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The Simple Present Tense

Hello, my name is Skippy. I am a detective. I solve mysteries. I need to learn some English grammar to help me solve some mysteries. I have a great idea! Why dont we learn together? It will be fun! OK? Lets begin.

What happens in the winter? It snows. Is winter warm or cold? Winter is cold. Is winter cold every day? Yes! It is Does it snow every day? No, it doesnt Does it snow regularly or often? Yes, it does
What are some things you do daily or on a regular basis?

You eat breakfast. You sleep. You brush your teeth. You clean your room.

The Simple present tense describes actions that occur daily or on regular basis.

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Exercise
Change the verbs in the following sentences from the simple past tense to the simple present tense.

1. I listened to the radio. 2. She played the piano. 3. Juan brushed his teeth. 4. She spoke to her boyfriend on the phone. 5. The boys ran to the candy store.

Mystery
OK. Now we understand the present tense. It describes actions that occur daily or on a regular basis. Now you can help me solve a little mystery. I received the following note. I need to identify the person. It is written in the present tense. I need your help.

Here is the note; I want you to be a good citizen. Study Listen to your teachers and tutors. Listen to your parents. Do your homework. I am the Leader of the United States. QUESTION YOU MUST ANSWER! WHO AM I?

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Present Continuous
1. Were waiting patiently for the bus at the bus stop opposite the church. Where Michelle is having salad and pasta because she doesnt eat meat. Why Simon is visiting the new shopping center near St. Marks Road. What Sammy is sitting in the waiting room with her mum and brother. Where Gemma is driving to the airport to pick up her grandmother. Where Robertos daughter is playing with her cousins. What Harry is trying on a new pair of smart black trousers. Who Helena is hoping to get promoted at the end of the year. When Mark is buying a new washing machine because his old one is broken. Why

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1 0 . Barney and Wanda are enjoying a day out at an amusement park. Who

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Present Perfect
1. Ive agreed to meet Dan in the old market place outside the library. Who 2. Jenny has just put the cheese in the fridge. Where 3. Ive looked everywhere in this shop for a tin of vegetable soup, but I cant find one anywhere. Where 4. Ive taken two tablets three times a day for a week, but I dont feel any better. How many 5. Weve cancelled our flight because our daughter is ill. Why 6. The whole family has decided to go on holiday to Florida next year. Who 7. I have always liked jackets and tops from Marks and Spencer. What 8. My friend Jo has been unemployed since last August. How long 9. Jason has finished cutting the grass in the back garden. What 10. I have seen Macbeth at this theatre five times. How many

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Present Perfect Continuous = recent continuous

Action Time of action: From the past up to the recent past, or up to now (present). When do we need to use it? To describe a recent continuous action, e.g. to catch up with a friend: - What have you been doing all morning? - Ive been putting up wallpaper. [Its not clear from my words whether Ive finished the whole job, e.g. I might have stopped for a break.] To describe an action that has been continuing for a period of time and is still going on: - How long have you been living in Bristol? - Ive been living here for six years. How is it formed? Have (aux.) + been + present participle (-ing verb) Contractions in spoken English: Examples: Positive Form Negative Form Question Form Answers: Ive been shes been

I have been She has been

Kays been washing dirty sheets in the hotel laundry all morning. Kay hasnt been washing dirty sheets in the hotel laundry all morning. Has Kay been washing dirty sheets in the hotel laundry all morning? Yes, she has. / No, she hasnt.

Passive form: Rare, but possible, e.g. The cars been being fixed for hours! Used with state verbs? No, e.g. Ive been liking this film a lot! = Ive liked this film a lot since Tips: This form highlights the time period or duration of the action. It is often used with a time clause to describe duration, e.g. for x weeks / years or since + day, date, or time, as well as withrecently, ..lately, all day, this morning/afternoon, etc.

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Present Perfect Continuous

FORM [has /have + been + present participle] Examples: You have been waiting here for two hours. Have you been waiting here for two hours? You have not been waiting here for two hours. Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous Examples: They have been talking for the last hour. She has been working at that company for three years. What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes? James has been teaching at the university since June. We have been waiting here for over two hours! Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days? USE 2 Recently, Lately You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning. Examples: Recently, I have been feeling really tired. She has been watching too much television lately. Have you been exercising lately? Mary has been feeling a little depressed. Lisa has not been practicing her English. What have you been doing?

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Past Simple
1. Jennifer bought a couple of cakes at the bakery, then ran to the post office. What Daniel gave himself the largest portion of ice cream. Who I used my debit card to buy a pair of shoes for work. What I phoned my doctor this morning to make an appointment. Why I flew from Heathrow to Copenhagen last night. What Jennas aunt and uncle visited us in May because they wanted to see our new baby. Why Frankie bought herself a new dress and some underwear in the trendiest boutique on Oxford Street. Where When Greg worked for Dell he had to do plenty of overtime. What When I went to their home Jack and Lisa showed me their new bathroom. What

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1 0 . We went on a camping holiday last summer for two weeks. How long

Tense Exercises Choose which verb tense ( simple present or present continuous)fits better. 1. I always ________ my best. a) try b) am trying 2. I'm sorry, ________ to me? a) are you talking b) do you talk 3. I ________ to the mountains this weekend. a) go b) am going 4. What time ________ lunch? a) do you normally eat b) are you normally eating 5. I have to go to bed early tonight because my train ________ at6:00 AM tomorrow morning. a) is leaving b) leaves 6. We normally eat lunch at noon, but today ________ at1 . a) we're eating b) we eat 7. How long ________ the flu? a) do you have b) are you having 8. ________ a good time? Yes, I'm really enjoying this. a) Are you having b) Do you have 9. We ________ breakfast every morning at 8:00 a) have b) are having 10. Don't talk so loudly - Brian ________ to sleep. a) tries b) is trying Choose which verb tense (simple past or past continuous) fits better. 1. I ________ - I didn't hear you come in. a) was sleeping b) slept 2. I ________ to see her twice, but she wasn't home. a) was coming b) came 3. What ________? I was watching TV. a) did you do b) were you doing 4. Robin Hood was a character who ________ from the rich and gaveto the poor. a) stole b) was stealing 5. Hey, did you talk to her? Yes, I ________ to her a) was talking b) talked 6. I ________ home very late last night. a) came b) was coming 7. They _______________ to school on foot when they were young. a) were going b) went 8. ________ a good time in Brazil? Yes, I had a blast! a) Were you having b) Did you have 9. We ________ breakfast when she walked into the room. a) had b) were having

10. Last month I decided to buy a new car, and today I finally________ it. a) bought b) was buying

Test Your Grammar Skills Using Present Perfect Tense 1 Complete the sentences by adding the past participle for each infinitive verb in Brackets : 1. Ive (be)____________________ to France twice. 2. I have (complete)____________________ three computer courses. 3. He hasnt (speak)____________________ to his bank manager since June. 4. They have just (leave)____________________ the building. 5. I havent (eat)____________________ Chinese food before. 6. I think Jim has (have)____________________ enough of Lauren. 7. Ben has (drive)____________________ 300 miles in the past two days. 8. We havent (sell)____________________ many ice creams this week. 9. They have never (ask)____________________ their parents for any help. 10. Ive just (see)____________________ that bag at a lower price in a different shop. 11. I think the manager has (offer)____________________ him a job. 12. We have (make)____________________ a dozen cakes for the party. 13. Has he (clean)____________________ the car yet? 14. How long have you (live)____________________ in the UK? 15. I have never (hear)____________________ of that play. Is it any good?