Verb Tenses - Your Simple Guide

Lets look at Verb Tenses, simple present, past simple and action verbs.. just to get started :)

Some Tenses in English are actually referred to as "Simple" .. because they are! ..at least the "Simple Past" or "Past Simple" is, and so is the "Simple Present" or "Present Simple".

On this page, we will look at how these two verb tenses are used, we will associate time defining words to each one to help identify the correct choice, and we will look at the conjugation formulas.

We will also see tips on how to create our own custom English verb list.

Ready?

Lets start with the simple present, later we will come to the simple past;

Simple Present

[VERB] + s/es in third person

Examples:

* You eat pizza.
* Do you eat pizza?
* You do not eat pizza.

Use the Simple Present verb tense to express the idea that an action is habitual. The action can be a routine, something you do daily, weekly or monthly or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

To make this sentence more meaningful, use adverbs of frequency like "sometimes", "always", "Usually" etc. (S.A.U.R.O.N.) Can you think of the adverbs of frequency for the other letters?

* I (always) play football (on Saturdays).
* She does not (often) play football.
* Does he (always) play football (on Saturdays)?
* The bus (usually) leaves every morning at 9 AM.
* The bus does not (always) leave at 10 AM.
* When does the bus (usually) leave?

Facts or Generalizations

Examples:

* Dogs hate cats.
* Men do not like cooking.
* Do birds like noise?
* Paris is in France.
* Paris is not in the United States.
* Houses are made of concrete.
* Windows are not made of plastic.

Most English verbs have two "present" tenses. Forms like I wait, she thinks are called "simple present" or "present simple"; forms like I am waiting or she's thinking are called "present progressive" or "present continuous".

Modal verbs like can or must do not have progressive forms, and some other verbs such as know or contain are rarely used in continuous forms.

The two "present" tenses are used to refer to several different types of time.

1. General Time: simple present
When we talk about permanent situations or about things that happen regularly.
a. My friend lives in New York.
b. I usually visit her every summer.

2. Around now: present continuous
When we talk about temporary continuing actions that are happening around now we usually use the present continuous.
a. I'm talking to Tom now (right now, and I have not finished).
b. I'm going to the gym a lot these days.

3. Series of events: present simple
When we talk about a series of event, or actions that are completed as we speak, like when we give instructions, we use the present simple.
a. Pay attention, first I cut the paper, then I glue the decoration, then I leave it to dry etc.

Present Continuous

Use the Present Continuous to express the idea that an action is happening now. The action can anything that you have started but have not yet completed, something you will finish quickly or over time, in a matter of minutes or months.

It can be used to describe something that is planned for the future (Present Continuous as Future).

To make this sentence more meaningful, use words like "now", "at the moment".

Verb "To Be" + Infinitive verb + ing

I am + infinitive verb + ing
I am working at the moment

You/We/They
You are + infinitive verb + ing
You are working at the moment

He/She/It
He is +Infinitive verb + ing
He is working at the moment

Negative form:
Verb to be negative + infinitive verb + ing
I am not working at the moment
He is not working at the moment
You are not working at the moment

Question form:
Verb to be question + infinitive verb + ing
Am I working at the moment?
Is he working at the moment?
Are you working at the moment?

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Mary Allen, your Tefl Teacher.

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