Grammar Overview

A Review of the Tenses

The “Present” Tenses

Simple

Continuous

Perfect

The Present Simple - Function

The Present Simple is used :1. For permanent situations She works in an office2. For repeated actions in the present He often goes to the cinema (especially with adverbs of frequency)3. For facts which are permanently true The sun sets in the west4. For timetables and programmes The lesson starts at 9 o’clock

Present simple - StructureThe Present simple takes an infinitive verb

and we add “s” or “es” in the 3rd person.I like – he likes, they watch – she watches

To form the negative we add “do not” and in the 3rd person “does not”

I do not like – he does not like. We usually use a contracted form when speaking

I don’t like – he doesn’t likeThey don’t watch – she doesn’t watchIn the negative the verb is always an

infinitive

The Present Continuous - functionThe Present Continuous is used:1. For temporary situationsHe’s staying with friends (at the

moment)

2. For actions at (or around) the time of speaking

He’s looking for a new job (at the moment)

3. For fixed arrangements in the future

I’m going to London Tomorrow (it’s all arranged - I have already bought the tickets)

The Present Continuous - structureThe Present continuous is formed with the verb

”to be” (I am, you are, he is, she is, etc)and we add “ing” to the principal verb

He is going to London next weekIn the negative we add “not”

(I am not, you are not, he is not, plus the “ing” She is not going to London next week

We usually use a contracted form when speakingI’m not, you aren’t, he isn’t, she isn’t going to…….

The Present Perfect - FunctionThe Present Perfect is used:

1. For actions which happened at an unstated time in the past.

He has sold his car. (When – we don’t know)

2. For actions which started in the past and continue up to the present.

She has lived in Telde for 10 years. (She still does).

3. To express actions which have finished so recently that there is evidence in the present

He has just painted the room. (the paint is still wet)

The Present Perfect - StructureThe Present Perfect is formed with

“have” plus the past participle. In the 3rd person we use “has”I have been to London. (I am back

now)She has gone to London. (She is not

back yet)He ‘s been in London for 2 days. (He’s

still there).

To form the negative we add “not” and usually use a contracted form when speaking

I haven’t / She hasn’t been to London

The Past Tenses

Simple

Continuous

Perfect

The Past SimpleWe use the past simple to

talk about actions that started and finished in the

past.Examples: I went to the cinemaI saw John in the high streetPeter had eggs for breakfast

Structure of the Past SimpleRegular Verbs – add “ed” look – looked, clean – cleaned, wait –

waited. “t” “d” “id”Verbs ending in “y” change “y” to “ied”

worry – worried - worriedThe past participle takes the same form

look – looked - looked

Irregular verbs Eat – ate – eaten, buy – bought – boughtswim – swam – swum, take – took - taken

The Past Continuous - FunctionWe use the Past Continuous:1. for an action that was in the middle of

happening at a stated time in the past.She was watching TV at 8 o’clock last night.2. for two or more actions which were

happening at the same time in the past.They were cleaning while he was painting.3. For a past action which was in progress

when another action interrupted it.(Past continuous for the interrupted action

and past simple for the action which interrupts it).

She was watching TV when the telephone rang.

Past Continuous - StructureThe past continuous is formed with the verb

“to be” in the past tense

was / were plus an infinitive verb + “ing”

Examples: He was running.They were cooking at 8 o’clock last night.

Tim was studying when John walked in.

The Past Perfect - FunctionWe use the Past Perfect:1. For a past action which happened

before another past action.They had already gone when I arrived

home.2. For an action which happened

before a stated time in the past.She had cleaned the house by 4

o’clock.3. As the past equivalent of the Present

Perfect.She isn’t in her office. She has

already left.She wasn’t in her office. She had

already left.

The Past Perfect - StructureWe form the Past Perfect with had +

the past participleShe had eaten lunch. They had cleaned the house.

We form the negative with had notShe had not eaten lunch. They had not.......

When we speak - we use the contracted form

She hadn’t eaten lunch. They hadn’t cleaned the house.

Past Perfect Continuous - Function

The Past Perfect Continuous is used:

1. for an action continuing up to a specific time in the past.

He had been waiting for an hour before she arrived.

2. For a continuous, past action which had visible results or effect in the past.

He was tired. He had been painting his room all morning. (You can see the fatigue - and the paint is not dry yet).

3. As the past equivalent of the Present Perfect continuous.

Past Perfect Continuous - StructureWe form the Past Perfect Continuous

with“had been” plus the infinitive verb plus

- ing.

She had been shopping. They had been fishing.

In reality it is the past equivalent of the Present Perfect Continuous.

Present. He is tired. He has been working hard.

Past. He was tired. He had been working hard.

The Future TensesWill

Going to

Present Continuous with a future time

The “Will” FutureThe “Will” future is used:1. To express on the spot decisions.It’s cold! I’ll close the window.2. To express predictions, promises etc.I think it will rain tomorrow3. When it is not certain that something

will happen (it is really a prediction/possibility)

If he comes early, we will go to the theatre.

The “Will” FutureWe use the “Will” future to express: warnings, predictions, offers, promises

, threats, requests, suggestions, opinions, hopes and fears,

especially with words such as:

think, expect, suppose, hope, believe, know probably etc.

Notice - We use the infinitive form of the verb:

I will buy a new shirt. I will close the window. It’s very cold.

Will and ShallNOTE: Shall is used with “I” and “we” in questions, suggestions and offers.

Question. What shall we do tonight?

Let’s go to the cinema.Offer. Shall I open the window?

Yes, it’s hot in here.Suggestion. Shall we go to the beach?

Yes, good idea.

We can use this structure when we want someone else to make the

decision.

The “going to” FutureThe “going to” future is used:

1. To express things already decided in the future

She is going to fly to Madrid tomorrow.

2. To express intention.He likes acting. He is going to be an actor.3. When there is evidence that something

willdefinitely happen.Watch out!! You’re going to hit your head.Structure. We use the verb “to be” + going

to + the infinitive form of the verb.

Future with the Present Continuous

We can also use the Present Continuous tense to

express the future, but we must remember give a future time as a reference.

He’s going to Madrid this afternoon.She’s visiting her parents next week.

Examples.They’re washing the car. (now, at this

moment)They’re washing the car on Friday. (Future).They’re going to wash the car (on Friday)

Other Future expressionsFuture Continuous.

Where will John be next Monday?He will be in London.He will be visiting his parents.

Future PerfectDid you know that Tim’s on holiday ?

Yes. He will have visited five different countries by the end of the month.