GRAMMAR TENSES

Simple Present

• We can use the simple present to express theidea that an action is repeated or usual( every year, every month, every week)

examples:

I eat an apple.

He eats an apple.

• We can use SP for facts that are believed to be true.

           Example: Cats hate mice

• Generalizations.

           Example: The moon rises in the night.

• Scheduled events in the near future.

          Example: The plane takes off at 12 o'clock tonight

Present Continuous

• We can use  PC 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 or in thear future.

    Example: I am working on my computer.

                      I am leaving tomorrow.

Present Perfect

• We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

    Examples: You have seen thah movie many times

                      People have traveled to the moon.

                      Have you read the book yet?

Present Perfect Continuous

• We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now.

    Example: He has been sleeping for the last 3 hours.

• To talk about an action that started in the past and stopped recently.

            Example: The grass is wet becasuse it has been reaining alld day long.

• To talk about an action that started in the past and is continuing now.

            Example: i have been watching TV for 2 hours / since you left.

Simple Past

• We can use the SP to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention

 Examples: I saw a movie yesterday

                   Did you have dinner last night?

                   She washed her car.

Past Continuous

• We can use the PC to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past.

 Examples: I was talking on the phone when she arrived.

                   While we were having the picnic,it  started to rain.

                   While i was sleeping last night, someone stole my house.

• Actions happening in the same time in the past.

          Example:  While we were having the picnic,it  started to rain.

Past Perfect

• The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples: She had left when i arrived.

                  I had never been to an opera before  last  night.

Past Perfect Continuous

• We can use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past ( for 10 minutes, for 3 weeks). The duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Examples: They had been playing soccer when the accident occurred.

                  

• To show that something started in the past  and continued up until another time in the past.

               Example: I had been living in that town for 6 years before i moved to Lima.

• We use the PPC  before another action in the past to show cause and effect.

                 Example: I was so tired. I had been working for 8 hours.

Simple Future

• SF has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably.  Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

Examples:  You are going tomeet Jane tonight.

• Use the SF for instant decisions.

 

              Example: I've left the door open ; I'll close it.

• We use the SF, when we predict a future situation.

              Example: she'll pass the exam. She's hardworking.

Future Continuous

• We use the FC for actions that will be taking place at some time in the future.

              

                 Example: When you arrived, I'll be  sleeping.

Future Perfect

• We use the FP to express ompleted action before another action in the past.

                       Examples: By tomorrow, I'll have finished my homework.

                                         You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come                                               back from the US.

Future Perfect Continuous

• The FPC is used to show that an action will continue up until a particular event or time in the future.

                            

                              Example:  She will have been working for over 9 hours by the time her

                               children arrive