The Present Simple Tense

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Structure Examples We use the Present Simple Tense: 1. Philip gets up at 6 o'clock every morning. 2. I go to school every day. 3. She sometimes goes out on Friday night. 4. I usually sleep late on Sunday morning. 5. Peter works for 8 hours every day. 6. We usually start work at 8 o'clock. 7. My children often watch TV in the afternoon. 8. He always forgets his keys.

when we talk about things that happen repeatedly or habitually

With Present Simple Tense we often use time expressions such as always, often, sometimes, usually, seldom, on Saturdays, rarely, never, every day, etc.

1. I work in a bank. 2. Kate speaks English very well. 3. Tom lives in London.

when we talk about permanent or long-lasting situations

1. People make choices because they can't have everything they want. 2. Nurses work in clinics and hospitals. 3. Football is a very popular sport in Bulgaria.

when we talk about people or things in general

1. The Earth is spherical. 2. My birthday is in May. 3. California is in the United States. 4. The sun rises in the east. 5. Water freezes at 0°C (32°F).

to indicate general truths, facts and scientific laws

1. We arrive in Rome at 6 p.m. 2. The train leaves in five minutes. 3. The course starts next Thursday.

when we talk about travel plans and timetables (mainly with verbs such as go, leave, arrive, start, come, return etc.)

To form the Present Simple Tense we use the verb's base form (go, work, speak, study). In 3rd person singular (he, she, it), the base form of the verb takes -s/es. (Auxiliary verbs "be," "do," "have", which can also be used as main verbs, are exceptions.)

Affirmative form I you work we they he/she/it works /-s/ go - goes /-es/ watch - watches /-es/ play - plays /-s/ study - studies /-es/ ! Remember: to be I/you/we/they are he/she/it is to do I/you/we/they do he/she/it does to have

1. She loves jazz music. 2. My aunt hates travelling by train. 3. I like ice cream. I don't like spinach. 4. I think she is a wonderful person. 5. Do you believe in God? 6. I have no money at the moment. 7. My brother has a new car.

with state verbs such as like, dislike, love, think, seem, look, know, feel, understand, want, need, hate, remember, forget, prefer, believe, mean, taste, hear, see, have (when the meaning is "possess"), own, belong, etc. These verbs are not normally used in the

8. That bicycle belongs to me. Continuous Tense (but there are exceptions).

1. Pour all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. 2. Walk down the street to the corner and then turn right.

to give instructions/directions

I/you/we/they have he/she/it has

Negative form I you DO NOT /don't/ we WORK they he/she/it DOES NOT /doesn't / WORK 1. She doesn't often go to the cinema. 2. I don't get up early at the weekend. 3. They don't speak English very well.

Interrogative form I DO you WORK? we they DOES he/she/it WORK? 1. Do they speak foreign languages? 2. Do you want a banana? 3. Does your sister play the piano?

Questions and short answers: Do you like spaghetti? Yes, I do. No, I don't.

The Present Simple Tense is also used in :

sentences after "when", "after", "while", "till" / "until", "before", "as soon as" - When the rain stops, we'll go out. I'll call you back as soon as I return home.

zero conditional sentences (when the result of the condition is always true) - If you heat water to 100°C (212°F), it boils.

first conditional sentences (Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real (or possible) situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met.) - If you finish your homework I'll bring you to the zoo.

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Does she know Bulgarian? Yes, she does. No, she doesn't.

Notes about formation of the 3rd person singular (he, she, it):

If the verb ends in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x or -o, add -es to the base form: kiss - kisses, finish - finishes, watch - watches, mix - mixes, go - goes

If the verb ends in consonant + y change y to i and add -es: study - studies, copy - copies, try - tries, carry - carries

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The Present Continuous (Progressive)Tense

Structure Examples We use the Present Continuous (Progressive)Tense:

Pamela is sleeping in the bedroom. 1. The telephone is ringing! 2. They are doing their homework. 3. I'm waiting for my girlfriend in front of the cinema.

We most often use the Present Continuous when we talk about something which is happening at the time of speaking (now, at the moment)

1. I'm reading an interesting book. 2. Tom is looking for a new job. 3. We are studying English and Spanish.

when we talk about something which is happening at present, but not necessarily at the moment of speaking

1. My husband is working hard today. 2. They are spending this week in Paris. 3. She is teaching English this semester. 4. We are staying at the Bristol Hotel tonight. 5. I'm living with my parents at the moment but soon I'll buy my own house.

when we talk about temporary actions taking place only for a period of time (today, this week, this semester, this year)

1. Fuel prices are rising constantly because of strong demand. 2. On-line shopping is growing rapidly nowadays.

Present Continuous is also used to express current trends

1. He is always complaining from his colleagues. 2. My son is always getting into trouble in school.

We can use the Present Continuous when we talk about repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (always, constantly)

The Present Continuous is made with the present form of the verb "to be" (I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, you are, they are) + the '-ing' form of the main verb. The '-ing' form of the verb is called the Present Participle.

Affirmative (Positive) form

I am reading. You are reading. He is reading. She is reading. It is reading. We are reading. You are reading. They are reading.

Negative form I am not reading. You are not reading. He is not reading. She is not reading. It is not reading. 1. I'm leaving for Vienna tomorrow morning.

2. We are having lunch at 12.30 o'clock. Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to

describe a planned action in the near future

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We are not reading. You are not reading. They are not reading.

Question form:

Am I reading? Are you reading? Is he reading? Is she reading? Is it reading? Are we reading? Are you reading? Are they reading?

Contracted forms: I am = I'm he/she/it is = he's/she's/it's you are = you're I am not = I'm not he/she/it is not = he isn't/she isn't/it isn't you are not = you aren't we are = we're they are = they're we are not = we aren't they are not = they aren't Examples:

1. What are you doing? 3. He is reading a newspaper. 2. I'm having a bath. 4. Are they working?

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The Present Participle

Structure 2. Spelling rules for the formation of the Present Participle.

The general rule is: base form of the verb + '-ing': work - working read - reading go - going listen - listening meet - meeting sleep - sleeping enjoy - enjoying ski - skiing grow - growing fix - fixing

If a one syllable verb ends in consonant + vowel + consonant double the final consonant and add “-ing":

run - running beg - begging sit - sitting jog - jogging

1. Participles are formed from verbs. English has two types participles: the Present Participle and the Past Participle. The Present Participle of the verb is formed by adding the suffix '-ing' to the base form of the verb: base form + '-ing'. We use the Present Participle along with a form of the verb 'to be' to create continuous (progressive) tenses.

If a verb has more than one syllable and ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the final consonant only if the final syllable is stressed and add '-ing':

occur - occurring begin - beginning admit - admitting refer - referring

When a verb ends in '-ic' we add '-k' and then '-ing': picnic - picnicking panic – panicking

When a verb ends in '-l' the '-l' is doubled and '-ing' is added (in British English):

travel - travelling cancel – cancelling

When a verb ends in silent '-e', the silent '-e' is dropped and '-ing' is added: close - closing move - moving live - living have - having

When a verb ends in an '-e' which is not silent, the final '-e' is not dropped before the ending '-ing' is added:

be - being see - seeing

3. The Present Participle can be also used as an adjective in front of a noun: a running boy, a crying baby, a dancing lady, etc.

When a verb ends in '-ie', the '-ie' is changed to '-y' before the ending '-ing' is added: die - dying lie - lying

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The Past Simple Tense

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Structure Examples We use the Past Simple Tense:

1. We arrived at 9:00 o'clock. 2. This morning I went to the supermarket. 3. The teacher went to the desk. 4. He didn't hear the telephone. 5. Susan bought her little sister a doll. 6. We came here in 1980. 7. I worked at Johnson & Co. from 1990 to 1995. 8. My brother lived in London for six years. (he doesn't live there anymore)

to describe actions and situations that happened in the past. These actions and situations were started and finished in the past.

The sentence often contains an adverb or adverb phrase of time, such as yesterday, the other day, last night, last week, three days ago, a few minutes ago, in (year), from (year) to (year), etc.

1. When she was young, she danced beautifully. 2. He played the violin when he was a child. 3. We often went there. 4. I saw her every day.

to talk about habitual or repeated actions that took place in the past Note: This use is also often expressed with used to: Bob used to smoke 20 cigarettes a day.

1. It happened one night in the winter. 2. She opened her bag, took out the key and unlocked the door.

to tell a story and to express actions which follow each other in a story

1. World War II ended in 1945. 2. Romans built strong bridges.

to refer to the historical past or to events that have happened in the distant past relative to the speaker

1. David said that he was tired. 2. The doctor told me that I would have to stay in the hospital for a week.

for reporting what someone said (converting from direct to reported speech)

1. When Peter arrived, I was reading a book.2. I was having a bath when the phone rang.

to talk about action in the past that take place in the middle of another action

The past simple tense of the most english verbs (regular verbs) is formed by adding "-ed"/"-d" to their base form. (If the verb ends in "-e", we add "-d" to form the past simple.)

There are also some verbs called irregular verbs that have special past tense forms. (See list of irregular verbs)

Affirmative form

Regular verbs: base form + "-ed" or "-d": work + "-ed" = worked live + "-d" = lived I/you/he/she/it/we/they worked I/you/he/she/it/we/they lived

Irregular verbs: past form only I/you/he/she/it/we/they saw

To form the negative and interrogative sentences we use the past form of auxiliary verb do --> did:

Negative form I you DID + NOT he/she/it /DIDN'T/ 1. If I won the lottery, I would travel the for making second conditional sentences (also

world. 2. If I were you, I wouldn't marry him.

called conditional type 2) when we talk about an imaginary or unlikely situation and to describe its result. (If + past simple, would + infinitive)

we + WORK they He didn't work yesterday. She didn't see him last night.

Interrogative form I you DID he/she/it WORK? we they Did he work yesterday? Did she see him last night?

If it is the verb "to be" we use was/were before the subject: Was he at the office the other day?

Questions and short answers: Did you go to the cinema last night? Yes, I did. No, I didn't. Did he speak with Kate yesterday? Yes, he did. No, he didn't.

Spelling rules for the past simple of regular verbs:

if a regular verb ends in consonant + y change y to i and add -ed: carry - carried, study - studied, fry - fried, try - tried

if a one syllable regular verb ends in consonant + vowel + consonant double the final consonant and add -ed -- > stop - stopped, plan - planned, rob - robbed, beg - begged

if a regular verb has more than one syllable and ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the final consonant only if the final syllable is stressed -- > preFER - preferred, regRET - regretted Exception: In British English verbs ending in -l have -ll before -ed whether the final syllable is stressed or not -- > travel - travelled

Pronunciation of final "-ed" (regular verbs): after an unvoiced consonant sound (sh/ s / ch / p / k / f ) we pronounce /t/: wash (/sh/) - washed (/t/); kiss (/s/) - kissed (/t/); work (/k/) -

worked (/t/); hope (/p/) - hoped (/t/); laugh (/f/) - laughed (/t/) after a vowel and voiced consonant sounds we pronounce /d/: phone (/n/) - phoned (/d/); judge (/dg/) - judged (/d/); turn (/n/) - turned (/d/);

play (/ei/) - played (/d/); follow (/ou/) - followed (/d/) after /t/ and /d/ sounds we pronounce /-id/: visite (/t/) - visited (/id/); start (/t/) - started (/id/); need (/d/) - needed (/id/)

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The Future Simple Tense English does not have a verb form specifically used to express future tense. We have to choose from a variety of forms (using 'will'/'shall', 'going to', the present continuous, the present simple, etc.) to talk about future events. The future expressed with the modal auxiliaries will and shall + the base form of the verb is known as the future simple tense or 'will' future. Keep in mind, however, that 'will' doesn't always serve to indicate the future. We can use 'will' to talk about events happening at the present. (For example: This car won't start.)

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Structure Examples We use the Future Simple Tense:

1. I will finish my report later today. 2. The sun will rise at 6:03 am. 3. I'll go to the market tomorrow. 4. There will be another conference next month. 5. I'll come to see you on Sunday. 6. We'll be back on Friday afternoon. 7. Tom will visit his parents next week. 8. They will paint the fence blue. 9. I will return in two hours. 10. He will finish his homework in twenty minutes. 11. Jane will turn 18 this year. 12. The wedding will take place on May 8th. The ceremony will begin at 4pm, followed by a meal and a big party.

Note: In certain situations we use 'will' to emphasize: 13. You will drink your milk! 14. I will find a job.

to say that something will happen in the future. Adverbs of time that will indicate such tense may include, tomorrow, today, later today, in five minutes, in two hours, on Monday, on Saturday afternoon, next week/month, this year, etc. ! Note that when we talk about prior plans, strong intentions or fixed arrangements we do not normally use 'will': I am going to meet him this afternoon. ('to be' + 'going to' + main form of the verb) I'm going to buy a new car this year. ('to be' + 'going to' + main form of the verb) I am going to a party tommorrow night. (the present continuous) Tina is getting married next month. (the present continuous) ! Note: 'Will' is used instead of 'going to' when a formal style is required, particularly in the written language (See 12)

The future simple tense is composed of two parts: will/shall + base verb. Will and shall are often contracted to 'll.

Affirmative form I + shall / will + work we you he/she/it + will + work they 1. I shall/will write her tomorrow. 2. We shall/will go shopping together during the holidays.

Note: 'Will' is used with all persons. 'Shall' can be used instead of 'will' with I/we. In modern English, particularly in American English, 'shall' with a future reference is rarely used.

Negative form I SHALL + NOT we /SHAN'T/ + WORK

1. I'll close the window. 2. I'll have a cup of tea, please. 3. - The phone is ringing. - I'll answer it. 4. - Oops, I dropped my pencil.

to express spontaneous decision / to volunteer to do something (the action is decided at the moment of speaking)

- I'll pick it up.

1. I think it will rain. 2. The weather tomorrow will be sunny and warm. 3. I think David Brown will be the next mayor of our city. 4. Everything will be fine. 5. You are going to be a famous artist some day. 6. I think you are going to marry a wrong person.

to predict future events (for example, to say what we think or believe will happen), we use both 'will' and 'going to' ! But note that we use 'going to' (not 'will') to make predictions about events when there is a concrete evidence: Look at those dark clouds in the sky. It is going to rain soon.

1. I'll be there at 7 p.m., I promise. 2. I'll tell your parents what you did. to make promises or threats

1. Will you please help me to do my homework? 2. That suitcase is too heavy. I’ll help you. to request help or to offer help

1. I'll probably get there by my car. 2. You must read this book. I'm sure you'll like it. 3. I expect Tom will pass his exam.

with words and expressions such as: probably, possibly, perhaps, (I'm) sure, (I) expect

1. If it begins to rain, I'll certainly nead an umbrella. 2. She will tell him when he calls.

to talk about consequences (with if, when, provided, unless, as, as soon as, as long as, etc.)

1. I'll be in Athens tomorrow. 2. I'll be at a conference next week.

when the main verb is be even if we talk about planned events

I you WILL + NOT he/she/it /WON'T/ we + WORK they I won't answer that question. They won't accept this offer.

Interrogative form To form interrogative sentences we use will with all persons: WILL I WORK? we you WILL he/she/it WORK? they Will you open the window, please? Will you do it for me?

Note: We use shall to make offers, ask for advices or suggestions, etc. (mainly in British English) 1. Shall I close the door? 2. Shall we go to picnic tomorrow? 3. Shall I study English?

'Shall' is also used as an imperative in formal or legal written statements: 1. The Chairman shall be present at the Company's general meetings. 2. The accused shall be present during the trial.

More examples: 1. Will you go shopping? 2. I will not permit that kind of behaviour. 3. Will our theacher come with us? Yes, he will. No, he won't. 4. Our teacher won't come with us.

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