Lecture Noes, June 30

The Simple Tenses

SIMPLE PRESENT – Use mainly to state facts or opinions and talk about how frequently something happens (habits).

1. California is a beautiful state.

2. Jim never has a second cup of coffee at home.

3. People always take too long at the ATM machine.

4. He sometimes rides the bus to school.

Examples:

SIMPLE PAST – Use this tense to talk about a specific event in the past, to tell a story, or to talk about how something used to be. (completed action in the past!)

1. Last night, Alice watched an episode of The O.C.

2. First, we went to the store. Then, we bought roast beef. Finally, we made chili.

3. Jim was a good man. He never talked bad about anyone behind his back. He always looked on the bright side of life. I sure liked Jim.

Examples:

“You’re Looking Tense” Part 1

SIMPLE FUTURE – Use this to talk about what will happen in the future. (use will or be + going to + verb)

1. I will take a test tomorrow.

2. They are going to drive to Los Angeles next week.

4. The President is going to speak tomorrow.

3. Vivian will be the next American Idol.

Examples:

**notice that when you use will + a verb, the verb is always in simple form, so it does not take an –s or an –ed or an –ing or any other ending you can think of!

PROGRESSIVE TENSES

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE – Use present progressive to talk about what is happening right now. (use be + -ing. Make sure be agrees with the subject.)

1. Right now, you are reading this sentence.

2. Now, you are thinking about cheese.

3. I am writing this sentence.

Examples:

PAST PROGRESSIVE – Use past progressive to talk about what was happening at some point in the past.

1. Jake was walking along, minding his own business, when a crazy squirrel jumped out of a tree and landed on his face.

2. Stan was yelling at Cartman when Kenny suddenly died.

3. Mehdi, Olivia, and Le were floating in Sam’s pool one lazy afternoon.

Examples:

YOU’RE LOOKING RATHER TENSE, PART 2

( and being TENSE can lead to STRESS)

PRESENT PERFECT have or has + past participle (-ed, -en)

USE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS IN THE PAST, BUT NOT SPECIFIC INCIDENTS

Just to say something happened, or never happened, without reference to when:

1. Sam has been to Florida.

2. Ami and Stella have gone to the beach.

To talk about repetition of an activity, or how many times it has happened:

1. Monica has seen The Notebook three times because she likes it so much.

2. Michelle has acted in many plays.

To talk about a situation that began in the past and continues (with for or since)

1. Dat has been alive for eighteen years.

2. Since she was very young, April has loved movies about gladiators.

PAST PERFECT had + past participle

THE PAST PERFECT EXPRESSES AN ACTIVITY THAT WAS COMPLETED BEFORE ANOTHER ACTIVITY OR TIME IN THE PAST

1. Everyone had left by the time Abdu arrived.

2. Until I began junior high, I had been a straight-A student.

3. I had been happy for ten years straight, but then I had a bad day and I’ve been grouchy ever since.