Verb Tense Review Mrs. Alba ESL 4

Today, we are reviewing verb tenses. Verb Tense PRESENT CONTINUOUS ExplanationIt’s what we are doing NOW. RuleDescribes action right now. Special Problems Some verbs aren’t usually used in the continuous— Be, can, understand, forget, have Right now, I understand you.

I work at National City Adult School. Verb TenseSIMPLE PRESENT Explanatio n It’s a general fact. It’s what I do every day. I do it again and again RuleUse simple present for something that is a habit, or repeated again and again. Pay attention to the difference between the two present tenses: I take pictures (simple present) = it’s my hobby, I’m a photographer. I’m not taking pictures now (present continuous) because I’m in class.

I got an M.A. at National University. Verb TenseSIMPLE PAST ExplanationI received the degree in the past. RuleUse simple past for something that happened to the past and is finished. Pay attention I have an M.A. now (present tense, “have” is not used in the continuous). I got the degree in the past.

I have taught at National City Adult for 3 years I have taught at National City Adult since Verb TensePRESENT PERFECT ExplanationI started to teach at National City Adult (3 years ago), and I still teach at National City Adult now. RuleUse present perfect with “for” or “since” for an action that began in the past and continues in the present. Pay attention Without “for” or “since,” the meaning changes.

I have been teaching at National City Adult School for 3 years. I have been teaching at NCA since Verb TensePRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS Explanatio n I started to teach at National City Adult (3 years ago), and I still teach at NCA now. RuleUse present perfect continuous with “for” or “since” for an action that began in the past and continues in the present. Pay attention With “for” or “since,” the present perfect and the present perfect continuous mean the same thing.

I have worked in Chula Vista and National City. Verb Tense PRESENT PERFECT Explanation This is an indefinite time in the past. There is no “for” or “since.” RulePresent perfect with NO “for” or “since” is something finished in the past, but I’m not telling you when. Pay attention! If I tell you when, I must use the simple past. I worked in Chula Vista from I worked in National City from If I say “I have worked in National City for 3 years,” that means that I still work there.

We have been talking about verb tenses. Verb Tense PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS Explanation I’m talking about something continuing in the present, or just finished a minute ago. There is no “for” or “since.” RulePresent perfect continuous with NO “for” or “since” is something continuing in the present, or just recently finished. Pay attention! With “for” or “since,” present perfect and present perfect continuous mean the same thing. Without “for” or “since,” the meanings are different.

If I hadn’t taught you verb tenses in the beginning, you wouldn’t have understood this review. Verb Tense Conditionals Explanation I’m talking about something continuing in the present, or just finished a minute ago. There is no “for” or “since.” Rule RULE: The past unreal conditional is used to talk about what would have happened under certain (unreal) conditions in the past. The past perfect form of the verb is used in the if- clause, and would have + verb is used in the result clause. Pay attention! IF RESULT If she had known, she would have taken her umbrella to work.