Tenses :
1.. Simple Present:
We use the Simple Present tense:
a.To talk about activities that we repeat regularly (routines* habits) :
ex. Peter goes to work by bus
I drink coffee every morning
My friends learn English.
b.To talk about permanent situations now:
ex. I have two cats and a fish
we like animals.
The Smiths don't enjoy big weddings.
c.To Talk about general truths:
ex. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west
If you mix yellow and blue* you get green.
d.To talk about future official events or timetables which we cannot change:
ex. The Summer term begins on the 15th of February next year
The train leaves at 6.25
8776;In statements* we add –s or –es in the third person singular (-y ending changes to –ies):
Ex. He speaks English very well.
She hurries to work every morning.
8776;In Questions* negative sentences and short answers* we use does(for third person singular) or do(for other grammatical persons)
ex. Does she knit well? No* she doesn't
Do you like music? Yes* I do
It doesn't rain a lot in November
We don't eat fast food.
8776;We often use the following time adverbials with the Simple Present:
9658;Always* usually* regularly* often* sometimes* occasionally* rarely* seldom* * hardly ever* never. >> appear between the subject and the verb:
ex. I always have breakfast
Some people regularly exercise in the gym.
9658;from time to time* twice a week* * once a(week/month..etc) * every(morning/night/day…etc). >>usually appear at the end or at the beginning of the sentence:
ex. I have a haircut once a month
From time to time we go fishing.
2.. Present Continuous:
We use the Present Continuous:
a.To talk about activities that are going on at the time of speaking:
ex. I'm reading a story. (now* at this moment)
Mum can't come because she's cooking dinner. (at this moment)
b.To talk about activities that happen regularly but for s limited period of time (temporary routines or habits):
ex. We are training everyday this week to prepare for our match.
c.To talk about future events that we have already fixed or arranged:
ex. She is getting married in June.
We are going to museum tomorrow.
8776;We form the Present Continuous tense using a present form of be + …-ing
ex. I am having my lunch
Is she wearing your tie?
They aren't going to school today.
9658;when the verb ends with a consonant + e : we drop the final –e >> write ..> writing // smile ..> smiling
9658;when the verb ends with on vowle + one consonant we double the final consonant >> put..> putting // run..> running
Except after –w*-x*-y >> knowing* fixing* hurring
9658;we can use the following time adverbials with the present continuous:
Jus* now* at the moment* at present. >> their positions in a sentence can be:
9642; between be and the –ing form of the verb :
I'm just having a snack.
9642; at the end of the sentence:
We are having lunch at the moment.
9642; at the beginning of the sentence:
At present* many doctors are working on a cure.
9658;some verbs ( called state verbs) are not usually used in a Continuous tense :
9679; verbs knowing or not knowing about:
Believe* doubt* forget* imagine* know* remember* realize* suppose* understand.
9679;verbs about appearance:
Appear* resemble* seem.
9679; verbs about liking or not liking:
Hat* like* love* prefer.
9679; verbs about the senses:
Hear* see* smell* taste
9679; verbs about what things are made of or where they come from:
Be* come from* contain* include.
9679; verbs about possession:
Belong to* need* own* possess* want* wish.
3.. Simple Past:
We use the Simple Past to talk about:
9552; finishing actions:
She went to the city and did her shopping.
9552; past situations that are repeated or continuous* and past habits:
I went to elementary school in my village.
8776; In the Simple Past* we add –ed or –ied (for verbs ending –y) to the infinitive of regular verbs Or use the past form of irregular verbs:
Ex. It rained all day yesterday. (regular verb)
I read the book this morning. (irregular
verb