verb tenses.docx

1、verb tensesSimple Present TenseI singHow do we make the Simple Present Tense?subject+auxiliary verb+main verbdobaseThere are three important exceptions:1. For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary. 2. For the 3rd person singular (he, she, it), we add s to the main verb or es to th

2、e auxiliary. 3. For the verb to be, we do not use an auxiliary, even for questions and negatives.Look at these examples with the main verb like:subjectauxiliary verbmain verb+I, you, we, theylikecoffee.He, she, itlikescoffee.-I, you, we, theydonotlikecoffee.He, she, itdoesnotlikecoffee.?DoI, you, we

3、, theylikecoffee?Doeshe, she, itlikecoffee?Look at these examples with the main verb be. Notice that there is no auxiliary:subjectmain verb+IamFrench.You, we, theyareFrench.He, she, itisFrench.-Iamnotold.You, we, theyarenotold.He, she, itisnotold.?AmIlate?Areyou, we, theylate?Ishe, she, itlate?How d

4、o we use the Simple Present Tense?We use the simple present tense when: the action is general the action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present and future the action is not only happening now the statement is always trueJohn drives a taxi.pastpresentfutureIt is Johns job to drive

5、a taxi. He does it every day. Past, present and future.Look at these examples: I live in New York. The Moon goes round the Earth. John drives a taxi. He does not drive a bus. We meet every Thursday. We do not work at night. Do you play football?Note that with the verb to be, we can also use the simp

6、le present tense for situations that are not general. We can use the simple present tense to talk about now. Look at these examples of the verb to be in the simple present tense - some of them are general, some of them are now:Am I right?Tara is not at home.You are happy.pastpresentfutureThe situati

7、on is now. I am not fat.Why are you so beautiful?Ram is tall.pastpresentfutureThe situation is general. Past, present and future.How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?The structure of the present continuous tense is:subject+auxiliary verb+main verbbebase + ingLook at these examples:subjectauxi

8、liary verbmain verb+Iamspeakingto you.+Youarereadingthis.-Sheisnotstayingin London.-Wearenotplayingfootball.?IshewatchingTV?Aretheywaitingfor John?How do we use the Present Continuous Tense?We use the present continuous tense to talk about: action happening now action in the futurePresent continuous

9、 tense for action happening nowa) for action happening exactly nowI am eating my lunch.pastpresentfutureThe action is happening now.Look at these examples. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time.the pages are turning.the candle is burning.the numbers are spinning.b) for action

10、 happening around nowThe action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.John is going out with Mary.pastpresentfutureThe action is happening around now.Look at these examples: Muriel is learning to drive. I am living w

11、ith my sister until I find an apartment.Present continuous tense for the futureWe can also use the present continuous tense to talk about the future - if we add a future word! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. Future words include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June,

12、 at Christmas etc. We only use the present continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a plan before speaking.I am taking my exam next month.pastpresentfuture!A firm plan or program exists now.The action is in th

13、e future.Look at these examples: Were eating in a restaurant tonight. Weve already booked the table. They can play tennis with you tomorrow. Theyre not working. When are you starting your new job?In these examples, we have a firm plan or program before speaking. The decision and plan were made befor

14、e speaking.How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense?We make the present continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally its simple - we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help

15、you know how to spell the present continuous tense.Basic ruleJust add -ing to the base verb:workworkingplayplayingassistassistingseeseeingbebeingException 1If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter: stopconsonantstressedvowelconsonant(vowels = a, e, i, o

16、, u)stopstoppingrunrunningbeginbeginningNote that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed:openopeningException 2If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:lielyingdiedyingException 3If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e:comecomi

17、ngmistakemistakingPresent Perfect TenseI have sungThe present perfect tense is a rather important tense in English, but it gives speakers of some languages a difficult time. That is because it uses concepts or ideas that do not exist in those languages. In fact, the structure of the present perfect

18、tense is very simple. The problems come with the use of the tense. In addition, there are some differences in usage between British and American English.How do we make the Present Perfect Tense?The structure of the present perfect tense is:subject+auxiliary verb+main verbhavepast participleHere are

19、some examples of the present perfect tense:subjectauxiliary verbmain verb+IhaveseenET.+Youhaveeatenmine.-Shehasnotbeento Rome.-Wehavenotplayedfootball.?Haveyoufinished?Havetheydoneit?Contractions with the present perfect tenseWhen we use the present perfect tense in speaking, we usually contract the

20、 subject and auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this when we write.I haveIveYou haveYouveHe hasShe hasIt hasJohn hasThe car hasHesShesItsJohnsThe carsWe haveWeveThey haveTheyveHere are some examples: Ive finished my work. Johns seen ET. Theyve gone home.How do we use the Present Perfect Tense?This

21、 tense is called the present perfect tense. There is always a connection with the past and with the present. There are basically three uses for the present perfect tense:1. experience 2. change 3. continuing situation1. Present perfect tense for experienceWe often use the present perfect tense to ta

22、lk about experience from the past. We are not interested in when you did something. We only want to know if you did it:I have seen ET.He has lived in Bangkok.Have you been there?We have never eaten caviar.pastpresentfuture!The action or state was in the past.In my head, I have a memory now.Connectio

23、n with past: the event was in the past.Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event; I know something about the event; I have experience of it. 2. Present perfect tense for changeWe also use the present perfect tense to talk about a change or new information:I have bought a

24、 car.pastpresentfuture-+Last week I didnt have a car.Now I have a car. John has broken his leg.pastpresentfuture+-Yesterday John had a good leg.Now he has a bad leg. Has the price gone up?pastpresentfuture+-Was the price $1.50 yesterday?Is the price $1.70 today? The police have arrested the killer.p

25、astpresentfuture-+Yesterday the killer was free.Now he is in prison.Connection with past: the past is the opposite of the present.Connection with present: the present is the opposite of the past.Americans do not use the present perfect tense so much as British speakers. Americans often use the past

26、tense instead. An American might say Did you have lunch?, where a British person would say Have you had lunch?3. Present perfect tense for continuing situationWe often use the present perfect tense to talk about a continuing situation. This is a state that started in the past and continues in the pr

27、esent (and will probably continue into the future). This is a state (not an action). We usually use for or since with this structure.I have worked here since June.He has been ill for 2 days.How long have you known Tara?pastpresentfutureThe situation started in the past.It continues up to now.(It wil

28、l probably continue into the future.)Connection with past: the situation started in the past.Connection with present: the situation continues in the present.For & Since with Present Perfect TenseWe often use for and since with the present perfect tense. We use for to talk about a period of time - 5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years. We use since to talk about a point in past time - 9 oclock, 1st January, Monday.forsincea period of timea point in past timex-2