Tenses 1
A snail _____ (walk) into a bar and the barman _____ (tell) him there's a strict policy about having snails in the bar and so _____ (kick) him out. A year later the same snail _____ (re-enter) the bar and asks the barman "What did you do that for?"
A snail walks into a bar and the barman tells him there's a strict policy about having snails in the bar and so kicks him out. A year later the same snail re-enters the bar and asks the barman "What did you do that for?"
Do not throw the paper away, I ____________ (not read) it yet.
Do not throw the paper away, I have not read it yet.
I _________(take) dancing lessons this winter (Usually I do not do such things)
Temporary action
I’m taking dancing lessons this winter.
The main events in a story
The Past Simple Tense
current events or states, which may be unfinished
The Present Continuous tense
People are trying to sell their cars for a profit these days.
It is time we _______ (leave) the city.
It is time we left the city.
We _____________ (meet) at 10 o'clock and I ________ (be) already late. (it was our agreement)
We were meeting at 10 o'clock and I was already late.
At this rate we ____________ (to be exhausted) by the time we finish.
At this rate we are going to be exhausted by the time we finish.
to give clear explanations, or the background to a past situation
The Past Perfect Tense
an immediate decision about what you are going to do
will
I will just go and get my coat.
By the time we _________ (arrive), the party _________ (be) almost over.
By the time we arrived, the party was almost over.
Could you tell me, sir, what you _____________ (do) in the part at three in the morning?
Could you tell me, sir, what you were you doing in the part at three in the morning?
Bob _______ (pass) the ball to Lorimer who ________ (score).
formal declarations, sports commentaries, demonstrations, etc
Bob passes the ball to Lorimer who scores.
predictions, offers, promises, requests, suggestions
will/ shall
Will you help me with the dishes?
Shall I get you some coffee?
______ is used in polite inquires
Past Continuous Tense or Past Simple
I was wondering if you could help me.
I just wanted to know when you are available.
I _________ (hear) you _________ (change) your job. (Present Time)
I hear you have changed your job.
Define the difference:
I’ve read your book.
I’ve been reading your book.
I’ve read your book (= I’ve finished it’).
I’ve been reading your book (=‘I’m still reading it’).
(Great tentativeness)
We are hoping you will support us.
With the verbs like hope, want, etc the Present Continuous Tense is used to show greater tentativeness.
We are hoping you will support us.
possible action seen in the future as a result of sth else (evidence)
be going to
He does not know how to light fire. He's going to burn himself.
to focus on the point you want your listener to remember
The Present Continuous Tense
What I’m saying is that it’s a great idea.
Newspaper headline:
Parliament ____________ (decide) new policy tomorrow.
The Infinitive is used to show a future action in a headline of an article
Parliament to decide new policy tomorrow.
Newspaper headline:
Lion ________ (escape) zoo
The Present Simple tense is quick and current, and helps emphasise the action happening.
Lion escapes zoo
Extend the following headline making it a common sentence:
Six killed in explosion
Six people have been killed in explosion.
Opinions, hopes, fears
will/shall
I think he will pass the test.
logical assumptions about sb's actions in the future
The Future Perfect Tense
He will have gone to sleep by now.