Revision

*Verb tenses

Autor: Mgr. Jana BálkováDatum: 11. 9. 2012

*Present tenses1.Present simpleI go skiing in winter.My father reads a lot.

We don’t live in Prague.She doesn’t walk to school.

Do they work in Hlinsko?What subjects does Jen study?

• repeated action• habits, routines• future according to the

timetable

2. Present continuousI’m watching TV now.Sue’s sleeping.

We aren’t working at night.He isn’t studying English.

Are you listening to me?Where’s he running?

• at the moment, now• arranged future

*Past tenses1.Past simple

I spoke to him yesterday.We studied Russian at school.

She didn’t take the bus.My parents didn’t phone me last week.

Why did you tell them?Was she at the party past week?

• past habits• completed actions

2. Past continuousI was exercising last night.They were singing together.

Henry wasn’t cooking when I came.We weren’t sunbathing.

Who were you talking to?Was Janet wearing her new coat?

• background description• longer action in the past

*Future tenses

1.WillI’ll call you tomorrow.They’ll visit us next week.

My mother won’t be there.

How will you go to Spain?

• on-the-spot decision• hopes, fears, offers,

promises• predictions

2. Going toWe’re going to meet tomorrow.I’m going to see a film tonight.

Sue isn’t going to travel next summer

What are you going to do?

• planned actions or intentions

• present evidence

*Present perfect tenses1.Pr. perf. simple

I have been to Italy twice.She’s known him for 8 years.

We haven’t done yet.Peter hasn’t finished work yet.

Have you ridden a horse?How long have you had you new car?

• action which happened in the past and we don’t know when exactly

2. Pr. perf. continuousTom has been learning English for 2 years.

She hasn’t been watching TV long.

How long have you been reading this book?

• action started in the past and continues up to now

*Past perfect tenses1.Past per. simple

My friend had visited me before I went to New York.

She hadn’t meet her husband until she started working.

Had you seen Mr. Smith before you left the office?

• finished action before another in the past

2. Past per. ContinuousI had been living in a flat before I moved to a house.

She hadn’t been studying before she sat for an exam.

She was out of breath. How long had she been running?

• longer finished action before another started in the past (visible results)