BE: PRESENT SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE
FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I am late.
You are late.
He/She/It is late.
We/You/They are late.

Im late.
Youre late.
Hes/Shes/Its late.
Were/Youre/Theyre late.
NEGATIVE
SHORT FORM

FULL FORM
I am not late.
You are not late.
He/She/It is not late.
We/You/They are not late.

Im not late.
You arent late.
He/She/It isnt late.
We/You/They arent late.
INTERROGATIVE

Am I late?
Are you late?
Is he/she/it late?
Are we/you/they late?
We use the Present Simple of be to talk about:

Who we are: Im Steve and this is my friend.

Weather: Its cold today.
Time: Its ten oclock.
Places: Milan is in the north of Italy.
Peoples ages: My sister is six years old.
How we feel: Im happy.
Greetings: How are you? Im fine thanks.
Apologize: Im sorry Im late.
Things: It isnt expensive. Its cheap.

We use there+ be to talk about:

Where things are: There is a supermarket in the street.

When things happen: There is a bus to London at six oclock.

PRESENT SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE: S + VI/-s(-es)
I know.
You know.
He/She/It knows.
We/You/They know.
NEGATIVE: S + DO/DOES NOT+ VI
FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I do not know.
I dont know.
You do not know.
You dont know.
He/She/It does not know.
He/She/It doesn t know.
We/You/They do not know.
We/You/They dont know.
INTERROGATIVE: DO/DOES + S + VI
Do I know?
Do you know?
Does he/she/it know?
Do we/you/they know?
We use the Present Simple to talk about:

Things that happen regularly: He plays golf every day.

Facts (things that are true at any time): Greengrocers sell vegetables.
Situations that exist over a long time: Mike works for an advertising company.
Feelings: She loves football.
Opinions: I like pop music.
Thoughts: I think he likes her new job.

Time expressions: always, often/frequently, usually/normally,

sometimes/occasionally, rarely/
hardly ever/seldom/never, etc.
Spelling:
Add an s to make the he/she/it form of most Present Simple verbs:
leave leaves
make makes
After ss, sh, ch, o or x, we add es:
catch catches
finish finishes
When a verb ends in a consonant + y, the y changes to ies:
fly flies
study studies

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

AFFIRMATIVE: S + AM/ARE/IS + V-ing

FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I am eating.
Im eating.
You are eating.
Youre eating.
He/She/It is eating.
Hes/Shes/Its eating.
We/You/They are eating.
Were/Youre/Theyre eating.
NEGATIVE: S + AM/ARE/IS NOT + V-ing
FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I am not eating.
Im not eating.
You are not eating.
You arent eating.
He/She/It is not eating.
He/She/It isnt eating.
We/You/They are not eating.
We/You/They arent eating.
INTERROGATIVE: AM/ARE/IS + S + V-ing
Am I eating?
Are you eating?
Is he/she/it eating?
Are we/you/they eating?
We use the Present Continuous to talk about:

Actions and situations in progress now: The bus is coming.

Actions and situations in progress around now, but not exactly at the moment
we speak:
A: What are you doing these days?
B: Im learning Spanish.
Things we have arranged in the past to do in the future (future
arrangements):
You bought a plane ticket last week. You can now say: Im flying home next
week.

We dont use the Present Continuous:

To talk about opinions and thoughts: I like tennis. (NOT Im liking tennis.)
With thinking verbs: agree, believe, forget, know, think, understand.
With feeling verbs: like, hate, love, prefer, want, wish.
With senses verbs: appear, hear, look, like, see, taste.
Think and have:
We cannot use think in the Present Continuous to express opinions:
I think hes nice. (NOT Im thinking hes nice.)
We can use think in the Present Continuous to talk about an action:
Shes thinking about the film.

We cannot use have in the Present Continuous to talk about possessions:

I have a ticket. (NOT I am having a ticket.)
We can use have to talk about actions:
Im having lunch.

Time expressions: now, at present, at the moment, etc.

Spelling:

For most verb we add ing:

ask asking
go going
For verb ending with a consonant + e, we normally leave out e when add
ing:
hope hoping
take taking
When a verb ending in ie, it changes to y when we add ing:
die dying
lie lying
When a verb ends with one vowel and one consonant, we double the final
consonant:
get getting
run running
But note that we do not double the consonant:
When it is w, x, or y:
buy - buying
draw drawing
When the final syllable is not stressed:
listen listening
visit visiting
When there are two vowels:
seem seeming
shout shouting

BE: PAST SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE
FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I was right.
You were right.
He/She/It was right.
We/You/They were right.
NEGATIVE
FULL FORM
I was not right.
You were not right.
He/She/It was not right.
We/You/They were not right.

SHORT FORM
I wasnt right.
You werent right.
He/She/It wasnt right.
We/You/They werent right.
INTERROGATIVE

Was I right?
Were you right?
Was he/she/it right?
Were we/you/they right?
We use the Past Simple of be to talk about:
Was/were + facts about the past: John F. Kennedy was an American president.
Was/were + place and time: We were in Spain in June.
Was/were + adjective: They were tired after the journey.

PAST SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE: S + VII/-ed
FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I walked.
You walked.
He/She/It walked.
We/You/They walked.
NEGATIVE: S + DID NOT + VI
FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I did not walk.

I didnt walk.
You did not walk.
You didnt walk.
He/She/It did not walk.
He/She/It didnt walk.
We/You/They did not walk.
We/You/They didnt walk.
INTERROGATIVE: DID + S + VI
Did
Did
Did
Did

I walk?
you walk?
he/she/it walk?
we/you/they walk?

We use the Past Simple to talk about:

An action or situation in the past which is finished. We often say when it
happen:
Chris phoned me yesterday.
Habitual action in the past: Every day we got up early and went to the beach.
Time expressions: yesterday, last week, last month, last year, ago, etc.
Spelling:

Most verbs have ed in the past tense:

happen happened
work worked
If the verb ends in e, we add d:
live lived
phone phoned
If the verb ends in consonant + y, the y changes to ied:
study studied
try tried
When a word end with one vowel and one consonant, we double the final
consonant:
grab grabbed

stop stopped

But note that we don not double the consonant:

When it is w, x, y:
allow allowed
enjoy enjoyed
When the final syllable is not stressed:
open- opened
listen listened
When there are two vowels:
seem seemed
shout shouted

PAST CONTINUOUS

AFFIRMATIVE: S + WAS/WERE + V-ing

FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I was waiting.
You were waiting.
He/She/It was waiting.
We/You/They were waiting.
NEGATIVE: S + WAS/WERE NOT + V-ing
FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I was not waiting.
I wasnt waiting.
You were not waiting.
You werent waiting.
He/She/It was not waiting.
He/She/It wasnt waiting.
We/You/They were not waiting.
We/You/They werent waiting.
INTERROGATIVE: WAS/WERE + S + V-ing
Was I waiting?
Were you waiting?
Was he/she/it waiting?
Were we/you/they waiting?
We use the Past Continuous to talk about:

An action or situation that was in progress in the past. This is often

contrasted with a sudden event in the past simple: When I walked into the
room, Ann was writing postcards.
Several actions in progress, happening at the same time:
While James was cooking, David was phoning a friend.

Time expressions: at that moment, at that hour, then, this time yesterday, this
time last week, etc.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE: S + HAVE/HAS + VIII/-ed

FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I have arrived.
Ive arrived.
You have arrived.
Youve arrived.
He/She/It has arrived.
Hes/Shes/Its arrived.
We/You/They have arrived.
Weve/Youve/Theyve arrived.
NEGATIVE: S + HAVE/HAS NOT + VIII/-ed
FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I have not arrived.
I havent arrived.
You have not arrived.
You havent arrived.
He/She/It has not arrived.
He/She/It hasnt arrived.
We/You/They have not arrived.
We/You/They havent arrived.
INTERROGATIVE: HAVE/HAS + S + VIII/-ed
Have I arrived?
Have you arrived?
Has he/she/it arrived?
Have we/you/they arrived?
We use the Present Perfect Simple to talk about:
A past activity that is now completed:
At 18.00 Anne arrived home. At 18.01, we can say: Anne has arrived home.
Our lives: Ive seen gorillas in Africa.
Something that happened in the past, but we do not say exactly when it
happened:
Ive seen this film before.
Something that happened in the past, and that have a result now:
Shes left the company. She doesnt work there now.
Question and answer with How much? and How many?:
A: How many rooms have you painted?
B: Weve painted three of them.
Time expressions: ever, never, yet, already, so far, just, for, since, always,
sometimes, etc.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINOUS

AFFIRMATIVE: S + HAVE/HAS + BEEN + V-ing

FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I have been cooking.
Ive been cooking.
You have been cooking.
Youve been cooking.
He/She/It has been cooking.
Hes/Shes/Its has been cooking.
We/You/They have been cooking.
Weve/Youve/Theyve been cooking.
NEGATIVE: S + HAVE/HAS NOT + BEEN + V-ing
FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I have not been cooking.
I havent been cooking.
You have not been cooking.
You havent been cooking.
He/She/It has not been cooking.
He/She/It hasnt been cooking.
We/You/They have not been cooking.
We/You/They havent been cooking.
INTERROGATIVE: HAVE/HAS + S + BEEN + V-ing
Have I been cooking?
Have you been cooking?
Has he/she/it been cooking?
Have we/you/they been cooking?
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about:

An action that began in the past and continues until now. The action may be
finished or continuing. We only know by the situation:
Carlos has been studying English for two years and now hes stopped. What a
shame.
Carlos has been studying English for two years. Hes going to do an exam
next week.
Question and answer with How long?:
A: How long have you been waiting?
B: Yes, Ive been waiting since two oclock.

Time expressions: all day, all morning, for days, for ages, lately, recently, since,
for, etc.

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE: S + HAD + VIII/-ed

FULL FORM

SHORT FORM

I had started.
Id started.
You had started.
Youd started.
He/She/It had started.
Hed/Shed/Itd started.
We/You/They had started.
Wed/Youd/Theyd started.
NEGATIVE: S + HAD NOT + VIII/-ed
FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I had not started.
You had not started.
He/She/It had not started.
We/You/They had not started.
INTERROGATIVE:
Had
Had
Had
Had

I hadnt started.
You hadnt started.
He/She/It hadnt started.
We/You/They hadnt started.
HAD + S + VIII/-ed

I started?
you started?
he/she/it started?
we/you/they started?

We use the Past Perfect Simple to talk about:

A past event that happened before another past event. We use the Past
Perfect for the earlier event:
Sue left at 7.00. We arrived at her house at 8.30. When we arrived at Sues
house, she had left.

If we talk about a series of past events in order, we can use the Past
Simple. We need the Past Perfect to make it clear that one of the events is
not in order:

Past Simple: When I returned with my camera, the bird flew away. (It went
after I returned.)
Past Perfect: When I returned with my camera, the bird had flown away. (It went
before I returned.)

Time expressions: after, before, when, already, just, never, ever.

PAST PERFECT CONTINOUS

AFFIRMATIVE: S + HAD + BEEN + V-ing

FULL FORM
I had been working.
You had been working.
He/She/It had been working.
We/You/They had been working.
NEGATIVE: S + HAD
FULL FORM

SHORT FORM
Id been working.
Youd been working.
Hed/Shed/Itd been working.
Wed/Youd/Theyd been working.
NOT + BEEN + V-ing
SHORT FORM

I had not been working.

I hadnt been working.
You had not been working.
You hadnt been working.
He/She/It had not been working.
He/She/It hadnt been working.
We/You/They had not been working.
We/You/They hadnt been working.
INTERROGATIVE: HAD + S + BEEN + V-ing
Had
Had
Had
Had

I been working?
you been working?
he/she/it been working?
we/you/they been working?

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to talk about:

An action which started before a particular time in the past and was still in
progress up to that time in the past:
It was so difficult to get up last Monday for school. I had been working on
my essays the night before and I was very tired.
An action which happened over a period of time:
It had been raining and the ground was still wet.

Time expressions: since, for.

BE GOING TO

AFFIRMATIVE: S + AM/ARE/IS + GOING TO + VI

FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I am going to leave.
Im going to leave.
You are going to leave.
Youre going to leave.
He/She/It is going to leave.
Hes/Shes/Its going to leave.
We/You/They are going to leave.
Were/Youre/Theyre going to leave.
NEGATIVE: S + AM/ARE/IS NOT + GOING TO + VI
FULL FORM
SHORT FORM
I am not going to leave.
Im not going to leave.
You are not going to leave.
You arent going to leave.
He/She/It is not going to leave.
He/She/It isnt going to leave.
We/You/They are not going to leave.
We/You/They arent going to leave.
INTERROGATIVE: AM/ARE/IS + S + GOING TO + VI
Am I going to leave?
Are you going to leave?
Is he/she/it going to leave?
Are we/you/they going to leave?
We use be going to to talk about:

Actions that we have decided to do before we speak:

Im going to clean my room this afternoon. (I decided to clean it this morning.)
Peoples plans and intentions:
A: What are you going to do tomorrow?
B: Im going to visit London.
Predictions based on certain present situation: I can see the black clouds. It is
going to rain.

THE FUTURE SIMPLE

AFFIRMATIVE: S + WILL + VI
FULL FORM
I will go.
You will go.
He/She/It will go.
We/You/They will go.
FULL FORM
I will not go.
You will not go.
He/She/It will not go.
We/You/They will not go.

Will
Will
Will
Will

SHORT FORM
Ill go.
Youll go.
Hell/Shell/Hell go.
Well/Youll/Theyll go.
NEGATIVE: S + WILL NOT + VI
SHORT FORM
I wont go.
You wont go.
He/She/It wont go.
We/You/They wont go.
INTERROGATIVE: WILL + S + VI

I go?
you go?
he/she/it go?
we/you/they go?

We use will to talk about:

Actions that we decide to do now, at the moment of speaking: I like this coat. I
think Ill buy it.
Offers : Ill carry your case for you.
Promises: I wont forget your birthday again.
Opinions, hopes and predictions: Perhaps itll rain tomorrow.