An overview of English An overview of English verb tensesverb tenses

©©2007 Mgr. Tereza Vogeltanzová2007 Mgr. Tereza Vogeltanzová

On how to cope with the English On how to cope with the English grammar …grammar …

Present simplePresent simple

1)to talk about activities or 1)to talk about activities or routinesroutines which which take place on a take place on a regular basisregular basis

e.g. e.g. He He usuallyusually gets up at six o'clock. gets up at six o'clock.

2) to discuss 2) to discuss future scheduled eventsfuture scheduled events

e.g. e.g. The course begins next Monday at 2 The course begins next Monday at 2 p.m.p.m.

Common present time Common present time expressionsexpressions

usuallyusuallyalwaysalwaysoftenoftensometimessometimeson Saturdayson Saturdaysat weekends (on weekends at weekends (on weekends

in US English)in US English)rarelyrarelyon occasionon occasionneverneverseldomseldom……

IMPORTANT:IMPORTANT:- an 's' in the base form of the an 's' in the base form of the

3rd person singular3rd person singular- If the verb ends in -y preceded If the verb ends in -y preceded

by a consonant, change the -y by a consonant, change the -y to -iesto -ies

- Question and negation:Question and negation:do, does, don´t, doesn´tdo, does, don´t, doesn´t

Present continuousPresent continuous

1)1) to speak about to speak about what is happeningwhat is happening at at the the present moment in timepresent moment in time. .

For example, For example, 'He's watching TV at the 'He's watching TV at the moment.'moment.'

2)2) to speak about what is happening to speak about what is happening AROUND the moment in timeAROUND the moment in time. .

For example, if you are working on a project For example, if you are working on a project for only two weeksfor only two weeks, you say: , you say: ‘I am ‘I am working on the Smith account.’working on the Smith account.’

Present continuousPresent continuous

3) Near future – planned, arranged actions3) Near future – planned, arranged actions e.g. I´m leaving tomorrow.e.g. I´m leaving tomorrow.

Common present continuous time expressions Common present continuous time expressions include:include:

at the momentat the moment now, just now, right nownow, just now, right now todaytoday this week, this monththis week, this month tomorrow, next week (for future arrangements )tomorrow, next week (for future arrangements ) currentlycurrently

Past simplePast simple

1)1) To talk about activities or routines which take To talk about activities or routines which take place at place at a specified time in the pasta specified time in the past. .

For example, For example, He played tennis last weekend.He played tennis last weekend. 2) 2) Finished, completed, definite actionsFinished, completed, definite actionsFor exemple, For exemple, He left an hour ago.He left an hour ago.

Regular verbs end in ‘-ed’. Regular verbs end in ‘-ed’. IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIrregular verbs must be learned properly!Irregular verbs must be learned properly!

Past simplePast simple

Common past time expressions include:Common past time expressions include: last (week, year, night…)last (week, year, night…) yesterdayyesterday agoago in 1987, on 20th October 2007in 1987, on 20th October 2007 when I was a child, when I was small …when I was a child, when I was small …

IMPORTANT:IMPORTANT:DID, DID´T + DID, DID´T + presentpresent infinitive!!! infinitive!!!What What did did you study you study yesterdayyesterday? ? I I studiedstudied …, I …, I didn´t studydidn´t study … …

Irregular verbsIrregular verbs

A list of irregular verbs to be found on:A list of irregular verbs to be found on:

http://www.http://www.usingenglishusingenglish..comcom/reference//reference/irregularirregular--verbsverbs

Past continuousPast continuous

1)1) to express something that is happening to express something that is happening at a precise at a precise moment in the pastmoment in the past. .

For example, For example, Jack was working on the report last night at Jack was working on the report last night at 10.15.10.15.

2)2) to express to express an interrupted action expressed using an interrupted action expressed using the past simplethe past simple

For example, For example, Janet was talking on the phone when I Janet was talking on the phone when I arrived.arrived.

3) 3) to express the background of an action in past simpleFor example, When I woke up, the sun was shining, the For example, When I woke up, the sun was shining, the

birds were singing …birds were singing …

Practice … put the following verbs Practice … put the following verbs in the past simple in the past simple

Thomas _______ (live) in the small town of Brington. Thomas Thomas _______ (live) in the small town of Brington. Thomas _______ (love) walking through the beautiful forest that surrounded _______ (love) walking through the beautiful forest that surrounded Brington. One evening, he ____ (take) his umbrella and _____ (go) Brington. One evening, he ____ (take) his umbrella and _____ (go) for a walk in the woods. He ______ (meet) an old man named for a walk in the woods. He ______ (meet) an old man named Frank. Frank _______ (tell) Thomas that, if he _____ (want) to Frank. Frank _______ (tell) Thomas that, if he _____ (want) to become rich, he should invest in a little known stock called become rich, he should invest in a little known stock called Microsoft. Thomas ______ (think) Frank _____ (be) foolish because Microsoft. Thomas ______ (think) Frank _____ (be) foolish because Microsoft ____ (be) a computer stock. Everybody _____ (know) that Microsoft ____ (be) a computer stock. Everybody _____ (know) that computers _____ (be) just a passing fad. At any rate, Frank computers _____ (be) just a passing fad. At any rate, Frank _______ (insist) that Thomas _____ (be) wrong. Frank _______ _______ (insist) that Thomas _____ (be) wrong. Frank _______ (draw) a wonderful graph of future possibilities. Thomas ______ (draw) a wonderful graph of future possibilities. Thomas ______ (begin) thinking that maybe Frank ______ (understand) stocks. (begin) thinking that maybe Frank ______ (understand) stocks. Thomas _______ (decide) to buy some of these stocks. The next Thomas _______ (decide) to buy some of these stocks. The next day, he ______ (go) to the stock broker's and _____ (buy) $1,000 day, he ______ (go) to the stock broker's and _____ (buy) $1,000 worth of Microsoft stock. That _____ (be) in 1986, today that $1,000 worth of Microsoft stock. That _____ (be) in 1986, today that $1,000 worth of stock is worth more than $250,000!worth of stock is worth more than $250,000!

Practice – part 2Practice – part 2

The part about the Microsoft stock is true!!!The part about the Microsoft stock is true!!!

Insert the following past continuous fragments into the Insert the following past continuous fragments into the above story:above story:

As Frank was drawing the graph, ... As Frank was drawing the graph, ... ... while he was walking to work, ... while he was walking to work, it was raining so... it was raining so... While they were discussing the stock, ... While they were discussing the stock, ... When he was returning from his walk, ... When he was returning from his walk, ... As he was walking through the woods, As he was walking through the woods,

Were you successful? How many Were you successful? How many points would you get?points would you get?

Present perfectPresent perfect

1)1) to say what has to say what has happened recently and has an happened recently and has an effect on the present momenteffect on the present moment

For example, For example, They haven't had lunch yet.They haven't had lunch yet.

2) 2) an experience that has happened at an an experience that has happened at an unspecified unspecified point in time before the presentpoint in time before the present

For example, For example, They've seen the film twice.They've seen the film twice.

3) 3) an an action begins in the past and continues into the action begins in the past and continues into the presentpresent This use of the present perfect expresses This use of the present perfect expresses duration over time FROM the past moment TO the duration over time FROM the past moment TO the present moment. present moment.

For example, For example, Alice has lived in New York since 1997.Alice has lived in New York since 1997.

Present perfectPresent perfect

Common present perfect time expressions Common present perfect time expressions include:include:

for (with a period of time)for (with a period of time)since (with an exact point in time), since (with an exact point in time), evereverneverneveryetyetalreadyalreadythis week (month, year) when it is still truethis week (month, year) when it is still true

Present perfect or past simple?Present perfect or past simple?

Put each of the following verbs into either the past simple Put each of the following verbs into either the past simple or present perfect.or present perfect.

She (write) the email but doesn't know how to send it. She (write) the email but doesn't know how to send it. Hurry up! The concert (begin) and we are late. Hurry up! The concert (begin) and we are late. Madonna (record) many albums and will probably make Madonna (record) many albums and will probably make

many more. many more. Nat King Cole (record) many albums during his wonderful Nat King Cole (record) many albums during his wonderful

career. career. How many books (read) this year? How many books (read) this year? How many books (read) last year? How many books (read) last year?

Present perfect continuousPresent perfect continuous Like the present perfect simple expresses an action Like the present perfect simple expresses an action

which begins in the past and continues into the present. which begins in the past and continues into the present. For example, For example, My parents have been travelling since early My parents have been travelling since early

this morning.this morning.

The present perfect continuous describes the The present perfect continuous describes the duration of a current activity happening at the duration of a current activity happening at the momentmoment. .

For example, For example, I've been reading this book since 10 this I've been reading this book since 10 this morning.morning.

On the other hand, the present perfect is used to On the other hand, the present perfect is used to describe describe states, more general activity or results.states, more general activity or results.

For example, For example, Jack has lived in California most of his life.Jack has lived in California most of his life.

Where´s the difference?Where´s the difference?

PRESENT PERFECTPRESENT PERFECT

1)1) Indefinite time in the past (experience). Indefinite time in the past (experience). Emphasis is on the completed action at an Emphasis is on the completed action at an indefinite time indefinite time

in the pastin the past..Example: Susan's written 3 books.Example: Susan's written 3 books.

2) Emphasis on QUANTITY 2) Emphasis on QUANTITY Example: I've read 300 pages of Tom Smith's latest book.Example: I've read 300 pages of Tom Smith's latest book.

3) Duration from past to present 3) Duration from past to present Example: Peter has worked for that company for 5 years. Example: Peter has worked for that company for 5 years.

Where´s the difference?Where´s the difference?

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUSPRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS1)1) Recent activity: to emphasize the recency of a past activity. we Recent activity: to emphasize the recency of a past activity. we

often use lately or recently Example: She's been working hard often use lately or recently Example: She's been working hard recentlyrecently

2)2) Emphasis on the duration or length of an activity Example: Jack Emphasis on the duration or length of an activity Example: Jack has been painting for 4 hours.has been painting for 4 hours.

3)3) Recently finished activity with a present result Example: I've been Recently finished activity with a present result Example: I've been working in the garden, that's why my hands are so dirty.working in the garden, that's why my hands are so dirty.

4)4) No difference in meaning. Often the present perfect progressive No difference in meaning. Often the present perfect progressive and the present perfect can have the same meaning. This is often and the present perfect can have the same meaning. This is often the case with verbs of living, occupation or vocation) Example: the case with verbs of living, occupation or vocation) Example: I've been living in Leghorn for 3 years. OR I've lived in Leghorn I've been living in Leghorn for 3 years. OR I've lived in Leghorn for 3 years for 3 years

Test yourself …Test yourself …

1) Frank (fail) his driving test 4 times! Recently he 1) Frank (fail) his driving test 4 times! Recently he (practise) a lot and he should pass it the next time he (practise) a lot and he should pass it the next time he takes it! takes it!

2) Scotland yard (look for) the murder for two weeks 2) Scotland yard (look for) the murder for two weeks now. Unfortunately they (be able/find) any suspects. now. Unfortunately they (be able/find) any suspects.

3) I can't believe it! It (rain) all day. 3) I can't believe it! It (rain) all day. 4) He (do) his housework all day but he (finish) yet. 4) He (do) his housework all day but he (finish) yet. 5) It smells like fish in here. - Well that's no surprise. I 5) It smells like fish in here. - Well that's no surprise. I

(cook) fish stew. (cook) fish stew. 6) George (play) golf since 9 o'clock this morning. He 6) George (play) golf since 9 o'clock this morning. He

(play) 18 holes. (play) 18 holes. 7) Jack (just/go) to the bank. He should be back soon.7) Jack (just/go) to the bank. He should be back soon.

Past perfectPast perfect

to talk about an action that is finished to talk about an action that is finished before another action in the past. before another action in the past.

useful for giving reasons for a decision useful for giving reasons for a decision that was made in the pastthat was made in the past

For example, For example, He didn't come because he He didn't come because he had caught the flu.had caught the flu.

Sometimes not necessary.Sometimes not necessary.

Going to – futureGoing to – future(eq. to present continuous)(eq. to present continuous)

1)1) to speak about to speak about future intentions or future intentions or plansplans made before the present moment. made before the present moment.

For example, For example, He's going to visit his He's going to visit his grandmother next month.grandmother next month.

2) to speak about 2) to speak about something that is about something that is about to happen, to happen, which you can see or feelwhich you can see or feel . .

For example, For example, Look out! You're going to drop Look out! You're going to drop those dishes!those dishes!

Will - futureWill - future

1)1) to make a future predictionto make a future predictionFor example, For example, George will get the jobGeorge will get the job. .

2)2) to express a decision about the future made at the to express a decision about the future made at the moment. moment.

For example, For example, Don't worry, I'll help you!Don't worry, I'll help you!

3)3) Used for promises Used for promises For example, For example, I'll make you a sandwich.They'll help you if you I'll make you a sandwich.They'll help you if you

want.want.

4)4) Used in combination with time clauses (as soon as, when, Used in combination with time clauses (as soon as, when, before, after) and conditional clauses – !!!in the main before, after) and conditional clauses – !!!in the main clause only)clause only)

Which future form?Which future form?

As soon as she arrives in Dallas she (give) you a As soon as she arrives in Dallas she (give) you a call.call.

Look at those clouds on the horizon! It is (rain) soon.Look at those clouds on the horizon! It is (rain) soon. Who do you think (win) the next national elections?Who do you think (win) the next national elections? We are (fly) to Austin next week for a meeting with We are (fly) to Austin next week for a meeting with

the advisory board.the advisory board. I promise you: I (finish) my homework on time next I promise you: I (finish) my homework on time next

week.week. I'll take this letter to the post office when I (go) into I'll take this letter to the post office when I (go) into

town this afternoon.town this afternoon.

Future continuousFuture continuouswill be doingwill be doing

„„present continuous for the future“present continuous for the future“

A:A: If you see Sally, can you ask her to If you see Sally, can you ask her to phone me?phone me?

B:B: Sure, I´ll be seeing her this evening, Sure, I´ll be seeing her this evening, so so I´ll tell her then.I´ll tell her then.

Future perfectFuture perfectwill have donewill have done

To say that sth. will already be complete To say that sth. will already be complete

Sally always leaves for work at 8:30 in the Sally always leaves for work at 8:30 in the morning, so she won´t be at home at 9 o´clock.morning, so she won´t be at home at 9 o´clock.

For example, For example, She´ll have gone to work.She´ll have gone to work.

We´re late. The film will already have started by We´re late. The film will already have started by the time we get to the cinema.the time we get to the cinema.

Thank you for your attention.Thank you for your attention.

Next session will be held on 10th Next session will be held on 10th November. (test 3,4 check)November. (test 3,4 check)