reduce the number that we have to focus on
SIMPLE PRESENT
Very important. Use every day.
habit, happens all the time, routine, regular, truth, fact
"She drinks half-caff latte with vanilla and goat milk." routine, habit
"I live in South Van." fact, truth
"The sun rises in the morning."
"Don't worry. The sun will rise tomorrow."
"Maria likes maple walnut ice cream."
"Joan is lactose intolerant. She has Rice Dream instead."
SIMPLE PAST
Very important
one event in the past, finished in the past
"Joan watched a movie last night on Netflix."
"I drove to Surrey yesterday afternoon to pick up some motorcycle parts."
"I was drive to Surrey yesterday..." vf
SIMPLE FUTURE
very important
one event in the future
"will"
"am going to"
"will" modal, modal auxiliary
will + simple form, infinitive - "to"
will +
I will go.
You will go.
Your grandmother will go.
"I'm gonna go to the party." CASUAL, SPOKEN, NOT FOR FORMAL, ACADEMIC WRITING
SIMPLE PRESENT
I go home at 5.
You go.
Your grandmother goes to the supermarket.
CHECK MARK!!
PROGRESSIVE/ CONTINUOUS
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
am going
are watching
is driving
"ing" - action right now, sounds active, lively
"The dog is barking."
"The dogs are barking."
"The dog barking." COMMON ERROR
"The dogs is be barking." XXX
PAST PROGRESSIVE
action in the past
"She was watching a movie on Netflix last night when there was a fight outside her apartment."
FOCUS ON ACTION
"She watched a movie on Netflix last night." STATEMENT OF FACT, LESS ENERGY
"Jack made supper last night."
"Jack was playing the piano for his children."
THE ACTION IS IMPORTANT
"I'm loving it." MORE ENERGETIC
"I love it." CALMER
What's the difference?
"I will be watching a movie tonight."
"She will be flying to New York tomorrow night."
"Joan will be getting married next July."
ADVICE: "If the action is worth focussing on, use future progressive."
PRESENT PERFECT
Really important, confusing
started in the past, continues until now, not over
"Jen has lived in Vancouver for six years."
"Fred has studied Aikido for ten years."
for ten years - span of time
"Fred has studied Aikido since 2008."
since 2008 - start time
"Fred has studied Aikido since ten years." XXX
"I have learned English since I came to Canada in 2009."
PAST PERFECT
English speakers don't use it normally.
"She had lived in Manila for five years."
Use simple past- put a time indicator
"She lived in Manila for five years."
"She lived in Manila from 1995-2000."
FUTURE PERFECT
Forget it! Not used.
"She will have finished her work by 7 o'clock."
Use simple future. Put a time indicator.
"She will finish her work by 7 o'clock."
"She is going to finish her work by 7 o'clock."
"I will finish making supper by the time you get home." AUTHENTIC, REAL ENGLISH
"I will have finished making supper by the time you get home." XXX TOO MUCH VERB
PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
"Sarah has been living in Vancouver for two months."
"It has been raining for two days."
"It has been raining since Tuesday."
"Sarah has been living in Vancouver for two months."
FOCUS ON THE ACTION
"Sarah has lived in Vancouver for two months."
What's the difference?"She has been studying German for a month."
MORE ENERGY
"She has studied German for a month."
CALMER
"I have been asking you for two days to clean up your room." FOCUS ON VERB
"You have been travelling all over / around the world."
"Joan and Micheal have been planning their wedding for the last six months."
"Joan and Micheal have been planning their wedding for six months."
"I have been eating lunch at 12 o'clock." STRANGE
"She has been washing her hands before she cooks supper." STRANGE
"She has been washing her hands 50 times a day."
PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
NEVER!
Use past progressive instead
"Maria had been driving to Vancouver from Whistler three times a week."
"Maria was driving to Vancouver from Whistler three times a week." MORE AUTHENTIC
FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
"Joan will have been working at the company for 30 years by the time she retires in 2022."
Use future continuous instead.
"Joan will be working at the company for 30 years by the time she retires in 2022." OK
MOST IMPORTANT/MOST USEFUL
SIMPLE PRESENT
SIMPLE PAST
SIMPLE FUTURE
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
PRESENT PERFECT
PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
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