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Present Simple

Listed below are uses with examples, and the structure of the present simple tense. Permanent or long-lasting situations Where do you work? The store opens at 9 o'clock. She lives in New York. Regular habits and daily routines I usually get up at 7 o'clock. She doesn't often go to the cinema. When do they usually have lunch? Facts The Earth revolves around the Sun. What does 'strange' mean? Water doesn't boil at 20 degrees. Feelings I love walking around late at night during the summer. She hates flying! What do you like? I don't want to live in Texas. Opinions and states of mind He doesn't agree with you. I think he is a wonderful student. What do you consider your best accomplishment? Timetables and schedules The plane leaves at 4 p.m. When do courses begin this semester? The train doesn't arrive until 10.35.

Simple vs. Simple Progressive


Simple Progressive Tenses (past, present, and future) 1) CONTINUOUS ACTIVITY Used to emphasize the continuous nature of any given activity. Examples: I was watching television at 8 o'clock last night. Fred is speaking on the telephone at the moment. They will be eating lunch at Harold's tomorrow. Simple Tenses (past, present, and future) 1) HABITUAL ACTIVITY Used to talk about repeated, regular or habitual activities. Examples: I went to school at 8 o'clock when I was a child. I usually take the bus to work. He'll commute to work after he moves.

2) ACTIVITY IN PROGRESS INTERSECTED BY A NON2) NON-CONTINUOUS ACTIVITY Examples: CONTINUOUS ACTIVITY The boys bought some new coats yesterday. Examples: They will arrive at 7 o'clock I was watching television when Susan telephoned. They will be working in the garden when you arrive. 3) TWO CONTINUOUS ACTIVITIES OCCURING AT THE 3) TWO HABITUAL EVENTS

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SAME TIME Example: Peter was cooking dinner while I was working at the computer.

Example: She kept the books and he advised the clients at their last job.

Special use of the Progressive We often use the progressive form to express annoyance at a repeated action. In this case, a time expression such as always, forever, continually, etc. must be inserted between the auxiliary and the verb+ing. Examples: Tom is always complaining about his job! Mary was forever leaving work early.

Future Forms
Be going to Verb (base form) 1. The future with 'going to' is used to express planned events or intentions. These events or intentions are decided on before the moment of speaking. Examples: Frank is going to study Medicine. Where are they going to stay when they come? She isn't going to buy the new house after all. Note: 'Going to' or '-ing' are often both correct for planed events. 'Going to' should be used for distant future intentions (example: He's going to study Law) Be going to Verb (base form) Used for future predictions based on physical (usually visual) evidence. Examples: Oh no! Look at those clouds. It's going to rain. Be careful! You're going to drop those dishes! Future with 'going to' - Conjugate the helping verb "be" 'going to' verb (base form). - Examples:
I'm going to (I am) You're going to (You are) He's going to (He is) She's going to (She is) It's going to (It is) We're going to (We are) You're going to (You are) They're going to (They are)

2.

work this evening.

3.

Present Continuous (be '-ing') Used for planned or personally scheduled events. Usually used with principle verbs such as: come, go, begin, start, finish, have, etc. Examples: He's coming tomorrow afternoon. What are we having for dinner? I'm not seeing the doctor until Friday. Note: 'Going to' or '-ing' are often both correct for planed events. 'Going to' should be used for distant future intentions (example: He's going to study Law) Simple Present Used for scheduled public events such as train and plane schedules, course schedules, etc. Examples: The class begins at 11.30. The plane leaves at 6 o'clock.

4.

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