fact, something that he believes is true (in this case, he is right: the Earth really
orbits the Sun).
Use 2: Habits and Routines
We also use this tense to describe actions that happen frequently. For example: habits,
routines, tendencies.
We leave for work at 7:30 AM every morning. Routine
My husband watches the TV in the evening. Habit, Routine
Susan often meets with her friends after school. Habit, Routine
They usually play football on Sunday. Habit, Routine
Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother. Tendency
Pinocchio usually tells lies. Tendency
Adverbs of Frequency
The Present Simple is often used with the frequency adverbs:
always
frequently/often
usually
seldom/rarely
nowadays
never
every week/year
sometimes/occasionally
from time to time
every now and then
A few examples how to use them in sentences:
I always go to church on Sundays.
 I never eat anything after 10 PM.

Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a boy who says: "I play basketball every Friday" (click on
the present button to see this).
Why is Present Simple? Because the boy talks about a habit, something that he
does regularly.

Use 3: Pernament Situations

Use the Present Simple to talk about situations in life that last a relatively long time.
I live in Boston
He works as a fireman.
Margaret drives a Volkswagen.
Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.
Use 4: Events Certain to Happen
Use the Present Simple when an event is certain to happen in the future.
My grandmother turns 100 this July.
Winter starts on December 21.
Use 5: State Verbs
You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.
I like swimming.
We know this man.

Use 6: Future Arrangements

Use the Present Simple to talk about events that we can't change (for example, an
official meeting or a train departure).
The meeting starts at 4 PM.
The train leaves at the noon.
When does the plane take off?
Jerry doesn't teach maths at high school.
Use 7: Narrations, Instructions or commentaries
The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke), instructions
(e.g. cooking) or commentaries (especially sport commentaries).
"A man goes to visit a friend and is amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. He
watches the game in astonishment for a while [...]"
Read more

Form
Forming a sentence in the Present Simple is easy. To form a declarative sentence, all
you need is the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog) and the verb
(e.g. be, talk, swim). Questions and negative sentences are only a little more difficult,
because they require an auxiliary verb.

Declarative Sentences

Subject Verb (present form)

+
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc.
 Questions

Do or Does Subject Verb (present form)

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc.

Compare these examples:

Person A: Does she like going to the mountains?
Person B: Yes, she does.
Person A: Does John have a dog?
Person B: No, he doesn't.
When asking a question, the verb does not conjugate:
Does she have a dog?
Does she has a dog?
For the verb "to be", we do not use an auxiliary:
Is he tall?
oes he be tall?

EXAMPLES USE (CLICK TO READ)

Is he a lawyer? 1

Does Mike go swimming every Sunday? 2

Does she live in London? 3

Do you turn 40 in April? 4

Negative Sentences

Subject Don't or Doesn't Verb (present form)

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc.

Present Continuous

The Present Continuous is mainly used to express the idea that something is
happening at the moment of speaking. The Present Continuous also describes
activities generally in progress (not at the moment). Another use of the tense is to talk
about temporary actions or future plans.
Use 1: Present Actions
Most often, we use the Present Continuous tense to talk about actions happening at the
moment of speaking.
 He is eating a dinner.
Mary is talking with her friends.
They are swimming in the pool.

Stative (State) Verbs

There is a certain group of verbs that usually does not appear in the Continuous form.
They are calledStative (State) Verbs, and if used in the Continuous form, they have a
different meaning.
Examples:
I think you look pretty today. meaning: Opinion
I'm thinking of moving to San Francisco. meaning: Act of thinking
Read more

Use 2: Temporary Actions

This tense is also used for activities continuing only for a limited period of time.
I'm riding a bike to get to work because my car is broken. Temporary Action (His car
will soon be repaired)
They are not talking with each other after the last argument. Temporary Action (They
will soon make up)
Mary is working at McDonald's. Temporary Action (She is working there only during the
summer holidays)
Use 3: Longer Actions in Progress
We also use the Present Continuous when we are in the middle of doing something
time-consuming (i.e. something that takes time to complete). An example of such an
activity is writing a book, saving money or studying for an exam.
They are working hard to earn money.
I am training to become a professional footballer.
Mike is studying hard to become a doctor.
Elizabeth is currently writing a children's book titled I am the World.

Explanation
In this cartoon, you can a man who says: "I'm writing an adventure book".
Why is the Present Continuous tense used in this example? Click on the buttons
located on the Timeline to see the other scenes. You will find out that Alex (the writer)
was writing the book a month ago, two months ago and four months ago. Clearly, it's a
longer action in progress.
Use 4: Future (Personal) Arrangements and Plans
Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to show that something is planned and will
be done in the near future.
I'm meeting Katie in the evening.
He's flying to Rome in September.
We're not going anywhere tomorrow.
Use 5: Tendencies and Trends
This tense is also used for expressing tendencies or trends.
Our country is getting richer.
 The Internet is becoming less of a novelty.
The Universe is expanding.
Use 6: Irritation or Anger
And the last use of this tense is to express irritation or anger over somebody or
something in the present with adverbs such as: always, continually or contantly.
She is continually complaining about everything!
Johny is always asking stupid questions!
My boss is contantly critising me!

Form

Declarative Sentences

Subject IS/ARE Verb + ING

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.

EXAMPLES USE (CLICK TO READ)

I am reading a book. 1

They are swimming in the sea. 1

I am having my first driving lesson this week. 4

He's studying to become lawyer one day 3

She is always asking me stupid questions. 5

Questions

IS/ARE Subject Verb + ING

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.

Negative Sentences

Subject IS NOT / ARE NOT Verb + ING

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.
 Present Perfect

The Present Perfect is used to express actions that happened at an indefinite time or
that began in the past and continue in the present. This tense is also used when an
activity has an effect on the present moment.

Use
Use 1: Indefinite time before now
Use the Present Perfect to talk about actions that happened at some point in the past.
It does not matter when exactly they happened.
I have already had a breakfast.
He has been to England.
Remember

You should not use this tense with time expressions like yesterday, a week ago, last
year, etc.
Use 2: Effect on the present moment
We also use this tense to when an activity has an effect on the present moment.
He has finished his work. (so he can now rest)
I have already eaten the dinner. (so I'm not hungry)
He has had a car accident. (that's why he is in the hospital)

Use 3: Continuation in the present

We often use the Present Perfect when we want to emphasize that an event continues
in the present.
Mary has worked as a teacher for over 25 years.
Patrick has achieved a lot in his life.

For and Since

Since and For are very common time expressions used with the Present Perfect.
We use For with a period of time, for example:
I have lived here for 20 years.
When talking about a starting point, we use Since, for example:
I have lived here since 1960.
More about time expressions.

Form
 Subject HAS/HAVE Verb (past participle form)
+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. gone, taken, done, etc.

Questions

HAS/HAVE Subject Verb (past participle form)

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. gone, taken, done, etc.

Negative Sentences

HAS NOT / HAVE Verb (past participle

Subject
NOT form)
+ +
e.g. he, she, a
e.g. gone, taken, done, etc.
dog, etc.

Past Simple

We use the Past Simple to talk about actions that happened at a specific time in the
past. The actions can be short or long. There can be a few actions happening one ofter
another.
Use 1: Past actions that are now finished
The first use of the Past Simple to express actions that happened at a specific time in
the past. The actions can be short or long.
John cut his finger last week. short
I went to college 3 years ago. long
He ate the dinner 1 hour ago. short
I slept well last night. long
Use 2: Situation in the past
Another use of this tense is talk about situations in the past.
I lived in New York for 10 years (I don't live there anymore).
Use 3: A series of actions in the past
The Past Simple can also be used with a few actions in the past happening one after
another.
He entered a room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests.

Form
 Declarative Sentences

Subject Verb (past form)

+
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walked, went, took, etc.

Time Expressions

Common time expressions (time adverbials) in the Past Simple are:

yesterday
the other day
just now
the day before yesterday

Questions

DID Subject Verb (present form)

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc.

Negative Sentences

Subject Didn't Verb (present form)

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc.

Past Continuous

We usually use the Past Continuous to talk about activities that lasted for some time
in the past. The actions can be interruped by something or can be happening at the
same time.
USE 1: Duration in the past
We use the Past Continuous to talk about actions or situations that lasted for some time
in the past, and whose duration time is unknown or unimportant.
I was watching TV yesterday in the evening.
She was sleeping on the couch.
 The dog was barking.
USE 2: Interrupted actions in progress
The Past Continuous is often used when one action in progress is interruped by another
action in the past. The Past simple is used in such sentences. We usually
use when or while to link these two sentences.
1.
Sentence in Past
WHEN Sentence in Past Simple
Continuous
+ +
e.g. I was singing e.g. my wife came home

3.
Sentence in
WHEN/WHILE Past Sentence in Past Simple
+ Continuous +
e.g. I was singing e.g. my wife came home

I was talking with James when the telephone rang.

While Angelica was playing tennis, the plane crashed.
When Bob was painting windows, it started raining.

USE 3: Actions in progress at the same time

We also use this tense to talk about two or more activities happening at the same. We
usually use when or whileto link the two sentences.
1.
Sentence in Past
WHEN/WHILE Sentence in Past Continuous
Continuous
+ +
e.g. I was singing e.g. She was cooking

3.
Sentence in Past
WHEN/WHILE Sentence in Past Continuous
Continuous
+ +
e.g. I was singing e.g. She was cooking

I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a book.

The family was eating the dinner and talking.
When Bob was painting windows, Mary was working in the kitchen.
USE 4: Polite questions
If we want to ask a polite question, we can use the Past Continuous.
I was wondering if you could open the window.
I was thinking you might help me with this problem.
Even though the sentences have a Past Continuous form, they refer to the present
moment. Their meaning is similar to the "could you" sentences, but they are more
polite.
USE 5: Irritation
 Remember that you can also express irritation over somebody or something in the past.
She was always coming late for dinner!

Form

Declarative Sentences

Subject WAS/WERE Verb + ING

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.

Questions

WAS/WERE Subject Verb (continuous form)

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.

Negative Sentences

Subject WASN'T / WEREN'T Verb (continuous form)

+ +
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.

Future Simple

The Future Simple is used in many situations such as when making promises or
predictions.

Use

Use 1: Promises
The first use of the Future Simple to make promises.
I promise I will buy you this toy.
Promise you will never leave me!
Use 2: Unplanned actions
Use this tense also to talk about unplanned (spontaneous) decisions.
Don't worry! I will help you with this problem.
I will close the window. It's starting to rain.
 Use 3: Predictions
We often use the Future Simple when making a prediction based on experience or
intuition.
It will rain in a moment.
It will get more difficult.
Use 4: Habits
The last use of this tense is interesting: we can also use the Future Simple to express
habits.
She will bit her lip if she is thinking or if she's nervous about something.
He will always make noise when we are sleeping.
Shall

You can also use shall to express future in Future Simple. It is more formal than will,
and usually appears in formal speeches, agreements or guarantees.
Examples:

The guarantee shall be provided on the following conditions: (...)

We shall never surrender!

Form

Declarative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Verb

+ +
e.g. I/a dog etc. will e.g. work/go/make

Questions

Auxiliary verb Subject Verb

+ +
will e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. work/go/make

Negative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Verb

+ +
e.g. I/a dog etc. will not e.g. work/go/make

Be going to" form

 Be going to is another form to express the future. We mainly use it to talk
about planned actions or to make predictions.
1. Planned actions, intentions (like in the Present Continuous)
2. Prediction based on observing the present situation *
* Use Will form to express predictions based on experience or intuition
** Sometimes you may encounter the form gonna, which is an abbreviation of going
to.
Gonna is informal so be careful when using it!

Subject Auxiliary verb Auxiliary verb Verb

+ + +
I/a dog etc. is/are going to go/take etc.

Auxiliary verb Subject Auxiliary verb Verb

+ + +
is/are I/a dog etc. going to go/take etc.

Subject Auxiliary verb Auxiliary verb Verb

+ + +
I/a dog etc. isn't/aren't going to go/take

Past simple + past continuous

Will + going to

Present simple + continuous

1. ______________ (you, meet) your friend today?

Answer:

2. ________ (you, understand) what I mean?

Answer:

3. Susan _________ (work) on her project at the moment.

Answer:

4. She __________ (go) to Switzerland once a week.

Answer:

5. Does Mike ________ (work) in human resources?

Answer:

6. This bottle _______ (contain) two liters of water.

Answer:

7. ___________ (you, realize) how many people there are?

Answer:

8. The games _________ (start, usually) at 8.00 in the evening.

Answer: