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5 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
When to use the simple present tense?
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Repeated action
- He never forget his wallet / Does he play tennis? General fact - Cats like milk. / Windows are made of glass. Scheduled future event - The train leaves tonight at 6 PM. Now (non-continuous verbs) - I'm here now. / He does not need help now. Signal words - every day, sometimes, always, often, usually, seldom, never, first ... then |
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When to use the present continuous tense?
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Now (at the moment of speaking)
- You are learning English now. / Are you sleeping? Longer action in progress - I'm studying to become a doctor. / Are you working on special project at work? Near future (already scheduled) - I'm not going to the party tonight / Is he visiting his parents next weekend? Repetition/irritation with always - She is always coming to class late. / They are always complaining. Signal words - at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now |
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When to use the past simple?
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Action in the past taking place once, never or several times
- John cut his finger last week. / I went to college 3 years ago / I lived in New York for 10 years. Actions taking place one after another - He entered a room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests. Action taking place in the middle of another action - He entered when I was eating Signal words - yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, etc. |
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When to use the past progressive tense?
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Duration in the past (situation that lasted for an unimportant or unknown duration)
- The dog was barking / I was watching the TV yesterday in th evening. Interrupted Action or specific time in the Past - I was watching TV when she called. / When the phone rang, she was writing a letter. - Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner / At midnight, we were still driving through the desert. Parallel Actions / several actions in progress at the same time - I was studying while he was making dinner. / What were you doing while you were waiting? Repetition and Irritation with "Always" - She was always coming to class late / He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone. Signal words - when, while, as long as |
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When to use the present perfect tense?
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Unspecified time before now (experience, change over time, accomplishments, uncompleted action which is expected, multiple-actions at different times,
- I have seen that movie twenty times / You have grown since the last time I saw you / Man has walked on the Moon / The rain hasn't stopped / I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester. Continuation in the present (to emphasize that an event continues in the present) - She has been in England for six months / Mary has worked as a teacher for over 25 years Effect on the present moment - He has finished his work. (so he can now rest) / I have already eaten the dinner. (so I'm not hungry) Signal words - just, yet, never, ever, already, so far, up to now, since, for, recently |