Present Simple & Continuous
Is the following sentence correct or incorrect, and why: "I play tennis at the moment."
Incorrect, because it’s an action happening now, so we should write "I’m playing tennis at the moment."
In general, in which cases do we use Past Simple and in which cases do we use Past Continuous?
Give an example of each.
Past simple > actions finished at a GENERAL MOMENT in the past (yesterday, last month, two days ago, etc...)
"I cooked dinner last night".
Past continuous > Actions that were happening at a SPECIFIC MOMENT in the past (yesterday AT 5 PM, last Tuesday AFTER LUNCH, on Monday BEFORE GOING TO BED)
"Yesterday at 8 pm, I was cooking dinner"
What is the difference between these sentences:
Which tenses are they? What do they communicate?
I cut my finger
I have cut my finger
I cut my finger = It happened at some point in the past (yesterday, last week, etc). It's not a problem now.
I have cut my finger = I have blood on my finger now, and I need someone to help me or take me to the hospital.
In general, which tense is used for Timetables? Give an example.
Timetables use the present simple.
My train leaves at 8 pm.
Add a tag: You’re tired, ___?
aren't you
Why do we say "She goes to school every day" but "She is going to school now"?
The first is a routine; the second is happening right now.
"I was cooking when the phone rang" Which action is longer and which is shorter? Why?
Cooking = longer,
Phone rang = shorter.
We use past continuous for long actions in the past and past simple for short actions in the past.
Compare: "I’ve read this book" and "I’ve been reading this book". Which one suggests the book is finished? Why?
I’ve read this book = finished;
I’ve been reading = not finished yet.
What is another word for "arrangement"?
Which tense do we use for arrangements?
Give an example.
Another word for arrangement is "Plan".
We use present continuous for plans/arrangements.
We are flying to Paris next month.
Add a tag: He doesn’t like pizza, ___?
does he
What’s the difference between saying "I live in Rome" and "I’m living in Rome"?
A: I live in Rome = permanent situation; I’m living in Rome = temporary situation.
Give 2 examples of actions in progress at the same time in the past.
I was watching TV while she was reading.
My brother was playing video games while I was eating pasta.
Where is the focus of this sentence?
I have been doing my homework for 3 hours.
The focus is on the activity and duration/effort.
Compare: "I’m visiting my cousin next weekend" and "I’ll visit my cousin next weekend". What’s the difference in use?
First = plan already arranged.
Second = decision at the moment of speaking.
Complete: I love swimming. → So __ I.
do
Give two examples of annoying habits:
My brother is always coming into my room without knocking.
My father is always falling asleep with the TV remote in his hand.
Is this sentence correct? Why? If it isn't, correct the sentence.
"He arrived while I watched TV".
Incorrect. It should be "He arrived while I was watching TV".
Because his arrival interrupted a longer action in progress.
Long actions in the past = past continuous.
Short actions in the past = past simple.
Compare and tell the difference:
"She has lived here since 2015"
"She lived here in 2015".
"She has lived here since 2015"= still true. She still lives there.
"She lived here in 2015"= finished past time. She doesn't live there now.
Is this sentence correct or incorrect? Why? Correct it if it's incorrect.
"Look at those clouds! It will rain".
The sentence is incorrect. It should be:
"Look at the clouds! It is going to rain".
We use "Be going to" for predictions based on evidence (clouds in this case).
Complete: I’m not very good at maths. → Neither ___ I.
And explain why we use structures with "So/Neither".
am
We use structures with "So/Neither" to agree with someone.
Give 3 or more examples of sentences that are General truths:
The sun rises in the east.
Most birds can fly.
Water boils at 100ºC.
Two plus two equals four.
"Which structure do we use to talk about past habits that we no longer do, or that we do less/more frequently?”
Give an example.
"Used to + verb"
When I was 9 years old, I used to play in the park every day.
Present perfect simple = the action is finished but still important now, or has a consequence now.
"I have read the book".
Present perfect continuous = The focus is on the action still being in progress/ duration/ effort/ difficulty.
"I have been reading the book for 2 hours".
Explain the use of the following sentences:
1. "You will have a great time at the party".
2. "I am going to be a doctor when I grow up".
3. "This train will be the fastest in the country".
1. Prediction based on opinion
2. Intention
3. Facts about the future
Give 2 examples of a short dialogue using “so/neither”.
A: I went to Spain last year. B: So did I!
A: I can’t speak Italian. B: Neither can I.