Read these quotes and discuss in pairs:

Do you agree or disagree?

Who do you think said them?

Dream as if you'll live forever.

Live as if you'll die today.
I have decided to stick with love.
Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Happiness is not something ready
made. It comes from your own
actions.

Present: To live
Simple:
Continuous:
Perfect:
Perfect Continuous:

Past: To live
Simple:
Continuous:
Perfect:
Perfect Continuous:

Future: To live
Simple:
Continuous:
Perfect:
Perfect Continuous:

To fly:

Simple:

Continuous:

Perfect:

Perfect
Continuous:

Present

Past

Future

The Present Simple is commonly

used to talk about past situations:
In newspaper headlines:
Anti-US protest ends in violence.
Minister quits.
Strike brings city to a standstill.

When we tell a joke or when we relate the story of a

film, book or play.
A man goes to the psychiatrist and says Doctor, I think Im a pair
of curtains. The Doctor replies Pull yourself together.
Johnny Depp plays a rich man in 19th century Australia who
marries, becomes an alcoholic and then falls in love with her
cousin.

Present Simple to talk about now

When we refer to an action which happens
instantaneously at the moment of speaking, the
Present Simple is used. This usually occurs when the
words carry a particular importance.
I pronounce you man and wife.
I beg your pardon?
I name this ship the Mary Rose.

When describing or commentating on a present action, the present simple is used

for an instantaneous action.
Owen shoots.and its a goal.

The present continuous is used for a longer event.

And now Im slicing the onions into little pieces, and putting them into the saucepan.

Present Simple for future time

The Present simple is commonly used to talk about future
events which are programmed or timetabled.
The new production of Mozarts Don Giovanni opens at the Royal Opera House
next week.

We often use the Present simple (and Present Perfect) to refer

to future after time conjunctions such as if, when, before, as
soon as, until, once, while, by the time etc.
Whatll happen if we dont get there in time?
Ill phone you as soon as weve checked in.
You can go home as soon as you finish.

 We also use the present tenses after relative pronouns

such as who and where and in subordinate clauses
introduced by as, than, whether.
The first person who phones in with the correct answer will get the prize.
I really dont mind where we stop as long as I get something to eat soon.
Ill enjoy the day whether the sun is shining or whether its pouring with rain.

To describe future events which are officially organised

or timetabled, we often use the present form of be +
infinitive with to.
The prime minister is to visit India next year.
The standard rate of tax is to be raised from next April.
Is the archbishop to retire next year?