Simple

Te

ns

es

Ten

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Continuous

Simple

Tenses

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.

Is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal.

We use the present tense:1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.I take the train to the office. The train to Berlin leaves every hour. 2. For facts.The President of The USA lives in The White House. A dog has four legs. 3. For habits.I get up early every day. Carol brushes her teeth twice a day. 4. For things that are always / generally true. It rains a lot in winter. The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.

The simple present tense

The simple past tense The simple past is used to talk about a completed action in a time before

now. Duration is not important. The time of the action can be in the recent past or the distant past

You always use the simple past when you say when something happened, so it is associated with certain past time expressions• frequency: often, sometimes, always

I sometimes walked home at lunchtime.I often brought my lunch to school.

• a definite point in time: last week, when I was a child, yesterday, six weeks agoWe saw a good film last week.Yesterday, I arrived in Geneva.She finished her work atseven o'clockI went to the theatre last night

• an indefinite point in time: the other day, ages ago, a long time ago People lived in caves a long time ago.

• She played the piano when she was a child.

The simple future tense The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or

certainty. In this case there is no 'attitude'.

The simple future is used:• To predict a future event:

It will rain tomorrow.• With I or We, to express a spontaneous decision:

I'll pay for the tickets by credit card.• To express willingness: I'll do the washing-up.

He'll carry your bag for you.• In the negative form, to express unwillingness:

The baby won't eat his soup.I won't leave until I've seen the manager!

• With I in the interrogative form using "shall", to make an offer:Shall I open the window?

• With we in the interrogative form using "shall", to make a suggestion:Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

• With I in the interrogative form using "shall", to ask for advice or instructions:What shall I tell the boss about this money?

• With you, to give orders:You will do exactly as I say.

• With you in the interrogative form, to give an invitation:Will you come to the dance with me?Will you marry me?

Continuous

Tenses

The continuous tenses (incomplete tenses) include:

Present Continuous ("I am choosing") Past Continuous ("I was choosing")

Future Continuous ("I will be choosing")

They are formed with the progressive (continuous) aspect.

This aspect indicates that an action or state, past, present, or future, was, is or

will be unfinished at the time referred to.

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 tenses is to talk about temporary actions or future plans.

• Present Actions:Most often, we use the Present Continuous tense to talk about actions happening at the moment of speaking. Example: - He is eating a dinner. - Mary is talking with her friends.• Temporary Actions:This tense is also used for activities continuing only for a limited period of time. Example: - 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)

Use:

• Longer Actions in ProgressWe 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. Example: - They are working hard to earn money. - I am training to become a professional footballer. - Future (Personal) Arrangements and PlansSometimes we use the Present Continuous to show that something is planned and will be done in the near future. Example: - I'm meeting Katie in the evening.- He's flying to Rome in September.• Tendencies and Trends- This tense is also used for expressing tendencies or trends. - Our country is getting richer.• Irritation or AngerAnd 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. Example: - She is continually complaining about everything! - Johny is always asking stupid questions!

Present Continuous Use:

Past ContinuousWe 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.

• 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. Example: - I was watching TV yesterday in the evening. - She was sleeping on the couch.• 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. Example: - I was talking with James when the telephone rang. While Angelica was playing tennis, the plane crashed. • 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 while to link the two sentences. Example: - I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a book. - The family was eating the dinner and talking.

Use:

• Polite questions If we want to ask a polite question, we can use the Past Continuous. Example: - 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. • IrritationRemember that you can also express irritation over somebody or something in the past. Example: - She was always coming late for dinner!

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:

Past Continuous

• Future actions in progress The first use of the Future Continuous is to express future action in progress. Examples: - In an hour, I will be sitting in front of my TV. - In the evening, I will be baking a birthday cake.• GuessesUse this tense also to make guesses about something in the present or future. Examples: - He won't be coming any time soon. He is still at the office. - Beatrice will be getting married very soon. • QuestionsAnd the last use of the tense is to make polite questions about something or somebody. Examples: - Will you be coming home before or after 10 PM? - Will you be going to the supermarket? I have something to buy.

We mainly use the Future Continuous to indicate that we will be in the middle of doing something in a specified time in the future. There are

also two other uses, listed below:

Future Continuous

Use:

UNIVERSIDAD YACAMBÚVICERRECTORADO ACADÉMICO

FACULTAD DE HUMANIDADES

Tenses simples and Continuous

Participante: Anair Salcedo