Business Grammar Guide1 VERBS1.1 Present simple VS. Present Continuous

We use the Present Simple to talk about : Permanent features and things that happen on a regular basis e.g My brother is a lawyer. The factory makes aircraft components. What does your company do ? We dont often use subcontractors.

Timetables and events ( see also 2.1) e.g. The display begins at 10 a.mWe use the present continuous to talk about: Things that are happening at the moment of speaking e.g What are you doing? Im just typing up the report.

Situations that are temporary, happening around the present time or developing trends e.g. Im working on an interesting project at the moment. Were trying to solve the problem. How is the business doing? Prices are going up all the time. Personal futures plans and arrangements (see also 2.2) e.g. Are you going to the conference next week?Some verbs are typically used in the continuous, as they can last for a period of time (e.g wait, work, learn, estudy, live, stay, try, rain ). E.g. Its raining. Im trying to mend the copier.The present simple is usually used with state verbs: Verbs of thinking and knowing ( believe, think (=believe), agree, understand, know, remember, forget, realize, expect, etc.) e.g. I think thats a great idea. I gree I expect hell be tired when he arrives. Verbs of feeling or preference (want, wish, like, hate, matter, mind, etc.) e.g The company wants to relocate. I dont mind where we go . Verbs of perceptions (taste, hear, see, smell, etc) e.g. This coffee tastes awful. (often these verbs are used with can, e.g. Can you smell burning?) Verbs of possession ( have, have got, own, belong, etc.) E.g. who does this jacket belong to? They have sales offices all over the world. Some of these verbs can be used in the present continuous but with a different meaning. E.g. we`re having some problems with our suppliers at the moment. What are you thinking about? I`m seeing Eduardo tomorrow. I`m expecting him to arrive any minute now. With some verbs we can use either the present simple or the present continuous with no change of meaning ( feel, hurt, hope, etc). E.g. I don`t feel/I`m not feeling very well. My leg is hurting/hurts. We`re hoping/we hope to finish on time.1.2 past simple vs. present perfect simpleWe use the past simple for finished time periods which are specified or known from the context. It is used to talk about: actions/events at specific times in the past. e.g. They sold the company last year. When did you arrive? States in the past ( see also 1.6). e.g. I lived in Paris for five years. Habits in the past ( see also 1.6). e.g. I smoked 20 a day when I was at universityWe use the present perfect simple when there is a strong connection with the present. It is used to talk about: Things in have happened up until now in someone`s life at an unspecified time ( or thing that have not happened); ever, never, before and how many times are common with this usage. e.g. I`ve never been to Australia.How many times have you taken your driving test? Things that started in the past and still continue; since, for and how ling are typically use. E.g. How long have you been in your present job?I`ve been with the company since I left college/for five years.( note the past simple is used after since for completed events)

News and recent events at an unspecified time in the past where there is an impact on the present; the focus is on what has ( or hasn`t) happened rather the details of when, how, why, who, etc e.g. The chairperson has resigned mobileThey have opened a new sales office in Madrid. Oil prices have risen sharply.The situation hasn`t changed at all.I`ve lost my mobile phone. Time periods which are unfinished ( this morning, this week, this year, this month, today, etc.) e.g. Have you seen Maria today? Sales have risen this year.Note that yet, already, just, recently, during/in the last/past are commonly used with the Present Perfect. e.g. They havent sent the invoice yet. Profits have fallen considerably during/in the last few months.The company has recently expanded into the far east.In US English past tense can be used to talk about news and recent event. e.g. Did you talk to John yet? I just saw the CEO.Note the change from the Present Perfect to the Past Simple when the focus shifts from announcing news to details. e.g. Have you heard? Kai has broken his leg. Really? How did he do that? He had a asking accident.1.3 Present Perfect Continuous vs. Present Perfect Simple We use the present perfect continuous to talk about an activity that has continued over a period of time leading up to the present. It is used to talk about: Things which started in the past and are still happening. e.g. Ive been living in this apartment for five years. How long have you been working here? Things which have you finished, and might explain a present situation e.g. What have you been doing? (You look exhausted.) It might not always be obvious whether the activity is finished or not. The context usually makes the meaning clear. e.g. Ive been trying to get through all morning. How long have you been waiting?Sometimes the difference between the two tenses is clear. e.g. Weve reorganized our storage system. Weve been reorganizing our storage system. In the first sentence, we use the present perfect simple because we are giving news of a completed action. In the second sentence, the focus is on the process. There is no indication that the reorganization is complete. The present perfect continuous on the time period rather than a result. e.g.Prices have fallen considerably.Prices have been falling all year.We use the present perfect simple when talking about numbers and quantities as there is idea of completion. e.g.Sales have fallen by 10%.Weve sold over 10,000 units. Some verbs can be used with either tense with no significant difference in meaning. e.g.Ive lived in Bahrain for three years.Ive been living in Bahrain for three years. Some verbs are normally only used in the present perfect simple State verbs (have, be, know, understand, like, etc.)E.g.Ive been here for a week.Have you known each other long? verbs which describe actions that only last for a moment (find, lose, close, open, close, stop, etc.,) e.g.He`s lost his wallet.Have they closed the factory?1.4 past continuous vs. Past simpleWe use past continuous to talk about: The background situation at the moment something happened. e.g. I was having when you called yesterday.It was snowing when we landed Hear throw. what was happening at particular time is the past. e.g.What were you doing this time yesterday?This time last year, I was living in the states.The time reference in the past does not always have to be given once it has been established. e.g.We were working very hard to fulfill orders.The company was going through a bad time. Notice the difference between these two sentences.We were having a meeting when the fire alarm went off.I left the building when the fire alarm went off.In the first sentences, the first verb tells us about the background situation (we were having a meeting) When something happened (the fire alarm went off). In the second sentences, one action (the fire alarm went off) is followed by another (I left the building). This difference becomes very clear in the question forms. e.g.What were you doing when the fire alarm went off?What did you do when the fire alarm went off?1.5 past perfect vs. Past simple

The past perfect is used when we need to make it clear that something happened before another situation or action in the past. It is used when telling a story or explaining a situation to establish the background. It is commonly used: In when, by the time, before sentences (often with already, just) e.g.When we arrived, the presentation had just started.By the time we got to the airport, the flight had already left.He had already left before I joined the company. with time adverbials such as the previous year, before e.g.Id never seen him before.The previous year, the situation had been much worse. with because (to give reason)E.g.The order was delayed because the machine had broken down. with said told, asked, etc. (see also 5.1) e.g. They said they had sent the order.