GRAMMARGRAMMAR

REVISION OF TENSESREVISION OF TENSES

Present SimplePresent Simple

General truthsGeneral truths – – Water Water freezesfreezes at 32 degrees at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.Fahrenheit.

Habits and RoutinesHabits and Routines (with adverbs of frequency (with adverbs of frequency such as usually, sometimes etc.) – such as usually, sometimes etc.) – She usually She usually goesgoes to the flea market every Thursday. to the flea market every Thursday.

Permanent situations and statesPermanent situations and states – – Megan Megan teachesteaches English at a local education centre. English at a local education centre.

Telling jokesTelling jokes – – So, a giraffe So, a giraffe goes goes into a bar…into a bar… Live sports commentaryLive sports commentary – – Ronaldo Ronaldo passespasses the the

ball to Ramos…ball to Ramos… Newspaper headlinesNewspaper headlines – – HAWKING HAWKING WINSWINS NOBEL NOBEL

PRIZEPRIZE Film reviewsFilm reviews – – The film The film endsends with us not with us not

knowing the true identity of the main character.knowing the true identity of the main character.

Instructions and directionsInstructions and directions – – You You fryfry the onion the onion in oil, then add the rest of the vegetables and in oil, then add the rest of the vegetables and the chicken./You the chicken./You turnturn left at the end of the road, left at the end of the road, go straight ahead and the pastry shop go straight ahead and the pastry shop isis on your on your right next to the bookstore.right next to the bookstore.

Proverbs and sayingsProverbs and sayings – – Every cloud Every cloud hashas a a silver liningsilver lining

Future for fixed events Future for fixed events (timetables/schedules)(timetables/schedules) – – The term The term endsends on on 2121stst January./The train to Manchester January./The train to Manchester leavesleaves at at 8.15.8.15.

The future in time clausesThe future in time clauses – – I’ll be relieved I’ll be relieved when I when I finishfinish cleaning the kitchen. cleaning the kitchen.

To emphasize strong feelingTo emphasize strong feeling – – I I do likedo like playing board games.playing board games.

To emphasize contrastTo emphasize contrast – – I don’t know much I don’t know much about F1 racing but about F1 racing but I do knowI do know the names of the the names of the teams participating in this year’s championship.teams participating in this year’s championship.

Words and expressions used with Words and expressions used with Present SimplePresent Simple

always often

usually

occasionally sometimes rarely

hardly ever scarcely never every week

twice a year seldom whenever these days from time to time every now and then most/much of the time It’s/That’s the last time nowadays in the morning

With future meaning: on Monday this week etc.

Present ContinuousPresent Continuous Action in progress at or around the time of Action in progress at or around the time of

speakingspeaking – – The boys The boys are doingare doing their homework their homework right now.right now.

Two actions happening simultaneouslyTwo actions happening simultaneously – –I I was checkingwas checking my emails while my mother my emails while my mother was was preparingpreparing dinner. dinner.

Temporary situationTemporary situation – – Susan Susan is stayingis staying with with her mum until they finish painting her flat.her mum until they finish painting her flat.

Changing – developing situationChanging – developing situation – – More and More and more people more people are discoveringare discovering the advantages of the advantages of using green energy.using green energy.

arrangement for the near futurearrangement for the near future – – They They are leavingare leaving for Peru next week. for Peru next week.

Criticism or complaint about annoying Criticism or complaint about annoying or amusing habits (usu. with or amusing habits (usu. with always/constantly/forever)always/constantly/forever) – – My sister My sister is always takingis always taking my clothes without my clothes without asking me first. I simply hate it.asking me first. I simply hate it.

Background information in jokes and Background information in jokes and other informal storiesother informal stories – – A man goes to A man goes to see his psychiatrist. He see his psychiatrist. He is carryingis carrying a bag a bag full of…full of…

The future in time clausesThe future in time clauses – – I’ll I’ll probably be a bit stressed when probably be a bit stressed when I’m I’m waitingwaiting outside for the interview to start. outside for the interview to start.

Words and expressions used with Words and expressions used with Present continuousPresent continuous

nownow right nowright now at the momentat the moment for the time beingfor the time being at presentat present It’s/That’s the last timeIt’s/That’s the last time

For the future:For the future:

todaytoday tonighttonight this week/yearthis week/year

Stative VerbsStative Verbs

Stative verbs refer to a state rather than an action and Stative verbs refer to a state rather than an action and are not used in the continuous form.are not used in the continuous form.

These verbs express:These verbs express:

Senses/perceptionSenses/perception: : feel, hear, notice, see, feel, hear, notice, see, smell, sound, taste, look, seem, recognize, smell, sound, taste, look, seem, recognize, resembleresemble

Mental activitiesMental activities: : appear, believe, consider, appear, believe, consider, doubt, expect, feel, forget, guess, hope, imagine, doubt, expect, feel, forget, guess, hope, imagine, know, mean, mind, realize, recognize, remember, know, mean, mind, realize, recognize, remember, seem, suppose, think, understand, suspectseem, suppose, think, understand, suspect

PossessionPossession: : belong to, have, own, belong to, have, own, owe, possessowe, possess

EmotionEmotion: : adore, desire, dislike, fear, adore, desire, dislike, fear, forgive, hate, like, love, need, want, forgive, hate, like, love, need, want, wish, appeal, appreciate, despise, wish, appeal, appreciate, despise, detest, dislike, envy, feel, mind, pity, detest, dislike, envy, feel, mind, pity, prefer, satisfy, trustprefer, satisfy, trust

ExistenceExistence: : be, existbe, exist CommunicationCommunication: : agree, disagree, agree, disagree,

denydeny Amounts and relationships Amounts and relationships

between thingsbetween things: : cost, equal, cost, equal, measure, weigh, suit, fitmeasure, weigh, suit, fit

OtherOther: : depend, deserve, matter, depend, deserve, matter, concern, consist, contain, include, concern, consist, contain, include, involveinvolve

Many of the verbs above can also be used in continuous Many of the verbs above can also be used in continuous tenses when they describe actions in progress rather than tenses when they describe actions in progress rather than

statesstates

They They havehave a sports car. a sports car. ( (possessionpossession)) I’m havingI’m having a shower. a shower. ((washingwashing))

This soup This soup tastestastes delicious. delicious. ( (factfact)) I’m tastingI’m tasting the soup to see if there’s enough salt in it. the soup to see if there’s enough salt in it. ( (physical physical

actionaction))

I thinkI think he’s terrible at cooking. he’s terrible at cooking. ( (my opinionmy opinion)) I’m thinkingI’m thinking of moving to a bigger house. of moving to a bigger house. ( (consideringconsidering))

I I seesee how you feel. how you feel. ( (understandunderstand)) She’s seeingShe’s seeing her dentist this afternoon. her dentist this afternoon. ( (meetingmeeting))

He He appearsappears to know what he is doing. to know what he is doing. ( (seems toseems to)) She’s appearingShe’s appearing tonight in a new play on Broadway. tonight in a new play on Broadway.

((performingperforming))

Present Perfect SimplePresent Perfect Simple An action that took place at an unstated/ An action that took place at an unstated/

unspecific time in the pastunspecific time in the past – – We We have have already seenalready seen that film. that film.

An action that began in the past and An action that began in the past and continues up to the present (usu. with for continues up to the present (usu. with for and since)and since) – – They They have workedhave worked in this company in this company since 2007.since 2007.

For unfinished time periodsFor unfinished time periods – – I I haven’t haven’t stoppedstopped cleaning all day. cleaning all day.

For an action that happened several times For an action that happened several times or repeatedly in the pastor repeatedly in the past – – I I have heardhave heard that that story several times. I don’t believe it though.story several times. I don’t believe it though.

Actions completed recentlyActions completed recently – – I I have just finishedhave just finished my essay on my essay on environmental pollution.environmental pollution.

A series of actions continuing up A series of actions continuing up to nowto now – – She She has appliedhas applied for the for the job and job and has already been has already been interviewedinterviewed, but she still , but she still hasn’t hasn’t heardheard from them. from them.

The future in time clausesThe future in time clauses – – I’ll let I’ll let you know as soon as the meeting you know as soon as the meeting has finishedhas finished..

Words and phrases used with Words and phrases used with Present Perfect SimplePresent Perfect Simple

Since Since (a point in time)(a point in time) For For (a period of time)(a period of time) It’s the first/second timeIt’s the first/second time beforebefore alreadyalready yet yet (questions and negative (questions and negative

sentences – at the end of the sentences – at the end of the sentence)sentence)

ever ever (questions – (questions – Have you ever Have you ever been to Brazil? been to Brazil? --and affirmative and affirmative sentences with superlative – sentences with superlative – She’s the She’s the kindest person I have ever met.kindest person I have ever met.))

justjust stillstill

recentlyrecently up to nowup to now (up) until now(up) until now so farso far latelylately alwaysalways never never (in affirmative sentences (in affirmative sentences –I –I

have never traveled abroad.)have never traveled abroad.)

ever sinceever since How long How long (in questions)(in questions)

Present Perfect ContinuousPresent Perfect Continuous An action that began in the past and An action that began in the past and

continues into the present with an continues into the present with an emphasis on the duration of that emphasis on the duration of that action – action – I I have been studyinghave been studying for my for my English test for five hours.English test for five hours.

An action that has just finished and An action that has just finished and still influences the present – still influences the present – I’m I’m exhausted as exhausted as I’ve been workingI’ve been working in the in the garden all morning.garden all morning.

The future (in time clauses)- The future (in time clauses)- I won’t I won’t take part in the Marathon until take part in the Marathon until I’ve been I’ve been trainingtraining hard for at least six months. hard for at least six months.

To express anger, irritation, To express anger, irritation, annoyanceannoyance – – She She has been usinghas been using my computer without asking me.my computer without asking me.

For repeated actions in the past For repeated actions in the past continuing to the presentcontinuing to the present – – He He has lost weight because he has lost weight because he has has been joggingbeen jogging in the park every in the park every morning before going to work.morning before going to work.

In American English, the Past Simple is often In American English, the Past Simple is often used instead of the Present Perfect Simple.used instead of the Present Perfect Simple.

Did you findDid you find the answer yetthe answer yet? (? (USUS))

Have you foundHave you found the answer yetthe answer yet? (? (UKUK))

I already foundI already found the answerthe answer. (. (USUS))

I’ve already foundI’ve already found the answerthe answer. (. (UKUK))

Have been inHave been inhave been tohave been tohave gone tohave gone to

They have been in Brazil for They have been in Brazil for nearly two years.nearly two years. (they live there) (they live there)

They have been to Brazil twice They have been to Brazil twice so far.so far. (they have returned) (they have returned)

They have gone to Brazil. They have gone to Brazil. (they (they haven’t returned)haven’t returned)

Words and phrases used with Words and phrases used with Present Perfect ContinuousPresent Perfect Continuous

forfor sincesince all day/afternoon etc.all day/afternoon etc. How longHow long for a whilefor a while for longfor long for agesfor ages

Past SimplePast Simple Completed actions that took place at a Completed actions that took place at a

specific time in the pastspecific time in the past – – I I appliedapplied for the job for the job two weeks ago.two weeks ago.

Repeated or habitual actions in the pastRepeated or habitual actions in the past – – I I wentwent fishing every day when I was young. fishing every day when I was young.

General truths about the pastGeneral truths about the past – – Green energy Green energy was not appreciatedwas not appreciated in the past and in the past and waswas also also consideredconsidered very expensive by the majority of very expensive by the majority of people.people.

Permanent situations and states in the pastPermanent situations and states in the past – – He He workedworked as a Science teacher in that school as a Science teacher in that school for two decades.for two decades.

The main events in a storyThe main events in a story – – He He managedmanaged to to escape and save his friends from the villains.escape and save his friends from the villains.

The present in conditional sentencesThe present in conditional sentences – – If I If I hadhad more money, I’d buy a beach house. more money, I’d buy a beach house.

The present after The present after wish, it’s time, would wish, it’s time, would rather etc.rather etc. – – I’d rather you I’d rather you didn’t wastedidn’t waste your your time chatting on the Internet.time chatting on the Internet.

Several actions in the past which happened Several actions in the past which happened one after anotherone after another – – He He got upgot up, , put onput on his his clothes and clothes and wentwent downstairs to have breakfast. downstairs to have breakfast.

To emphasize contrast in the pastTo emphasize contrast in the past – – Perhaps Perhaps our grandparents didn’t have a lot of luxuries but our grandparents didn’t have a lot of luxuries but they they did havedid have everything necessary to survive. everything necessary to survive.

To emphasize strong feeling in the pastTo emphasize strong feeling in the past – – I I did enjoydid enjoy the party last night. the party last night.

Words and expressions used with Words and expressions used with past simplepast simple

agoago yesterdayyesterday last weeklast week in 1995in 1995 in Novemberin November when when the other daythe other day

In general, In general, Past SimplePast Simple is used to refer to is used to refer to periods of time or moments periods of time or moments which are finishedwhich are finished. . Present Perfect SimplePresent Perfect Simple is used to refer to is used to refer to periods of time periods of time which continue up to the which continue up to the present.present.

He worked in a factory ten years ago.He worked in a factory ten years ago. He has worked in a factory since 2009.He has worked in a factory since 2009.

Past SimplePast Simple is used to refer to events is used to refer to events at a at a specific time in the pastspecific time in the past. . Present Perfect Present Perfect SimpleSimple is used when is used when the specific timethe specific time something happened something happened is not important or is not important or relevant.relevant.

I saw “Avatar” last night.I saw “Avatar” last night. I have seen “Avatar”.I have seen “Avatar”.

Simple Future (will)Simple Future (will) Information about the futureInformation about the future – – They They will meetwill meet

tomorrow at seven.tomorrow at seven. A spontaneous decisionA spontaneous decision – – It is really hot today. –It is really hot today. –I’ll openI’ll open

the windows.the windows. A suggestion, offer or requestA suggestion, offer or request – – Will you openWill you open the the

door, please?door, please? A promiseA promise – – I promise I promise I won’t tellI won’t tell your secret to anyone. your secret to anyone. A threat or warningA threat or warning – – I won’t comeI won’t come with you unless you with you unless you

apologize. /She apologize. /She will leavewill leave the company if you don’t give the company if you don’t give her a pay rise.her a pay rise.

A prediction/speculation about the future based on A prediction/speculation about the future based on personal opinion (after think, expect, suppose, be personal opinion (after think, expect, suppose, be sure, hope, reckon, definitely, probably)sure, hope, reckon, definitely, probably) – – I think Real I think Real Madrid Madrid will winwill win the championship this year. the championship this year.

Future facts or events considered certainFuture facts or events considered certain – – This year’s This year’s beer festival beer festival will lastwill last two weeks. two weeks.

Going toGoing to Plans, intentions (for the distant Plans, intentions (for the distant

future)future) – – I’m going to getI’m going to get my degree my degree and then get a job in advertising.and then get a job in advertising.

Make a prediction about the future Make a prediction about the future based on evidencebased on evidence – – Look at those Look at those heavy clouds. heavy clouds. It is going to rainIt is going to rain..

Actions we have already decided to Actions we have already decided to do in the near future.do in the near future. – – Mike Mike is going is going to workto work in the family tavern during the in the family tavern during the summer holidays.summer holidays.

Present SimplePresent Simple

Timetables – schedulesTimetables – schedules

My flight My flight leavesleaves tomorrow at 8.00 am. tomorrow at 8.00 am.

Present continuousPresent continuous

Arrangements for the near Arrangements for the near future future – – They They are meetingare meeting tomorrow to discuss business.tomorrow to discuss business.

Intentions for the near future – Intentions for the near future – I’m askingI’m asking for a pay rise tomorrow. for a pay rise tomorrow.

Other expressions with future Other expressions with future meaningmeaning

be about to – be about to – Hurry up! The bus is about Hurry up! The bus is about to leave.to leave.

be on the point of/ be on the verge of/ be on the point of/ be on the verge of/ be on the brink of – be on the brink of – Scientists are on the Scientists are on the verge of finding a cure for cancer.verge of finding a cure for cancer.

be due to – be due to – Our flight is due to take off at Our flight is due to take off at 7.00 am.7.00 am.

be to do – be to do – The Prime Minister is to meet The Prime Minister is to meet the Minister of Education tomorrow.the Minister of Education tomorrow.

future time expressionsfuture time expressions

next weeknext week next yearnext year tomorrowtomorrow soonsoon in a whilein a while in 2050in 2050 in two weeks’ timein two weeks’ time

The following words and phrases are The following words and phrases are followed by present simple although followed by present simple although they have a future meaning.they have a future meaning.

Do the dishes Do the dishes beforebefore you go outyou go out.. Take an umbrella Take an umbrella in casein case it rainsit rains.. No matter whatNo matter what he doeshe does, she’ll forgive , she’ll forgive

him.him. No matter whenNo matter when you arriveyou arrive, I’ll meet you., I’ll meet you. We’ll phone you We’ll phone you as soon asas soon as we arrivewe arrive.. Please wait here Please wait here untiluntil I arriveI arrive..

For For offersoffers and and suggestionssuggestions in the in the question question formform, with , with II and and wewe, we use , we use shallshall – not will. – not will.

--Shall I helpShall I help you with your homework? you with your homework? (offer) (offer)--Shall we discussShall we discuss this when we are alone? this when we are alone?

(suggestion)(suggestion)

In British EnglishIn British English shallshall is sometimes used with is sometimes used with II and and wewe in place of will. in place of will.

-I shall be in touch soon.-I shall be in touch soon.