1. PRESENT SIMPLE
HABITS/ ROUTINES: I go to school by bus.
GENERAL TRUTHS: I live in Granada.
STATIVE VERBS: verbs of thinking (think,
understand, remember, know …); emotions &
feelings (like, hate …); senses (feel, hear, see,
etc.); cost & measures (cost, weigh, measute…):
possession (belong, own, possess, etc.).
NOTE: Sara thinks that film is boring (State-Present
Simple).
Sara is thinking of selling her house (Activity-P.
Continuous).
2. ACTIONS HAPPENING AT THE TIME OF
SPEAKING: I’m talking to you now.
TEMPORARY ACTIONS: I’m studying Art
this year.
Planned future: I’m meeting John this
evening.
3. COMPLETED ACTIONS IN THE PAST: We
visited the museum yesterday.
A SERIES OF COMPLETED ACTIONS IN
THE PAST: When we opened the door, the
dog barked at the milkman.
4. INCOMPLETE ACTION IN PROGRESS AT A
SPECIFIC TIME IN THE PAST: At 10 o’clock last
night, I was watching TV.
INCOMPLETE ACTION IN THE PAST
INTERRUPTED BY ANOTHER: I was having a
shower when the telephone rang.
TWO INCOMPLETE ACTIONS IN PROGRESS AT
THE SAME TIME IN THE PAST: I was having
lunch while he was studying.
5. GENERAL PREDICTIONS: Peter won’t be
at the party this evening.
SPONTANEOUS DECISION MADE AT
THE TIME OF SPEAKING: I’ll have a
lemonade, please.
OFFERS: I’ll carry your suitcase for you.
6. PLANNED ACTION FOR THE FUTURE: I’m
going to buy a new car next month.
PREDICTIONS BASED ON EVIDENCE,
THAT IS, ACTIONS THAT ARE ABOUT TO
HAPPEN: Look at those dark clouds. It’s
going to rain soon.
NOTE: GOING TO = INTENTION,
PLANNED ACTION, INMEDIATE.
7. ACTION IN PROGRESS AT A CERTAIN
TIME IN THE FUTURE (NOT FINISHED): At
this time next Friday, I’ll be flying to
London.
8. A COMPLETED ACTION AT A CERTAIN
FUTURE TIME (AN ACTION WILL BE
FINISHED IN A SPECIFIC TIME OF THE
FUTURE): By the end of the week, I’ll have
finished my project.
9. ACTIONS THAT BEGAN IN THE PAST
AND SOMEHOW THEY HAVE A
CONECTION WITH PRESENT TIME AND
WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE FUTURE:
I haven’t seen John for a week.
I haven’t seen John since 2010.
I haven’t seen John yet.
10. AN ACTION THAT STARTED IN THE PAST
AND WHICH STILL CONTINUES IN THE
PRESENT: Dave has been going to the
gym for a year (llevar+gerundio).
AN ACTION ALREADY FINISHED WHOSE
RESULTS ARE STILL APPARENT: I’m tired.
I have been studying all night.
11. A COMPLETED ACTION WHICH TOOK
PLACE BEFORE ANOTHER ACTION IN
THE PAST: By the time we arrived at the
station, the train had already left.
12. AN ACTION WHICH CONTINUED UP TO
ANOTHER PAST ACTION: We had been
travelling for a few hours when it started
snowing. (llevar + gerundio)
