The Past Perfect Continuous (Past Perfect Progressive) is used to talk about actions that

began in the past and lasted up until another action in the past.

USE
1. Duration of a past action up to a certain point in the past
2. Third conditional sentences

3. Reported speech*

Note:Use 1 contains Use 3. This means that Use 1 is also valid in the sentences marked with Use
3.

The PPC is involved when the original tense is the Present Perfect Continuous or the Past
Continuous.

"she has been crying" - she said she had been crying

"she was crying" - she said she had been crying

Reported Speech
FORM
Declarative sentences:
Subject Auxiliary verb Auxiliary verb Verb + ing
I/a dog + + +
had been eating/swimming, etc.
etc.

[ Father: When
I looked at our
daughter Kathy
I knew she had
been crying ]

• I had been running for an hour when it started raining. (Use 1)

• Mary said she had never been swimming so much in one day. (Use 3)
• Kathy put on weight because she had been eating too much sugar. (Use 1)
• Everything had been going well in my life until my world fell apart several months ago.
(Use 1)

He said he had been training. (Use 3)

 Questions:
What is inversion?
Auxiliary verb Subject Auxiliary verb Verb + ing
+ + + eating/swimming,
Had I/a dog etc. been
etc.

• For how many hours had Fred been painting the house when the ladder fell? (Use 1)
• How long had the player been playing before he scored? (Use 1)

The difference between the Present Perfect Continuous and Past Perfect Continuous
Negative sentences:
Auxiliary verb +
Subject Auxiliary verb Verb + ing
not
+ + +
I/a dog /Mary,
hadn't been going/swimming, etc.
etc.

• He said he wasn't tired because he hadn't been working that day. (Use 3)
• If it hadn't been raining, we would have played football. (Use 2)
• Had I not been studying all night, I would have problems with this test now. (Use 2)

Quick example:

• I had written the letter before you came home.

• If she had studied hard, she would have passed the English language exam.
• I wish I had been brave enough.
• Mary looked as if she had not slept for 48 hours.

We use the Past Perfect tense to emphasize that an action in the past finished before another
action in the past started. This tense is also used in reported speech, third conditional sentences,
or to show dissatisfaction with the past.

USE
1. A completed action before another action in the past
2. Third conditional sentences

3. Reported speech

4. Dissatisfaction with the past

USE 1: A completed action before another action in the past

The first use of this tense is to emphasize that one action in the past happened before another
action in the past.

Examples:
 • I had finished my homework before I went playing football.
• John had never been to London before we went there last year.

Good to know

People (especially native speakers) do not use the Past Perfect in such sentences very often. For
example, they will say:

o After I washed my car, I went to fill up.

Rather than:

o After I had washed my car, I went to fill up.

This is because "after" or "before" tell the listener which action happened first. Still, keep in mind
that it is better to use the Past Perfect, especially in written English or when writing exams.

To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:

[ Father: My son Julius had never seen a camel before we went together to the zoo in summer
1990. ]

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can see a man who says: "My son, Julius, had never seen a camel, before we
went together to the Zoo in summer 1990 ".

• Why is this in Past Perfect? Click on the button labled "event 1". The father asks his
son, Julius, the following question: "Have you ever seen a camel?". Julis replies that he
has never seen it. In the next scene, they are in the Zoo, watching the animal. Notice that
the event 1 occured before event 2. It means that the use of Past Perfect is correct here.

USE 2: Third conditional sentences

Use the Past Perfect with third conditional sentences.

Examples:

• If we had gone by taxi, we wouldn't have been late.

• If Mary had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.

The Use 2 is the so-called hypothetical past: we are talking about things that never happened.
 o I wish I had fixed my umberella. (but I didn't)
o If only I had known the answer to that question. (but I didn't)

USE 3: Reported speech

Use the Past Perfect with reposted speech.

Examples:

• Mary said she had already seen this film.

• He asked if I had read Harry Potter.

USE 4: Dissatisfaction with the past

We often use the Past Perfect to show our dissatisfaction with the past. Such sentences typically
start with "I wish ..." or "If only ...".

Examples:

• I wish I had taken more food. I'm hungry now.

• If only I had taken more food. I'm hungry now.

The Past Perfect is also used with expressions such as: "as if/though":

o John looked as if he had done something terrible.

o She looked as though she hadn't slept all night.

FORM
To form a sentence in the Past Perfect, what you need is:

1. The proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to have" in the past form.
2. The Past Participle of your verb.

1. Auxiliary verb "to have"

The past form of the auxiliary verb "to have" is "had":

• Mary had finished her homework before Mike came home.

• Mary has finished her homework before Mike came home.
• Mary hads finished her homework before Mike came home.

2. The Past Participle

The past participle of a verb is a verb form that appears with the perfect tenses. The past
participle can be eitherregular or irregular.
• The regular verbs are formed by adding -ed to the verb:

Verb Past Participle

talk talked

explain explained

use used

deliver delivered

include included

achieve achieved

•
• The formation of the irregular verbs does not follow one rule. Therefore, they should be
memorized.

Verb Past Participle Learn more

be been be

become become become

see seen see

go gone go
 Verb Past Participle Learn more

eat eaten eat

grow grown grow

Positive Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Verb + ing

e.g. I/a + +
had e.g. eaten/given/goneetc.
dogetc.

Examples Use

Before I went to the park, I had finished my work. (Use 1)

If he had made the right choice, he wouldn't be

(Use 2)
unhappy now.

Mary said she had already seen this movie before. (Use 3)

I wish I had had enough courage to kiss her! (Use 4)

Questions

Auxiliary
Subject Verb + ing
verb
+ +
e.g. I/a
had e.g. eaten/given/goneetc.
dogetc.

Examples Use

Had she eaten the dinner before she went to (Use 1)

 the cinema?

Negative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Verb + ing

e.g. I/a + +
had not e.g. eaten/given/goneetc.
dogetc.

Examples Use

I had not seen this movie , before we went to the

(Use 1)
cinema yesterday to see it.

If he hadn't made the mistake, he would be happy

(Use 2)
now.

Mary said she had not visited for a long time. (Use 3)

I wish I hadn't done it! (Use 4)

Quick example:

• What were you doing then?

• I was eating the dinner when someone knocked at the door.
• When he was sleeping, I was working hard
• I was wondering if you could help me.

We usually use The Past Continuous (Progressive) to talk about longer actions in progress in
the past. The actions can be interruped by something ("He was reading when she arrived") or
can be happening at the same some ("She was learning English when he was watching TV").
There are also two other uses.

USE
1. Actions in progress (in the past)

2. Interrupted actions in progress (in the past)

3. Actions in progress at the same time (in the past).

4. Irritation over something or somebody (in the past)

5. Timid / polite question

USE 1: Actions in progress

We use the Past Continuous to express the idea that an action was in progress in the past.

Examples:

• I was watching TV yesterday in the evening.

• She was not crying.

USE 2: Interrupted actions in progress

The Past Continuous is often used when one actions in progress is interruped by another action in
the past. We usually use "when" to link these two actions. Sentences usually have this form:

[ Sentence in Past Continuous ] + WHEN + [Sentence in Past Simple ]

WHEN + [ Sentence in Past Continuous ] + [Sentence in Past Simple ]

or:

[ Sentence in Past Simple ] + WHEN + [ Sentence in Past Continuous ]

Examples:

• I was talking with James when the telephone rang.

• The plane crashed when Angelica was playing tennis.

To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:

[ Peter: When I was jogging, someone stopped me and asked what time it was ]

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can see a man who says: "When I was jogging someone stopped me and
asked what time it was.".

• Why is this in Past Continuous? Click on the button labled "event 1". You can see that
the man is jogging. This is a continuous action. Suddenly, another man stops him and
asks what time it is. This is "event 2". Notice that the action of jogging is interrupted by
event 2. This is why the use of Past Continuous is correct here.

USE 3: Actions in progress at the same time

We also use this tense to show that two actions are taking place at the same.

Examples:

• I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a book.

• The family was eating the dinner and talking.

USE 4: Timid / polite questions

If we want to ask a polite question, we can use the Past Continuous.

Examples:

• I was wondering if you could open the window.

• I was thinking you might help me with this problem.

Even though the sentences have a Past Continuous form, they refer to the present moment. Their
meaning is similar to the "could you" sentences, but they are more polite.

USE 5: Irritation

Remember that you can also express irritation over somebody or something in the past.

Examples:

• She was always coming late for dinner!

FORM
To form a sentence in the Past Continuous, what you need is:

1. The proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to be" in the past form
2. The Present Participle of your verb (verb + ing)

1. Auxiliary verb "to be"

The past form of the auxiliary verb "to be" is:

1. For third person singular: "was"

2. For all others: "were"

Examples:

• She was always coming late for dinner!

• You were always coming late for dinner!
2. The Present Participle

The present participle is of a verb is a verb form that appears with the present tenses. The present
participle is formed by adding -ing to the verb.

• talk + ing = talking

• be + ing = being

There are exceptions.

Positive Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Verb + ing

e.g. I/a + +
was / were e.g. swimming/talkingetc.
dogetc.

A rhinoceros was swatting flies with his tail when suddenly a fly bit him (Use 2)

Examples Use

Have you been running? (Use 2)

Has Tom been walking the dog? (Use 2)

How long have you been learning English? (Use 1)

Q: What have you been doing there?

(Use 1 or Use 2)
A: I've been eating

Questions

Auxiliary
Subject Verb + ing
verb
+ +
e.g. I/a
was / were e.g. swimming/talkingetc.
dogetc.

Examples Use
 Have you ever seen this program? (Use 1)

Where has she lived for the past 21 years? (Use 3)

Have you found the telephone number? (Use 1,2)

Have you ever been to France? (Use 1)

Has anyone taken my bag? (Use 1,2)

Negative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Verb + ing

e.g. I/a + was +
e.g. swimming/talkingetc.
dogetc. not / were not

Examples Use

He hasn't taken any drug for two years (Use 3)

I haven't met my perfect partner yet (Use 3)

They haven't contacted you, have they? (Use 1)

Quick example:

• I have read this book.

• The man has gone away.
• John has worked as a teacher for over 25 years.

The Present Perfect is used to express actions that happened at an indefinite time or that
began in the past and continue in the present. This tense is also used when an activity has an
effect on the present moment.

USE
 1. Actions which happened at an indefinite (unknown) time before now

2. Actions in the past which have an effect on the present moment

3. Actions which began in the past and continue in the present

USE 1: Indefinite (unknown) time before now

Use the Present Perfect to talk about actions that happened at some point in the past. It does
not matter when exactly they happened.

Examples:

• I have already had a breakfast.

• He has been to England.

You should not use this tense with time expressions like "yesterday", "a week ago", "last year",
etc.

Examples:

• I have seen it yesterday.

• We have gone to Paris last year

USE 2: Effect on the present moment

We also use this tense to when an activity has an effect on the present moment.

Examples:

• He has finished his work. (so he can now rest)

• I have already eaten the dinner. (so I'm not hungry)
• He has had a car accident. (that's why he is in the hospital)

To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:

[ Marcus: I have been struck by a bolt of lightning! ]

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can see a mother asking her son: "Markus, what's happened". Marcus replies:
"I have been struck by a bolt of lightning".

• Why is this in Present Continuous? Click on the button labled as "event 1". You can see
that Marcus was struck lightning bolt. Now click on the other button. The use of Present
 Continuous is correct here because the action has an effect on the present moment (it
explains why he looks this way).

USE 3: Continuation in the present

We often use the Present Perfect when we want to emphasize that an event continues in the
present.

Examples:

• Mary has worked as a teacher for over 25 years.

• Patrick has achieved a lot in his life.

To understand this use better, click on the buttons and read the message:

"For" and "Since"...

"Since" and "for" are very common time expressions used with the Present Perfect.

We use "for" with a period of time, for example:

o I have lived here for 20 years.

When talking about a starting point, we use "since", for example:

o I have lived here since 1960.

More about time expressions.

FORM
To form a sentence in the Present Perfect, what you need is:

1. The proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to have".

2. The Past Participle of your verb.

1. Auxiliary Verb "to have"

We conjugate the auxiliary verb "to have" the same way we would conjugate the normal verb "to
have".
Person Singular Plural

First I have We have

Second You have You have

Third He/she/it has They have

As you can see, the third person singular is irregular.

More examples:

• She has never seen my brother.

• Neither of my brothers has ever driven a truck.

2. The Past Participle

The past participle of a verb is a verb form that appears with the perfect tenses. The past
participle can be eitherregular or irregular.

• The regular verbs are formed by adding -ed to the verb:

Verb Past Participle

talk talked

explain explained

use used

deliver delivered

include included
 Verb Past Participle

achieve achieved

•
• The formation of the irregular verbs does not follow one rule. Therefore, they should be
memorized.

Verb Past Participle Learn more

be been be

become become become

see seen see

go gone go

eat eaten eat

grow grown grow

Declarative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Past participle

+ +
e.g. I/a dog etc. has/have e.g. slept/taken/gone etc.

Examples Use

(Use
We have already had breakfast
1)
 (Use
I have bought new shades
2)

(Use
I have already been to Paris
1)

(Use
John has been a plumber for 2 years
3)

(Use
Someone has just taken my bag!
1,2)

(Use
Jane has never been so angry
3)

He has been our most serious partner for so

(Use
long that I can assure you he's a very decent
3)
man

Questions

Auxiliary verb Subject Past participle

+ +
has/have e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. slept/taken/gone etc.

Examples Use

Have you ever seen this program? (Use 1)

Where has she lived for the past 21 years? (Use 3)

Have you found the telephone number? (Use 1,2)

Have you ever been to France? (Use 1)

Has anyone taken my bag? (Use 1,2)

Trivia

In sentences with adverbials such as ever, already or yet, American-English speakers may use
the Past Simple rather than the Present Perfect. So, an American would say:

o Did you go to the post office yet? (Past Simple)

rather than:

o Have you gone to the post office yet? (Present Perfect)

Negative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb + not Past participle

e.g. I/a + +
has not/have not e.g. slept/taken/goneetc.
dogetc.

Examples Use

He hasn't taken any drug for two years (Use 3)

I haven't met my perfect partner yet (Use 3)

They haven't contacted you, have they? (Use 1)

We use the Past Simple to talk about actions that happened at a specific time in the past. The
actions can be short or long. There can also be a few actions happening one after another.
Generally, there are two important facts to remember about this tense:

• Irregular verbs
• Questions and negative sentences, unlike the positive ones, preserve the base form of the
verb (Did yougo there?)

Copernicus was the

first to be sure that
the Sun, rather than
 the Earth, is the
center of the Solar
System.
USE
1. Events in the past that are now finished (e.g. I went to school)

2. Situation in the past (they lived a normal life until they won a lottery)

3. A series of actions in the past

Irregular Verbs

The irregular verbs, in contrast to the regular ones, are those verbs whose conjugation falls outside the
standard patterns of conjugation. Therefore, the irregular verbs have to be memorized by heart.

It is absolutely necessary for you to know them to be able to form past tenses and perfect tenses.

FORM
Declarative sentences:
Subject + Verb + ed or an irregular form
I/a dog etc. worked/went/saw

I saw two colorful fishes in the lake yesterday (Use 1)

• He enter ed a room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests. (Use 3)

• Mary tried the soup but it was too hot to eat. (Use 1)
• I lived in New York for 10 years (I don't live there anymore) (Use 2)
• They saw us playing football. (Use 1)
• He married a woman who lived in the same village. (Use 1)

Questions:
What is inversion?
Auxiliary verb + Subject + Verb
did I/a cat/my brother and I go/take

• How long did he work there? (Use 2 or Use 1)

• Did the telephone ring? (Use 1)
• Did you see that? (Use 1)

Note: When the subject is unknown ("who", "what") we omit "did"

• Who cleaned up the mess yesterday?

 • What bit you?

Common time expressions (time adverbials) in the Past Simple:

yesterday, the other day, just now, the day before yesterday.

Negative sentences:
Subject + Auxiliary verb + Verb
I/a cat etc. didn't go/take

• He didn't learn any Italian when he was in Italy two year ago. (Use 2)
• I wasn't at my grandma's when you came. (Use 1)
• He didn't get any good grades when he attended school. (Use 3)

I met my old friend from school yesterday and she looked really
weird.

Among all future tenses, the Future Simple is the most common. It is used in many situations
such as when making promises or predictions.

Here goes a list to make it more readable.

USE
1. Promises (Use 1)

2. Unplanned actions (spontaneous decisions) (Use 2)

3. Predictions based on experience or intuition * (Use 3)

4. Habits (obstinate insistence, usually habitual) (Use 4)

* Use "going to form" to express predictions based on observing the present situation.

** You probably have encountered the word "gonna", which is an informal contraction of "going
to".

Keep in mind: Because "gonna" is informal you should avoid it in grammar tests, etc.!

• My teacher's gonna be mad when he sees my composition!

FORM
Contracted forms (more)
WILL = 'LL

Example: She'll dance = she will dance

WILL + NOT = WON'T

Example: She won't dance = she will not dance

Important: The Future Simple appears in two forms: "will" form and "going to" form but there are
not always interchangable. Therefore, a separate article about "going to" form has been written.

Declarative sentences:
Subject Auxiliary verb Verb
+ +
I/a dog etc. will go/take etc.

CAUTION

Remember, you should never use will to say what somebody has already arrange or decided to do
in the future:

– Mike is moving to New Jersey next month (not "Mike will move")

More

• I think he will regret his choice. (Use 3)

• I will come back at 10 p.m. (Use 1)
• If you will keep your watch half an hour slow it is hardly surprising that you are late for
your appointments. (Use 4)
• John will keep dropping his towel on the floor after a bath. (Use 4)

• When I'm 60 years old, I will be completely bald. (Use 3)

• I will visit my grandma at hospital. (Use 1 or Use 2)

• Let's buy the snacks at the supermarket – they will be cheaper. (Use 3)

Questions:
What is inversion?
Auxiliary verb Subject Verb
+ + go/take
will I/a dog etc.
etc.

Remember

We often use "will" with:

probably, most likely I'll probably drop in on uncle.

I think This gift is great. I think we'll love it.

It's not going to be boring there. I'm sure there will bea lot of
I'm sure
boys at your age

I wonder (if, what, when,

It's a bit late. I wonder if he'll come.
etc.)

I expect I haven't seen Matthew today. I expect he'll calltoday.

• Will he be surprised when he sees me? (Use 3)

• Will Mark be able to do the shopping before 10 a.m.? (Use 3)
• Will there be plenty of people in church? (Use 3)
• Will you study harder? (Use 1)

Negative sentences:
Subject Auxiliary verb + not Verb
+ +
I/a dog etc. will not/won't go/take etc.

• I won't take any heavy equipment with me. (Use 2)

• I'm sorry I won't be able to help you with your English today. (Use 2)
• I expect that Sally will not clean up her room, unless you help her. (Use 3)

Quick example:

• He is sleeping.
• I am visiting grandpa in the afternoon.
• You are always coming late for the meetings!

The Present Continuous is mainly used to express the idea that something is happening at the
moment of speaking. Another use of the tense is to talk about what we are planning to do. There
are also other uses, listed below.

USE
1. Present actions
 2. Temporary actions

3. Longer actions in progress

4. Future (personal) arrangements and plans

5. Irritation over something or somebody in the present

USE 1: Present Actions

Use the Present Continuous tense to talk about actions happening at the moment of speaking.

Examples:

• He is eating a dinner.
• Mary is talking with her friend.
• They are swimming.

To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:

[ Johny: I'm having a shower now ]

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can see a man in the shower who says: "I'm taking a shower now".

• Why is this in Present Continuous? Because the Johny is taking shower at this
precise moment.

USE 2: Temporary Actions

This tense is also used for activities continuing for only a limited period of time.

Examples:

• I'm riding a bike to get to work because my car is broken. (It will soon be repaired)
• They are not talking with each other after the last argument. (They will soon make up)

USE 3: Longer Actions in Progress

We also use the Present Continuous when we are in a middle of doing something time-
consuming (i.e. something that takes time to complete). An example of such an activity is writing
a book, saving money or studying for an exam.
Examples:

• They are working hard to earn money.

• I am training to become a professional footballer.
• Mike is studying hard to become a doctor.
• Elizabeth is currently writing a children's book titled I am the World.

To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:

[ Alex: I'm writing an adventure book ]

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can a man who says: "I'm writing an adventure book".

• Why is this in Present Continuous? Click on the buttons located on the Timeline to see
the other scenes. You will find out that Alex (the writer) was writing a book a month ago,
two months ago and three months ago. Clearly, it's a longer action in progress.

USE 4: Future (Personal) Arrangements and Plans

Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to show that something will be done in the near
future.

Examples:

• I'm meeting Katie in the evening.

• He's flying to Rome in September.
• We're not going anywhere tomorrow.

USE 5: Irritation or Anger

And the last use of this tense is to express irritation or anger over somebody or something in the
present.

Examples:

• She's always complaining about everything!

• Johny is always asking me stupid questions!
• They are always coming late to meetings!
FORM
To form a sentence in the Present Continuous, you have to:

• know the proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to be".

Person Singular Plural

First I am We are

Second You are You are

Third He/she/it is They are

• add the "ing" suffix to the verb (to form the present participle of the verb)

Examples:
o try + ing = trying
o go + ing = going

Contracted forms (more)

• I + am = I'm
• is + not = isn't
• are + not = aren't
• he + is = he's
• she + is = she's
• it + is= it's

Declarative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb Verb + ing

e.g. I/a + + e.g.work/go/mak
is / are
dog etc. e

Examples Use

He is getting married this month Use 2)

 They are swimming in the sea Use 1)

I'm having my first driving lesson this week Use 2)

I'm studying to become lawyer one day Use 1)

I'm drinking hot coffee now Use 1)

She is always asking me stupid questions. Use 3)

Questions

Auxiliary verb Subject Verb + ing

+ e.g. I/a + e.g.work/go/mak
is / are
dog etc. e

Examples Use

Is she eating my cake now? Use 1)

Are they having the party on Friday or

Use 2)
Saturday?

Are you meeting David today? Use 2)

Is Mary having breakfast now? Use 1)

Negative Sentences

Subject Auxiliary verb + not Verb + ing

+ +
e.g. I/a dog etc. is not / are not e.g. work/go/make

Examples Use
 He is not joking Use 1)

We aren't waiting for my uncle Use 1)

He is not going to school tomorrow Use 2)

Quick example:

• I live in New York.

• We play football every day.
• The meeting starts at 3 p.m.

The Present Simple is the most basic and common tense in the English language. It is also an
interesting tense because it can express both the present and the future.

USE
1. Facts and generalization

2. Habits and routines

3. Permanent situations

4. State verbs (e.g. be, have, think, know)

5. Fixed / official arrangement that we can't change

6. Narrations (e.g. telling a story or a joke)

Note
Apart from the above uses, this tense is also used in:

o Zero Conditional - If it rains, I go play football.

o First Conditional - We won't get our pocket money, if we don't pass this exam.
o In sentences after "when", "before", "till", "after", "as soon as" ("Before you
leave, please take the keys").

USE 1: Facts and Generalizations

The first and most important use of the Present Simple is to talk about things we believe are (or
are not) true. It's also used to generalize about somebody or something.

Examples:

• It is a big house.
• He talks a lot.
• Berlin is the capital city of Germany.
 • Buenos Aires is a large city.
• The Elephant doesn't fly.
• Dogs don't smoke cigarettes.
• A dog is not large than an elephant
• London is the capital city of France. (Remember: the sentence doesn't have to be true)

To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:

[ Scientist: The Earth goes around the Sun (Use 1) ]

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can see a scientist who says: "The Earth goes around the Sun".

• Why is this in Present Simple? Because the scientist expresses a fact, something that
he believes is true (in this case, he is right: the Earth really goes around the Sun).

USE 2: Habits and Routines

We also use this tense to indicate that an activity is a habit or a routine.

Examples:

• We leave for work at 7.30 every morning.

• Susan often meets with her friends after school.
• They usually play football on Sunday.
• Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother.

The Present Simple tense is often used with the frequency adverbs:

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency say how often an activity happens. We can use one word or a phrase.

Examples:

• always
• never
• frequently/often
• usually
• seldom/rarely
• nowadays
• every week/year
 • sometimes/occasionally
• from time to time

Here are a few examples of how to use them in sentences:

• I always go to church on Sundays.

• I never eat anything after 10 p.m.

Read more...

To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:

[ John: I play basketball every Friday ]

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can see a boy who says: "I play basketball every Friday" (click on
the now button to see this).

• Why is this in Present Simple? Because the boy talks about a habit, something that he
does regularly.

USE 3: Pernament Situations

Use the Present Simple to talk about situations in life that last a relatively long time.

Examples:

• I live in Boston
• He works as a fireman.
• Margaret drives a Porshe.
• Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.

USE 4: State Verbs

You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.

Examples:

• I like swimming.
• We know this man.
• Margaret drives a Porshe.
• Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.
 Speaker 1: Ronaldinho, do you like football? (Use 4)

Ronaldinho: Yes, I do.

USE 5: Fixed / Official arrangements

Use the Present Simple to talk about events that we can't change (for example, an official meeting
or a train departure).

Examples:

• The meeting starts at 4 pm.

• The train leaves at the noon.
• When does the plain take off?
• Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.

USE 6: Narrations

The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke).

Examples:

• A man goes to visit a friend and is amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. He
watches the game in astonishment for a while [...]

(read more)

Good to know...

Some of the verbs used in the simple form can also appear in the continuous form. This is
typically when they have an active meaning or exphasize change.

Examples:

o I'm thinking of moving to San Francisco

o I'm loving your new hairdo!

(read more)

FORM
Forming a sentence in the Present Simple is easy. To form a declarative sentence, all you need is
the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog) and the verb (e.g. be, talk, swim). Questions
and negative sentences are only a little more difficult, because they require an auxiliary verb.

Declarative Sentences

Subject Verb
+
e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. work/go/make

Sharks have sharp teeth (Use 1)

Examples Use

A dog is an animal (Use 1)

I learn English twice a week (Use 2)

I have two eggs (Use 4)

The course starts in April (Use 5)

I come from Basil (Use 3)

I'm having two eggs

Questions

Subject Auxiliary verb+not Verb

e.g. I/a + do not (don't) / does + e.g.work/go/mak
dogetc. not(doesn't) e

Questions require the auxiliary verb to do or, in the third person singular, does.

Compare these examples:

• A: Does she like going to the mountains?

• B: Yes, she does.

• A: Does John have a dog?

 • B: No, he doesn't.

Keep in mind that when you ask a question, the verb does not conjugate:

• Does she have a dog?

• Does she has a dog?

Auxiliary Verb Subject Verb

+ +
do or does e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. work/go/make

For the verb to be, we do not use an auxiliary:

• Is he tall?
• Does he be tall?

Negative Sentences

Contracted forms (more)

• do + not = don't
• does + not = doesn't

Examples Use
They don't live in New York anymore (Use 3)
I don't like winter (Use 4)
They don't live in New York anymore (Use 3)
He doesn't go to the cinema at all (Use 2)