Grammar points

Present tenses

Present tenses

1. Present simple

2. Present continuous

3. Present perfect: it is not present. it serves us to talk about the past with a result in the present!

Present simple We use it to talk about routines, habits or things that are true in general.

DO NOT FORGET to add the "s" or "es" if it´s the 3rd person of the singular:

I walk She walks

Present simple: affirmative

In affirmative, we write the subject + a verb:

!

I work as a doctor in that hospital. She walks to school every day. We like comics and poetry so we read them whenever we have time. My dog runs very fun because he is still young.

Present simple: negative sentencesFor the negative form we use the auxiliary verb do + NOT: don't or doesn't.

Examples: I don't like burgers, I prefer salad. She doesn't play tennis very well. We don't study French at school.

Present simple: questions

To ask questions we also use the auxiliary verb to do: Do/ does + subject + main verb

Do you play the piano? Does she like Indian food? Do they read English books in class?

ATTENTION!!!!!!IF THE SUBJECT IS 3RD PERSON OF THE SINGULAR, THE "S" GOES TO THE AUXILIARY VERB "TO DO" WHICH TURNS INTO DOES. DO NOT WRITE THE "S" AGAIN IN THE MAIN VERB.

Present continuousWe use it for things happening at the time of speaking. The action is not complete.

I´m reading a very interesting book this month. My mother cannot answer the phone, she is taking a shower at the moment.

We use it for temporary situations

I´m living in London for this summer. Your are studying a loot for the exam. He is working much better this week.

Present continuousAffirmative:

Subject + verb to be + gerund I am listening to the radio. My parents are driving home.

Negative:

Subject + verb to be + NOT + gerund He is not walking to school.

Ana is not running today, she is sick.

Present continuous

Interrogative: CHANGE THE ORDER:

verb to be + Subject + gerund + ? Is Lucia having dinner ?

Is that man cleaning the window? Am I invited to the party ?

Present perfectWe use the present perfect for an action that started in the past and has a result now. IT IS NOT PRESENT. IT IS PAST WITH A RESULT IN THE PRESENT.

Present perfectTo be able to use this tense, you will have to use the past participle. If the verb is regular, you just add -ed.

Walk -> walked jump -> jumped plant -> planted

However, if it is an irregular verb you will have to use you favourite list in the word: THE IRREGULAR VERBS LIST

Present perfect

Affirmative : Subject + have/has + past participle

I have ridden horses since I was 7. She has studied English for a year. He has cleaned his shoes. They are not here. They have gone out.

Present perfect

Negative: Subject + have / has + not + past participle.

I haven´t finished the book. He hasn´t arrived yet. I haven´t lost the keys. They are here! Lucia hasn´t worn the new dress yet.

Present perfectQuestions : Have/has + subject + past participle + ?

Have you finished the exercise? Has Enrique started his new job? Have we studied this already? Have they bought the tickets for the match?

Present perfectWe can use just, already, yet, since and for

- Just: a short time ago I have just finished my lunch

- Already: before you expected. She has already arrived

- Yet: until now Has Elena bought the car yet?

For /since always with present

perfectFor: period of time

Since: specific moment

AgoAlways use it with past simple, you cannot use it with present perfect:

!

I have waited here for 2 hours ago I have waited here for 2 hours I arrived 2 hours ago