PRESENT SIMPLE

FORM: The simple present is just the base form of the verb.
Questions are made with do and negative forms are made with don’t (do not).

 Statement: You speak English.

 Question: Do you speak English?
 Negative: You do not speak English.

In the third person singular, -s or -es is added.

Questions are made with does and negative forms are made with doesn’t (does not).

 Statement: He speaks English.

 Question: Does he speak English?
 Negative: He does not speak English.

 Notes on the simple present, third person singular:

1. For verbs that end in -O, -CH, -SH, -SS, -X, or -Z we add -ES in the third person.
go – goes/ catch – catches/ wash – washes/ kiss – kisses/ fix – fixes/ buzz – buzzes
2. For verbs that end in a consonant + Y, we remove the Y and add -IES.
marry – marries/ study – studies/ carry – carries/ worry – worries
NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + Y, we just add -S.
play – plays/ enjoy – enjoys/ say – says

 USES:
1) For habits
He drinks tea at breakfast./She only eats fish./They watch television regularly.
2) For repeated actions or events
We catch the bus every morning./It rains every afternoon in the hot season./They drive to Monaco every summer.
3) For general truths/facts
Water freezes at zero degrees./The Earth revolves around the Sun./Her mother is Peruvian.
4) For instructions or directions
Open the packet and pour the contents into hot water./You take the No.6 bus to Watney and then the No.10 to
Bedford.
5) Permanent situations
I live in Skopje.
6) Schedule/ For fixed future arrangements
The train leaves tonight at 6 PM./The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM./When do we board the
plane? /The party starts at 8 o’clock. /When does class begin tomorrow?
7) Now (non-continuous verbs)
I am here now. /She is not here now. /He needs help right now.
8) Telling a story:
I was walking down the street the other day when suddenly this man comes up to me and tells me he has lost his
wallet and asks me to lend him some money. Well, he looks a bit dangerous so I'm not sure what to do and while we
are standing there …
9) Summarising a book, film or play:
Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts School. He has two close friends, Hermione and …

 TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Every day/night/week/month/year/Monday...
+ Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely and never.
Note that the adverbs of frequency usually go before the verb.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS

FORM: am/is/are + V + -ing (present participle).

Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and am/is/are. Negatives are made with not.
*Statement: You are watching TV. Question: Are you watching TV. Negative: You are not watching TV.

 USES:
1) Happening now, at the moment
You are not swimming now. / Are you sleeping?
2) Longer actions in progress now
I am studying to become a doctor. / I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
3) Arrangements in near future
I am meeting some friends after work. / Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
4) Annoying habits with "always" or "constantly"
She is always coming to class late. / He is constantly talking.
5) Temporary situations
I am living in Skopje. (it means that I am living here just for some time)
6) Something which is changing, growing or developing:
The children are growing up quickly. / The climate is changing rapidly. / Your English is improving.

 REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-
continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using present continuous with
these verbs, you must use simple present.
Examples: She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form because they refer to states, rather than actions or
processes.
Senses / Perception (to feel*, to hear, to see*, to smell, to taste)
Opinion (to assume, to believe, to consider, to doubt, to feel (= to think), to find (= to consider), to suppose, to think*)
Mental states (to forget, to imagine, to know, to mean, to notice, to recognize, to remember, to understand)
Emotions/desires (to envy, to fear, to dislike, to hate, to hope, to like, to love, to mind, to prefer, to regret, to want)
Measurement (to contain, to cost, to hold, to measure, to weigh)
Others (to look (=resemble), to seem, to be (in most cases), to have (when it means "to possess”) *)

Exceptions!
Perception verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with can: I can see...
These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different meaning
She has three dogs and a cat. (possession)/ She's having supper. (She's eating)
I can see Anthony in the garden (perception)/ I'm seeing Anthony later (We are planning to meet)

Spelling rules: To make continuous verbs add -ing to the base verb: e.g. do - doing
 silent 'e' : When the verb ends with a silent e, drop the e and add -ing: make - making
one-syllable verbs: For short, one-syllable verbs, that end with consonant + vowel + consonant (CVC), we must double
the last consonant and then add -ing: swim – swimming, run - running
 w, x and y: For words that end w, x and y, just add -ing: enjoy – enjoying, study - studying
 two-syllable words: When words have two or more syllables ending in CVC, you must double the last consonant if the
last syllable is stressed. When the last syllable is not stressed, just add -ing.
The last syllable is stressed: commit - committing
The last syllable is not stressed: whisper - whispering
 -ie verbs: For verbs that end in -ie, change the ie to y before adding -ing: die - dying

 TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Now, at the moment, today, these days, this week, tonight, tomorrow, next week…/ Listen! Look!...
PRESENT PERFECT
FORM: has/have + past participle (III column)
Statement: You have seen that movie many times.
Question: Have you seen that movie many times?
Negative: You have not seen that movie many times.

The present perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before now but
not specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the action itself.

 USES:
1) Unspecified time before now (in the past)
Have you read the book yet? / Nobody has ever climbed that mountain. /I have seen that movie twenty times.
2) Experience
I have been to France. / I have never travelled by train.
3) Accomplishments
He has won many prizes. / Doctors have cured many people.
4) Past actions which have consequence/result in the present
I have broken my leg. / I pass the exam - I have studied a lot lately.
5) Change over time
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
6) Actions which have just finished (using ‘just’)
I have just arrived home.
7) Duration from the past till now (non-continuous verbs)
I have had a cold for 2 weeks. / She has been in England for six months.

 Gone or been?

Gone is the usual part participle of the verb go.

Sometimes you use the past participle been when you want to say that you have gone somewhere and come back, or to
say that you have visited somewhere.
Paul has gone to the hospital this morning (= he is still there).
Paul has been to the hospital this morning (= he went and has come back).
He has gone to New York (= he is still there).
Have you ever been to New York? (= Have you ever visited New York?)

 TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Since, for, already, yet, just, never, ever, recently, so far, until now, up to now, still…
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FORM: has/have + been + V+ ing

Affirmative: She has been / She's been running.
Negative: She hasn't been running.
Interrogative : Has she been running?

The present perfect continuous is used to refer to an unspecified time between 'before now' and 'now'. The
speaker is thinking about something that started but perhaps did not finish in that period of time. He/she is
interested in the process as well as the result, and this process may still be going on, or may have just finished.
It usually emphasizes duration.

 USES:
1) Actions that started in the past and continue in the present
She has been waiting for you all day (= and she's still waiting now).
I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (= and I still haven't finished it).
They have been travelling since last October (= and they're not home yet).

2) Actions that have just finished, but we are interested in the results
She has been cooking since last night (= and the food on the table looks delicious).
It's been raining (= and the streets are still wet).
Someone's been eating my chips (= half of them have gone).

 REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-
continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using present perfect continuous
with these verbs, you must use present perfect, (verbs such as: know, hate, hear, understand, want).
Examples:
Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct
Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

 present perfect continuous and present continuous – difference!!!

The difference between them is that we use the present continuous for actions in progress and the present perfect
continuous for action that started in the past and are still in progress.
Ex. I am talking to you. - - - I have been talking to you for 5 minutes.
PAST SIMPLE

FORM: We use the II column of the verbs

Statement: You called Debbie.
Question: Did you call Debbie?
Negative: You did not call Debbie.

There are 2 types of verbs:

a) Regular verbs - the past tense is formed by adding –ed.
The general rule when changing a word (or verb) into its -ED form is just to add -ED to the end of it. (play - played)

Spelling Exceptions!!!
1) If a word ends in an E we just add the D to the end. (live - lived)
2) If the word ends in a Consonant + Vowel + Consonant, we double the final consonant and add -ED. (stop – stopped)
3) If a two-syllable verb ends in a Consonant + Vowel + Consonant, we DO NOT double the final consonant when the
stress is on the FIRST syllable. (happen – happened)
4) BUT, we DO NOT double the final consonant when the word ends in W, X or Y or when the final syllable is not stressed.
(fix – fixed/ enjoy – enjoyed/ snow – snowed)
5) If the verb ends in consonant + vowel + L, we normally double the final L and add ED.
Note: In the United States (US) they DO NOT double the L when the accent is on the first syllable.
ED form ED form
Infinitive
(UK) (US)
to travel travelled traveled
to marvel marveled marveled
b) Irregular verbs – the 2nd column of the irregular verbs is used for past simple tense

 USES:
1) Completed actions in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do
have one specific time in mind.
Last year, I traveled to Japan. / She washed her car.
2) Consecutive actions in the past
I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.
3) Habits in the past
I studied French when I was a child.

 TIME EXPRESSIONS:
yesterday, last year, …ago, in 2006…

The adverbs never, always, seldom, often, frequently, occasionally, once, twice, thrice etc., can also be used with the past
simple tense.
He never invited me to his parties. /I met him once. /She seldom stepped out of home. /She frequently changed jobs.
PAST CONTINUOUS

FORM: was/were + V+ing (present participle).

Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and was/were. Negatives are made with not.
Statement: You were studying when she called.
Question: Were you studying when she called?
Negative: You were not studying when she called.

 USES:
1) Long action in the past
I was writing a letter.
2) With verbs which show change or growth (happening in the past)
The children were growing up quickly.
3) Annoying habits with "always" or "constantly" in the past
My father was always lecturing my brother.
4) Long past action interrupted by a short past action (mostly used with ‘when’)
I was watching TV when she called.
5) Parallel actions (mostly used with ‘while’)
I was studying while he was making dinner.
6) To describe the background in a story written in the past tense
The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant came out of the jungle. The other animals were
relaxing in the shade of the trees, but the elephant moved very quickly.

 IMPORTANT:
In the past simple, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished.
In the past continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner. (I started eating at 6 PM.)
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. (I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.)

 REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-
continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using past continuous with these
verbs, you must use simple past.
Examples:
Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct
Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct

 TIME EXPRESSIONS:
For, always, still…
 PAST PERFECT

FORM: had + III column (past participle)

Statement: You had studied English before you moved to New York.
Question: Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
Negative: You had not studied English before you moved to New York.

 USES:
1) Completed past action before another past action
I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai. / She had left before I arrived.
2) Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-Continuous Verbs)
(With non-continuous verbs and some non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, we use the past perfect to show that
something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.)
We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
3) To show that an action happened before a specific time in the past
I had fallen asleep before eight o'clock. / She had established her company before 2008.

 TIME EXPRESSIONS:
always, only, never, ever, still, just…
 PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FORM: had + been + present participle

Statement: You had been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.
Question: Had you been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived?
Negative: You had not been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.

 USES:
1) Long past action before another action in the past
They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.
2) Cause of something that was happening in the past (the cause is also in the past)
Jason was tired because he had been jogging.

 IMPORTANT! Past Continuous vs. Past Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday," many English speakers
choose to use the past continuous rather than the past perfect continuous. Be careful because this can change the
meaning of the sentence. Past continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas past perfect continuous
emphasizes a duration of time before something in the past. Study the examples below to understand the difference.

o He was tired because he was exercising so hard.

This sentence emphasizes that he was tired because he was exercising at that exact moment.
o He was tired because he had been exercising so hard.
This sentence emphasizes that he was tired because he had been exercising over a period of time. It is possible that he
was still exercising at that moment OR that he had just finished.

 TIME EXPRESSIONS:
always, only, never, ever, still, just…
 FUTURE SIMPLE

FORM: Simple future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to."
Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings.
These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become
clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM: will + VERB

You will help him later.
Will you help him later?
You will not help him later.

FORM: to be + going to + VERB

You are going to meet Jane tonight.
Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

 USES of will:
1) To express a promise
I won't tell anyone your secret. / I will call you when I arrive.
2) To express a voluntary action
A: I'm really hungry. B: I'll make some sandwiches. / Will you make dinner?
3) Decision in the moment
Hold on. I'll get a pen.
4) Predication (without any evidence – just our thoughts)
He will probably come back tomorrow. / It will rain tomorrow.

 USES of going to:

1) To express a plan
He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
2) Predication (with an evidence)
Look at the clouds. It’s going to rain.

 Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction. Sometimes there is no difference
in meaning.
The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
FUTURE CONTINUOUS

Future continuous has two different forms: "will be doing " and "be going to be doing."

FORM: Future Continuous with "Will” --- [will be + V+ing]

Examples:
You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

FORM: Future Continuous with "be going to " --- [am/is/are + going to be + present participle]

Examples:
You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

REMEMBER: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the future continuous with little
difference in meaning.

 USES:
1) A longer action happening in a specific time in the future
In 2020, I will be going to university.
He will be studying at 10 o’clock tomorrow.
In June 2021, we will be flying to Egypt.
Ana will be cooking when her husband arrives tonight.

REMEMBER! No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future tenses, the future continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when,
while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of future continuous, present continuous is used.
Examples:
While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Not Correct
While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct

REMEMBER! In the simple future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or end. In the future
continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.
Examples:
Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner.
I am going to start eating at 6 PM.
Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process of eating dinner at 6 PM.
 FUTURE PERFECT
Future perfect has two different forms: "will have done" and "be going to have done."
Unlike simple future forms, future perfect forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM: Future Perfect with "Will" ---- [will have + past participle]

Examples:
You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

FORM: Future Perfect with "Be Going To" --- [am/is/are + going to have + past participle]
Examples:
You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Are you going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
You are not going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the future perfect with little or no difference in
meaning.

 USES:
1) Completed action before a time in the future
By 2020, I will have finished my studies.
By next November, I will have received my promotion.
I am not going to have finished this test by 3 o'clock.
Will she have learned enough Chinese to communicate before she moves to Beijing?
2) Duration before a time in the future (non-continuous verbs)
I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Future perfect continuous has two different forms: "will have been doing " and "be going to have been doing."
Unlike simple future forms, future perfect continuous forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM: Future Perfect Continuous with "Will" --- [will have been +V+ing]

Examples:
You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.

FORM: Future Perfect Continuous with "Be Going To" --- [am/is/are + going to have been + V+ing]

Examples:
You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the future perfect continuous with little or no difference
in meaning.

 USES:
1) Duration before a time in the future
I will have been staying there for 2 days by the time he arrives.
He will have been working for 3 hours by 5 o’clock.
2) Cause of something in the future
Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for over an hour.

 Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect Continuous!!!

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday," many English speakers
choose to use the future continuous rather than the future perfect continuous. Be careful because this can change the
meaning of the sentence. Future continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas future perfect continuous
emphasizes a duration of time before something in the future. Study the examples below to understand the difference.
Examples:
He will be tired because he will be exercising so hard.
This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will be exercising at that exact moment in the future.
He will be tired because he will have been exercising so hard.
This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will have been exercising for a period of time. It is possible that
he will still be exercising at that moment OR that he will just have finished.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the future perfect continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as:
when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of future perfect continuous, present perfect
continuous is used.
Examples:
You won't get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as Tim. Not Correct
You won't get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim. Correct