Simple present is also called present simple.

The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after
another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.
Use:

the infinite verb (play) with the personal pronouns I, you, we and they (or with the plural form of nouns)

the verb + s (plays) with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)
affirmative

negative

question

I/you/we/they I play.

I do not play.

Do I play?

he/she/it

He does not play.

Does he play?

He plays.

Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions

Negative sentences and questions are formed with the auxiliary verb 'do'.
The 3rd person singular of 'do' is 'does'. This means that in negative sentences and questions the 's' of the main verb is placed behind 'do'.

The 3rd person singular is usually formed by adding s. But there are a few exceptions to the rule:
Animation on exceptions in spelling when adding 's'
The verbs can, may, might, must remain the same in all forms. So don't add s.
example: he can, she may, it must
Verbs ending in o or a sibilant (ch, sh, s, x) add es instead of s.
example: do - he does, wash - she washes
A final y after a consonant becomes ie before s.
example: worry - he worries
But: A final y after a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) is not modified.
example: play - he plays
facts (something is generally known to be true)
The sun never sets in the east or south or north, but always in the west.

The sun sets in the west.

action in the present taking place once, never or several times

Colin plays football regularly - every Tuesday.

In English, signal words are often used, e.g.: always, never, seldom, often,regularly, every Monday.

Colin always plays soccer on

Tuesdays.
actions in the present taking place one after another
First one action takes place and then the other.

She takes her bag and leaves.

action set by a time table or schedule
Although the action takes place in the future, it takes place regularly and is set by a time table.

The train leaves at 9 pm.

verbs expressing states, possession, senses, emotions and mental activity

When you love someone, that's a state, a fact or emotion, but not an action (like running for example).
Whenever you want to express a state, possession, sense or emotions, use the simple form (not the
progressive). The following words all belong to this group:

I love her.

be (state)

believe (mental activity)

belong (possession)

hate (feeling and emotion)

hear (senses)

like (feeling and emotion)

love (feeling and emotion)

mean (mental activity)

prefer (mental activity)

remain (state)

realize (mental activity)

see (senses)

seem (feeling and emotion)

smell (senses)

think (mental activity)

understand (mental activity)

want (feeling and emotion)

wish (feeling and emotion)

Simple Present - Signal Words

The present progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action.

The present progressive is used for actions going on in the moment of speaking and for actions taking place only for a short period of time. It is
also used to express development and actions that are arranged for the near future.
Present progressive is also known as present continuous.
Use a form of to be and the infinite verb plus -ing.
Animation: form
Use:

am with the personal pronoun I

is with the personal pronouns he, she or it (or the singular form of nouns)

are with the personal pronouns you, we, they (or the plural form of nouns)
affirmative

negative

question

I am playing.

I am not playing.

Am I playing?

he, she, it

He is playing.

He is not playing.

Is he playing?

you, we,
they

You are playing. You are not playing. Are you playing?

Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions

Animation: negative sentences and questions
In negative sentences, we put not between the form of be and the verb.
In questions, we simply swop the places of subject and the form of be.
Present Progressive - Exceptions in Spelling
Animation: exceptions in spelling
A single, silent e at the end of the word is dropped before ing.
example: come - coming
I am coming home. You are coming home. He is coming home.
But: ee at the end of the word is not changed
example: agree - agreeing
The final consonant after a short, stressed vowel is doubled before ing.
example: sit - sitting
I am sitting on the sofa. You are sitting on the sofa. He is sitting on the sofa.

The letter l as final consonant after a vowel is always doubled before ing.
example: travel - travelling
I am travelling around. You are travelling around. He is travelling around.
Mind: This applies only for British English; in American English there is usually only one l.
An ie at the end of a word becomes y before ing.
example: lie - lying
I am lying in bed. You are lying in bed. He is lying in bed.
Actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now)
The action is going on now.
Signal words like now, at the moment are often used to emphasise that the action is taking place at the
moment of speaking. Signal words are not really necessary, however, as this is already expressed by
the tense itself.

He is playing football.
Arrangements for the near future
In the example you can see that the tickets are already bought. So we are talking about an arrangement
for the near future.
To make clear that the action is not going on now, we usually use signal words
like tonight, tomorrow, next Friday, at noon.
I'm going to the theatre tonight.
Actions taking place only for a limited period of time

Here we are talking about a time limit. Jim does not usually work in the firm, he is still at school and
wants to earn some extra money during his holidays.
To make clear that there is a time limit, we usually use signal words, e.g. this week/month/year.

Jim is helping in his brother's firm

this week.
Actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking)
This action takes place around now and only for a limited period of time, but not at the moment of
speaking.
We don't have to use signal words here, but we often find signal words in such sentences, e.g. now, at
the moment.

I'm studying for my exams.

Development, changing situations
The sentence describes a development from one situation to another.
Signal words are not that common here, only sometimes the change of situation is emphasised by using
for example more and more.

The
population of China is rising very
fast.

Actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now)

at the moment

now / just now / right now

Listen!

Look!
Arrangements for the near future

in the morning / in the afternoon / in the evening

at noon / tonight

tomorrow

next ...
Actions taking place only for a limited period of time

this week / this month / this year

Actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking)

at the moment

now / just now / right now

Development, changing situations

more and more

The simple past expresses an action in the past taking place once, never, several times. It can also be used for actions taking place one after
another or in the middle of another action.

Form of Simple Past

Positive

Negative

Question

no differences I spoke. I did not speak. Did I speak?

For irregular verbs, use the past form (see list of irregular verbs, 2nd column). For regular verbs, just add ed.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

after a final e only add d

Example

love loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel

admit admitted
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled travel travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i

hurry hurried

Use of Simple Past

action in the past taking place once, never or several times

Example: He visited his parents every weekend.

actions in the past taking place one after the other

Example: He came in, took off his coat and sat down.

action in the past taking place in the middle of another action

Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

if sentences type II (If I talked, )

Example: If I had a lot of money, I would share it with you.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday

If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, )

Simple Past Past Progressive
Form
Simple Past

Past Progressive

irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs

past form of 'be' + ing form of verb

I spoke
I was speaking

regular verbs: verb + ed

you were speaking

he / she / it was speaking

I worked

we were speaking
they were speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 'ed' :

when the final letter is e, only add d.

Example: love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final

Exceptions when adding 'ing' :

silent e is dropped (but: does not apply for -ee)

Example: come - coming
but: agree - agreeing

consonant is doubled

Example: admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English

(not in American English)

Example: sit - sitting

Example: travel - travelled

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant

is doubled

final l is always doubled in British English (not

in American English)
Example: travel - travelling

after a consonant, final y becomes i. (but: not

after a vowel)

final ie becomes y.

Example: worry - he worried

Example: lie - lying

but: play - he played

See also explanations on Simple Past and Past Progressive
Use
After another or at the same time?
Do you want to express that the actions in the past happened one after another or at the same time?
Simple Past

after another

Past Progressive
at the same time
Simon was playing on the computer while his brother

She came home, switched on the computer and

checked her e-mails.

was watching TV.

New action or already in progress?

If you want to express that a new action happened in the middle of another action, you need both tenses: Simple Past the new action and Past
Progressive for the action already in progress.
Simple Past

Past Progressive
action already in progress

new action

While I was sitting in a meeting, (my mobile suddenly

My mobile rang (when I was sitting in a

rang.)

meeting.)

Only mentioning or emphasising progress?

Do you just want to mention that an action took place in the past (also used for short actions)? Or do you want to put emphasis on the progress,
e.g. that an action was taking place at a certain time?
Simple Past

just mentioning
Colin played football yesterday.

Past Progressive

emphasising progress
Yesterday at six o'clock, Colin was playing football.

Certain Verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Past (not in the progressive form).

state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit

Example: We were on holiday.

possession: belong, have

Example: Sam had a cat.

senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He felt the cold.

feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish

Example: Jane loved pizza.

brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I did not understand him.

introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say

Example: I am watching TV, he said.

Signal words
Simple Past

Past Progressive

first

when

then

while

If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, )

as long as

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

Form
Simple Past

Present Perfect Simple

irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular
Example: verbs
Example:

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

regular verbs: infinitive + ed

regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed

Example:

I worked

Example:
I / you / we / they have worked
he / she / it has worked

Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 'ed':

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example:
love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example:
admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example:

travel - travelled
after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example:
worry - worried
but: play - played
See also explanations on Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple
Use
In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use
Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if its consequence in the present is
important.
Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to British English only. In American English, you can normally use Simple Past instead
of Present Perfect. We cannot accept this in our exercises, however, as this would lead to confusions amongst those who have to learn the
differences.
Certain time in the past or just / already / yet?
Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it was just a few seconds ago) or that an action
has just / already / not yet happened?
Simple Past

Present Perfect Simple

certain time in the past

just / already / not yet

Example:

I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago.

Example:
I have just phoned Mary.

Certain event in the past or how often so far?

Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an action has happened till now?
Simple Past

Present Perfect Simple

certain event in the past

whether / how often till now

Example:
He went to Canada last summer.

Example:
Have you ever been to Canada? / I have been to Canada
twice.

Emphasis on action or result?

Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasise the result (a past action's consequence in the present)?
Simple Past

Present Perfect Simple

Emphasis on action

Emphasis on result
Example:

I bought a new bike. (just telling

what I did in the past.)

Example:
I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I actually want
to express that I have a new bike now.)

Signal Words
Simple Past

Present Perfect Simple

yesterday

just

... ago

already

in 1990

up to now

the other day

until now / till now

last ...

ever

(not) yet

so far

lately / recently

Simple Past Past Perfect Simple

Form
Simple Past

Past Perfect Simple

2nd column of irregular verbs

had + 3rd column of irregular verbs

Example:

Example:

I spoke

I had spoken

regular verbs: infinitive + ed

regular verbs: form of have + infinitive + ed

Example:

I worked

I had worked
Exceptions

Exceptions when adding ed:

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example:

Example:
love - loved
after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example:
admit - admitted
final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example:
travel - travelled
after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example:
worry - worried
but: play - played
See also explanations on Simple Past and Past Perfect Simple
Use
We use Simple Past if we give past events in the order in which they occured. However, when we look back from a certain time in the past to tell
what had happened before, we use Past Perfect.
Normal order in the past or looking back to an event before a certain time in the past?
Do you just want to tell what happened some time in the past or do you want to tell what had happened before/up to a certain time in the past?
Simple Past

Past Perfect Simple

some time in the past

before/up to a certain time in the past

Example:

Example:

Jane got up at seven. She opened her birthday presents

and then the whole family went to the zoo.

Before her sixth birthday, Jane had

never been to the zoo.

Signal Words
Simple Past

Past Perfect Simple

first

already

then

up to then

before that day

after*

*Note: "After" is only used as a signal word for Past Perfect if it is followed by a subject + verb, meaning that one action had been completed
before another action began (the new action is in Simple Past).
Example:
After the family had had breakfast, they went to the zoo.
However, if "after" is followed by object + subject + verb, the verb belongs to the new action and is therefore inSimple Past.
Example:
After her visit to the zoo, Jane was exhausted.
More exceptions with signal words
When
Depending on the situation, "when" can be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. Compare the following examples:
Example:
When Jane saw the elephants, she was amazed. (at the same time)

When Jane had seen the elephants, she wanted to see the giraffes. (second action happened after the first action had been completed)
When Jane went to see the elephants, she had already seen the lions. (second action had been completed when the first action took place)
Before
"Before" as well can either be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. If the action after "before" is a new action, useSimple Past. If the action after
"before" started (and was not completed) before a certain time in the past, use Past Perfect. Compare the following examples:
Example:
Jane had read a lot about elephants before she went to the zoo.
Jane went to the zoo before she had finished reading her new book about elephants.
Past Progressive (Past Continuous)
The past progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past.
Form
Positive
I / he / she / it I was speaking.

Negative
I was not speaking.

Question
Was I speaking?

you / we / they You were speaking. You were not speaking. Were you speaking?

Exceptions in Spelling
Exceptions in spelling when adding ing

final e is dropped (but: ee is not changed)

Example

come coming

(but: agree agreeing)

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

sit sitting

l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English) travel travelling

final ie becomes y

lie lying

Use of Past Progressive

puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past

Example: He was playing football.

two actions happening at the same time (in the past)

Example: While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.

action going on at a certain time in the past

Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.
Signal Words of Past Progressive

when, while, as long as

Present Perfect Simple
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis
on the result.

Form of Present Perfect

Positive
I / you / we / they I have spoken.

he / she / it

Negative

Question

I have not spoken.

Have I spoken?

He has spoken. He has not spoken. Has he spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add ed.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

after a final e only add d

Example

love loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel

admit admitted
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled travel travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i

Use of Present Perfect

puts emphasis on the result

Example: She has written five letters.

action that is still going on

hurry hurried

Example: School has not started yet.

action that stopped recently

Example: She has cooked dinner.

finished action that has an influence on the present

Example: I have lost my key.

action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking

Example: I have never been to Australia.

Signal Words of Present Perfect
already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now

Present Perfect Progressive

Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect progressive expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts emphasis on the duration or course of the
action.
Form of Present Perfect Progressive
Positive
I / you / we / they I have been speaking.

he / she / it

Negative
I have not been speaking.

Question
Have I been speaking?

He has been speaking. He has not been speaking. Has he been speaking?

Exceptions in Spelling
Exceptions in spelling when adding ing

Example

final e is dropped
(but: ee is not changed)

come coming
(but: agree agreeing)

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

sit sitting

l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English) travel travelling

final ie becomes y

lie lying

Use of Present Perfect Progressive

puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result)

Example: She has been writing for two hours.

action that recently stopped or is still going on

Example: I have been living here since 2001.

finished action that influenced the present

Example: I have been working all afternoon.
Signal Words of Present Perfect Progressive

all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week

Past Perfect Simple

The past perfect simple expresses an action taking place before a certain time in the past.
Form of Past Perfect Simple
Positive

Negative

Question

no differences I had spoken. I had not spoken. Had I spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the past participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add ed.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
after final e, only add d

Example
love loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel

admit admitted
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled travel travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i

hurry hurried

Use of Past Perfect

action taking place before a certain time in the past

(putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration)
Example: Before I came here, I had spoken to Jack.

Conditional Sentences Type III (condition that was not given in the past)

Example: If I had seen him, I would have talked to him.

Signal Words

already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day (with reference to the past, not the present)

If-Satz Typ III (If I had talked, )

Past Perfect Progressive (Past Perfect Continuous)
The past perfect progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the past.
Form

A: He had been talking.

N: He had not been talking.

Q: Had he been talking?

Use

action taking place before a certain time in the past

sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple

puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action

signal words

for, since, the whole day, all day

Future I Simple will
Will future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced.
Form of will Future
positive

negative

question

no differences I will speak. I will not speak. Will I speak?

Use of will Future

a spontaneous decision
example: Wait, I will help you.

an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future

example: He will probably come back tomorrow.

a promise
example: I will not watch TV tonight.

an action in the future that cannot be influenced

example: It will rain tomorrow.

conditional clauses type I

example: If I arrive late, I will call you.
Signal Words

in a year, next , tomorrow

Vermutung: I think, probably, perhaps

Future I Simple going to
Going to future expresses a conclusion regarding the immediate future or an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared.
Form of going to Future
positive

negative

question

I am going to speak.

I am not going to speak.

Am I going to speak?

you / we / they You are going to speak. You are not going to speak. Are you going to speak?

he / she / it

He is going to speak.

He is not going to speak.

Is he going to speak?

Use of going to Future

an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared

example: I am going to study harder next year.

a conclusion regarding the immediate future

example: The sky is absolutely dark. It is going to rain.

Signal Words
in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future I Progressive (Future I Continuous)

Future I progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action taking place in the future.
Form

A: He will be talking.

N: He will not be talking.

Q: Will he be talking?

Use

action that is going on at a certain time in the future

action that is sure to happen in the near future

Signal Words
in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future II Simple
Future II Simple expresses an action that will be finished at a certain time in the future.
Form

A: He will have talked.

N: He will not have talked.

Q: Will he have talked?

Use
action that will be finished at a certain time in the future

Signal Words
by Monday, in a week

Future II Progressive (Future II Continuous)

Future II progressive puts emphasis on the course / duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the future. It can also be used to
express an assumption regarding a future action.
Future II progressive is not used very often as it can usually be replaced by future II simple.
Form

A: He will have been talking.

N: He will not have been talking.

Q: Will he have been talking?

Use

action taking place before a certain time in the future

puts emphasis on the course of an action

Signal Words

for , the last couple of hours, all day long