ENGLISH 1: ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION
THE PRESENT TENSES:
THE SIMPLE PRESENT:
We use the simple present for…
- truths/facts
- repeated actions of thins that happen all the time
- sequence of events (= een opeenvolging van gebeurtenissen)
- instructions
- (sudden) events (= (plotse) gebeurtenissen)
Ex: No thanks, I don’t smoke.
We use some expressions:
- temporary
- habit
- just around now
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS:
We use the present continuous for…
- action going on right now
- action going on around now
- gradual developments (= geleidelijke ontwikkelingen)
- irritation with ‘always’
- background
Ex: She’s working at the moment.
Ex: She is always nagging about her husband. (irritation with ‘always’)
Ex: The climate is getting warmer. (gradual development)
Ex: The lecturer is explaining an exercise when a student walks in. (background)
Subject Auxiliary verb (= to be) Main verb (present
participle)
I Am Reading
You Are Reading
He/she Is Reading
We Are Reading
You (plural) Are Reading
They Are Reading
We use some expressions:
- always
- usually
- just at this moment
- these days but not for very long
! Non-continuous verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses
Abstract verbs: to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to contain, to exist,…
Possession verbs: to possess, to own, to belong,…
Emotion verbs: to like, to dislike, to love, to hate, to fear,…
, Ex: He is wanting a drink now. > He wants a drink now.
Ex: I’m hating being late. > I hate being late.
! Some verbs have more than one meaning
To have:
- I have a dollar now. (= I possess a dollar – non continuous)
- I am having fun now. (= I’m experiencing fun – continuous)
To see:
- I see her. (= I see her with my eyes – non continuous)
- I am seeing the doctor (= to visit, to consult – continuous)
- I am seeing her (= I am having a relationship with her – continuous)
To think:
- He thinks the test is easy (= He believes the test is easy – non continuous)
- She is thinking of giving up her job. (= She is considering it – continuous)
THE PAST TENSES:
THE SIMPLE PAST:
We use the simple past for…
- completed actions in the past
- sudden, complete actions (in background)
- longer, permanent situations (in the past)
- past habits
Ex: Jack came in this morning.
Ex: I played a lot of tennis when I was younger.
THE PAST CONTINUOUS:
We use the past continuous for…
- ongoing actions in the past
- background, longer actions
- temporary situations (in the past)
Ex: They were talking about babies.
Subject Auxiliary verb (= to be) Main verb (present
participle)
I Was Reading
You Were Reading
He/she Was Reading
We Were Reading
You (plural) Were Reading
They Were Reading
QUESTIONS/NEGATION:
QUESTIONS:
When asking a question, we put the subject after the first verb. We use also a form of ‘to
do’ as an auxiliary verb to pose the question.
THE PRESENT TENSES:
THE SIMPLE PRESENT:
We use the simple present for…
- truths/facts
- repeated actions of thins that happen all the time
- sequence of events (= een opeenvolging van gebeurtenissen)
- instructions
- (sudden) events (= (plotse) gebeurtenissen)
Ex: No thanks, I don’t smoke.
We use some expressions:
- temporary
- habit
- just around now
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS:
We use the present continuous for…
- action going on right now
- action going on around now
- gradual developments (= geleidelijke ontwikkelingen)
- irritation with ‘always’
- background
Ex: She’s working at the moment.
Ex: She is always nagging about her husband. (irritation with ‘always’)
Ex: The climate is getting warmer. (gradual development)
Ex: The lecturer is explaining an exercise when a student walks in. (background)
Subject Auxiliary verb (= to be) Main verb (present
participle)
I Am Reading
You Are Reading
He/she Is Reading
We Are Reading
You (plural) Are Reading
They Are Reading
We use some expressions:
- always
- usually
- just at this moment
- these days but not for very long
! Non-continuous verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses
Abstract verbs: to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to contain, to exist,…
Possession verbs: to possess, to own, to belong,…
Emotion verbs: to like, to dislike, to love, to hate, to fear,…
, Ex: He is wanting a drink now. > He wants a drink now.
Ex: I’m hating being late. > I hate being late.
! Some verbs have more than one meaning
To have:
- I have a dollar now. (= I possess a dollar – non continuous)
- I am having fun now. (= I’m experiencing fun – continuous)
To see:
- I see her. (= I see her with my eyes – non continuous)
- I am seeing the doctor (= to visit, to consult – continuous)
- I am seeing her (= I am having a relationship with her – continuous)
To think:
- He thinks the test is easy (= He believes the test is easy – non continuous)
- She is thinking of giving up her job. (= She is considering it – continuous)
THE PAST TENSES:
THE SIMPLE PAST:
We use the simple past for…
- completed actions in the past
- sudden, complete actions (in background)
- longer, permanent situations (in the past)
- past habits
Ex: Jack came in this morning.
Ex: I played a lot of tennis when I was younger.
THE PAST CONTINUOUS:
We use the past continuous for…
- ongoing actions in the past
- background, longer actions
- temporary situations (in the past)
Ex: They were talking about babies.
Subject Auxiliary verb (= to be) Main verb (present
participle)
I Was Reading
You Were Reading
He/she Was Reading
We Were Reading
You (plural) Were Reading
They Were Reading
QUESTIONS/NEGATION:
QUESTIONS:
When asking a question, we put the subject after the first verb. We use also a form of ‘to
do’ as an auxiliary verb to pose the question.
