Grammar Reference

Present Simple

We use the PS for:

- Daily routines (especially with adverbs of frequency, often usually, always, etc.)
- Habits.
- Permanent states.
- Timetables/schedules.
- General truths and laws of nature.
- Reviews/sports commentaries/narrations.

Time expressions: every day/month/year/summer/morning/afternoon, etc. Usually, always, often,

sometimes, etc. On Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, etc.

Exercise

 They usually ______________(go) to school by bus.

 She always_______________(do) her shopping on Saturdays.
 She____________(work) as a musician.
 The concert __________(begin) at 9 pm.
 The sun ______________(rise) in the east.
 Julia Roberts ____________(act) brilliantly in this film.

Present Continuous

We use the PC for:

- Actions happening now, at the moment of speaking.

- Actions happening around the time of speaking.
- Fixed arrangements in the near future, especially when we know the time and the place.
- Temporary situations.
- Changing or developing situations.
- Frequently repeated actions with always, constantly, continually to express annoyance or
criticism. “They are constantly fighting with each other”.

Time expressions: now, at the moment, at present, nowadays, these days, today, tomorrow, next
month.

Exercise

 Joe __________(be/have) a shower at the moment.

 She__________(be/stay) at her grandparent’s house tonight.
 Tom and Alice ____________(be/get) married next week.
Past Simple

We use the PS for:

- Actions which happened at a specific time (stated, implied or already known) in the past.
- Past habits.
- Past actions which happened one immediately after the other. “Janet boarded the plane,
sat in her seat, and waited for take-off”.
- Past actions which won’t take place again. “Dr. Livingstone explored South and Central
Africa between 1842 and 1846”.

Time expressions: yesterday, yesterday morning/evening, etc., last night/week etc., two
weeks/months ago, in 2010, etc.

The past simple affirmative of regular verbs is formed by adding –ed to the verb. Some verbs have
an irregular past form.

Past form of be: was/were.

Negative: formed with did not/didn’t + infinitive form of the verb. Example: “I didn’t go to the tea
party because I was sick”.

Exercise:

 They __________ (spend) their holiday in Italy last summer.

 They __________(have) a lovely time.
 As a child, she ________(stay) with her grandparents every summer.
 Michael Jackson___________(be) a very popular artist.
 My cousin ______________(not/go) to the party last night.

Past Continuous.

We use PC for:

- An action which was in progress at a stated time in the past. We do not know when the
action started or finished. “They were sunbathing on the beach at noon yesterday”.
- A past action which was in progress when another action interrupted it. We use the PC for
the action in progress (longer action) and the past simple for the action which interrupted
it (shorter action). “He was driving to the airport when his car broke down”.
- Two or more actions which were happening at the same time in the past (simultaneous
actions). “While I was getting our tickets, Matt was buying some popcorn”.
- To give background information in a story. “It was hot and sunny and a light breeze was
blowing. We were looking forward to our boat trip”.

Time expressions: while, when, as, all day/night/morning, yesterday, etc.

Exercise.

 He ____________(read) a magazine while he ________(wait) for the bus.

 Luke ____________(run) by the pool when he fell off and broke his nose.