Ten

ses

(PD

C)

Tense Use Useful words ExamplesPresent simple

am / is / are He is hungry. They aren’t at school. They are at home. Are you tired? –Yes, I am. The weather in Britain is cold and rainy.

have got / has got We have got three books but she hasn’t got any pens.

Have they got time for this? Yes, they have.

facts and permanent states Snow melts at 0ªC. Water freezes at 32º Fahrenheit. Horses don’t fly. Do parrots speak? –Yes, they do.

habits and routines stative verbs are not used in the

pres. continuous (see, hear, like, think, want, hope, feel, believe, know, understand…)

how often…?always / sometimes / often / never / usually / seldom… / on Sundaysevery day / once a week / twice a month…

Andy lives in Manchester. David watches television every day. We often have lunch together. How often does your mother drive to Madrid? She doesn’t play tennis on Monday. We don’t usually come by bus.

Present continuous

actions happening now now / at the moment He’s watching television at the moment. They aren’t playing football now. Are you thinking about the problem? –Yes, I am. I am reading this photocopy.

future arrangements-definite plans in the defined future

a future time expression Liz is having lunch with her mum tomorrow. Mark and Tony are playing football on Sunday. We aren’t travelling to Lugo this afternoon. Are you reading the book tonight?

Past simple was / were The weather was very good yesterday. You were very thirsty this morning. My friends weren’t with us. Only Mary was here. Who was here? –She was.

for completed actions in the past whenyesterday / last week / in 1993

She didn’t go to the cinema last Saturday. I was having a shower when the bell rang. They bought a new detached house in 2001. We didn’t finish the exam yesterday. He didn’t give us the list of books to read. When did you finish the race? Did you like it? –No, I didn’t.