GOLD C1 – Unit 4 – Grammar

Present tenses
Look at the examples and match them to the correct uses
1) Present simple
1. They normally talk on the phone every day.
2. The scientist disputes the claim that his
experiment was fixed.
3. So she walks into the room and demands to see
the lawyer.
4. Thief robs bank and gets away on motorbike.
5. When babies start to discover the world, they
find it harder to sleep at night.
6. The train leaves at 4 p.m.

a. To refer to written or spoken attitude or purpose.

b. For dramatic effect when talking about a series of events in the past
c. For regular, habitual actions and facts
d. For newspaper headlines or commentaries
e. For scheduled future events
f. To describe two trends together or the natural order of events

2) Present continuous
1. Sea levels are rising.
2. The committee are arguing with the council
about the new plans to build on the parkland.
3. I’m living at my mum’s for the next few months.

4. She’s always borrowing my stuff without

asking!
5. I’m imagining the situation at work could get
worse if you don’t leave now.
6. They are getting married on the 6th June.

a. For actions in progress now or ones that are developing

b. For a temporary action
c. For future arrangements and fixed plan
d. With always for a habit that is irritating or viewed negatively
e. For an action in progress, but not necessarily at this moment
f. Colloquially, with a state verb
 3) Present perfect continuous and Present perfect

present perfect simple

uses examples

Terry’s seen the Eiffel Tower before.

You’ve had your hair cut. Looks great!

They’ve phoned me this morning.

We’ve known each other for six years.

Jim has just got back.

present perfect continuous

uses examples

I’ve been working at IBM since 2006.

I’m filthy! I’ve been gardening all

afternoon.

a. For an action or repeated actions at an unspecified past time

b. With adverbs, like ever, never, yet, already, just
c. Actions starting in the past, recently finished. The sentence focuses on the action
itself.
d. For a time period that is still continuing
e. A state starting in the past & continuing to now.
f. A past action with a present consequence. The sentence focuses on the result.
g. An action starting in the past that is still continuing