2nd Grammar entry

In last classes, we revisied the verbe tenses, and I noticied I need some " memory' refresh", especially because it was where I had more difficulties on the test.


So, here are the Verb Tenses that I have studied till now ( For now, I will only put the Simple present and the Present Continuous ) :


Simple Present


The simple present tense is used to discuss permanant situations and the frequency of events.


When something happens regularly or is a permanent situation we usually use the simple present tense. When using the simple present the verb (with the exception of the auxiliary verbs) remains in the dictionary form (verb + s with he/she/it).

For example:
Q) "Where do you live?" A) "I live in Germany."
Q) "Where does he live?" A) "He lives in Germany."
Q) "What do you do?" A) "I'm a teacher."
Q) "What does he do?" A) "He's a teacher."

The simple present tense is also used to show how often something happens with adverbs of frequency - always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, never, etc.... And when discussing daily, weekly, monthly etc. routines.

For example:
"I always get up at 6.00."
"I never drink coffee before 12.00."
"I work on my website every day."
"Every Monday and Thursday I go to the gym."

We also use the simple present to ask for and give instructions or to discuss a series of actions.
For example:
Q) How do I make pancakes?" A) Well, first you take 4 eggs and crack them into a bowl, then you weigh out 4 oz. of flour and sieve it into the eggs...

The simple present tense can also be used to discuss future events.

Present Continuous

When we talk about events that are actually happening now, we use the present continuous tense.For example:
Q) "What are you doing?" A) "I'm building a website."

We also use the present continuous tense to talk about things that are happening around now but are temporary. For example:
Q) "What are you doing these days?" A) "Unfortunately I'm working a lot."

It is also used to describe trends or situations that are happening but may be temporary.
For example:
"Nowadays more and more people are shopping on the Internet."

...And habitual actions (usually negative). For example:
"He's always cleaning his car."

The present continuous tense can also be used to discuss future events.

Note:The present continuous is usually used with doing verbs (verbs of action) not with verbs of state. The following verbs are not used in the continuous form:

Conditions: belong, cost, need, own, seem
Feelings: like, love, hate, want, wish
Beliefs: believe, feel, know, mean, remember, think, understand

Source: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/tenseprescont.htm

Source: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/tenseprescont.htm