Key to tense + good example
right now
Present continuous in students' answers
I'm going to the cinema.
Where are you going?
She post's never videos on her IG account.
She never posts videos on her IG account.
laptop / e-reader / earphone / app / charger
APP (it's the only word that doesn't refer to a physical object)
Have you ever ............ a glass object? (BREAK)
Have you ever BROKEN a glass object?
twice a week
Present simple in students' answers
My brother usually plays basketball at 10.00 on Saturday.
What time does your brother usually play basketball on Saturday?
Did you had a mobile phone when you was little?
Did you have a mobile phone when you were little?
am - do - did - does
AM (it isn't an auxiliary in simple tenses; DO and DOES are auxiliaries of the present simple; DID is the auxiliary in the past simple)
We have ...................... all hope to win. (LOSE)
ago
Past simple in students' answers
She moved out when she turned 18.
When did she move out?
In which hotel they were staying when you met them?
In which hotel were they staying when you met them?
begin - find - tell - start - meet
START (it's the only regular verb)
I've never ........................ a dress to school. (WEAR)
I've never WORN a dress to school.
while
It introduces past continuous in combination with past simple in students' answers
I was sending a text message when she entered.
What were you doing when she entered?
Who did go to the park with the children?
Who went to the park with the children?
just - already - never - yet
YET (it's the only adverb to be used in negative sentences and questions with present perfect; it's the only adverb that is used at the end of the sentence)
He has always .................. first class. (FLY)
He has always FLOWN first class.
ever
Present perfect in students' answers
I have just painted my kitchen pink.
What colour have you just painted your kitchen?
In his teen years, he hasn't done well in artistic subjects.
In his teen years, he didn't do well in artistic subjects.
put - sit - read - hit - let
SIT (it's the only irregular verb in the list with a past simple form and a past participle that is different from the infinitive form in writing/pronunciation)
Has lightning ever ................. twice in the same place? (STRIKE)
Has lightning every STRUCK twice in the same place?