The study of tenses in English is the most extensive and global topic. At school, for example, the study of tenses begins in the third grade, and ends completely only in the ninth. Just imagine - six years to study one topic! But at the same time, many school graduates cannot fully understand the use of all times. Indeed, in real life, the English do not use all tenses, but try to simplify their language a little.
This article will list the 4 most used Tenses in English - Present Simple, Present Progressive (Continius), Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continius.
Present Simple
This tense is used when talking about events that happen regularly in our daily lives. Various everyday situations - 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 (always);
3) seldom/rarely (rare);
4) every night/week/month/year (every night/week/month/year).
For the formation of this tense, 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 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 for better understanding of the topic.
Present Continuous
When using this time, the action takes place at the moment of the speaker's speech, that is, at the moment. This is indicated to us by the words "now" and "at the moment".
To form this tense, 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 now walking in the park with my dog.
My family is gathering in the living room at that moment. - My family is gathering in the living room at the moment.
Forno auxiliary verbs are required to form negative and interrogative sentences. Simply change the order of the words in the sentence.
Is my aunt walking in the park with my dog now? - Is my aunt walking in the park with my dog now?
My aunt isn't walking in the park with my dog now. - My aunt is not walking in the park with my dog now.
After studying these two topics, it is necessary to conduct a Present Simple / Present Continuous test for better assimilation.
Past simple tense
The past simple tense is used when we talk about an action that happened in the past. It has no relation and 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 tense is formed with the help of a verb with the ending -ed (if the verb is correct) or with the help of a verb in the second form (if the verb is irregular).
Yesterday I met my teacher in the shop. - I met my teacher at the store yesterday.
Last summer we went to the Crimea. - Last summer we went to Crimea.
In order to ask a question, the auxiliary verb did is 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? - I met my teacher at the store yesterday?
Present Complete Tense
This tense is used when talking about an action that happened in the past, butthe result is visible in the present.
Indicative words - ever, never, just, already, yet (only in negative and interrogative sentences), today.
For education, the verb have (has) is taken + the verb in the third form.
I have lost my book yesterday, that's why I haven't dome my homework. - I lost my book yesterday so I didn't do my homework.
I have never bought this milk. - I have never bought such 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 didn't lose the book yesterday.
Present Simple/Present Continuous test
Translate the test items into Present Simple/Present Continuous:
My dad is a fireman. He saves people's lives, 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 scrambled eggs. Mom usually does it, because dad is always working. But today is my mom's day off. Now she is reading the book aloud. We are all very happy.
Classification of tests
Tests for working out times are best divided into subgroups. The following subgroups are considered the most acceptable:
1) Present Simple/Present Continuous test - an example is presented above.
2) Past Simple/Present Perfect test. The greatest difficulties arise whenmatching these Tenses.
3) Present Simple/Present Continuous/Past Simple test.
4) Past Simple/Present Simple test.
3) Present Simple/Continuous/Perfect test.
