The study of times in English is the most extensive and global topic. At school, for example, the study of times begins in the third grade, and only ends in the ninth grade. Just imagine - six years to study one topic! But at the same time, many graduates of schools cannot fully understand the use of all times. Indeed, in real life, the British do not use all the times, but try to simplify their language a little.
This article will show you the 4 most used Tenses in English - Present Simple, Present Progressive (Continius), Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continius.
Real simple time
This time is used when it comes to events that occur regularly in our daily lives. Various everyday situations - the daily routine, place of work, residence and so on. At this time, we are indicated by the following helper words:
1) usually (usually);
2) always;
3) seldom / rarely (rarely);
4) every night / week / month / year (every night / week / month / year).
To form this time, a verb in the first form (as in the dictionary) or a verb with the ending -s / -es is used. The ending is added only with the pronouns he, she, it (third person, singular).
She speaks Japanese. - She speaks Japanese.
He goes to the kindergarten every day. - He goes to kindergarten every day.
For the negative and interrogative forms auxiliary verbs are used - do / does.
Does she speak Japanese? - Does she speak Japanese?
She doesn't speak Japanese. - She doesn't speak Japanese.
At the end of the article, Present Simple / Present Continuous test is presented to better understand the topic.
Real long time
When using this time, the action occurs at the moment of the speaker’s speech, that is, at the given moment. This is indicated by the words "now" and "at the moment."
To form this time, the following scheme is used: the verb to be in the correct form + the semantic verb with the ending -ing.
My aunt is walking in the park with my dog now. - My aunt is walking in the park with my dog.
My family is gathering in the living room at that moment. - My family is going to the living room at the moment.
No auxiliary verbs are required to form negative and interrogative sentences. Simply change the word order in the sentence.
Is my aunt walking in the park with my dog now? “Is my aunt walking in the park with my dog?”
My aunt isn't walking in the park with my dog now. - My aunt does not walk in the park with my dog now.
After exploring these two topics, you need to do a Present Simple / Present Continuous test for better learning.
Past simple time
Simple past tense is used when we talk about an action that happened in the past. It has nothing to do with the result in the present. It just happened once. At this time, we are indicated by words such as yesterday (yesterday), last month (last month), and so on.
This time is formed using the verb ending with -ed (if the verb is correct) or using the verb in the second form (if the verb is incorrect).
Yesterday I met my teacher in the shop. - Yesterday in the store I met my teacher.
Last summer we went to the Crimea. - Last summer we went to the Crimea.
To ask a question, the auxiliary verb did was used, which is used by analogy with Present Simple Tense. Only the verb will already be used in the first form.
Did I meet my teacher in the shop yesterday? “Did I meet my teacher at the store yesterday?”
Present completed time
This time is used when it comes to an action that happened in the past, but the result is visible in the present.
Index words - ever, never, just, already, yet (only in negative and interrogative sentences), today.
For education, the verb have (has) + the verb in the third form is taken.
I have lost my book yesterday, that's why I haven't dome my homework. - I lost my book yesterday, so I did not do my homework.
I have never bought this milk. “I never bought that kind of milk.”
To form interrogative and negative sentences, the word order is changed or the particle not is added.
Have I lost my book yesterday? “Did I lose the book yesterday?”
I haven't lost my book yesterday. - I did not lose the book yesterday.
Present Simple / Present Continuous test
Translate test assignments into English in Present Simple / Present Continuous:
My dad works as a firefighter. He saves the lives of people, puts out fires, pulls people out of the fire. But today is his day off. He woke up early in the morning and is now preparing breakfast. He makes tea for the whole family and makes an omelet. This is usually done by mom, because dad always works. But today mom has a day off. Now she is reading a book out loud. We are all very happy.
Test classification
Tests for working out times are better divided into subgroups. The most acceptable are the following subgroups:
1) Present Simple / Present Continuous test - an example is presented above.
2) Past Simple / Present Perfect test. The greatest difficulties arise when comparing these Tenses.
3) Present Simple / Present Continuous / Past Simple test.
4) Past Simple / Present Simple test.
3) Present Simple / Continuous / Perfect test.