The document discusses different tenses in English including the simple present, present continuous, past simple, past continuous, future simple, and future continuous. It provides examples of how to use each tense and the contexts in which each tense is typically used such as for repeated actions, temporary situations, plans for the future, and interrupted past actions.

1. Simple and Continuous Tenses
UNIVERSIDAD YACAMBÚ
LICENCIATURA DE CONTADURÍA PÚBLICA
MATERIA: IDIOMA BÁSICO INTENSIVO
Elaborado por: Elizabeth Nohemí Cabrera Pora
03 de Agosto de 2015

2. Present Simple
The simple present tense is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal. We
use the present tense for: repeated or regular actions in the present time period, facts,
habits and things that are always / generally true.
•John sleeps eight hours every night.
•John doesn´t sleep eight hours every night.
•Does John sleep eight hours every night?
•I get up early every day.
•I don´t get up early every day.
•Do you get up early every day?

3. Present Continuous
The continuous present tense is used to describe things which are happening at the
moment of speaking, for: temporary situations, situations which are slowly changing,
temporary or new habits, definite future plans and to talk about people in pictures and
photos:
•I'm meeting John after class today.
•I'm not meeting John after class today.
•Am I meeting John after class today?
•The water is boiling.
•The water isn´t boiling.
•Is the water boiling?

4. Past Simple
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.
•You called Debbie.
•Did you call Debbie?
•You didn´t call Debbie.
•She washed her car.
•Did she wash her car?
•She didn't wash her car.

5. Past Continuous
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.
•You were studying when she called.
•Were you studying when she called?
•You were not studying when she called.
•I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
•did you hear the fire alarm, when you were listening to your ipod?
•I wasn´t listening to my iPod, so I heard the fire alarm.

6. Future Simple
Simple Future has two different forms: "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.
•You will help him later.
•Will you help him later?
•You will not help him later.
•You are going to meet Jane tonight.
•Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
•You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

7. Future Continuous
Future Continuous has two different forms: "will be doing " and "be going to be doing“. It is
used to speak about something that is occurring in a moment in the future. Unlike Simple
Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.
•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.
•You are going to be playing soccer when he cooks dinner tonigth.
•Are you going to be playing soccer when he cooks dinner tonigth?
•You are not going to be playing soccer when he cooks dinner tonigth.