2. Simple Tense
Verb tense tells you when the
action happens. There are three
main verb tenses: present, past,
and future. Each main tense is
divided into simple, progressive,
perfect, and perfect progressive
tenses.
Present Tense:
The verb shows action that happens
regularly.
Example: Brandon plays football with
Lee.
Past Tense:
The verb shows action that happened.
Example: I wrote a story about animals.
Future Tense:
The verb shows action that will happen.
Example: Lisa will read to us.
Simple Tenses (present, past and future)
3. SIMPLE TENSES (PRESENT, PAST AND
FUTURE)
1. 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.
2. 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 CASE 1:
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.
Examples CASE 2:
Cats like milk.
Birds do not like milk.
Do pigs like milk?
California is in America.
California is not in the United
Kingdom.
4. SIMPLE TENSES (PRESENT, PAST AND FUTURE)
Use the Simple Past
to express the idea
that an action started
and finished at a
specific time in the
past. Sometimes, the
speaker may not
actually mention the
specific time, but they
do have one specific
time in mind.
Examples:
1. I saw a movie
yesterday.
2. I didn't see a play
yesterday.
3. Last year, I traveled
to Japan.
4. Last year, I didn't
travel to Korea.
5. Did you have dinner
last night?
6. She washed her
car.
7. He didn't wash his
car.
5. SIMPLE TENSES (PRESENT, PAST AND
FUTURE)
Simple Future has two
different forms in English:
"will" and "be going to."
Although the two forms can
sometimes be used
interchangeably, they often
express two very different
meanings. These different
meanings might seem too
abstract at first, but with time
and practice, the differences
will become clear. Both "will"
and "be going to" refer to a
specific time in the future.
Examples: [will + verb]
1. You will help him later.
2. Will you help him later?
3. You will not help him later.
Examples: [am/is/are + going to
+ verb]
1. You are going to meet Jane
tonight.
2. Are you going to meet Jane
tonight?
3. You are not going to meet
Jane tonight.
7. CONTINUOUS TENSES (PRESENT, PAST AND
FUTURE)
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:
1. You are learning English
now.
2. You are not swimming now.
3. Are you sleeping?
4. I am sitting.
5. I am not standing.
6. Is he sitting or standing?
7. They are reading their
books.
8. They are not watching
television.
9. What are you doing?
10. Why aren't you doing your
homework?
8. CONTINUOUS TENSES (PRESENT, PAST AND
FUTURE)
Use the Past Continuous to
indicate that a longer action in
the past was interrupted. The
interruption is usually a shorter
action in the Simple Past.
Remember this can be a real
interruption or just an
interruption in time.
Examples:
1. I was watching TV when she called.
2. When the phone rang, she was writing a
letter.
3. While we were having the picnic, it
started to rain.
4. What were you doing when the
earthquake started?
5. I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't
hear the fire alarm.
6. You were not listening to me when I told
you to turn the oven off.
7. While John was sleeping last night,
someone stole his car.
8. Sammy was waiting for us when we got
off the plane.
9. While I was writing the email, the
computer suddenly went off.
10. A: What were you doing when you broke
your leg?
11. B: I was snowboarding.
9. Future Continuous has two
different forms: "will be doing "
and "be going to be doing."
Unlike Simple Future forms,
Future Continuous forms are
usually interchangeable.
1. FORM Future Continuous
with "Will“
2. FORM Future Continuous
with "Be Going To "
1. [will be + present participle]
Examples:
You will be waiting for her when her
plane arrives tonight.
• Will you be waiting for her when her
plane arrives tonight?
• You will not be waiting for her when
her plane arrives tonight.
2. [am/is/are + going to be + present
participle]
Examples:
• You are going to be waiting for her
when her plane arrives tonight.
• Are you going to be waiting for her
when her plane arrives tonight?
• You are not going to be waiting for her
when her plane arrives tonight.
