This document provides notes on English grammar tenses including the past simple tense, past continuous tense, and present perfect tense. It explains their uses for expressing actions, states, habits, and sequences of events that occurred in the past. It also discusses time expressions and conjunctions that are commonly used with each tense.

2. LANGUAGE NOTES
1. In addition vs. In addition to
In addition subject + verb + object
•We went shopping and visited some friends.
•We went shopping. In addition, we visited some friends.
•In addition to + v- ing = Besides = As well as + v-ing
• Besides going shopping, we visited some friends.
•In addition to going shopping, we visited some friends.
•As well as going shopping, we visited some friends.
Note that the "subject" is the same in both sentences.
•I am very keen on politics. My brother is very keen on politics.
I as well as my brother am very keen on politics.

3. Despite,
In spite of,
Regardless of,
With all,
For all
 In spite of being poor, he was happy.
 Despite his poverty, he was happy.
Despite being clever, he got low marks in exams.
LANGUAGE NOTES
+ noun / (V. ing)

4.  actions that started and finished in the past.
Ex. Armstrong set foot on the Moon in 1969.
 past routines and habits.
Ex. I usually spent free time with my friends.
past states.
Ex. She was pleased with her results.
actions that happened one after the other in the past.
Ex. Nelly took out her phone and checked her mail.
Grammar
The past Simple Tense
We use it to express:

5.  I wish / If only ------ past simple. (present situation)
Ex. I wish the Egyptian team played well.
 It’s time --------- past simple.
 It’s high time --------- past simple.
Ex. It’s time father arrived.
I’d rather -------- past simple.
Ex. I would rather she helped him.
 The last time
 The first time
 subject last
subject first
Ex. The last time I saw Nelly was in 2020.
Grammar
The past Simple Tense
Please pay attention:
Past simple

6.  (time) later, ------ past simple.
Ex. Six weeks later, John killed everyone.
 It’s (period of time) (since) --------- past simple.
 It has been (period of time) (since) --------- past simple.
Ex. It’s three years since I ate fish.
Grammar
The past Simple Tense
Please pay attention:

7.  actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
Ex. Nada was watching TV at eight yesterday.
 two or more actions that were in progress at the same time.
Ex. I was playing tennis while Ali was reading a book.
 giving background information in a story.
Ex. The rain was pouring down and the wind was howling.
 an action that was in progress when another interrupted.
Ex. I was walking in the forest when I saw a lion.
 a temporary situation in the past.
Ex. I was singing in a rock band at the time.
Grammar
The past Continuous Tense
We use it for:

8.  While doing my homework, the phone rang.
 On touching the hot pan, she cried in pain.
Grammar
The past Continuous Tense

9.  actions that started in the past and has continued until now.
Ex. I’ve had the same car for twenty years..
 Something that started in the past but we don’t know when.
Ex. Nelly has eaten all the crisps.
 Something that happened in the past and has a result .
Ex. We are happy because we have won the match.
 an action that has just finished.
Ex. I have just done my homework.
 Experiences and achievements.
Ex. I have competed in three marathons.
 an action that happened several times in the past.
Ex. He has applied for numerous jobs but he hasn’t succeeded.
Grammar
The PRESENT PERFECT Tense
We use it for:

10.  Wow! Have you finished painting …………….......?
 Have you finished painting ……………...?
Grammar
The PRESENT PERFECT Tense
yet / already

11.  This is the strangest match I have ever watched.
Grammar
The PRESENT PERFECT Tense
 It’s (period of time) (since) --------- past simple.
 It has been (period of time) (since) --------- past simple.
Ex. It’s three years since I ate fish.
 It’s the first time I have ever seen a lion