Verbs show action and tense indicates time. The present tense shows ongoing or habitual actions while past tense shows completed actions. The present continuous (e.g., "are playing") expresses temporary or ongoing actions happening now. The simple present expresses facts, schedules or repeated/habitual present actions (e.g., "works"). The past continuous ("were watching") describes an action that was ongoing at a specific time in the past. Time expressions like "at 3 o'clock" are used with the past continuous to situate the action in time.

1. VERB TENSES Verbs show action. The verb shows what the noun or pronoun does. The acrobats performed incredible somersaults.

2. Tenses show the time of the action. Present tense shows action that is not completed. Past tense shows action that is completed

3. Present Tense Present Continuous Simple Present They are playing basketball against Greece. She practices everyday to be able to take part in the Olympics.

4. Past Tense Past continuous Simple past They won a gold medal in cycling. The spectators were watching the swimmers as they dived into the water.

5. Present Continuous is used: For temporary situations. He is staying with some friends at the moment. For actions happening at or around the time of speaking. He is looking for the ball. With always to express annoyance or criticism. He’s always telling lies! They are rowing at the moment.

6. The Present Continuous uses the auxiliary verb to be.

7. The Present Continuous is formed: They are playing hockey. Time expressions used with the Present Continuous Now, at the moment, at present, tonight be + + ing verb

8. Exercise 1: What are they doing?

9. The Simple Present is used: For permanent situations. She works in an office. For repeated actions in the present, especially with adverbs of frequency. He often brings her to school. For facts which are permanently true. The sun sets in the west. For timetables or programmes The lesson starts at 10 o’clock.

12. Time expressions used with the Simple Present Often, always, usually, sometimes, never, everyday Use the Simple Present, NOT the Present Continuous, with these verbs Like, love, hate, think, understand, believe, know, want I know that they are feeling very happy and proud.

13. Exercise 2 Complete the sentences using the Simple Present This is Usain Bolt. He ……… (live) in Jamaica. He ……(be) the fastest runner in the world. He ……. (have) the world record in 100 m and in 200 m. He ……. (train) many hours a day.He ……… (like) playing cricket and fast bowling.

14. Past Continous This is happening NOW This happened in the PAST

15. How do we form the past continuous?

16. Write 5 sentences about these people

17. What were they doing at three o’clock?