GRAMMAR

Present Tenses

Before working with present tenses (present simple, present continuous - present
progressive and present perfect), let’s have a quick review about NOUNS; singular and
plural.

When we talk about ONE object, we’re using the singular form.
The general rule: noun + -s ending. Example: dog dogs
BUT, if the noun ends with S, X, O, H or Z, you have to add -es.
Examples: Octopus Octopuses box boxes potato potatoes
sandwich sandwiches buzz buzzes

And, if the noun ends CONSONANT + Y, you have to change the “Y” to “ies”.
Example: baby babies
In order to practice, rewrite the following nouns into their plural forms.
CITY ______________
TAX ______________

LUNCH ______________
MATCH____________
TOY ______________
HERO ______________
APPLE ______________

CAR ______________
TOMATO_____________
HOUSE ______________
SUPPLY______________
KEY ______________
Present Tenses – Present Simple Affirmative
We use PRESENT SIMPLE when talking about routines, hobbies and statements that are
always true. As singular and plural rules are the SAME for present simple, you are able to
understand present simple rules.
General rule: When talking about I, We, You, They, we use the verb in its infinitive form.

Examples: I watch TV We watch TV You watch TV They watch TV

But, when talking about He, She, It, (3rd person) we have to apply the present simple rules
(the same as plural).
The 3rd person rule: verb + -s ending. Example: He plays chess
AND, if the verb ends with S, X, O, H or Z, you have to add -es.
Examples: kiss kisses mix mixes go goes
watch watches fuzz fuzzes

And, if the verb ends CONSONANT + Y, you have to change the “Y” to “ies”.
Examples: CRY - He cries She cries It cries
● NOTE: 1.- We use DO and HAVE/HAVE GOT when using I, We, You, They and we use
DOES and HAS/HAS GOT when talking about He, She, It. 2.- The verb to be is used in
present simple, for I we use am, for We, You and They we use are and for He, She and
It we use is. Be is the infinitive of am, is and are, DO NOT forget it.
Now, complete the following sentences by using present simple correctly.
1. I ________ (play) basketball.
2. My sister __________ (cook) really well.
3. Johann always _______ (try) to get up early, but he often ____ (fail).
4. My family __________ (meet) on Fridays to have dinner together.
5. I have a cat. It _______ (make) strange noises at night.
6. My brother always ______ (do) his homework.
7. I don’t trust him, he _______ (lie) all the time.
Present Simple Negative
When using present simple in its negative form, we use the auxiliary verbs DON’T and
DOESN’T. We use don’t when talking about I, We, You and They, and we use doesn’t when
talking about He, She and It. REMEMBER, when using present simple in its negative form,
we always use the verb in infinitive.
Examples: Don’t Doesn’t
I don’t like sushi. He doesn’t like sushi.
We don’t like sushi. She doesn’t like sushi.
You don’t like sushi. It doesn’t like sushi.
They don’t like sushi.

Complete the sentences using present simple in its negative form correctly.
1. My father ___________ (know) how to drive.
2. Lucy _____________ (like) romantic movies.
3. Alisson and Steph __________ (cry) with sad movies.
4. I __________ (watch) TV.
5. The internet _______ (work), I’m bored.
6. My brother _______ (do) his homework, he’s going to fail all the subjects.
7. I hate my best friend, he _______ (spend) a lot of time with me.
Present Simple Interrogative
When using present simple in its interrogative form, we need to use a different order in the
sentence. REMEMBER, 1. You have to use the auxiliaries do or does according to the
subject. 2.- DO NOT confuse the auxiliaries do or does with the verb do. 3.- You have to use
the verb in its infinitive form, so DO NOT add -s or -es ending. 3.- IF there IS NOT a wh word
(when, where, what, which) you start from the auxiliary. 4.-DO NOT forget to add the
question mark. When using verb to be in present simple, it is used as auxiliary.
Structure: WH + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb + Complement + ?
Examples:
What do I expect from this? Do I expect something positive from this?
What does he do on weekends? Does he travel on weekends?
What does she do on weekends? Does she travel on weekends?
What does it (a pet) eat? Does it (a pet) bite?
What do we do on weekends? Do we travel on weekends?
What do you do on weekends? Do you travel on weekends?
What do they do on weekends? Do they travel on weekends?
In order to practice, rewrite the sentences below so you use present simple in its
interrogative form.
1. She wants to buy a car. 1-_____________________________________
2. You like dark fantasy novels. 2-_____________________________________
3. He enjoys going for walks. 3-_____________________________________
4. They need a doctor. 4-_____________________________________
5. She has a new cell phone. 5-_____________________________________
6. We are friends. 6-_____________________________________

Present Continuous
Also known as present progressive, the present continuous is used when talking about
actions that take place at the moment of speaking. This means, you talk about events that
are happening right now. We use the verb to be when using present continuous; am, is,
are.
General rule: subject + to be + infinitive verb + -ing + complement

Examples:
I am working right now.
He is working right now.
She is working right now.
***It is working right now.
We are working right now.
You are working right now.
They are working right now.

Although that’s the general rule (most verbs ended in Y, add -ing as well), there are some
rules to consider:

● If the verb ends with CONSONANT + E, remove E and add -ing.

Examples: write writing take taking drive driving
● One-syllable verbs ended with VOWEL + CONSONANT, double the consonant and
add -ing.
Examples: Swim swimming Run running Travel travelling*

● Note: Double the consonant for two-syllable verbs ended with vowel + consonant
ONLY if the second syllable is stressed, as in the last example.
 WRONG: Visit - Visitting
DO NOT double the letter if the word ends in -y or -w
Examples: Buy – buying Enjoy – enjoying
● Verbs ended with -ie, change -ie to -y, add -ing
Examples: Lie lying Die dying

In order to practice, complete the following sentences by applying the present continuous
rules correctly. REMEMBER: subject + to be + infinitive verb + -ing + complement

1. My parents _______________(work), there’s none at home.

2. My best friends, Katherine and Albert, _______________ (buy) some refreshments for
the party.
3. He ________ (take) a shower.
4. That’s not true! You ___________ (lie).
5. My brother broke a glass. He _______________ (clean) his mess.

Present Continuous Negative

When using present continuous in its negative form, we use the verb to be in negative:
am not/ am not is not/isn’t are not/aren’t

Examples:

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
I am working I’m not working
He is working He isn’t working
She is working She isn’t working
It is working It isn’t working
We are working We aren’t working
You are working You aren’t working
They are working They aren’t working

1. Megan __________ (pay) attention to the class.

2. Sam _____________ (watch) TV, she is listening to music.
3. You _____________ (study) hard enough for your exams.
4. My best friend _____________ (play) with me because he is sick.
5. I __________ (sleep) enough these days, I feel tired.
Present Continuous Interrogative
When using present continuous in its interrogative form, we need to use a different order
in the sentence. REMEMBER, 1. You have to use the verb to be at the beginning of the
question. 2. DO NOT forget to add the question mark. 3. There’s not always a complement.
4. You can start the question with a WH word.
Structure: Verb to be + Subject + Verb-ing + Complement + ?
EXAMPLES:

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

I am working I’m not working Am I working?
He is working He isn’t working Is he working?
She is working She isn’t working Is she working?
It is working It isn’t working Is it working?
We are working We aren’t working Are we working?
You are working You aren’t working Are you working?
They are working They aren’t working Are they working?

Order the following questions so they’re correct.

1. Tom / Is / a /? / taking / shower
___________________________________________
2. Susan / Patrick / are / and / playing / together /?
___________________________________________
3. I / decision / the / am / right /? / taking
___________________________________________
4. what / you /? / are / saying
___________________________________________
5. is / working / the / car /?
___________________________________________
Past Simple
We use past simple when talking about events that took place in a specific time in the
past.
General rule: add -ed at the end of the verb.

EXAMPLES:
Visit Visited Walk Walked Play Played
Yet, there are some rules to consider.
● Verbs ending in -e, just add -d.
close closed use used arrive arrived

● Verbs ending Consonant + Y, change Y to -ied.

study studied cry cried try tried
● Verbs ending one vowel + one consonant, double the consonant + -ed
Stop stopped plan planned

● REMEMBER that some verbs are irregular!

CORRECT INCORRECT

go – went go – goed
do – did do – doed
be – was/were be – bed
buy – bought buy – buyed
put – put put - putted

You can find irregular verbs lists on internet.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/table-of-irregular-
verbs
PRACTICE: Use the verb in brackets in order to complete the sentences in past simple.
1. I ________ (break) my phone.
2. Dan and Chris _________ (visit) Egypt last month.
3. Sara ____________ (crash) her car yesterday.
4. Luis _________ (perform) so well last night.
5. My family ______ (spend) the last weekend together.
6. The baby __________ (cry) at night.
7. I ___________(travel) to Canada some years ago.

Past Simple Negative

When using negative sentences in past simple, we don’t add any ending to the verb, we use
the auxiliary didn’t/did not for every subject and the verb in its infinitive form.

⮚ NOTE: When using the verb to be in past, we don’t say didn’t be, we use
the negative wasn’t/weren’t.

Structure: subject + did not + verb infinitive + complement

Examples:
I didn’t do my homework.
He didn’t answer the phone.
She didn’t help me.
It didn’t work.
We didn’t participate in the competition
You didn’t wait for me.
They didn’t come to the party.
Complete the sentences using past simple in its negative form.

1. I _________ (expect) you to be here so soon.

2. Valeria _______ (call) today.
3. We __________ (arrive) on time.
4. They ____ (buy) the groceries.
5. It ______ (be) my fault.
Past Simple Interrogative
When asking using past simple, we have to change the structure as in other tenses.

Structure: WH + Did + Subject + Verb infinitive + Complement +?

Example:

What did you have for breakfast?

Did he study for the exam?

Did your sister go to last night party?

Did the computer work?

What did we do yesterday?

What did they say about it?

In order to practice, rewrite the following sentences in the correct order.

1. go / he / to /? / work / did
_______________________________________
2. did / you / the / leg /? / break / how
_______________________________________
3. when / happen / did / it /?
_______________________________________
4. who / were / with / after / school / you /?
_______________________________________
5. book / the / did /? / you / read
_______________________________________
FUTURE
We use future when talking about actions that haven’t happened yet. In order to do this,
we use Future with Will and Future with Going To. These are the simplest pieces of grammar
along the course; however, you need to learn how to use this tense properly.
We use will when talking about predictions, events which you’re NOT sure about
spontaneous decisions, when asking for something, when you offer help.
Rule: We use subject + will + verb infinitive + complement

Examples:
I will open the door
He will open the door
She will open the door
It will open the door
We will open the door
You will open the door
They will open the door

As you can see in the example above, the sentences are about a spontaneous action taking
place in the future. Pay attention that we don’t apply special rules to the third person (he,
she, it), and the verb doesn’t change.
We use future with going to when talking about events that you’ve planned, predictions
about the future which you’re sure about, it is sometimes mentioned when it’s going to
happen, decisions for the future, imminent events.

Rule: We use subject + verb to be + going to + verb infinitive + complement

Examples:

I am going to visit France.

He is going to visit France.
She is going to visit France.
It is going to visit France.
We are going to visit France.
You are going to visit France.
They are going to visit France.
In the example below, you can see how the main verb (visit) doesn’t change at all, even
when using 3rd person subjects. Also, notice that it is based on a plan since when you travel
you’ve already thought about it. Pay attention to the verb to be when using going to; it
needs to be the correct one depending on the subject.
In order to practice, try to complete the following sentences by using will or going to. Read
carefully the whole sentences. Remember, look for this information in order to choose
correctly:
Will - predictions, events which you’re NOT sure about, spontaneous decisions, when asking
for something, when you offer help
Going to – planned events, predictions about the future which you’re sure about, it is
sometimes mentioned when it’s going to happen, decisions for the future, imminent events.

1. Molly _______________ (take) German lessons.

2. ______ you help me with my homework?
3. I’m hungry, maybe I _______ (eat) a sandwich or something.
4. I _____________ (buy) a car with my money.
5. Sam ______________ (throw) a party tomorrow.
6. I think Nick told me he ________ (do) the dishes.
7. I’m tired, I _________ (take) a nap when I arrive home.
8. What can I do for you? – I __________ (have) a coffee, please.
9. We’ve decided we __________ (go) to the cinema.
10. You need to be more careful when driving, you ______ (kill) yourself.
11. Are you ill? don’t worry, I ______ (do) it for you.
12. My friend __________ (come) and play with me.
13. I _______ (study) in Italy!
14. Be careful! You ____ (hurt) yourself.
15. It’s so cold, windy and the clouds are black, it _______(rain).
PRESENT PERFECT (affirmative)
We use present perfect when talking about unfinished actions in the past. You don’t
mention when it happened.
Structure: Subject + have/has + verb past participle + complement

Remember, when using third person (he, she, it) we use has. For regular verbs, the past
participle form is the same as the past simple form. For irregular verbs, you can check the
past participle form on your Irregular Verbs list.

The rules for regular verbs are the same from past simple:
RULES (REGULAR VERBS) PART PARTICIPLE
General rule: add -ed at the end of the verb.
EXAMPLES:
Visit Visited Walk Walked Play Played

Yet, there are some rules to consider.

● Verbs ending in -e, just add -d.
close closed use used arrive arrived
● Verbs ending Consonant + Y, change Y to -ied.
study studied cry cried try tried
● Verbs ending one vowel + one consonant, double the consonant + -ed
Stop stopped plan planned

⮚ NOTE: You may find the verb planed, but it’s the past of the verb plane, not
plan.
● REMEMBER that some verbs are irregular!
CORRECT INCORRECT
go – gone go – goed

do – done do – doed
be – been be – bed
buy – bought buy – buyed
put – put put - putted
You can find irregular verbs lists on internet.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/table-of-irregular-verbs
Look at the structure and read the examples, try to identify each part of the example on
each sentence.
Structure: Subject + have/has + verb past participle + complement
EXAMPLES

I have found the keys.

He has crashed his car.
She has locked the door.
It (an animal) has entered to the room.
We have prepared dinner.

You have known Sara for ten years now.

They have bought the groceries.
NOTE: Don’t confuse the auxiliary have/has with the main verb had.
“New discoveries in space have had great impact…”
Practice: Use the prompts in order to rewrite the sentences using present perfect.

Example: She / study / Chinese

Answer: She has studied Chinese

1. He / eat / pizza
___________________________________
2. They / go / to England
___________________________________
3. You / live / here for 7 years
___________________________________
4. My friend / fail / the exam
___________________________________
5. My mother / cook / breakfast
___________________________________
6. John / read / his new magazine
___________________________________
7. Molly / miss / the bus
___________________________________
8. Helen and his friends / go / to the party
___________________________________
 9. The package / already / arrive
___________________________________
10. I / lose / my passport
___________________________________

Present Perfect Negative

When using present perfect in its negative form, we use hasn’t/haven’t.
Structure: Subject + haven’t/hasn’t + verb past participle + complement
EXAMPLES

I haven’t found the keys.

He hasn’t crashed his car.
She hasn’t locked the door.
It (an animal) hasn’t entered to the room.
We haven’t prepared dinner.

You haven’t known Sara for ten years now.

They haven’t bought the groceries.
As you can see, the structure is the same and the verb keeps its past participle form. We
use some additional words (such as yet) when using the negative form, but we’ll see this
in further reviews.
Practice: Change the present perfect sentences from positive to negative.
Example: I’ve watched Finding Nemo
Answer: I haven’t watched Finding Nemo

1. My sister has visited me.

_______________________
2. You’ve studied enough.
_______________________
3. They have arrived.
_______________________
4. My brother has done his homework.
_______________________
5. I’ve cleaned my room.
 _______________________
6. You have slept well.
_______________________
7. I have seen her.
_______________________
8. I’ve been in Perú
_______________________

Present Perfect Interrogative

When using present perfect in its interrogative for, we have to change the structure.
Structure: Have/has + Subject + verb past participle + complement + ?
Have I found the keys?

Has he crashed his car?

Has she locked the door?
Has it entered to the room?
Have you prepared dinner?
Have we known Sara for ten years now?

Have they bought the groceries?

As you can see, the only thing that changes is the auxiliary, not it is before the subject.
Remember that if there are WH words, they have to come at the beginning of the
question.
Example: What have you bought?
Practice. Use the prompts in order to write present perfect sentences in its interrogative
form.
1. You / read / the Divine Comedy?
_________________________
2. She / be / late for an exam before?
____________________________
3. Where / you / be?
______________________________
4. you / drink / coffee / today?
______________________________
5. Your girlfriend / meet / your family?
 __________________________________
6. How much / money / they / spend / here?
____________________________________
7. You / go / to Australia?
_________________________________
8. They / take / the exam?
_________________________________
9. How long / she / live in Xalapa?
________________________________
10. What / you / do?
________________________________