First Certificate in English

Grammar: VERB TENSES

Explanations: Uses Exercises for further practise and consolidation

Gonzalo Velo de Ipola 2009

Contents:
1. Present Simple 2. Present Continuous or Progressive 3. Past Time (All tenses) 4. Present Perfect (Simple and Progressive) 5. Future Time (All forms) 6. Exercises 7. Grammar Reference 8. Bibliography

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PRESENT SIMPLE 1. Facts which are always true. The present simple is used to describe facts in science, and geographical descriptions. The light from the Sun takes 8 mins 20 secs to reach the Earth The River Po flows into the Adriaqtic Sea. 2. Habitual actions The present simple is used to describe habitual actons. A frequency adverb is often used. I usually take the bus to school 3. Plot summaries and historical tables. The present simple is used tyo describe events in a narrative, when the events are summarised. It is used to describe what happens in a film or a book, or in a table of events. In Chapter one, Susan meets David at school 1789. The French Revolution begins. PRESENT CONTINUOUS OR PROGRESSIVE 1. Actions which are still in progress The presnt progressive is used to describe actions which are temporary and not yet finished. Im listening to music now 2. Habits over a period of time The present progressive can describe a temporary habit. A time epression is necessary. At the moment were sharing the house with my brother-in-law and his wife until they can have their own. 3. A repeated temporary event The present continuous can describe a repeated temporary action. A time expression is necessary. Whenever I see Tom, hes smoking! Youre making the same mistake again! 4. An annoying habit The present continuous is used to describe an annoying habit. A frequency adver is compulsory. Youre always complaining! Shes constantly borrowing money from us!

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STATE VERBS Some verbs are not normally used in the progressive, because they describe activities which already extend in time. These are called STATE VERBS Be Believe Cost Depend Have Hear Know Matter Smell Suppose Taste Think Understand Some of these verbs can be used in the continuous form BUT with a change in meaning: Tim is being rather difficult at the moment. (Behave) Im having lunch. (Eat) Im tasting the soup, to cheek if it needs more salt. (Sample) Im thinking of buying a new car. (Consider) PAST TIME (all tenses) Narrative 1. Main events The past simple is used to describe finished events in the past. Sally went into the station and bought a ticket. 2. Background description The past continuous is used to describe actions still in progress, and is used for background description. There were a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were sleeping ond the benches, and others were walking up and down. 3. Past before past The past perfect is used to describe a past event which took place before another past event. By the time the train arrived, Sally had managed to puesh her away to the front of the crowd. Note: it is not necessary to use past perfect if theres a time expression tat states clearly the order in which the actions happened. Before the train arrived, Susan managed to push her away to the front of the crowd. 4. Interrupted past actions We often contrast an action still in progress with a sudden event which interrupts it. While Sally was trying to get onto the platform, a man grabbed her handbag.

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Habits in the past 1. Past simple The past ssimple is used to describe past habits or states. A time expression is usually necessary. I always got up at six those days. (Habit) I lived in Australia several years. (State) 2. Used to Used to is used to describe past habits, usually in contrast with the present. I used to get up at six, but now I get up at eight. (Note: Time expressions are not necessary) Used to can also describe past states. I used to own a horse. (I owned a horse once) 3. Would Would is used to describe a persons typical activities in the past. It can ONLY be used for repeated actions, and is mainly used in writing, and in personal reminiscences. Every morning was the same. Jack would turn on the radio, light his pipe and fell asleep. 4. Past Continuous The past continuous can be used to describe repeated actions in the past, often an annoying habit. A frequency adverb is compulsory. When he was young, he was always getting into trouble. Politeness and Uncertainty The past continuous with the verb WONDER has a polite meaning. I was wondering if you could help me. With the verb THINK the past continuous suggests uncertainty. I was thinking of having a party next week. PRESENT PERFECT Recent events 1. Present perfect simple The present perfect simple is used to describe events without a definite time. The idea of time or place in the speakers mind makes the event recent. A time expression may emphasise recentness. Ive left my shopping bag behind. Ive just borken my watch. We can also describe events that have not happened. I havent found her phone number yet. The event may be connected with the present, because the result of the event is present. No definite time is given for the event.
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Ive broken my arm as you can see. Indefinite events 1. Present perfect simple No definite time is given for the event. Ive been in Mar del Plata three times 2. Compared with past simple Events described using the past simple have definite times. I went to Merlo last year. The tense used can depend on the time expression. This is the first time Ive eaten Japanese food. 2. Definite places If we think of a definite place for an event, this may suggest a definite time. Ive left my shopping bag on the train. Extended or repeated events 1. Present perfect simple With verbs that describe states, the present perfect simple describes a state which lasts up to the present. Ive lived in this house for five years. 2. Present perfect continuous The present perfect progressive also describes a state which lasts up to the present moment. Ive been living in this house for five years. There is little difference in meaning between simple and continuous in this case, or in How long.. questions. The verbs sit, lie, wait, stay prefer the present perfect continuous. How long have you been waiting? 3. Present perefect simple This tense can describe an habitual action over a period of time up to the present moment. Ive never worn a tie to work, and I refuse to start now! CONTRASTS BETWEEN SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS 1. Not Completed Use of the present perfect continuous can suggest that an action is not completed, or has recently finished. Weve been walking for hours! Lets have a rest. Ive been digging the garden. Thats why Im so dirty!

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2. Completed Use of the present perfect simple can show that an action is incomplete. Giving the number of actions suggests completion. Ive written ten pages of my homework assignment! FUTURE TIME (All forms) Prediction 1. Will Will is used to make predictions. It is often preceded by I think or by opinion words like perhaps. A time expression is also necessary. I think itll rain tomorrow. Perhaps shell be late. In speech both will and shall are contracted to ll. Use of shall after I and we is more common in formal speech. 2. Going to If a predicted event is very near, and especially in impersonal statements, going to is also commonly used for predictions. Youre going to fall! 3. Present cause We often make predictions because we can see the cause of the event. Look out! Theres a bus coming! Its going to hit us! I can see youre going to have a baby. 4. Future Continuous The future continuous i used to describe a situation in the future at a particular time. This time next week well be eating lunch on the plane! It is also used to predict a future state or habit at a particular time in the future. In ten years time I expect Ill be living in Buenos Aires. 5. Future Perfect The future perfect looks back form a point in the future and refers to indefinite time up to that pint. By the time we get there, the film will have started. This means at the future time when we get there, we can say: The film has started. Future time clauses 1. After time expressions WHEN, UNTIL and AS SOON AS a present tense form is used, although this refers to future time. Ill wait fotr you until you get back
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2. The present perfect can be used to emphasise the completion of an event. Ill wait here until you have finished Intention 1. Going to Going to is used to describe a present intention. Im going to fix the television tomorrow 2. Will Will is also used for decisions made at the time of speaking Oh! Its Bobs birthday tomorrow! Ill buy him a present when I can. Plans and Facts 1. Present progressive The present progressive is used to describe plans and arrangements which are definite. Such arrangements may be written in a diary. Sorry, I cant help you. Im leaving tomorrow morning. 2. Present Simple This tense is used to describe future events which we cannot control. They may be facts, such as events in a timetable, or a law. The plane for Brazil leaves at 9.45.

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Exercises
FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION
Which of the uses explained above you didnt know? Did you find any interesting information in the explanations given?

How would you organize that new information so that you remember it better?

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FROM THEORY TO PRACTISE... Exercises to learn

Present Simple vs Present Progressive 1. Change these sentences into Present Progressive a) He paints beautifully. b) Sarah is nervous. c) People get their services paid via internet nowadays. d) Charles always complains about everything! Look back on the previous sentences think and answer: What is the difference in MEANING between the sentences?

Stative Verbs 1. Define in your own words- what is a stative or state verb:

2. Look back to the different verbs mentioned that are stative. Do you find anything in common? Look at these categories. Which ones refer to state verbs? TICK them Senses Abilities Feelings Mind states Emotions Other

3. Complete the sentences with the verbs given. Decide if the verb must take an ing form and justify your choice briefly. a) I ____________________ of moving town. Im fed up with the noises here! THINK

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b) George ____________________ that this is not the right thing to do. THINK c) The cookers ____________________ the wine to see if its got the flavour they want. TASTE d) Mary ____________________ dinner with some friends tonight. HAVE e) Argentina ____________________ many different and colourful landscapes to see. HAVE

4. Write sentences with the verbs given. Follow the instructions carefully. Note: The verbs Must be only in present simple or continuous. a) FINISH: Future time reference b) COMB: Habit c) SEE: Future arrangement d) TEASE: Annoying habit

Other uses of the -ing form: Read the poem and extract the ing forms. Which function do they take: a) Adjectives? b) Adverbs? c) Nouns?

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Past Time 1.In the following texts identify the use of the past time (narrative, habitual action in the past, etc.) and justify your choices clearly. TEXT 1

TEXT 2

TEXT 3

It was dusky in the dining-room and quite chilly. But all the same Bertha threw off her coat; she could not bear the tight clasp of it another moment, and the cold air fell on her arms. But in her bosom there was still that bright glowing place - that shower of little sparks coming from it. It was almost unbearable. She hardly dared to breathe for fear of fanning it higher, and yet she breathed deeply, deeply. She hardly dared to look into the cold mirror - but she did look, and it gave her back a woman, radiant, with smiling, trembling lips, with big, dark eyes and an air of listening, waiting for something ... divine to happen ... that she knew must happen ... infallibly.
Extracted from BLISS, by Katherine Mansfield

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2. Write sentences to illustrate the different uses of the past progressive tense:

3. Put the verbs into a suitable tense: a) The police (pay) __________________ no attention to Clares complaint because she (phone) __________________ them so many times before. b) Mary (not wear) __________________ her glasses at that time, so she (not notice) __________________ what kind of car the man (drive)__________________. c) Nick (lie) __________________ down on the grass for a while, next to some tourists who (feed) __________________the ducks. d) Tony (admit) __________________ that he (hit) __________________ the other car, but said he (not damage) __________________ it. e) Sorry, I (not listen) __________________ to you. I (think) __________________ about something else. f) Helen (feel) __________________ very tired, and while she (finish) __________________ her homework, she (fall) __________________ asleep. g) The police (get) __________________ to Marks house as fast as they could, but the burglars (disappear) __________________. 4. Invent a story that provides an explanation for the following picture: 200 words maximum Remember: Give your story a good tittle (dont underline the tittle) Write your story using the PAST time If possible, include some phrasal verbs or vocabulary developed in class

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Present Perfect 1. Answer these questions: a) What is the difference between past simple and present perfect simple?

b) What is the difference between present perfect simple and present perfect continuous?

2. Choose the most suitable time expression: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) I havent seen Jerry for/ since a long time. Its ages ago/since i last went to a football match. Ive written to David last week/ recently. What have you been doing today/ yesterday? Have you eaten Italian food before/ already? Ive been living here in/ since the end of last year. Actually I had dinner with Sue last night/ lately. Ive been trying to get in touch with Amanda for ages/ for the last time.

3. Put each verb into the present perfect simple or the present perfect continuous: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) Someone (eat) ____________________ the cakes! What you (buy) ____________________ your sister for her birthday? My throat is really sore. I (sing) ____________________ all evening. Brenda (learn) ____________________ Russian, but she finds it difficult. How many people you (invite) ____________________ for the party? Those two cats (sit) ____________________ on that branch for the last hour. It (rains) ____________________ all day! Why cant it stop! I (do) ____________________ everything you asked. Graham and Sally (try) ____________________ to find a house for ages, but they cant find one they can afford.

Future Time

1. Read to some predictions and highlight the future forms used. Do these forms
agree with what has been exposed in the theory?
January January 1 - Poland will adopt the Euro. January 1322 - The first Winter Youth Olympics will be held in Innsbruck, Austria.

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January 31 - 433 Eros, the second-largest Near Earth Object on record (size 131333 km) will pass Earth at 0.1790 astronomical units (26,778,019 km; 16,639,090 mi). NASA studied Eros with the NEAR Shoemaker probe launched on 1996-02-17.

February February 5 - Super Bowl XLVI will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

March March 22 - Unless the European Council votes to extend current copyright law, The Beatles debut album, Please Please Me, will fall out of copyright.

April April 17 - The United States will cede wartime control of the military of the Republic of Korea after 50 years and dissolve the Combined Forces Command. Two distinct military commands (South Korea and the United States) will operate in Korea during wartime, rather than one unified command under the Combined Forces Command.

2. True or false? Correct the false statements:

a) We can use present simple to denote future time reference.

b) We use be going to to indicate on-the-spot decisions (i.e: decisions taken at the moment of speaking) c) We use present progressive to refer to future arrangements. d) We use will to express a near future based on a preent evidence. e) The sentence I will be visiting my parents next month is incorrect. f) Future perfect is used to describe an action that will be finished before another action, also future.

3. Write sentences using the adverbials indicated. All sentences must have a future time reference: a) Tomorrow b) By the year 2012 c) Next week d) By that time e) In the next ten years

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4. Fill in with the grammatical structure that corresponds to each future form: WILL
Will+infinitive

BE GOING TO

Future forms PRESENT SIMPLE

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

FUTURE PERFECT

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

5. Write as many sentences as you wish using these verbs: GIVE HAPPEN BE CONTRIBUTE Remember: All sentences must have future time reference Try to use ALL forms studied (see chart on the previous exercise) Use clear time references to back up your choices (adverbs, adverbials, etc)

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Grammar Reference: List of Irregular Verbs in English

Present
be become begin blow break bring build burst buy burst catch choose come cut deal do drink drive eat fall feed feel fight find fly forbid forget forgive freeze get give go grow have hear hide hold hurt keep know lay lead

Past
was, were became began blew broke brought built burst bought burst caught chose came cut dealt did drank drove ate fell fed felt fought found flew forbade forgot forgave froze got gave went grew had heard hid held hurt kept knew laid led

Past Participle
been become begun blown broken brought built burst bought burst caught chosen come cut dealt done drunk driven eaten fallen fed felt fought found flown forbidden forgotten forgiven frozen gotten given gone grown had heard hidden held hurt kept known laid led

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leave let lie lose make meet pay quit read ride run say see seek sell send shake shine sing sit sleep speak spend spring stand steal swim swing take teach tear tell think throw wake wear win write

left let lay lost made met paid quit read rode ran said saw sought sold sent shook shone sang sat slept spoke spent sprang stood stole swam swung took taught tore told thought threw woke (waked) wore won wrote

left let lain lost made met paid quit read ridden run said seen sought sold sent shaken shone sung sat slept spoken spent sprung stood stolen swum swung taken taught torn told thought thrown understood woken (waked) worn won written

understand understood

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Bibliography Consulted:
FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTISE by Michael Vince- Heinemann, 1996

Webpages Consulted:
Wikipedia.com Classicreader.com Gardendigest.com Owl.english.purdue.edu

Contact:
gonza432_2@hotmail.com

Gonzalo Velo de Ipola 2009