Agrupamento de Escolas

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VERB TENSES
PRESENT SIMPLE

We use the Present Simple tense to describe actions or activities that we do regularly; refer to habits or
routines and describe facts and universal truths.
Example: I have lunch at the school canteen.
My father leaves for work at 8 o’clock every day.
Water boils at 100.º C.

In the Present Simple we add -s or -es to the third person singular (He, She, It) when the verb ends in -o,
-sh, -ch, -x or -ss. When the verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, the -y changes to an -i followed by
-es.
Example: He plays the guitar. She studies French and German.

To make negative statements in the Present Simple we use do not or don’t followed by the infinitive of
the main verb. In the third singular person we use does not or doesn’t.
Example: We don’t go to school on foot. She doesn’t speak Italian.

To make questions in the Present Simple we put Do or Does in front of the subject followed by the
infinitive of the main verb.
Example: Do they play football on Fridays? Does she study English every day?

With the Present Simple we usually use the following time expressions: frequently, generally, usually,
rarely, seldom, always, often, sometimes, everyday, once a week, several times, ...

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
We use the Present Continuous tense to describe actions that are happening now or about this time. It
can also be used to talk about future arrangements.
Example: They are cycling at the moment.
I'm starting Mandarin lessons next week.

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To form the Present Continuous we use the Present Simple tense of the verb to be followed by the –ing
form of the main verb.
Example: The students are listening to a song in Mandarin now.

To make negative statements in the Present Continuous we add not to the verb to be followed by the –
ing form of the main verb.
Example: The students aren’t listening to a song in Mandarin now.

To make questions in the Present Continuous we put the verb to be in front of the subject followed by
the –ing form of the main verb.
Example: Is the teacher correcting the exercise?

With the Present Continuous we usually use the following time expressions: now, at present, at this
moment, ...

PAST SIMPLE
We use the Past Simple tense to describe actions and states that started and finished at a specific time
in the past.
Example: Last summer I had a marvellous holiday in Bulgaria.
My family and I travelled to the seaside.

In the Past Simple we add -d or -ed to the infinitive form of the regular verbs. When the verb ends in -y
preceded by a consonant, the -y changes to an -i followed by -ed.
Example: Yesterday, he played the guitar.
She studied French and German last year.
With the irregular verbs, you have to learn them, list of irregular verbs.
Example: I went to the cinema.

To make negative statements in the Past Simple we use did not or didn’t followed by the infinitive of
the main verb.
Example: We didn’t go to France last summer.

Rua Mabília de Freitas Martins Tel.: 245 612 371

Apartado 13 Fax: 245 613 211
7440-020 Alter do Chão e-mail: epjaralter@gmail.com
 Agrupamento de Escolas
DGEstE – DSRA Alter do Chão
135185

To make questions in the Past Simple we put Did in front of the subject followed by the infinitive of the
main verb.
Example: Did the Petersons travel by car?

With the Past Simple we usually use the following time expressions: yesterday, the day before
yesterday, last Saturday, last week, a few minutes ago, long ago, ...

PAST CONTINUOUS
We use the Past Continuous tense to describe actions that lasted for some time in the past.
Example: They were writing an essay when I came in.
I was enjoying my time there, but it was time to get back.

To form the Past Continuous we use the Past Simple tense of the verb to be followed by the –ing form
of the main verb.
Example: The students were listening to a song when the teacher came in.

To make negative statements in the Past Continuous we add not to the verb to be followed by the –ing
form of the main verb.
Example: The students weren’t listening to a song when the teacher came in.

To make questions in the Past Continuous we put the verb to be in front of the subject followed by the
–ing form of the main verb.
Example: Was the teacher correcting the exercise when the headmaster arrived?

PRESENT PERFECT
We use the Present Perfect tense to describe actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past,
or to talk about recently completed actions.
Example: I have seen her lately.
I have just written the letter.

The Present Perfect is formed using two components: the verb to have in the Present Simple, and the
Past Participle of the main verb.
Example: Karen has lived here since she was a child.
Rua Mabília de Freitas Martins Tel.: 245 612 371
Apartado 13 Fax: 245 613 211
7440-020 Alter do Chão e-mail: epjaralter@gmail.com
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135185

I have known Peter for eight years.

The Past Participle of the regular verbs is formed adding –d or –ed to the verb, in the irregular verbs
you have to learn them, list of irregular verbs.

To make negative statements in the Present Perfect we add not to the verb to have followed by the
Past Participle of the main verb.
Example: We haven´t gone to France yet.

To make questions in the Present Perfect we put Have in front of the subject followed by the Past
Participle of the main verb.
Example: Have they woken up yet?

With the Present Perfect we usually use the following time expressions: recently, lately, up to now, it’s
the first time, this morning, ever, never, already, yet, just, since, how long, for, ...

PRESENT PERFECT VERSUS PAST SIMPLE

Compare:
Present Perfect Past Simple
I have lost my key. I lost my key yesterday.
(= I can’t find it now.)
Bill has gone home. Bill went home ten minutes ago.
(= He isn’t here now.)

Time until now

Finished time

Past Now Past Now

There is no time information. Time information about when the action
finished (yesterday, ten minutes ago).

Rua Mabília de Freitas Martins Tel.: 245 612 371

Apartado 13 Fax: 245 613 211
7440-020 Alter do Chão e-mail: epjaralter@gmail.com
 Agrupamento de Escolas
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135185

Actions that happened at an Actions that started and finished at a

unspecified time in the past. specific time in the past.

Rua Mabília de Freitas Martins Tel.: 245 612 371

Apartado 13 Fax: 245 613 211
7440-020 Alter do Chão e-mail: epjaralter@gmail.com