What is a Tenses???
It is a
grammatical category that helps locate a situation in time. The tenses can be
present, past or future. In the English language, tenses are especially
important, because they also tell us about the aspect of the main verb.
Consider these two sentences:
·
I play football (Aspect:
not progressive, imperfect)
·
I have been playing football (Aspect:
progressive, perfect)
In other opinion Tenses is...
"Some
grammarians define a tense as an inflection of the verb--a change of
meaning you achieve by altering the form of the verb. So the past tense
of win is won. In this sense, English has only two tenses,
present and past. But for everyday use--especially for those who are studying
foreign languages--this strict definition of tense is not very helpful. There
is a broader use of the word [tense]: a form of the verb phrase which gives information
about aspect and time."
(John Seely, Grammar for Teachers.
Oxpecker, 2007)
Kind of tenses
Simple
present
- · John lives in New
York.
- ·
We play football
every day.
- ·
You are really
kind.
- ·
The meeting starts at
3 PM.
The Present Simple is the most basic tense
in the English language. There are 7 uses of the tense.
Use
USE 1:
Facts, Generalizations and Univeral Truths
We use the Present Simple to talk about universal
truths (for example, laws of nature) or things we believe are, or are not,
true. It's also used to generalize about something or somebody.
- ·
Water boils at
100 degrees Celcius. Universal Truths
- ·
It is a big
house. Facts
- ·
The Earth goes around
the Sun. Universal Truths, Facts
- ·
Dogs are better
than cats. Generalization
- ·
Berlin is the
capital city of Germany. Facts
USE 2:
Habits and Routines
We also used this tense to describe actions that
happen frequently. For example: habits, routines, tendencies.
- ·
We leave for work
at 7:30 AM every morning. Routine
- ·
My husband watches the
TV in the evening. Habit, Routine
- ·
Susan often meets with
her friends after school. Habit, Routine
- ·
They usually play football
on Sunday. Habit, Routine
- ·
Mark rarely visits his
sick grandmother. Tendency
USE 3:
Pernament Situations
Use the Present Simple to talk about situations in
life that last a relatively long time.
- ·
I live in Boston
- ·
He works as a
fireman.
- ·
Margaret drives a
Volkswagen.
- ·
Jerry doesn't teach maths
at highschool.
USE 4:
Events Certain to Happen
Use the Present Simple when an event is certain to
happen in the future.
- ·
My grandmother turns 100
this July.
- ·
Winter starts on
21 December
USE 5:
State Verbs
You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.
- ·
I like swimming.
- ·
We know this man.
USE 6:
Future Arrangements
Use the Present Simple to talk about events that we
can't change (for example, an official meeting or a train departure).
- ·
The meeting starts at
4 PM.
- ·
The train leaves at
the noon.
- ·
When does the
plane take off?
- ·
Jerry doesn't teach maths
at high school
USE 7:
Narrations, Instructions or commentaries
The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g.
to tell a story or a joke), instructions (e.g. cooking) or commentaries
(especially sport commentaries).
- ·
"A man goes to
visit a friend and is amazed to find him playing chess with his dog.
He watches the game in astonishment for a while [...]"
Form
Forming a
sentence in the Present Simple is easy. To form a declarative sentence, all you
need is the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog)
and the verb (e.g. be, talk, swim). Questions and negative
sentences are only a little more difficult, because they require an auxiliary
verb.
Compare these examples:
·
Person
A: Does she like going to the mountains?
Person B: Yes, she
does.
·
Person
A: Does John have a dog?
Person B: No, he
doesn't.
Present
continuous tenses
Quick Examples :
- ·
He is sleeping.
- ·
I am visiting grandpa in the
afternoon.
- ·
You are always coming late for
the meetings!
The Present Continuous is mainly used to
express the idea that something is happening at the moment of speaking. The
Present Continuous also describes activities generally in progress
(not at the moment). Another use of the tense is to talk about temporary
actions or future plans.
Use
Examples
- He is eating a dinner.
- Mary is talking with her friends.
- They are swimming in the pool.
- They are working hard to earn money.
- I am training to become a professional
footballer
Quick Examples
:
- · I have read this book.
- ·
The man has gone away.
- ·
John has worked as a teacher
for over 25 years.
- ·
I have already had a
breakfast.
- ·
He has been to England.
The Present Perfect is
used to express actions that happened at an indefinite time or that
began in the past and continue in the present. This tense is also used
when an activity has an effect on the present moment.
Present
perfect continuous
Quick Examples
- ·
I have been working as a
teacher for 30 years.
- ·
What have you been doing?
The Present Perfect Continuous has a long
and scary name. But don’t worry! Read on to learn how to use it.
Use
Examples:
- ·
He has been painting the house
for 5 hours. He's still painting it
- ·
I have been working as a fireman
since 1973. I still work as a fireman
- ·
I have been waiting for you for
half an hour! I'm not waiting anymore because you have come
- ·
Look at her eyes! I'm sure she has
been crying. She stopped crying when she saw them
- ·
She has never seen my brother.
