An overview of English verb tenses ©2007 Mgr. Tereza Vogeltanzová

On how to cope with the English grammar …

Present simple 1)to talk about activities or routines which take place on a regular basis e.g. He usually gets up at six o'clock. 2) to discuss future scheduled events e.g. The course begins next Monday at 2 p.m.

Common present time expressions usually always often sometimes on Saturdays at weekends (on weekends in US English) rarely on occasion never seldom … IMPORTANT: an 's' in the base form of the 3rd person singular If the verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -ies Question and negation: do, does, don´t, doesn´t

Present continuous to speak about what is happening at the present moment in time. For example, 'He's watching TV at the moment.' to speak about what is happening AROUND the moment in time. For example, if you are working on a project for only two weeks, you say: ‘I am working on the Smith account.’

Present continuous 3) Near future – planned, arranged actions e.g. I´m leaving tomorrow. Common present continuous time expressions include: at the moment now, just now, right now today this week, this month tomorrow, next week (for future arrangements ) currently

Past simple To talk about activities or routines which take place at a specified time in the past. For example, He played tennis last weekend. 2) Finished, completed, definite actions For exemple, He left an hour ago. Regular verbs end in ‘-ed’. IMPORTANT Irregular verbs must be learned properly!

Past simple Common past time expressions include: last (week, year, night…) yesterday ago in 1987, on 20th October 2007 when I was a child, when I was small … IMPORTANT: DID, DID´T + present infinitive!!! What did you study yesterday? I studied …, I didn´t study …

Irregular verbs A list of irregular verbs to be found on: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/irregular-verbs

Past continuous to express something that is happening at a precise moment in the past. For example, Jack was working on the report last night at 10.15. to express an interrupted action expressed using the past simple For example, Janet was talking on the phone when I arrived. 3) to express the background of an action in past simple For example, When I woke up, the sun was shining, the birds were singing …

Practice … put the following verbs in the past simple Thomas _______ (live) in the small town of Brington. Thomas _______ (love) walking through the beautiful forest that surrounded Brington. One evening, he ____ (take) his umbrella and _____ (go) for a walk in the woods. He ______ (meet) an old man named Frank. Frank _______ (tell) Thomas that, if he _____ (want) to become rich, he should invest in a little known stock called Microsoft. Thomas ______ (think) Frank _____ (be) foolish because Microsoft ____ (be) a computer stock. Everybody _____ (know) that computers _____ (be) just a passing fad. At any rate, Frank _______ (insist) that Thomas _____ (be) wrong. Frank _______ (draw) a wonderful graph of future possibilities. Thomas ______ (begin) thinking that maybe Frank ______ (understand) stocks. Thomas _______ (decide) to buy some of these stocks. The next day, he ______ (go) to the stock broker's and _____ (buy) $1,000 worth of Microsoft stock. That _____ (be) in 1986, today that $1,000 worth of stock is worth more than $250,000!

Practice – part 2 The part about the Microsoft stock is true!!! Insert the following past continuous fragments into the above story: As Frank was drawing the graph, ... ... while he was walking to work, it was raining so... While they were discussing the stock, ... When he was returning from his walk, ... As he was walking through the woods,

Were you successful? How many points would you get?

Present perfect to say what has happened recently and has an effect on the present moment For example, They haven't had lunch yet. 2) an experience that has happened at an unspecified point in time before the present For example, They've seen the film twice. 3) an action begins in the past and continues into the present This use of the present perfect expresses duration over time FROM the past moment TO the present moment. For example, Alice has lived in New York since 1997.

Present perfect Common present perfect time expressions include: for (with a period of time) since (with an exact point in time), ever never yet already this week (month, year) when it is still true

Present perfect or past simple? Put each of the following verbs into either the past simple or present perfect. She (write) the email but doesn't know how to send it. Hurry up! The concert (begin) and we are late. Madonna (record) many albums and will probably make many more. Nat King Cole (record) many albums during his wonderful career. How many books (read) this year? How many books (read) last year?

Present perfect continuous Like the present perfect simple expresses an action which begins in the past and continues into the present. For example, My parents have been travelling since early this morning. The present perfect continuous describes the duration of a current activity happening at the moment. For example, I've been reading this book since 10 this morning. On the other hand, the present perfect is used to describe states, more general activity or results. For example, Jack has lived in California most of his life.

Where´s the difference? PRESENT PERFECT Indefinite time in the past (experience). Emphasis is on the completed action at an indefinite time in the past. Example: Susan's written 3 books. 2) Emphasis on QUANTITY Example: I've read 300 pages of Tom Smith's latest book. 3) Duration from past to present Example: Peter has worked for that company for 5 years.

Where´s the difference? PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS Recent activity: to emphasize the recency of a past activity. we often use lately or recently Example: She's been working hard recently Emphasis on the duration or length of an activity Example: Jack has been painting for 4 hours. Recently finished activity with a present result Example: I've been working in the garden, that's why my hands are so dirty. No difference in meaning. Often the present perfect progressive and the present perfect can have the same meaning. This is often the case with verbs of living, occupation or vocation) Example: I've been living in Leghorn for 3 years. OR I've lived in Leghorn for 3 years

Test yourself … 1) Frank (fail) his driving test 4 times! Recently he (practise) a lot and he should pass it the next time he takes it! 2) Scotland yard (look for) the murder for two weeks now. Unfortunately they (be able/find) any suspects. 3) I can't believe it! It (rain) all day. 4) He (do) his housework all day but he (finish) yet. 5) It smells like fish in here. - Well that's no surprise. I (cook) fish stew. 6) George (play) golf since 9 o'clock this morning. He (play) 18 holes. 7) Jack (just/go) to the bank. He should be back soon.

Past perfect to talk about an action that is finished before another action in the past. useful for giving reasons for a decision that was made in the past For example, He didn't come because he had caught the flu. Sometimes not necessary.

Going to – future (eq. to present continuous) to speak about future intentions or plans made before the present moment. For example, He's going to visit his grandmother next month. 2) to speak about something that is about to happen, which you can see or feel . For example, Look out! You're going to drop those dishes!

Will - future to make a future prediction For example, George will get the job. to express a decision about the future made at the moment. For example, Don't worry, I'll help you! Used for promises For example, I'll make you a sandwich.They'll help you if you want. Used in combination with time clauses (as soon as, when, before, after) and conditional clauses – !!!in the main clause only)

Which future form? As soon as she arrives in Dallas she (give) you a call. Look at those clouds on the horizon! It is (rain) soon. Who do you think (win) the next national elections? We are (fly) to Austin next week for a meeting with the advisory board. I promise you: I (finish) my homework on time next week. I'll take this letter to the post office when I (go) into town this afternoon.

Future continuous will be doing „present continuous for the future“ A: If you see Sally, can you ask her to phone me? B: Sure, I´ll be seeing her this evening, so I´ll tell her then.

Future perfect will have done To say that sth. will already be complete Sally always leaves for work at 8:30 in the morning, so she won´t be at home at 9 o´clock. For example, She´ll have gone to work. We´re late. The film will already have started by the time we get to the cinema.

Thank you for your attention. Next session will be held on 10th November. (test 3,4 check)