Verb Tenses

Present Time

1. Simple Present

• The SIMPLE PRESENT expresses daily habits or usual activities.

• The SIMPLE PRESENT expresses general statements or fact.

• In sum, the simple present is used for events or situations that exist always, usually, or habitually in the past, present, and future.

Examples

Ann takes a shower every day.

I usually read the newspaper in the morning.

Babies cry. Birds fly.

2. Present Progressive

• The PRESENT PROGRESSIVE expresses an activity that is in progress (is occurring, is happening) right now. The event is in progress at the time the speaker is saying the sentence. The event began in the past, is in progress now, and will probably continue into the future. FORM: am, is, are + -ing

Examples

Ann can’t come to the phone right now because she is taking a shower.

I am reading my grammar book right now.

Past Time

1. Simple Past

• The SIMPLE PAST is used to talk about activities or situations that began and ended in the past.

Examples

Mary walked downtown yesterday.

I slept for eight hours last night.

Future Time

1. Be going to / Will

• Be going to and will are used to express future time.

Examples

We are going to be late / We will to be late.

She’s going to come tomorrow / She will come tomorrow.

Present Perfect

STATEMENT: have / has + past participle

Examples

I have finished my work.

Jim has eaten lunch.

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