Theory (Tenses)
What tense should we use for describing gradually changing situation in present?
Present Continuous
"My German is getting better day by day"
What is the difference between terminative and durative verbs?
Terminative verbs: action has a boundary or limit; once complete, it cannot continue (e.g., to open, to close).
Durative verbs: action or state has no inherent boundary and may continue indefinitely (e.g., to live, to love, to know).
She (looks / is looking) happy today.
looks
She has been knowing him for ten years now.
She has known him for ten years now.
She _______ (always/get) on my nerves.
is always getting
How can Present Continuous be used with the adverb "always"?
to express irritations or repeated actions
How do stative verbs behave differently in Present Simple and Present Continuous?
Some stative verbs can have dynamic meanings in Present Continuous ("I am thinking" meaning "considering now") versus permanent states in Present Simple ("I think" meaning "I believe").
They (are having / have) dinner at the new restaurant tonight.
are having
His opinion is changing frequently during the discussion.
His opinion changes frequently during the discussion.
They _______ (discuss) the new marketing strategy since early this morning.
have been discussing
What is the difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple?
no indication of time (PP)
How can the Present Simple and Present Continuous forms of the verb "to have" differ in meaning?
Present Simple: "He has two sisters." (possession)
Present Continuous: "He is having a shower." (temporary action/experience)
She (is tasting / tastes) the soup to check if it needs salt.
is tasting
She always listens carefully while the professor is explaining the lesson.
She always listens carefully while the professor explains the lesson.
Although he _______ (work) here for five years, he still learns something new every day.
has been working
How do we distinguish between the Present Simple and Present Continuous when describing future plans?
Present Continuous is used for definite personal arrangements or plans
Present Simple is used for fixed schedules or timetables
What is an auxiliary verb?
Auxiliary verbs assist main verbs to form various tenses and grammatical moods.
He (is having / has) a lot of problems at work now.
is having
Although the team is training regularly, it doesn’t improve much.
Although the team trains regularly, it isn't improving much.
They _______ (work) on improving their negotiation skills this week.
are working
How does the use of Present Simple in narrative form differ from its use in general statements?
In narratives, Present Simple describes events happening in literary or sports commentary ("He shoots, he scores!"), whereas in general statements, it describes facts or habitual actions.
Provide 3 examples of link verbs
be, become, appear, seem, look etc
I (am hearing / hear) a strange noise outside.
hear
She has been working here since last year, but she doesn't anymore
She has been working here since last year, she's a great colleague.
She had been working here since last year, but she doesn't anymore.
By the time she _______ (arrive) at the conference, the keynote speaker has already started.
arrives