1.

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE – Simple Present tense

1.1. Concept
Simple present tense is used to express an obvious truth or an action that
takes place repeatedly according to habit, custom, or ability.
1.2. Simple present tense formula

Sentence type For regular verbs _ For the verb “to be”

Confirm S + V(s/es) + O S + be (am/is/are) + O

Negative S + do not /does not + V_inf S + be (am/is/are) + not + O

Doubt Do/Does + S + V_inf? Am/is/are + S + O?

 She gets up at 6 o’clock.

 She is a student.
(She woke up at 6 o'clock)
(She is a student)
 She doesn’t eat
 She is not a teacher
For example chocolate.
(She is not a teacher)
(She doesn't eat chocolate.)
 Is she a student?
 Does she eat pastries?
(Is she a student)
(Does she eat cake?)

1.3. How to use the present simple tense

 The simple present tense expresses an obvious truth, a truth.
Ex: The sun rises in the East and sets in the West (The sun rises in the East
and sets in the West)
 The present simple tense describes an action that happens
regularly, a habit in the present.
Ex: He gets up early every morning.(He gets up early every morning.)

Note: Rules for adding s/es in articles about simple present exercises .
  The simple present tense describes a human ability
Ex: He plays badminton very well (He plays badminton very well)
 In addition, the simple present tense also describes an arranged
plan for the future, especially in moving.
Ex: The train leaves at 9 am tomorrow (The train leaves at 9 am
tomorrow)

1.4. Signs to recognize the simple present tense

The sentence contains adverbs of frequency such as:
 Every day/ week/ month…: every day/ week/ month
 Often, usually, frequently: thường
 Sometimes, occasionally: occasionally
 Always, constantly: always
 Seldom, rarely: rarely
1.5. Video tutorial on how to self-study Yes/No Questions in the simple
present tense
2. Present Continuous Tense - Present Continuous
2.1. Concept
Present continuous tense is used to describe events that happen right at
the time we speak or around the time we speak, and that action has not
ended (still continuing).
2.2. The formula is present continuous
 Affirmative: S + am/is/are + V_ing
Ex: She is watching TV now. (She is watching TV)
 Negative: S + am/is/are + not + V_ing
Ex: She is not doing his homework now. (She is not doing her homework)
 Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + S + V_ing?
Ex: Is she studying English? (Is she learning English?)
2.3. How to use the present continuous tense
 Describes an action that is taking place and lasting at a certain
time in the present.
Ex: The children are playing football now. (The children are playing
soccer now.)
 Usually followed by commands and suggestions.
Ex: Look! The child is crying. (Look! The child is crying.)
 To describe an action that happens repeatedly, use the adverb
ALWAYS:
Ex: She is always borrowing our books and then she doesn't
remember. (She always borrows our books and then she doesn't
remember.)
 Describes an action that is about to happen (in the near future)
Ex: Tomorrow, I am taking to the train to ohio to visit a relative
(tomorrow, I will take the train to Ohio to visit relatives)
2.4. Identification signs
The sentence contains the following words:
 Now: now
 Right now
 Listen!: Listen!
 At the moment
 At present
 Look!: look
 Watch out!: be careful!
 Be quiet!: Be quiet
* Note : Do not use this tense with verbs that indicate perception and
perception such as: be, understand, know, like, want, see, hear. ), glance,
feel, think, smell, love, hate, realize, seem, remember , forget (forget), etc.
With these verbs, use the Present Simple Tense.
2.5. Self-study video tutorial in present continuous tense
Self-study is present continuous
How to Use Present Continuous Tense and Be Going To
3. Present Perfect - Present Perfect
3.1. Concept
Present perfect tense is used to describe an action or event that started in
the past, continues to the present and may continue in the future.
3.2. The formula is present perfect
 Affirmative: S + have/has + V3/ed + O
Ex: I have finished my homework. (I finished the assignment)

She had dinner with her family (She had dinner with her family)
 Negative: S + have/has + not + V3/ed + O
Ex: I haven't finished my homework. (I haven't finished my homework
yet)

She hasn't completed the assigned work (She hasn't completed the
assigned work)
 Interrogative: Have/has + S + V3/ed + O?
Ex: Have you finished your homework? (Have you finished your
homework yet?)

Has she visited the children at the orphanage? (Has she visited the
children at the orphanage?)
3.3. How to use present perfect tense
 Describes an action that happened or never happened at an
unspecified time in the past.
 Expresses the repetition of an action in the past.
  Used with since and for.
 Since + starting time (1995, I was young, this morning etc.). When
the speaker uses since, the listener must calculate how long it is.
 For + period of time (from the beginning until now). When the
speaker uses for, the speaker must calculate how long it takes.
 Ex: I've done all my homework (I've done all my homework)
She has lived in Liverpool all her life (She has lived in Liverpool all
her life)
3.4. Signs of present perfect tense
Sentences often contain the following words:
 Just, recently, recently: recently, recently
 Already: already….then, before: ever
 Not….yet: not yet
 Never, ever
 Since, for
 So far = until now = up to now: until now
 Superlative
4. Present Perfect Continuous - Present Perfect Continuous
4.1. Concept
Present perfect continuous tense is a tense that describes an event that
began in the past and continues in the present and may continue in the
future. The event has ended but the resulting effect remains. Present.
4.2. The formula is present perfect continuous
 Affirmative: S + have/has + been + V_ing
Ex: She has been running all day. (She ran continuously all day)
 Negative: S + have/has + not + been + V_ing
Ex: She hasn't been running all day. (She doesn't run continuously all day)
 Nghi vấn: Has/ Have + S + been+ V_ing?
Ex: Has she been running all day? (Has she been running continuously all
day?)
4.3. How to use present perfect continuous tense
 Used to emphasize the continuity of an event starting from the
past and continuing to the present.
Ex: She has been studying English for 6 years. (She has been studying
English for 6 years)
 Describe the action that has just ended with the purpose of stating
the effects and results of that action.
Ex: I am exhausted because I have been working all day. (I'm exhausted
because I worked all day)
4.4. Signs of present perfect continuous tense
Words to recognize:
 All day, all week, all month: all day/week/month
 Since, for
5. Simple Past – Simple Past
5.1. Concept
Past simple tense is used to describe an action or event that took place
and ended in the past.
5.2. Simple past tense formula

Sentence
For regular verbs For the verb “to be”
type

Confirm S + V2/ed + O S + was/were + O

Negative S + didn’t + V_inf + O S + was/were + not + O

 Doubt Did + S + V_inf + O? Was/were + S + O?

 I saw Peter
yesterday.
 I was tired yesterday. (I was
(Yesterday I saw
very tired yesterday)
Peter)
 The supermarket was not full
 I didn’t go to
yesterday. (Yesterday, the
For school
supermarket was not
example yesterday.
crowded)
(I didn't go to school  Were you absent
yesterday) yesterday? (You were absent
-Did you visit Mary yesterday, weren't you?
last week? (Did you
visit Mary last week?)

5.3. How to use the simple past tense

 Describe actions that happened and ended in the past.
Ex: I went to the “Trang Quynh” movie with my boyfriend 3 days ago (I
went to the movie “Trang Quynh” with my boyfriend 3 days ago)
 Describe past habits.
Ex: I used to go swimming with neighbor friends when I was
young. (When I was young, I used to go swimming with my neighbors)
 Describes a series of actions that occur consecutively
Ex: I got up, brushed my teeth and then had breakfast. (I woke up,
brushed my teeth and had breakfast)
 Used in conditional sentences type 2
Ex: If you study hard, you can pass the entrance examination. (If you
study hard, you will pass the university exam)
5.4. Signs to recognize the simple past tense
Words that often appear:
 Ago: a while ago…
 In…
 Yesterday: yesterday
 Last night/month…: last night, last month


6. Past Continuous Tense - Past Continuous

6.1. Concept
Past continuous tense is used to describe an action or event taking place
around a certain time in the past.
6.2. Past continuous tense formula
 Affirmative: S + was/were + V_ing + O
Ex: She was watching TV at 8 o'clock last night. (Last night at 8 o'clock she
was watching TV)
 Negative: S + was/were + not + V_ing + O
Ex: She wasn't watching TV at 8 o'clock last night. (Last night at 8 o'clock
she didn't watch TV)
 Interrogative: Was/were + S + V_ing + O?
Ex: Was she watching TV at 8 o'clock last night? (Was she watching TV
last night at 8 o'clock?)
6.3. How to use past continuous tense
 Describes an action that was happening at a specific time in the
past.
Ex: I was having dinner at 7 o'clock last night. (I was having dinner at 7
o'clock last night)
  Describes an action that was happening in the past when another
action intervened (the intervening action is usually divided into
the simple past).
Ex: I was watching TV when she called. (While watching TV, she called)
 Describe actions that happen in parallel.
Ex: While Ellen was reading books, Tom was watching television. (While
Ellen was reading, Tom was watching TV)
6.4. Signs to recognize the past continuous tense
In the sentence the words appear:
 At 5pm last Sunday
 At this time last night
 When/ while/ as
 From 4pm to 9pm…
7. Past Perfect Tense - Past Perfect
7.1. Concept
Past perfect tense is used to describe an action that happened before
another action in the past. The action that happened first uses the past
perfect tense. Actions that happen later use the simple past tense.
7.2. Past perfect tense formula
 Affirmation: S + had + V3/ed + O
Ex: By 4pm yesterday, he had left his house (By 4pm yesterday, he had
left the house.)
 Negative: S + had + not + V3/ed + O
Ex: By 4pm yesterday, he had not left his house (By 4pm yesterday, he
had not left the house.)
 Interrogative: Had + S + V3/ed + O?
Ex: Had he left his house by 4pm yesterday? (Did he leave his house
before 4 pm yesterday?)
7.3. How to use the past perfect tense
 Describes an action completed before a certain time in the past.
Ex: By 4pm yesterday she had left his house. (She left home before 4
o'clock yesterday)
 Expresses an action that happened before another action in the
past. The action that happened before uses the past perfect tense –
the action that happened after uses the past simple tense.
Ex: Before she went to bed, she had done her homework. (Before she went
to bed, she finished her homework)
 Used in conditional sentences type 3
Ex: If you had studied hard, you could have passed the entrance
examination. (If you study hard, you will pass the university exam)
7.4. Signs to recognize the past perfect tense
The sentence contains the words:
 By the time, prior to that time
 As soon as, when
 Before, after
 Until then
8. Past Perfect Continuous - Past Perfect Continuous
8.1. Concept
Past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action or event that
was happening in the past and ended before an action that also happened
in the past.
8.2. Past perfect continuous tense formula
 Affirmative: S + had been + V_ing + O
Ex: He had been watching films. (He was watching a movie)
 Negative: S + had + not + been + V_ing + O
Ex: He hadn’t been watching film.
  Interrogative: Had + S + been + V_ing + O?
Ex: Had he been watching films? (Was he watching a movie?)
8.3. How to use the past perfect continuous tense - Past perfect
continuous
Past perfect continuous tense is used to emphasize the duration of an
action that happened in the past and ended before another action that
happened and also ended in the past.

Ex: Sam gained weight because he had been overeating

I had been thinking about that before you mentioned it

8.4. Signs to recognize the past perfect continuous tense
The sentence usually contains:
 Before, after
 Until then
 Since, for
9. Simple Future Tense - Simple Future
9.1. Concept
Simple future tense in Englishis used when there is no plan or decision to
do anything before we speak. We make spontaneous decisions at the
moment of speaking.
9.2. Simple future tense formula
 Affirmation: S + will/shall/ + V_inf + O
 Negative: S + will/shall + not + V_inf + O
 Interrogative: Will/shall + S + V_inf + O?
9.3. How to use the simple future tense
 Describes a prediction that has no basis.
Ex: I think It will rain.
 Expresses a sudden decision at the moment of speaking.
Ex: I will bring coffee to you.
 Expresses an offer, a promise, a threat, a suggestion.
Ex: I will never speak to you again.
 Used in the main clause of a type I conditional sentence.
Ex: If you don’t hurry, you will be late.
9.4. Signs to recognize the simple future tense
In sentences there are often:
 Tomorrow: tomorrow
 print + time
 Next week/month/year: next week/month/year
 10 years from now
10. Future Continuous Tense - Future Continuous
10.1. Concept
Future continuous tense is used to describe an action or event that will
be happening at a specific time in the future.
10.2 Future continuous tense formula
 Affirmative: S + will/shall + be + V-ing
 Negative: S + will/shall + not + be + V-ing
 Nghi vấn: Will/shall + S + be + V-ing?
10.3. How to use the future continuous tense
Describes an action or event that is taking place at a specific time in the
future or an action that will take place and continue continuously for a
period of time in the future.

Sometimes it also describes an action that will happen as part of a plan or

part of a schedule.

Ex: She will be climbing on the mountain at this time next Saturday

The party will be starting at nine o’clock

10.4. Signs of future continuous tense
Sentences often contain the following phrases:
 Next year, next week
 Next time, in the future
 And soon


11. Future Perfect Tense - Future Perfect

11.1. Concept
Future perfect tense is used to describe an action or event completed
before a time in the future.
11.2. Future perfect tense formula
 Affirmative: S + shall/will + have + V3/ed
Ex: I will have finished my homework by 9 o'clock. (I will finish my
homework before 9 o'clock)
 Negative: S + shall/will + NOT + have + V3/ed + O
Ex: They will have not built their house by the end of this month. (Before
the end of this month, they still won't have finished building the house)
 Nghi vấn: Shall/Will+ S + have + V3/ed?
Ex: Will you have finished your homework by 9 o'clock? (Will you finish
your homework before 9 o'clock?)

→ Yes, I will / No, I won’t.

11.3. How to use the future perfect tense
Expresses an action in the future that will end before another action in the
future.

Ex: She will have finished her homework before 11 o’clock this evening.

When you come back, I will have typed this email.

11.4. Signs to recognize the future perfect tense
The sentence contains the words:
 By, before + future time
 By the time …
 By the end of + future time
12. Future Perfect Continuous - Future Perfect Continuous
12.1. Concept
Future perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action or event
that will happen continuously before a certain time in the future.
12.2. Future perfect continuous formula
 Khẳng định: S + will/shall + have been + V_ing
Ex: We will have been living in this house for 10 years by next month.
 Phủ định: S + will not + have been + V_ing
Ex: We will not have been living in this house for 10 years by next month.
 Nghi vấn: Will/shall + S + have been + V-ing?
Ex: Will they have been building this house by the end of this year?
12.3. How to use the future perfect continuous tense
Expression emphasizes the duration of an action that will be happening in
the future and will end before another action in the future.

Ex: I will have been studying English for 10 year by the end of next month
12.4. Signs to recognize the future perfect continuous tense
In the sentence the words appear:
 For + period of time + by/before + future date
 For 2 years by the end of this
 By the time
 Month
 By then