Simple present is also called present simple.

The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after
another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.
Use:
the infinite verb (play !ith the personal pronouns I, you, we and they (or !ith the plural form of nouns
the verb " s (plays !ith the personal pronouns he, she, it (or !ith the singular form of nouns
affirmative negative #uestion
I$you$!e$they I play. I do not play. %o I play&
he$she$it 'e plays. 'e does not play. %oes he play&
Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions
(egative sentences and #uestions are formed !ith the auxiliary verb )do).
The *rd person singular of )do) is )does). This means that in negative sentences and #uestions the )s) of the main verb is placed behind )do).
The *rd person singular is usually formed by adding s. +ut there are a fe! exceptions to the rule:
,nimation on exceptions in spelling !hen adding )s)
The verbs can, may, might, must remain the same in all forms. So don't add s.
example: he can, she may, it must
Verbs ending in o or a sibilant (ch, sh, s, x) add es instead of s.
example: do - he does, !ash - she !ashes
A final y after a consonant becomes ie before s.
example: !orry - he !orries
But: , final y after a vowel (a, e, i, o, u is not modified.
example: play - he plays
facts (something is generall !no"n to be true)
The sun sets in the !est.
The sun never sets in the east or south or north, but al!ays in the !est.
action in the #resent ta!ing #lace once, never or several times
.olin al!ays plays soccer on
Tuesdays.
.olin plays football regularly - every Tuesday.
In /nglish, signal !ords are often used, e.g.: always, never, seldom, often,regularly, every Monday.
actions in the #resent ta!ing #lace one after another
She takes her bag and leaves.
0irst one action takes place and then the other.
action set b a time table or schedule
The train leaves at 1 pm.
,lthough the action takes place in the future, it takes place regularly and is set by a time table.
verbs ex#ressing states, #ossession, senses, emotions and mental activit
I love her.
2hen you love someone, that)s a state, a fact or emotion, but not an action (like running for example.
2henever you !ant to express a state, possession, sense or emotions, use the simple form (not the
progressive. The follo!ing !ords all belong to this group:
be (state
believe (mental activity
belong (possession
hate (feeling and emotion
hear (senses
like (feeling and emotion
love (feeling and emotion
mean (mental activity
prefer (mental activity
remain (state
reali3e (mental activity
see (senses
seem (feeling and emotion
smell (senses
think (mental activity
understand (mental activity
!ant (feeling and emotion
!ish (feeling and emotion
Sim#le $resent % Signal &ords
The present progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action.
The present progressive is used for actions going on in the moment of speaking and for actions taking place only for a short period of time. It is
also used to express development and actions that are arranged for the near future.
4resent progressive is also kno!n as present continuous.
Use a form of to be and the infinite verb plus -ing.
,nimation: form
Use:
am !ith the personal pronoun I
is !ith the personal pronouns he, she or it (or the singular form of nouns
are !ith the personal pronouns you, we, they (or the plural form of nouns
affirmative negative #uestion
I I am playing. I am not playing. Am I playing&
he, she, it 'e is playing. 'e is not playing. 's he playing&
you, !e,
they
5ou are playing. 5ou are not playing. Are you playing&
Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions
,nimation: negative sentences and #uestions
In negative sentences, !e put not bet!een the form of be and the verb.
In #uestions, !e simply s!op the places of subject and the form of be.
$resent $rogressive % (xce#tions in S#elling
,nimation: exceptions in spelling
A single, silent e at the end of the "ord is dro##ed before ing.
example: come - coming
I am coming home. 5ou are coming home. 'e is coming home.
But: ee at the end of the !ord is not changed
example: agree - agreeing
The final consonant after a short, stressed vo"el is doubled before ing.
example: sit - sitting
I am sitting on the sofa. 5ou are sitting on the sofa. 'e is sitting on the sofa.
The letter l as final consonant after a vo"el is al"as doubled before ing.
example: travel - travelling
I am travelling around. 5ou are travelling around. 'e is travelling around.
6ind: This applies only for +ritish /nglish7 in ,merican /nglish there is usually only one l.
An ie at the end of a "ord becomes y before ing.
example: lie - ling
I am lying in bed. 5ou are lying in bed. 'e is lying in bed.
Actions ta!ing #lace at the moment of s#ea!ing (no")
'e is playing football.
The action is going on no!.
Signal !ords like now, at the moment are often used to emphasise that the action is taking place at the
moment of speaking. Signal !ords are not really necessary, ho!ever, as this is already expressed by
the tense itself.
Arrangements for the near future
I)m going to the theatre tonight.
In the example you can see that the tickets are already bought. So !e are talking about an arrangement
for the near future.
To make clear that the action is not going on no!, !e usually use signal !ords
like tonight, tomorrow, next Friday, at noon.
Actions ta!ing #lace onl for a limited #eriod of time
8im is helping in his brother)s firm
this !eek.
'ere !e are talking about a time limit. 8im does not usually !ork in the firm, he is still at school and
!ants to earn some extra money during his holidays.
To make clear that there is a time limit, !e usually use signal !ords, e.g. this week/month/year.
Actions ta!ing #lace around no" (but not at the moment of s#ea!ing)
I)m studying for my exams.
This action takes place around no! and only for a limited period of time, but not at the moment of
speaking.
2e don)t have to use signal !ords here, but !e often find signal !ords in such sentences, e.g. now, at
the moment.
)evelo#ment, changing situations
The
population of .hina is rising very
fast.
The sentence describes a development from one situation to another.
Signal !ords are not that common here, only sometimes the change of situation is emphasised by using
for example more and more.
Actions ta!ing #lace at the moment of s#ea!ing (no")
at the moment
no! $ 9ust no! $ right no!
:isten;
:ook;
Arrangements for the near future
in the morning $ in the afternoon $ in the evening
at noon $ tonight
tomorro!
next ...
Actions ta!ing #lace onl for a limited #eriod of time
this !eek $ this month $ this year
Actions ta!ing #lace around no" (but not at the moment of s#ea!ing)
at the moment
no! $ 9ust no! $ right no!
)evelo#ment, changing situations
more and more
The simple past expresses an action in the past taking place once, never, several times. It can also be used for actions taking place one after
another or in the middle of another action.
*orm of Sim#le $ast
4ositive (egative <uestion
no differences I spoke. I did not speak. %id I speak&
0or irregular verbs, use the past form (see list of irregular verbs, =nd column. 0or regular verbs, 9ust add >ed?.
(xce#tions in S#elling "hen Adding +ed,
/xceptions in spelling !hen adding ed /xample
after a final e only add d love @ loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vo!el
or l as final consonant after a vo!el is doubled
admit @ admitted
travel @ travelled
final y after a consonant becomes i hurry @ hurried
-se of Sim#le $ast
action in the past taking place once, never or several times
/xample: 'e visited his parents every !eekend.
actions in the past taking place one after the other
/xample: 'e came in, took off his coat and sat do!n.
action in the past taking place in the middle of another action
/xample: 2hen I !as having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.
if sentences type II (If I talked, A
/xample: If I had a lot of money, I !ould share it !ith you.
Signal &ords of Sim#le $ast
yesterday, = minutes ago, in B11C, the other day, last 0riday
If-Sat3 Typ II (If I talked, A
Sim#le $ast . $ast $rogressive
*orm
Simple 4ast 4ast 4rogressive
irregular verbs: see =nd column of irregular verbs
I spoke
regular verbs: verb " ed
I !orked
past form of )be) " ing form of verb

I !as speaking
you !ere speaking
he $ she $ it !as speaking
!e !ere speaking
they !ere speaking
(xce#tions
(xce#tions "hen adding 'ed' :
!hen the final letter is e, only add d.
/xample: love - loved
after a short, stressed vo!el, the final
(xce#tions "hen adding 'ing' :
silent e is dropped (but: does not apply for -ee
/xample: come - coming
but: agree - agreeing
consonant is doubled
/xample: admit - admitted
final l is al!ays doubled in +ritish /nglish
(not in ,merican /nglish
/xample: travel - travelled
after a consonant, final y becomes i. (but: not
after a vo!el
/xample: !orry - he !orried
but: play - he played
after a short, stressed vo!el, the final consonant
is doubled
/xample: sit - sitting
final l is al!ays doubled in +ritish /nglish (not
in ,merican /nglish
/xample: travel - travelling
final ie becomes y.
/xample: lie - lying
See also explanations on Simple 4ast and 4ast 4rogressive
-se
After another or at the same time/
%o you !ant to express that the actions in the past happened one after another or at the same time&
Simple 4ast 4ast 4rogressive
after another
She came home, s!itched on the computer and
checked her e-mails.
at the same time
Simon !as playing on the computer !hile his brother
!as !atching TD.
0e" action or alread in #rogress/
If you !ant to express that a ne! action happened in the middle of another action, you need both tenses: Simple 4ast the ne! action and 4ast
4rogressive for the action already in progress.
Simple 4ast 4ast 4rogressive
ne" action
6y mobile rang (!hen I !as sitting in a
meeting.
action alread in #rogress
2hile I !as sitting in a meeting, (my mobile suddenly
rang.
1nl mentioning or em#hasising #rogress/
%o you 9ust !ant to mention that an action took place in the past (also used for short actions& Er do you !ant to put emphasis on the progress,
e.g. that an action !as taking place at a certain time&
Simple 4ast 4ast 4rogressive
2ust mentioning
.olin played football yesterday.
em#hasising #rogress
5esterday at six o)clock, .olin !as playing football.
3ertain Verbs
The follo!ing verbs are usually only used in Simple 4ast (not in the progressive form.
state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
/xample: 2e !ere on holiday.
#ossession: belong, have
/xample: Sam had a cat.
senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
/xample: 'e felt the cold.
feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, !ant, !ish
/xample: 8ane loved pi33a.
brain "or!: believe, kno!, think, understand
/xample: I did not understand him.
introductor clauses for direct s#eech: ans!er, ask, reply, say
/xample: >I am !atching TD,> he said.
Signal "ords
Simple 4ast 4ast 4rogressive
first
then
If-Sat3 Typ II (If I talked, A
!hen
!hile
as long as
Sim#le $ast . $resent $erfect Sim#le
*orm
Simple 4ast 4resent 4erfect Simple
irregular verbs: see =nd column of irregular verbs
Example
I spoke
irregular verbs: form of )have) " *rd column of irregular
verbs
Example
I $ you $ !e $ they have spoken
he $ she $ it has spoken
regular verbs: infinitive " ed
Example
I !orked
regular verbs: form of )have) " infinitive " ed
Example
I $ you $ !e $ they have !orked
he $ she $ it has !orked
(xce#tions
(xce#tions "hen adding 'ed':
!hen the final letter is e, only add d
Example
love - loved
after a short, stressed vo!el, the final consonant is doubled
Example
admit - admitted
final l is al!ays doubled in +ritish /nglish (not in ,merican /nglish
Example
travel - travelled
after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vo!el
Example
!orry - !orried
but: play - played
See also explanations on Simple 4ast and 4resent 4erfect Simple
-se
In +ritish /nglish, the use of Simple 4ast and 4resent 4erfect is #uite strict. ,s soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use
Simple 4ast. If there are no signal !ords, you must decide if !e 9ust talk about an action in the past or if its conse#uence in the present is
important.
(ote that the follo!ing explanations and exercises refer to British (nglish only. In ,merican /nglish, you can normally use Simple 4ast instead
of 4resent 4erfect. 2e cannot accept this in our exercises, ho!ever, as this !ould lead to confusions amongst those !ho have to learn the
differences.
3ertain time in the #ast or just 4 already 4 yet/
%o you !ant to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it !as 9ust a fe! seconds ago or that an action
has just $ already $ not yet happened&
Simple 4ast 4resent 4erfect Simple
certain time in the #ast
Example
I phoned 6ary = minutes ago.
just 4 already 4 not yet
Example
I have 9ust phoned 6ary.
3ertain event in the #ast or ho" often so far/
%o you !ant to express !hen a certain action took place or !hether $ ho! often an action has happened till no!&
Simple 4ast 4resent 4erfect Simple
certain event in the #ast
Example
'e !ent to .anada last summer.
"hether 4 ho" often till no"
Example
'ave you ever been to .anada& $ I have been to .anada
t!ice.
(m#hasis on action or result/
%o you 9ust !ant to express !hat happened in the past& Er do you !ant to emphasise the result (a past action)s conse#uence in the present&
Simple 4ast 4resent 4erfect Simple
(m#hasis on action
Example
I bought a ne! bike. !just telling
what I did in the past"#
(m#hasis on result
Example
I have bought a ne! bike. !$ith this sentence I actually want
to express that I have a new bike now"#
Signal &ords
Simple 4ast 4resent 4erfect Simple
yesterday
... ago
9ust
already
in B11C
the other day
last ...
up to no!
until no! $ till no!
ever
(not yet
so far
lately $ recently
Sim#le $ast . $ast $erfect Sim#le
*orm
Simple 4ast 4ast 4erfect Simple
=nd column of irregular verbs
Example
I spoke
had " *rd column of irregular verbs
Example
I had spoken
regular verbs: infinitive " ed
Example
I !orked
regular verbs: form of have " infinitive " ed
Example
I had !orked
(xce#tions
(xce#tions "hen adding ed:
!hen the final letter is e, only add d
Example
love - loved
after a short, stressed vo!el, the final consonant is doubled
Example
admit - admitted
final l is al!ays doubled in +ritish /nglish (not in ,merican /nglish
Example
travel - travelled
after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vo!el
Example
!orry - !orried
but: play - played
See also explanations on Simple 4ast and 4ast 4erfect Simple
-se
2e use Simple 4ast if !e give past events in the order in !hich they occured. 'o!ever, !hen !e look back from a certain time in the past to tell
!hat had happened before, !e use 4ast 4erfect.
0ormal order in the #ast or loo!ing bac! to an event before a certain time in the #ast/
%o you 9ust !ant to tell !hat happened some time in the past or do you !ant to tell !hat had happened before$up to a certain time in the past&
Simple 4ast 4ast 4erfect Simple
some time in the #ast
Example
before4u# to a certain time in the #ast
Example
8ane got up at seven. She opened her birthday presents
and then the !hole family !ent to the 3oo.
+efore her sixth birthday, 8ane had
never been to the 3oo.
Signal &ords
Simple 4ast 4ast 4erfect Simple
first
then
already
up to then
before that day
afterF
F(ote: G,fterG is only used as a signal !ord for 4ast 4erfect if it is follo!ed by a sub9ect " verb, meaning that one action had been completed
before another action began (the ne! action is in %imple &ast.
Example
,fter the family had had breakfast, they went to the 3oo.
'o!ever, if GafterG is follo!ed by ob9ect " sub9ect " verb, the verb belongs to the ne! action and is therefore in%imple &ast.
Example
,fter her visit to the 3oo, 8ane was exhausted.
5ore exce#tions "ith signal "ords
When
%epending on the situation, G!henG can be used !ith %imple &ast or 4ast 4erfect. .ompare the follo!ing examples:
Example
2hen 8ane saw the elephants, she was ama3ed. !at the same time#
2hen 8ane had seen the elephants, she wanted to see the giraffes. !second action happened after the first action had been completed#
2hen 8ane went to see the elephants, she had already seen the lions. !second action had been completed when the first action took place#
Before
G+eforeG as !ell can either be used !ith %imple &ast or 4ast 4erfect. If the action after GbeforeG is a ne! action, use%imple &ast. If the action after
GbeforeG started (and !as not completed before a certain time in the past, use 4ast 4erfect. .ompare the follo!ing examples:
Example
8ane had read a lot about elephants before she went to the 3oo.
8ane went to the 3oo before she had finished reading her ne! book about elephants.
$ast $rogressive ($ast 3ontinuous)
The past progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past.
*orm
4ositive (egative <uestion
' 4 he 4 she 4 it I !as speaking. I !as not speaking. 2as I speaking&
ou 4 "e 4 the 5ou !ere speaking. 5ou !ere not speaking. 2ere you speaking&
(xce#tions in S#elling
/xceptions in spelling !hen adding ing /xample
final e is dropped (but: ee is not changed come @ coming
(but: agree @ agreeing
after a short, stressed vo!el, the final consonant is doubled sit @ sitting
l as final consonant after a vo!el is doubled (in +ritish /nglish travel @ travelling
final ie becomes y lie @ lying
-se of $ast $rogressive
puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past
/xample: 'e was playing football.
t!o actions happening at the same time (in the past
/xample: 2hile she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.
action going on at a certain time in the past
/xample: 2hen I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.
Signal &ords of $ast $rogressive
!hen, !hile, as long as
$resent $erfect Sim#le
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis
on the result.
*orm of $resent $erfect
4ositive (egative <uestion
' 4 ou 4 "e 4 the I have spoken. I have not spoken. 'ave I spoken&
he 4 she 4 it 'e has spoken. 'e has not spoken. 'as he spoken&
0or irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, *rd column. 0or regular verbs, 9ust add >ed?.
(xce#tions in S#elling "hen Adding +ed,
/xceptions in spelling !hen adding ed /xample
after a final e only add d love @ loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vo!el
or l as final consonant after a vo!el is doubled
admit @ admitted
travel @ travelled
final y after a consonant becomes i hurry @ hurried
-se of $resent $erfect
puts emphasis on the result
/xample: She has written five letters.
action that is still going on
/xample: School has not started yet.
action that stopped recently
/xample: She has cooked dinner.
finished action that has an influence on the present
/xample: I have lost my key.
action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking
/xample: I have never been to ,ustralia.
Signal &ords of $resent $erfect
already, ever, 9ust, never, not yet, so far, till no!, up to no!
$resent $erfect $rogressive
&resent &erfect 'ontinuous
The present perfect progressive expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts emphasis on the duration or course of the
action.
*orm of $resent $erfect $rogressive
4ositive (egative <uestion
' 4 ou 4 "e 4 the I have been speaking. I have not been speaking. 'ave I been speaking&
he 4 she 4 it 'e has been speaking. 'e has not been speaking. 'as he been speaking&
(xce#tions in S#elling
/xceptions in spelling !hen adding ing /xample
final e is dropped
(but: ee is not changed
come @ coming
(but: agree @ agreeing
after a short, stressed vo!el, the final consonant is doubled sit @ sitting
l as final consonant after a vo!el is doubled (in +ritish /nglish travel @ travelling
final ie becomes y lie @ ling
-se of $resent $erfect $rogressive
puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result
/xample: She has been writing for t!o hours.
action that recently stopped or is still going on
/xample: I have been living here since =CCB.
finished action that influenced the present
/xample: I have been working all afternoon.
Signal &ords of $resent $erfect $rogressive
all day, for H years, since B11*, ho! long&, the !hole !eek
$ast $erfect Sim#le
The past perfect simple expresses an action taking place before a certain time in the past.
*orm of $ast $erfect Sim#le
4ositive (egative <uestion
no differences I had spoken. I had not spoken. 'ad I spoken&
0or irregular verbs, use the past participle form (see list of irregular verbs, *rd column. 0or regular verbs, 9ust add ed.
(xce#tions in S#elling "hen Adding ed
/xceptions in Spelling !hen ,dding ed /xample
after final e, only add d love @ loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vo!el
or l as final consonant after a vo!el is doubled
admit @ admitted
travel @ travelled
final y after a consonant becomes i hurry @ hurried
-se of $ast $erfect
action taking place before a certain time in the past
(putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration
/xample: +efore I came here, I had spoken to 8ack.
.onditional Sentences Type III (condition that !as not given in the past
/xample: If I had seen him, I !ould have talked to him.
Signal &ords
already, 9ust, never, not yet, once, until that day (!ith reference to the past, not the present
If-Sat3 Typ III (If I had talked, A
$ast $erfect $rogressive ($ast $erfect 3ontinuous)
The past perfect progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the past.
*orm
,: 'e had been talking.
(: 'e had not been talking.
<: 'ad he been talking&
-se
action taking place before a certain time in the past
sometimes interchangeable !ith past perfect simple
puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action
signal "ords
for, since, the !hole day, all day
*uture ' Sim#le will
$ill future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption !ith regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced.
*orm of will *uture
positive negative #uestion
no differences I !ill speak. I !ill not speak. 2ill I speak&
-se of will *uture
a spontaneous decision
example: 2ait, I !ill help you.
an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future
example: 'e !ill probably come back tomorro!.
a promise
example: I !ill not !atch TD tonight.
an action in the future that cannot be influenced
example: It !ill rain tomorro!.
conditional clauses type I
example: If I arrive late, I !ill call you.
Signal &ords
in a year, next A, tomorro!
Dermutung: I think, probably, perhaps
*uture ' Sim#le going to
(oing to future expresses a conclusion regarding the immediate future or an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared.
*orm of going to *uture
positive negative #uestion
' I am going to speak. I am not going to speak. ,m I going to speak&
ou 4 "e 4 the 5ou are going to speak. 5ou are not going to speak. ,re you going to speak&
he 4 she 4 it 'e is going to speak. 'e is not going to speak. Is he going to speak&
-se of going to *uture
an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared
example: I am going to study harder next year.
a conclusion regarding the immediate future
example: The sky is absolutely dark. It is going to rain.
Signal &ords
in one year, next !eek, tomorro!
*uture ' $rogressive (*uture ' 3ontinuous)
0uture I progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action taking place in the future.
*orm
,: 'e !ill be talking.
(: 'e !ill not be talking.
<: 2ill he be talking&
-se
action that is going on at a certain time in the future
action that is sure to happen in the near future
Signal &ords
in one year, next !eek, tomorro!
*uture '' Sim#le
0uture II Simple expresses an action that !ill be finished at a certain time in the future.
*orm
,: 'e !ill have talked.
(: 'e !ill not have talked.
<: 2ill he have talked&
-se
action that !ill be finished at a certain time in the future
Signal &ords
by 6onday, in a !eek
*uture '' $rogressive (*uture '' 3ontinuous)
0uture II progressive puts emphasis on the course $ duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the future. It can also be used to
express an assumption regarding a future action.
0uture II progressive is not used very often as it can usually be replaced by future II simple.
*orm
,: 'e !ill have been talking.
(: 'e !ill not have been talking.
<: 2ill he have been talking&
-se
action taking place before a certain time in the future
puts emphasis on the course of an action
Signal &ords
for A, the last couple of hours, all day long