PRESENT SIMPLE

This is Spongebob.

He works in Krusty Krab.

I am Spongebob.

I work in Krusty Krab.

This is Patrick Star.

He doesn’t work in Krusty Krab.

I’m Patrick Star.

I don’t work in Krusty Krab.

Does Mr. Krabs like them?

Do I like them?
Nah, I just like money!

By the way, my restaurant opens

everyday at 8am.

USES: routines, general truth, thoughts and feelings, future schedule or timetable

ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: always, usually, never, every day, on

Mondays, once a month, in the morning, etc.
 PRESENT CONTINUOUS
What are you doing, Bob?

We are catching jellyfish

And what is Squidward doing?

He is screaming.

THE FOLLOWING DAY:

Tomorrow we are catching jellyfish again
with Squidward

USES: Actions happening now, a temporary action, a definite plan for the near future.

ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: Now, right now, at the moment, at

present, these days, tonight, tomorrow, etc.
 PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

Bob has passed his driving test

Bob and Patrick have travelled all along the sea

Bob hasn’t studied for the exam

USES: an action that took place at an unspecified time in the past and is relevant to the
present.

ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: already, yet, never, ever, recently, for,
since, etc
 PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I’m exhausted!
Why?

I have been working all day!

Really? What have you been doing this morning?

I have been cooking burgers at work and

I have been cleaning my house all day.

TODAY:

USES: to show that an action started in the past and has continued up to the present
moment, it usually emphasizes duration

ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: for, since, all day, all morning, all this time,
etc.
 PAST SIMPLE

Yesterday morning Gary went into Bob’s

bedroom. He wanted to surprise him because it
was his birthday. He gave him a present.

Later, when Bob went to work he found his

friends and a big cake they had prepared the
night before. He also read a birthday card they
had written for him.

They had a huge party and they danced a lot.

USES: a completed action in the past (at a specified time).

ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: yesterday, last week, two days ago, in
2008, when, then, etc
 PAST CONTINUOUS
Last night I was watching TV when suddenly Gary
entered the living room.

He said that the doorbell was ringing. It was

Patrick.

While we were watching TV and eating popcorn

we heard a noise.

Somebody was knocking at the door. It was

Squidward. He was standing outside.

He stayed with us. We were watching TV all night

long.

USES: an incomplete action in progress at a specific time in the past

ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: last night, yesterday, while, as, at 3:00,
etc.
 PAST PERFECT SIMPLE
Yesterday Mr Krab was very happy because by the
time he arrived to the restaurant Bob had cleaned
everything.

Squidward was worried because Bob had forgotten

his keys at home

Plancton was angry because he hadn’t stolen the

Krabby Patty’s secret recipe yet.

USES: to show that an action in the past happened before another action in the past
ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: before, when, by the time, yesterday, etc
 PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Yesterday evening bob was
very tired because he had
been working all day. This is
what he had been doing:

At work he had been mopping the floor and he had been cooking hamburgers.

He had also been catching jellyfish with Patrick.

And at home he had been cleaning the house.

He ended up really exhausted!

USES: to show that an action that started in the past continued up until another time in
the past

ADVERBS AND TIME EXPRESSIONS: by the time, before, when, for, since, etc