Animals give us milk and meat. Computers save us a lot of time and effort. The present simple is used to talk about situations that aren’t connected to time and always true(in the past, now and in the future), it’s an all time tense or timeless. It’s also used to express general truths. Give similar examples.

I take a shower every morning. I get up early. My watch keeps good time. I watch television most weekends. The present simple is used to express habitual and repeated actions. Give similar examples.

In this book, the author describes how to stay healthy. He also talks about keeping fit. The present simple is often used in summaries, such as book or film reviews. Give similar examples.

I work at sports shop. (It’s a permanent job) They live in a very nice flat. The present simple is used for a routine or situation that we see as permanent. I always make silly mistakes in exams. (=I make silly mistakes in every exam) Always with the present simple means ‘every time’

I think the weather is so hot today. I like it. Why don’t we go out? We use the present simple in thoughts and feelings and in negative questions with why to make a suggestion. Give similar examples.

I promise I’ll visit you. I totally agree with you. The new term starts next week. The present simple is used in phrases like I promise, I agree, etc. Give similar examples.

Note: In the present simple we use the verb without an ending  You know the answer.  Most children like ice-cream. But with the third person singular(after he, she, it) the verb ends in s or es  It gets cold in winter.  Mona catches the early train. (after s, sh, ch and x we add es) (passes, washes, catches, mixes)

I’m reading a book on wild animals. The present progressive describes what is happening now(at the time of speaking) or in the extended present. Give similar examples.

I’m working at a sports shop for six weeks. At the moment they are living in a very small flat. The present progressive is also used for a routine or situation that we see as temporary(for a short period) Give similar examples.

I’m always making silly mistakes.(= I make silly mistakes too often) We can use always with the present progressive to mean ‘very/too often’ or to express a negative reaction or situation as in: He’s always asking silly questions. I wish he’d stop. Give similar examples.

STATES(Stative /non-action verbs) A state means something staying the same The flat is clean. The farmer owns the land. The box contained old books. State verbs cannot usually be progressive. NOT The farmer is owning the land.

ACTIONS An action means something happening. I’m cleaning the flat. The farmer is buying the land. Action verbs can be simple or progressive. He put the books in the box. He was putting everything away.

Some state verbs consist ofbelievebe deservedepend oncontain knowhateexist matterlovelike needownmean resemblerememberprefer understandseem

STATES (simple tenses) I think you’re right.(=believe) We have three cars.(=own) I come from Palestine(=live) I see your problem.(=understand) Do you see that house?(=have in sight) This picture looks nice. She appears very nervous.(=seems) The bag weighed five kilos. The coat fits.(=is the right size) ACTIONS (simple or progressive) I’m thinking about the problem. We’re having lunch.(= eating) I’m coming from Palestine. (=travelling I usually come on the plan. Ali is seeing the doctor. (=meeting) I see Ali quite often. I’m looking at his picture. She appeared/was appearing in a film. They weighed/were weighing my bag. I’m fitting a lock to the window.

Look at these examples with the verb be about how people behave. Permanent Quality Ali is very sociable person. That man is an idiot. Temporary Behavior Mona is being very sociable today. You are being an idiot this morning.(= You’re behaving like an idiot) We use am/are/is being only to talk about behavior, not about other things. I’m better now, thanks. Are you ready? Is anyone interested?

We can use some state verbs in the progressive to talk about a short period of time. Permanent State (simple present) I love/enjoy parties. I like school. Holidays cost a lot of money. Short Period (Progressive) I’m loving/enjoying this party. I’m liking school better much now. This trip is costing me a lot of money. Sometimes we can use either the simple or the progressive with no difference in meaning. You look well, OR You’re looking well. We feel a bit sad, OR We’re feeling a bit sad.

Final - ed has three different pronunciations: /t/, /d/, and / ə d/. The schwa / ə / is an unstressed vowel sound. It is pronounced like a in alone in normal, rapid speech (e.g., She lives alone.).

(a) looked -look/t/ clapped - c lap /t/ missed -miss/t/ watched -watch/t/ finished - finish/t/ laughed -laugh/t/ Final -ed is pronounced /t/ after voiceless sounds. Voiceless sounds are made by pushing air through your mouth; no sound comes from your throat. Examples of voiceless sounds: “k,” “p,” “s," “ch,” “sh," “f.”

(b) smelled - smell/d/ saved - save/d/ cleaned - clean/d/ robbed - rob/d/ played - play/d/ Final -ed is pronounced /d/ after voiced sounds. Voiced sounds come from your throat. If you touch your neck when you make a voiced sound, you can feel your voice box vibrate. Examples of voiced sounds: “l," “v,” “n,” “b,” and all vowel sounds.

(c) decided - decide/ ə d/ needed - need/ ə d/ wanted - want/ ə d/ invited - invite/ ə d/ Final -ed is pronounced / ə d/ after “t” and “d” sounds. The sound / ə d / adds a whole syllable to a word. compare: looked = one syllable - look/t/ smelled = one syllable - smell/d/ needed = two syllables - need/ ə d/