English Lesson

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

2009-07-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

UNIT

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

[VERB] + s/es in third person

Examples:

You speak English.
Do you speak English?
You do not speak English.

USE 1 Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

Examples:

I play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The train does not leave at 9 AM.
When does the train usually leave?
She always forgets her purse.
He never forgets his wallet.
Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
Does the Sun circle the Earth?

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Examples:

Cats like milk.
Birds do not like milk.
Do pigs like milk?
California is in America.
California is not in the United Kingdom.
Windows are made of glass.
Windows are not made of wood.
New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.

USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Examples:

The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock.
When does class begin tomorrow?

USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.

Examples:

I am here now.
She is not here now.
He needs help right now.
He does not need help now.
He has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport with you?

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You only speak English.
Do you only speak English?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active
Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive

Statements +	Statements -	Questions	Short answer +	Short answer -
I work.	I don't work.	Do I work?	Yes, I do.	No, I don't.
He works.	He doesn't work.	Does he work?	Yes, he does.	No, he doesn't.
She works.	She doesn't work.	Does she work?	Yes, she does.	No, she doesn't.
It works.	It doesn't work.	Does it work?	Yes, it does.	No, it doesn't.
You work.	You don't work.	Do you work?	Yes you do.	No, you don't.
We work.	We don't work.	Do we work?	Yes we do.	No, we don't.
They work.	They don't work.	Do they work?	Yes they do.	No, they don't.

To have	Short form	Other Verbs (to work)
I have	I've	I work
he has	he's	He works
she has	she's	She works
it has	it's	It works
you have	you've	you work
we have	we've	we work
they have	they've	they work

Regular or permanent situations

When something happens regularly or is a permanent situation we usually use the simple present tense. When using the simple present the verb (with the exception of the auxiliary verbs) remains in the dictionary form (verb + s with he/she/it).

Simple Present Timeline

For example:

Q) "Where do you live?" A) "I live in Germany."

Q) "Where does he live?" A) "He lives in Germany."

Q) "What do you do?" A) "I'm a teacher."

Q) "What does he do?" A) "He's a teacher."

Frequency

The simple present tense is also used to show how often something happens with adverbs of frequency - always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, never, etc.... And when discussing daily, weekly, monthly etc. routines.

For example:

"I always get up at 6.00."

"I never drink coffee before 12.00."

"I work on my website every day."

"Every Monday and Thursday I go to the gym."

We also use the simple present to ask for and give instructions or to discuss a series of actions.

For example:

Q) How do I make pancakes?" A) Well, first you take 4 eggs and crack them into a bowl, then you weigh out 4 oz. of flour and sieve it into the eggs. etc.

The simple present tense can also be used to discuss future events.

PART A. The Basics: Present Tenses:

There are two present tenses: The present simple and the present continuous. The two tenses are quite different. Generally, the present simple is used to refer to everyday habits that you have.

Use the present simple to talk about activities or routines which take place on a regular basis.

Tom takes the A train to work every day.

Peter usually gets home at seven in the evening.

The present continuous is usually used to refer to events happening at the present moment in time.

They're doing their homework at the moment.

Mary's playing tennis with Tom at the club right now.

Present Simple Structure:

Positive

Subject + Verb + Objects

I, You, We, They -> eat lunch at noon.

Subject + Verb + s + Objects

He, She, It -> works well in any situation.

Negative

S + do not (don't) + Verb + Objects

I, You, We, They -> don't enjoy opera.

S + does not (doesn't) + Verb + Objects

He, She, It -> doesn't belong to the club.

Questions

(Why, What, etc.) + do + S + Verb + Objects?

Do -> I, you, we, they -> work in this town?

(Why, What, etc.) + does + S + Verb + Objects?

Does -> he, she, it -> live in this city?

Present Continuous Structure:

Positive

Subject + conjugate the helping verb "be" + verb + -ing.

I'm, You're, He's, She's, We're, You're, They're -> working today.

Negative

Subject + conjugate the helping verb "be" + not + verb + -ing.

I'm not, You aren't, He isn't, She isn't, We aren't, You aren't, They aren't -> coming this evening.

Questions

Question word + conjugate the helping verb 'be' + subject + verb + -ing

What -> are you, they -> doing this afternoon?
What -> is he, she -> doing this afternoon?

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of words given:

1. I ____________ (read) a very interesting book now.

2. Joanne ____________ (work) eight hours a day.

3. Tonight we ____________ (see) a play at the thereatre.

4. Who ____________ you ____________ (speak) to just now?

5. I ____________ (not know) him very well.

6. What will you do if she ____________ (come) late?

7. My wife ____________ (like) coffee for breakfast.

8. What ____________ Tom usually ____________(have) for breakfast?

9. Your train ____________ (leave) at 17.25 from platform 3.

10. What ____________ Mary ____________ (do) ? She's a student.

11. My whole family _______________(go) to church once a week.

12. My wife and I _________________(go) to the beach in the summer.

13. Listen! The phone ________________(ring) in the other room.

14. Rain seldom ________________(fall) in the Sahara.

15. He is thirteen years old now, and his voice _____________________(change).

16. Let's change the conversation. It _________________(get) too serious.

17. Leap year __________________(come) every four years.

18. My grandfather ________________(grow) tomatoes in his garden this summer.

19. He ________________(grow) them every summer .

20. The children ______________________(leave) for school right now.

21. The children __________________(leave) at 8:30 every morning of the week.

22. Shu! The baby ______________________(take) her nap.

23. In the north the season ____________________(change) four times a year .

24. Unfortunately, the patient ______________________ (die).

25. The monsoon _____________________(come) once or twice a year.

26. It's spring and the days _____________________(get) longer.

27. The weather _____________(get) very cold in Moscow in the winter.

28. It _________________(rain) hard, and I don't have an umbrella.

29. It's November and the birds ___________________(fly) south.

30. Many birds of Europe _____________(fly) south to Africa every winter.

PRESENT FUTURE TENSE

2009-07-20T22:28:00.000-07:00

PRESENT FUTURE TENSE

(Guide to Future with Will and Going to)

PART A. The Basics: Future with Will :

There are two basic future tenses used to describe things that happen in the future. Besides these two there are some other future tenses which can be started on the advanced future tenses page. The first future tense is the future with 'will'. Use the future with will to talk about an event in the future that you have just decided to do, for predictions and for promises.

I think I'll go to that party next week.
The economy will get better soon.
Yes, I will marry you.

PART B. The Basics: Future with Going to:

The future with 'going to' is used to express events you have already planned in the future and your intentions for the future. We sometimes also use the present continuous for planned events in the near future.

She's going to attend university and study to become a doctor.
We're going to make the presentation next week.

Future with Will Structure:

Positive

Subject + will + verb

I, You, He, She, We, They will come to the party.

Negative

Subject + will + not (won't) + verb

I, You, He, She, We, They won't have time tomorrow.

Questions

Question word + will + subject + verb

What will he, she, you, we, they do?

PART C. Exercises

Going to or Will ? Exercise at Auto-English

going to

-plans

-when you can see what's going to happen

will

-immediate decisions

-scientific predictions

Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets using either the going to or will form of the future tense.

1	Sally: There's no milk left!
	Betty: Oh. I _______________ some from the shop. (get)
2	The population of Valencia _______________ 2 million by the year 2010. (reach)
3	Mum: I told you to tidy up your room.
	Son: Sorry, Mum, I forgot. I _______________ it after lunch.(do)
4	Sally: Why don't we meet for coffee on Friday morning?
	Willy: Sorry. I can't. I _______________ the doctor then. (see)
5	"Tomorrow _______________ a bright and sunny day everywhere in Spain, except in La Coruña," said the weatherwoman. (be)
6	Look at that big black cloud. I think it _______________ . (rain)
7	Sally: What are your plans for the week-end?
	Betty: Brad Pitt phoned. We _______________ on a picnic. (go)
8	Betty: Have you booked the flights yet?
	Sally: Don't worry. It's all organized. I _______________ to the travel agent's tomorrow morning. (go)
9	In the future people _______________ bigger heads. (have)
10	If we miss the bus, we _______________ a taxi. (take)
11	Next month I _______________ a DVD player. (buy)
12	When _______________ you _______________ another party? (have)
13	I've got to go to the dentist this morning. _______________ you _______________ with me? (come)
14	Oh no! I think I _______________ . (sneeze)
15	Fanny: I can't open this jar.
16	Leslie: Give it to me. I _______________ it. (do)

Will or Going to?

Click on the buttons until you find the correct answer

1	I feel really tired. I think I ______ go to bed.
		'll
		'm going to
2	Where are you going? I ______ visit a customer.
		'll
		'm going to
3	Do you want me to help you? No thanks. John ______ help me.
		'll
		's going to
4	Would you prefer tea or coffee? I ______ have some coffee, please.
		'll
		'm going to
5	Would you like to come to my house for dinner and talk about this? Good idea. I ______ bring some wine.
		'll
		'm going to
6	I've already decided. I ______ buy a new car
		'll
		'm going to
7	What are your plans for next week? I ______ to fly to New York on business. Probably on Tuesday but I haven't bought my ticket yet.
		'll
		'm going to
8	What are your plans for the holidays? I ______ visit my parents for a few days and then go walking in Scotland.
		'll
		'm going to
9	Why are you wearing your best suit? I ______ have lunch with my biggest customer.
		'll
		'm going to
10	Do you want to have the chicken or the beef? I think ______ have the beef.
		'll
		'm going to
11	My head hurts. Sit down and I ______ get you an aspirin.
		'll
		'm going to
12	We need some more ink for the printer. I ______ go to the shop and get some.
		'll
		'm going to
13	Look! There's smoke coming out of the photocopier. You turn it off and I ______ phone the safety officer
		'll
		'm going to
14	I cannot see how to use this spreadsheet. Don't worry. I ______ help you.
		'll
		'm going to
15	I need to speak to you today. I'm going out now but I ______ be back later.
		'll
		'm going to
16	Did you phone Michael? I'm sorry. I completely forgot. I ______ do it now.
		'll
		'm going to
17	Can you help me with this? I don't understand. I ______ give you a hand as soon as I've finished this.
		'll
		'm going to
18	That's much too heavy for one person. I ______ give you a hand.
		'll
		'm going to
19	Could somebody answer the phone? I ______ get it.
		'll
		'm going to
20	It's really hot in here. I ______ put on the air-conditioning.
		'll
		'm going to

INTERJECTION
CONJUNCTION
BECAUSE AND BECAUSE OF
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
INTERVIEW

PRESENT CONTINOUS TENSE

2009-07-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

UNIT

PRESENT CONTINOUS TENSE

(PRESENT PROGRESSIVE)

PRESENT CONTINOUS TENSE is used to indicate present time (now) with all but the statives verb listed previously

Example:

John is eating dinner now

PRESENT CONTINOUS TENSE is also used to indicate future time

Example:

We are leaving for the theater at seven o’clock

Formula:

(+) S + tobe + Verb1 + ing + Object/Adverb

(-) S + tobe + not + Verb1 + ing + Object/Adverb

(I) tobe + S + Verb1 + ing + Object/Adverb ?

Yes, S tobe

No, S tobe not

(?) QW + tobe + S + Verb1 + ing + Object/Adverb ?

Examples of present progressive:

The committee members are examining the material now (present time)
George is leaving for France tomorrow (future time)
Henry is walking to school tomorrow (future time)
The president is trying to contact his advisors now (present time)
The secretary ia typing the letter now (present time)
We are flying to Venezuela next month (future time)

Examples of present continous tense in Positive, Negative, Introgative, and Questional Statement

Present Continuous Tense Chart
	Subject	Auxuilly Verb		Main Verb
+	I	am		going	to the store.
	We	are		playing	ball.
	She	is		eating	dinner.
-	I	am	not	reading	the newpaper.
	You	are	not	cooking	dinner.
	He	is	not	watching	the movie.
I	Am	I		going	to the store with you?
	Are	you		fixing	the car?
	Is	she		cleaning	the house today?
?	What	is	he	doing	with you?
	Where	are	you	writing	in the classroom?
	why	are	they	playing	football bad?

Examples:

You are watching TV.

You are not watching TV.

Are you watching TV?

Yes, Iam / No, I am not

What program are you watching?

USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.

Examples:

You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

I am studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

She is always coming to class late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
I don't like them because they are always complaining.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.

Examples:

She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You are still watching TV.
Are you still watching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

Verb Tense Exercise 1

Simple Present / Present Continuous

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) her kids to football practice.

2. Usually, I (work) as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study) French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.

3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) .

4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) .

5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) .

6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) because everybody (talk) so loudly.

7. Justin (write, currently) a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good publisher when he is finished.

8. Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) to a movie tonight with some friends.

9. The business cards (be, normally ) printed by a company in New York. Their prices (be) inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.

10. This delicious chocolate (be) made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.

Verb Tense Exercise 2

Simple Present / Present Continuous

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

A Trekking Journal

November 12, 1997

Today (be) the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I am exhausted and my legs (shake) ; I just hope I am able to complete the trek. My feet (kill, really) me and my toes (bleed) , but I (want, still) to continue.

Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything (be) so different, and I (try) to adapt to the new way of life here. I (learn) a little bit of the language to make communication easier; unfortunately, I (learn, not) foreign languages quickly. Although I (understand, not) much yet, I believe that I (improve, gradually) .

I (travel, currently) with Liam, a student from Leeds University in England. He (be) a nice guy, but impatient. He (walk, always) ahead of me and (complain) that I am too slow. I (do) my best to keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger than I am. Maybe, I am just feeling sorry for myself because I am getting old.

Right now, Liam (sit) with the owner of the inn. They (discuss) the differences between life in England and life in Nepal. I (know, not) the real name of the owner, but everybody (call, just) him Tam. Tam (speak) English very well and he (try) to teach Liam some words in Nepali. Every time Tam (say) a new word, Liam (try) to repeat it. Unfortunately, Liam (seem, also) to have difficulty learning foreign languages. I just hope we don't get lost and have to ask for directions.

Present Continuous Tense Quiz

1	they coming over for dinner?
2	Maxwell not sleeping on our sofa.
3	My mother-in-law is at our house this week.
4	I my dinner right now.
5	My sister Spanish.
6	I at the hair salon until September.
7	We at a fancy restaurant tonight. Jason decided this yesterday.
8	When do you your new art class?
9	They are a new record shop downtown.
10	Melissa is down on her bed.

Present Perfect Simple or Continuous Test

Click on the answer you think is correct.

In some examples two answers may be possible but one is more natural than the other. This natural one is the correct answer.


1. I'm very hungry. I______________________ all day.
a)	didn't eat
b)	haven't ate
c)	haven’t eaten
d)	have been eating

2. Their new kitchen looks fantastic. They ________ completely ________ it.
a)	have been redecorating
b)	have redecorated
c)	already redecorated
d)	didn't redecorated

3. Our kitchen’s a mess. We____________________ any cleaning for weeks.
a)	didn't do
b)	haven't been doing
c)	have done
d)	haven't done

4. I think they are dating. They______________ a lot of each other recently.
a)	had seen
b)	haven't been seeing
c)	have been seeing
d)	have seen

5. We've discovered this great café and we__________________ there a lot.
a)	have been going
b)	have gone
c)	are going
d)	have went

6. How's your Mum? I ______________________ her for ages.
a)	had seen
b)	haven't seen
c)	haven't been seeing
d)	didn't see

7. You're covered in paint! What __________ you __________?
a)	have done
b)	were doing
c)	did do
d)	have been doing

8. She’s gone to the doctor's. She ______________________ too well lately.
a)	hasn't felt
b)	hasn't been feeling
c)	has felt
d)	doesn't feel

9. Where have you been? I______________________ for ages.
a)	have waited
b)	waited
c)	was waiting
d)	have been waiting

10. I have to write an essay. I___________________ about half of it so far.
a)	have written
b)	have been writing
c)	wrote
d)	have to write

PAST TENSE

2009-07-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

UNIT

PAST TENSE

Explanation

1. The simple past tense is expressed with the past form of the verb and nothing else.

My grandfather died last year.
My grandfather was died last year.
My grandfather has died last year.

(Correct)
(Incorrect)
(Incorrect)

2. The simple past tense refers to

a. action which occurred at a specific time in the past
b. completed action
c. past status

Examples

Specific past action

I ate lunch at noon today.
He drove to work yesterday.

Completed action

She finally mailed the letter.
Jan finished her report on time.

Past status

John was still single in 1995.
Jane was a movie star.

Note the usage of the past tense in the following story.

Yesterday Mrs. Hubbard had a very rough day. In the morning, she went to the kitchen and looked in the cupboard for some food for her dog, but the cupboard was empty. Her poor dog stared up at her with its hungry eyes, and she knew she had to do something quickly. She hurried to the grocery store to buy some dog food, but unfortunately the store was out of her dog's favorite brand, so she had to catch a bus downtown. After buying the food, she waited for a half hour in the rain to get a taxi. When she finally got home, her dog was sound asleep on the living room sofa.

Common problems with the past tense

1. Using the present tense when the past tense is required.

Last week, Tonya fix her neighbor's car.
Last week, Tonya fixed her neighbor's car.

(Incorrect)
(Correct)

2. Using "was" with verbs in the past tense.

It was happened one night in September.
It happened one night in September.

(Incorrect)
(Correct)

Exercises. Change the verbs in the following sentence into past tense.

1. Yesterday, I go to the restaurant with a client.

2. We drive around the parking lot for 20 minutes in order to find a parking space.

3. When we arrive at the restaurant, the place is full.

4. The waitress asks us if we have reservations.

5. I say, "No, my secretary forgets to make them."

6. The waitress tells us to come back in two hours.

7. My client and I slowly walk back to the car.

8. Then we see a small grocery store.

9. We stop in the grocery store and buy some sandwiches.

10. That is better than waiting for two hours.

Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

1. Last night, Samantha have pizza for supper.

2. My pet lizard was died last month.

3. Yesterday I spend two hours cleaning my living room.

4. This morning before coming to class, Jack eats two bowls of cereal.

5. What was happened to your leg?

Simple Past Tense Quiz

1	I to the mall after school.
2	My brother a bear an hour ago.
3	Mike visit his grandmother last night?
4	Alex did not last weekend.
5	Judy and Liz at last month's meeting?
6	We not happy after the sad ending.
7	you see Jody's new dog yesterday?
8	Sorry, I hear you at the door.
9	I English for two years.
10	What you eat for lunch yesterday?