THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true or
normal.
We use the present tense:
1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.

I take the train to the office.

The train to Berlin leaves every hour.

John sleeps eight hours every night during the week.

2. For facts.

The President of The USA lives in The White House.

A dog has four legs.

We come from Switzerland.

3. For habits.

I get up early every day.

Carol brushes her teeth twice a day.

They travel to their country house every weekend.

4. For things that are always / generally true.

It rains a lot in winter.

The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.

They speak English at work.

Verb Conjugation & Spelling

We form the present tense using the base form of the infinitive (without the TO).
In general, in the third person we add 'S' in the third person.
Subject
Verb
The Rest of the sentence
I / you / we / they
speak / learn
English at home
he / she / it
speaks / learns
English at home
The spelling for the verb in the third person differs depending on the ending of that verb:
1. For verbs that end in -O, -CH, -SH, -SS, -X, or -Z we add -ES in the third person.

go goes

catch catches

wash washes

kiss kisses

fix fixes

buzz buzzes
2. For verbs that end in a consonant + Y, we remove the Y and add -IES.

marry marries

study studies

carry carries

worry worries
NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + Y, we just add -S.

play plays

enjoy enjoys

say says

Negative Sentences in the Simple Present Tense

To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs
EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (can, might, should etc.).

Affirmative: You speak French.

Negative: You don't speak French.
You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the
subject is I, you, we orthey.

Affirmative: He speaks German.

Negative: He doesn't speak German.
When the subject is he, she or it, we add doesn't between the subject and the verb to make a
negative sentence. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence
(because it is in third person) disappears in the negative sentence. We will see the reason why
below.

Negative Contractions
Don't = Do not
Doesn't = Does not
I don't like meat = I do not like meat.

There is no difference in meaning though we normally use contractions in spoken English.

Word Order of Negative Sentences

The following is the word order to construct a basic negative sentence in English in the Present
Tense using Don't orDoesn't.
Subject
don't/doesn't
Verb*
The Rest of the sentence
I / you / we / they
don't
have / buy
cereal for breakfast
he / she / it
doesn't
eat / like etc.
* Verb: The verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO
before the verb. Instead of the infinitive To have it is just the have part.
Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins
with TO. For example: to have, to eat, to go, to live, to speak etc.
Examples of Negative Sentences with Don't and Doesn't:

You don't speak Arabic.

John doesn't speak Italian.

We don't have time for a rest.

It doesn't move.

They don't want to go to the party.

She doesn't like fish.

Questions in the Simple Present Tense

To make a question in English we normally use Do or Does. It has no translation in Spanish
though it is essential to show we are making a question. It is normally put at the beginning of
the question.

Affirmative: You speak English.

Question: Do you speak English?

You will see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative sentence to make it a question.
We use Do when the subject is I, you, we or they.

Affirmative: He speaks French.

Question: Does he speak French?

When the subject is he, she or it, we add DOES at the beginning to make the affirmative
sentence a question. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence
(because it is in third person) disappears in the question. We will see the reason why below.
We DON'T use Do or Does in questions that have the verb To Be or Modal Verbs (can, must,
might, should etc.)

Word Order of Questions with Do and Does

The following is the word order to construct a basic question in English using Do or Does.
Do/Does
Subject
Verb*
The Rest of the sentence
Do
I / you / we / they
have / need
a new bike?
Does
he / she / it
want etc.
*Verb: The verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO
before the verb. Instead of the infinitive To have it is just the have part.
Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins
with TO. For example: to have, to eat, to go, to live, to speak etc.
Examples of Questions with Do and Does:

Do you need a dictionary?

Does Mary need a dictionary?

Do we have a meeting now?

Does it rain a lot in winter?

Do they want to go to the party?

Does he like pizza?

Short Answers with Do and Does

In questions that use do/does it is possible to give short answers to direct questions as follows:
Sample Questions

Short Answer
Short Answer
(Affirmative)
(Negative)
Do you like chocolate?
Yes, I do.
No, I don't.
Do I need a pencil?
Yes, you do.
No, you don't.
Do you both like chocolate?
Yes, we do.
No, we don't.
Do they like chocolate?
Yes, they do.
No, they don't.
Does he like chocolate?
Yes, he does.
No, he doesn't.
Does she like chocolate?
Yes, she does.
No, she doesn't.
Does it have four wheels?
Yes, it does.
No, it doesn't.
However, if a question word such as who, when, where, why, which or how is used in the
question, you can not use the short answers above to respond to the question.

SIMPLE PAST
FUNCIONES DEL "SIMPLE PAST"
El "simple past" se utiliza para hablar de una accin que concluy en un tiempo anterior
al actual. La duracin no es relevante. El tiempo en que se sita la accin puede ser el
pasado reciente o un pasado lejano.
EJEMPLOS

John Cabot sailed to America in 1498.

My father died last year.

He lived in Fiji in 1976.

We crossed the Channel yesterday.

Siempre se utiliza el "simple past" para referirse a cundo ocurri algo, de modo que va
asociado a ciertas expresiones temporales que indican:

frecuencia: often, sometimes, always

I sometimes walked home at lunchtime.
I often brought my lunch to school.

un tiempo determinado: last week, when I was a child, yesterday, six weeks ago
We saw a good film last week.
Yesterday, I arrived in Geneva.
She finished her work atseven o'clock
I went to the theatre last night

un tiempo indeterminado: the other day, ages ago, a long time

ago People lived in caves a long time ago.

She played the piano when she was a child.

Nota: el trmino ago es til para expresar distancia temporal en el pasado. Se

coloca despus del periodo de tiempo de que se trate: a week ago, three years ago, a
minute ago.
Cuidado: el "simple past" del ingls puede parecerse a un tiempo verbal de tu propio
idioma y, sin embargo, su significado puede ser distinto.
FORMACIN DEL "SIMPLE PAST"
Afirmativa
Sujeto
I
Negativa

+ raz + ed
skipped.

Sujeto

+ did not

They
Interrogativa
Did

didn't

Did
Interrogativa negativa
Did not

she

+ sujeto

+ sujeto

Didn't
FORMACIN DEL "SIMPLE PAST" CON VERBOS REGULARES

you

TO WALK
Afirmativ
a
I walked
You
walked
He walked
We
walked
They
walked
Sujeto

Negativa

Interrogativa

I didn't walk
You didn't walk

Did I walk?
Did you walk?

He didn't walk
We didn't walk

Did he walk?
Did we walk?

They didn't walk

Did they walk?

Verbo

Be
Have
I
was
had
You
were
had
He/She/It
was
had
We
were
had
You
were
had
They
were
had
"SIMPLE PAST" DE LOS VERBOS TO BE, TO HAVE, TO DO

Do
did
did
did
did
did
did

NOTAS SOBRE LAS CONSTRUCCIONES AFIRMATIVA, NEGATIVA E INTERROGATIVA

AFIRMATIVA
La forma afirmativa del "simple past" es sencilla.

I was in Japan last year

She had a headache yesterday.

We did our homework last night.

NEGATIVA E INTERROGATIVA

+ infinitivo
sin to
go.
+ infinitivo
sin to
arrive?
+ infinitivo
sin to
play?

Para las formas negativa e interrogativa del "simple past" del verbo "do" como verbo
ordinario, se emplea como auxiliar "do", e.g. We didn't do our homework last night.
La forma negativa del verbo "have" en "simple past" suele construirse utilizando el
auxiliar "do", aunque en ocasiones solo se aade not o la contraccin "n't".
La forma interrogativa del verbo "have" en "simple past" suele emplear el auxiliar "do".
EJEMPLOS

They weren't in Rio last summer.

We didn't have any money.

We didn't have time to visit the Eiffel Tower.

We didn't do our exercises this morning.

Were they in Iceland last January?

Did you have a bicycle when you were young?

Did you do much climbing in Switzerland?

Nota: para construir las formas negativa e interrogativa de todos los verbos en "simple
past", se utiliza siempre el auxiliar 'did''.
"SIMPLE PAST": VERBOS IRREGULARES
Algunos verbos hacen el "simple past" de forma irregular. Estos son los ms comunes.
TO GO

He went to a club last night.

Did he go to the cinema last night?

He didn't go to bed early last night.

TO GIVE

We gave her a doll for her birthday.

They didn't give John their new address.

Did Barry give you my passport?

TO COME

My parents came to visit me last July.

We didn't come because it was raining.

Did he come to your party last week?

SIMPLE FUTURE
Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two
forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different
meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and
practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific
time in the future.

FORM Will
[will + verb]
Examples:
You will help him later.
Will you help him later?
You will not help him later.
FORM Be Going To
[am/is/are + going to + verb]
Examples:
You are going to meet Jane tonight.
Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
You are not going to meet Jane tonight.
Complete List of Simple Future Forms
USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action
"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one
the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone
else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone
help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we
refuse to voluntarily do something.
Examples:
I will send you the information when I get it.
I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
Will you help me move this heavy table?
Will you make dinner?

I will not do your homework for you.

I won't do all the housework myself!
A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.
A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.
USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise
"Will" is usually used in promises.
Examples:
I will call you when I arrive.
If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to
inexpensive health insurance.
I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
I won't tell anyone your secret.
USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan
"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person
intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:
He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
Who are you going to invite to the party?
A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.
USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction
Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future.
Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences,
the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In
the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:
The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
John Smith will be the next President.
John Smith is going to be the next President.
The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.

IMPORTANT
In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often,
there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.
No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc.
Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.
Examples:
When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You will never help him.
Will you ever help him?
You are never going to meet Jane.
Are you ever going to meet Jane?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
John will finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active
The work will be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive
Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active
A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
FORM
[am/is/are + present participle]
Examples:
You are watching TV.
Are you watching TV?
You are not watching TV.
Complete List of Present Continuous Forms
USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is
happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not
happening now.
Examples:
You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so
on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing
a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact
second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

I am studying to become a doctor.

I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?
USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not
happen in the near future.
Examples:
I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?
USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea
that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple
Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly"
between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She is always coming to class late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
I don't like them because they are always complaining.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in
continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use
Simple Present.
Examples:

She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct

She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You are still watching TV.
Are you still watching TV?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive
More About Active / Passive Forms
PAST CONTINUOUS
FORM
[was/were + present participle]
Examples:
You were studying when she called.
Were you studying when she called?
You were not studying when she called.
Complete List of Past Continuous Forms
USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The
interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real
interruption or just an interruption in time.
Examples:
I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.

What were you doing when the earthquake started?

I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the
Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.
IMPORTANT
In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In
the Past Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.
I started eating at 6 PM.
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.
USE 3 Parallel Actions

When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses
the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
I was studying while he was making dinner.
While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
Were you listening while he was talking?
I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.

What were you doing while you were waiting?

Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
USE 4 Atmosphere
In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a
particular time in the past.
Example:
When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the
phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One
customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to
each other about the bad service.

USE 5 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that
something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to
the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always"
or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She was always coming to class late.
He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
I didn't like them because they were always complaining.
While vs. When
Clauses are groups of words which have meaning, but are often not complete sentences.
Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when she called" or "when it bit me."
Other clauses begin with "while" such as "while she was sleeping" and "while he was
surfing." When you talk about things in the past, "when" is most often followed by the verb
tense Simple Past, whereas "while" is usually followed by Past Continuous. "While"
expresses the idea of "during that time." Study the examples below. They have similar
meanings, but they emphasize different parts of the sentence.
Examples:
I was studying when she called.
While I was studying, she called.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in
continuous tenses. Instead of using Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use
Simple Past.
Examples:
Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct
Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You were just studying when she called.
Were you just studying when she called?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store. Active
The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store.
Passive
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Future Perfect Continuous has two different forms: "will have been doing " and "be going
to have been doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect Continuous forms are
usually interchangeable.
FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Will"
[will have been + present participle]
Examples:
You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Be Going To"

[am/is/are + going to have been + present participle]

Examples:
You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives?
You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives.
NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect
Continuous with little or no difference in meaning.
Complete List of Future Perfect Continuous Forms
USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Future

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until a
particular event or time in the future. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Friday"
are all durations which can be used with the Future Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is
related to the Present Perfect Continuous and the Past Perfect Continuous; however, with
Future Perfect Continuous, the duration stops at or before a reference point in the future.
Examples:
They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Thomas arrives.
She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it finally closes.
James will have been teaching at the university for more than a year by the time he leaves
for Asia.
How long will you have been studying when you graduate?
We are going to have been driving for over three days straight when we get to Anchorage.
A: When you finish your English course, will you have been living in New Zealand for over
a year?
B: No, I will not have been living here that long.
Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple
Present rather than Simple Future. This is because these future events are in time
clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.
USE 2 Cause of Something in the Future

Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good way to
show cause and effect.

Examples:
Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for over an hour.
Claudia's English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she is going to
have been studying English in the United States for over two years.

Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since
Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Future Continuous rather than the
Future Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the
sentence. Future Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Future Perfect
Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the future. Study the
examples below to understand the difference.
Examples:
He will be tired because he will be exercising so hard.
This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will be exercising at that exact
moment in the future.
He will be tired because he will have been exercising so hard.
This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will have been exercising for a
period of time. It is possible that he will still be exercising at that moment OR that he will
just have finished.
REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning
with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if,
unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous is used.
Examples:
You won't get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as Tim. Not
Correct
You won't get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim. Correct
AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in
continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must
use Future Perfect .

Examples:
Ned will have been having his driver's license for over two years. Not Correct
Ned will have had his driver's license for over two years. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You will only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
Will you only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?
You are only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
Are you only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is
finished. Active
The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the
time it is finished. Passive
The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six months by the time
it is finished. Active
The mural is going to have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by
the time it is finished. Passive
NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Perfect Continuous are not common.
More About Active / Passive Forms