ENGLISH TENSES: PRESENT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS PAG.

PRESENT TENSES
1. THE SIMPLE PRESENT: FORMATION AND USE
a) VERB ROOT except for the third person singular, which takes en s I like potatoes he loves his wife

b) To talk about things in general (to say that something happens all the time or is true in general, no matter whether the action is happening at the moment of speaking): The Earth goes round the sun. Nurses look after patients in hospitals c) When we say how often we do things, for repeated or habitual actions (frequency adverbs) I get up at 8.00 every morning. Anne doesnt often drink. d) With future reference (generally used with timetables) The concert begins at 7.30 and ends at 9.30 The plane leaves at 7.25. The Prime Minister comes next week.

2. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS: FORMATION AND USE

a) AM/IS/ARE + -ING I am writing a letter to my parents Is he living in London now? They are not playing tennis at the moment. b) When we talk about something that is happening at the moment of speaking: Please dont make so much noise. I am studying. Wheres Margaret? She is having a shower. c) When we talk about something which is happening around the time of speaking but not necessarily at the time of speaking. Tom and Anne are talking and drinking in a caf. Tom says): I am reading an interesting book at the moment

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: PRESENT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS PAG. 2

Tom is not reading the book at the moment of speaking. He means that he has begun the book but hasnt finished it yet. Have you heard about Tom? He is building his new house. d) We often use it when we talk about a period around the present (today, this year, etc.). You are working hard today. Yes, I have a lot to do. Tom isnt playing football this year. He wants to concentrate on his studies. e) When we talk about changing situations The population of the world is changing continuously f) When we talk about non-permanent situations She is staying with me until she finds a flat of her own. g) With a future meaning, when we are talking about we have already arranged to do. A: What are you doing tomorrow evening? B: I am going to the theatre. h) Verbs that are not normally used in the continuous tenses
WANT NEED PREFER LIKE LOVE HATE BELONG FORGET HEAR KNOW REALIZE BELIEVE SUPPOSE MEAN SEEM UNDERSTAND REMEMBER

HAVE (when it means possess) THINK (when it means believe) SEE (when it means use the eyes and look at)

Do you like London? He doesnt understand it now. What do you think Tom will do? (What do you believe he will do?) What are you thinking about? (Whats going on in your mind?) Do you see him now? (Use the eyes) I am seeing the doctor next week (I have an appointment) I have an old car now, but not for long. (I possess) He is having dinner with his parents.

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE PAST CONTINUOUS PAG. 3

PAST AND PERFECT TENSES

1. PAST CONTINUOUS: FORMATION AND USE
a) WAS/WERE + -ING He was reading a book Were you watching TV? They werent having a bath. b) To say that someone was in the middle of doing something at a certain time. The action or situation had already started before this time but if hadnt finished This time last year I was living in Brazil What were you doing at 10.00 last night? c) It is often used with the Past Simple to say that something happened in the middle of something else. Tom burnt his hand while he was cooking the dinner. It was raining when I got up While I was working in the garden, I hurt my back.

* But to say that one thing happened AFTER another, we use the SIMPLE PAST.
Yesterday evening Tom was having a bath when the phone rang. He got out the bath and answered the phone. When I saw the dead man, I telephoned the police. COMPARE: When Tom arrived, we WERE HAVING dinner (we had already started dinner when Tom arrived) WHEN Tom arrived, we HAD dinner (Tom arrived and then we had dinner)

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE PRESENT PERFECT PAG. 4

1. THE PRESENT PERFECT. FORMATION AND USE

a) HAVE/HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE I have worked hard She has broken a window b) An action that was finished in a non-specific time I have been to India She has read a lot of books c) An action that was finished in an indefinite or unfinished time. It usually takes the following adverbials: LATELY RECENTLY TODAY SO FAR TU TO NOW BEFORE YET ALREADY EVER NEVER UP TO THE PRESENT THIS week, year,...

d) An action that began in the past and still continues at the moment of speaking En espaol no tenemos ningn que recoja este tipo de accin, por lo que tenemos que recurrir a perfrasis como: LLEVAR+GERUNDIO/ESTAR+GERUNDIO o a un PRESENTE DE INDICATIVO. En ingls suele ir acompaado por un complemento de tiempo encabezado por SINCE (= DESDE) y por FOR (= DESDE HACE). Llevo viviendo I have lived/have been living here since 1980 = Estoy viviendo Vivo desde 1980.

e) An action that finished just before the moment of speaking HAVE/HAS+JUST+ PAST PARTICIPLE= ACABAR DE HACER ALGO. There is no time complement or, if any, it is unspecified or unfinished. COMPARE: Acabo de verle = I have just seen him. Acabo de verle hace un momento = I saw him a moment ago

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE PRESENT PERFECT PAG. 5

2. PRESENT PERFECT or SIMPLE PAST?

a) The present perfect always tells us something about the present. The simple past tells us only about the past. He has lost his key (=he hasnt got it now) He lost his key (we dont know if he has it) b) Do not use the present perfect for actions or happening that are not connected with the present. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet. The Chinese invented printing c) We use the present perfect to give new information or to announce a recent happening. But if we continue to talk about it, we normally use the simple past. A: Ow! Ive burnt myself! B: How did you do that? A: I touched a hot dish. d) Do not use the present perfect when you are talking about a finished time in the past: yesterday, ago, when, last.. use a simple past. Tom lost his key yesterday Did you seethe film on TV last night? Mr Graves retired from his job two years ago. I ate a lot of sweets when I was a child

e) Use a simple past to ask when/what time something happened. What time did you arrive? When were you born? f) Now, compare the sentences: PRESENT PERFECT
I have smoked twenty cigars today
Today is a period of time that continues up to the present. It is not a finished time, so we use the present perfect. Present

PAST SIMPLE
I smoked twenty cigars yesterday
Yesterday is a finished time in the past. So we use the past simple. present Past Yesterday (finished time)

Past

Today (unfinished time)

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE PRESENT PERFECT PAG. 6

PRESENT PERFECT
Tom hasnt been ill this year Have you seen Ann this morning? (it is still morning) Have you see Ann recently? Weve waited (been waiting) for an hour (we are still waiting) Ian has lived in London for a year (he still lives there) I have never played golf (in my life)

PAST SIMPLE
Tom wasnt ill last year Did you see Ann this morning? (it is now afternoon) Did you see Ann last week? We waited (were waiting) for an hour (we are no longer waiting) Ian lived in London for a year (he no longer lives there) I didnt play golf when I was on holiday last summer.

The present perfect always has a connection with the present.

The past simple tells us only about the past.

3. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE or CONTINUOUS?

Compare these example situations: a)
Anns clothes are covered in paint She has been painting the ceiling We are interested in the action. It doesnt matter whether sth. has been finished or not. In the example, the action hasnt been finished. Toms hands are dirty Hes been repairing the car You have been smoking too much recently. You should smoke less. The ceiling was white. Now it is blue. She has painted the ceiling This time, the important thing is that sth has been finished. We are interested in the result of the action, not in the action itself. The car is going again now Tom has repaired it Somebody has smoked all my cigarettes. The packet is empty.

b)
We use the continuous form to say how long something has been happening. Ann has been writing letters all day. How long have you been reading that book? John has been playing tennis since 2 oclock We use the simple form to say how much/how many things/how many times weve done sth. Ann has written ten letters today Haw mane pages of that book have you read? John has played tennis three times this week.

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE PRESENT PERFECT PAG. 7

4. SINCE and FOR

SINCE FOR two hours
Beginning of period (period) now

a) We use SINCE when we say the beginning of a period Ive been waiting for you since 8 oclock b) We use FOR when we say the period of time Ive been waiting for you for two hours. SINCE 8 oclock Monday 12 May April 1977 Christmas Lunchtime We arrived Two hours Ten minutes Three days Six months FOR A week Five years A long time ages

c) We do not use FOR in expressions with ALL (all day/all morning/all my life, etc.) * Note the structure HOW LONG IS IT SINCE..? A: How long is it since you had a holiday? B: Its two years since I had it. Its ages since Tom visited us (=Tom hasnt visited us for ages)

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

Present, past and perfect English tenses: Exercises PAG. 8

E X E R C I S E S
1. Present simple or present continuous?
1. How do you start work on a film? - I (read) the script and (make) notes. 2. I (make) notes of our interview. I hope you dont mind. 3. What languages (you speak) apart from English? 4. Im glad we (do) this interview in English. 5. Who (play) the guitar? My son, when he has time. 6. Who (play) the piano upstairs? My sister. Shes got a concert tomorrow. 7. What (she play)? I think it is a piece by Mozart. 8. (She play) anything else? The violin. She is very musical. 9. Your daughter is very keen on sport, isnt she? Yes, she (play) tennis. 10.Where is she now? She (play) tennis, as usual. 11.Whats that delicious smell? My husband (cook). 12.Is that usual? Yes, normally I (shop) and normally I (shop) (cook). 13.What a lovely clock! It (not worth), Im afraid its been broken for years. 14.Could I use your phone? Im afraid it (not work) at the moment. 15.I (have) a great time. 16.She (have) plenty of money just now. 17.Why (you look) at me like that? 18.It (look) as if its going to rain. 19.I (see) the manager this afternoon. 20.I (see) what you are trying to say. 21.I (think) you are right. 22.What (you think) about? 23.Vegetarians are people who (not eat) meat. 24.Look out! My husband (come). 25.Some people still think the sun (go) round the earth. 26.I (play) tennis every weekend. 27.What (happen) in golf if you lose the ball? 28.Who (sit) in my chair? 29.An alcoholic is a person who (drink) too much and cant stop. 30.Look! She (wear) the same shoes as me. 31.What (look) at? A strange bird. 32.I (stay) with John a few weeks until my new house is ready. 33.What (you do) with my coat? 34.Can you explain why water always (run) downhill? 35.Nobody (get) up early for fun. 36.Not many passenger planes (fly) faster than sound. 37.We usually (stay) with Peggy when we go to Chicago. 38.What (you do)? I am an architect. 39.Who (drink) champagne? Me. Can I have some more? 40.What language (he speak)? It sounds like Belgian.

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

Present, past and perfect English tenses: Exercises PAG. 9

2. Past continuous or past simple?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. George (fall) off the ladder when he (paint) the ceiling. Last night I (read) in bed when suddenly I (hear) a scream. (you watch) television when I phoned you. Ann (wait) for me when I (arrive). I (not drive) very fast when the accident (happen) I (break) a plate last night. I (do) the washing-up when it (slip) out of my hand. 7. Tom (take) a photograph of me while I (not look). 8. We (not go) out because it (rain). 9. What (you do) at this time yesterday? 10.I (see) Carol at the party. She (wear) a really beautiful dress.

3. Past simple or present perfect?

1. Jill (buy) a car two weeks ago. 2. His hair is very short. He (have) a haircut. 3. Last night I (arrive) home at ten. I (have) a bath and then (go) to bed. 4. (you visit) many museums when you were in Paris? 5. My bicycle isnt here any more. Somebody (take) it. 6. When (you give) up smoking? 7. I (not eat) anything yesterday because I (not be) angry. 8. Why (Jim not want) to play tennis last Friday? 9. The car looks very clean. (you wash) it? 10.Mr Clark lives in Dublin. He (live) here all his life. 11.Molly (work) in a bank for 15 years. Then she gave it up. 12.Bob and Alice are married. The (be) married for 20 years. 13.When we were on holiday, the weather (be) awful. 14.My grandfather died 30 years ago. I (never meet) him. 15.The weather (be) very nice recently, dont you think? 16.I dont know Carols husband. I (never meet) him. 17.The house is very quiet. Everybody (go) to bed. 18.I (not see) Alice lately. 19.He (catch) the plane at eight this morning. 20.I (read) a lot of her books when I was at school.

4. Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous?

1. 2. 3. 4. Look! Somebody (break) the window. I (read) the book that you gave me but I (not finish) it yet. Sorry. Im late. Thats all right. I (not wait) for long. Hello! I (clean) the windows. So far I (clean) five of them and there are two more to do. 5. Theres a strange smell in here. (you cook) something? 6. My brother is an actor. He (appear) in several films. 7. You look tired. Yes. I (garden) all afternoon.

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE FUTURE PAG. 10

THE FUTURE
1. WILL (and SHALL)
We use shall for the first person singular and plural and will for the rest. Will is more common for all the persons. Contractions: ll and wont. We use will/shall to give or ask for information about the future , in cases where there is no reason to use a present verb form. We wont need the money till the 15th Will all the family be at the wedding? It will be spring soon Shell be here in a few minutes.

We often use will/shall to predict the future to say what we think, guess or calculate will happen. Tomorrow will be warm, with some clouds in the afternoon Who do you think will win? Youll never finish that book.

2. GOING TO
We often use present verb forms to talk about the future. For example, we say that something is going to happen. This is common when we talk about plans, decisions, and firm intentions, especially in an informal style. We are going to get a new car soon When are you going to start studying English? I am going to insist until she says yes. Going to is common when we predict the future by using present evidence when we can see that a future event is on the way, or starting to happen. Look! It is going to rain (it is cloudy) My sister is going to have a baby (shes pregnant)

3. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
The present progressive is common when we talk about future personal arrangements and fixed plans; we often give the time, date, and/or place. What are you doing this evening? Im washing my hair My cars having a service next week Were going to Spain in June

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE FUTURE PAG. 11

What are we having for dinner?

4. FUTURE: comparison of structures

We can often use more than one structure to talk about the same future event. Present forms emphasise present ideas like intention, certainty and plans. We prefer shall/will when we are not emphasising present ideas. Compare: Next year is going to be different I promise (present intention) Next year will probably be different. What are you doing next year? What will you do next year do you know? We prefer present forms when we are talking about future events that have some present reality. Compare: Im seeing Pete on Tuesday (theres an arrangement now) I wonder if he will recognise me (No present idea) In predictions, we prefer present forms when there is outside evidence for what will happen when we can see something coming. We prefer will when we are talking more about what is inside our heads: our beliefs, guesses, knowledges, etc. Look out! We are going to crash (I can see it coming) Dont lend him your car hell crash it (I know him)

5. THE SIMPLE PRESENT

We sometimes use the simple present to talk about the future. This happens mostly when we talk about timetables, routines and schedules (programas). Next term starts on 6 April My train leaves at 3.17 What time does the bus arrive in York? Do you have classes next Sunday?

The simple present can also be used to give and ask for instructions. When do you get to the office you go up to the first floor, you knock on the first door on the right and you ask for Mrs Alstone. OK? Where do I pay?

In other cases we dont use the simple present in main clauses to talk about the future.

Lucys coming for a drink this evening

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

ENGLISH TENSES: THE FUTURE PAG. 12

Ill phone you I promise Theres is the doorbell. Ill go.

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES

Future tense: exercises

PAG. 13

E X E R C I S E S

1. Which form do you feel is best?

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) Alice (will have/is going to have) a baby. With a bit of luck the baby (will have/is going to have) Alices eyes. I (will play/am going to play) tennis with Stan on Sunday. (Hell win/hes going to win). He always does. Dont tell her. She (will tall/is going to tell) everybody else. Whats happening? The train (wont stop/isnt going to stop)! One day everybody (will have/is going to have) proper housing. (Shell get married/Shes getting married) on Friday at the local church. (It will rain/ It is going to rain). Look at those clouds. If it gets any colder, (it will snow/its going to snow) When (does/will) school start? The plane (arrives/will arrive) at 10.00 I (write/will) write soon. We (go/are going) to Spain some time soon. You (go/will go) next door for the tickers. I (stop/will stop) smoking after Christmas. How (do/will) I switch this on? The exams (are/will be) in June. I (have/will have) a lecture at 9.00 tomorrow. The train (wont/doesnt stop) at Oxford. I (come/will come) round after 7.00 Where (do/will) I go for my interview? I (play/am playing) football tomorrow. What time (does/will) the concert end? I (post/will post) your letters.

DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES