Verbs and modals verbs

WHAT ARE VERBS TENSES?

Verb tenses are tools that English speakers use to express time in their language.

Verbs indicate a point in time or period of time in the past , present, or future.

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE The simple present is used to describe an action, an event, or condition that is occurring in the present, at the moment of speaking or writing. A present state of affairs, example: My sister lives in Washington. A general fact, example: The sun rises in the east. Habitual actions. I listen to the radio in the mornings. Future timetables, example: My flight leaves at 10:00.

STRUCTURES FOR SIMPLE PRESENT POSITIVE SENTENCES:

S + VERB BUT IN 3ER PERSON ADD «S» + C. I LIKE/SHE LIKES THIS MOVIE.

NEGATIVE SENTENCES:

S + DO/DOES N`T VERB + C. I DON`T/SHE DOESN`T LIKE THIS MOVIE.

QUESTION FORM:

DO/DOES OR WH QUESTION+ C? SHORT: DO YOU/DOES SHE LIKE THIS MOVIE?

OR LONG: WHAT MOVIE DO YOU/DOES SHE LIKE?

WHAT IS A PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE? the present progressive emphasizes the continuing nature of an act, event, or condition. Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the present progressive tense. A specific action that is occurring, example: Andrew is watching TV (right now). A general activity that takes place over a period of time

example: My sister is living in Washington. Future arrangements, example: I’m inviting Emma to the party on Friday.

STRUCTURE FOR PRESENT PROGRESSIVE OR CONTINUOUS

WHAT IS A SIMPLE PAST TENSE? Use a simple past when:

An action that began and ended at a particular time in the past example:

The mail came early this morning.

An action that ocurred over a period of time but was completed in the past example:

Dad worked in advertising for ten years.

An activity that took place regularly in the past example:

We jogged every morning before class.

STRUCTURE FOR SIMPLE PAST

YOU CAN USE THIS VERBS:

WHAT IS A PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE? Use the past continuous or past progressive when:

Interrupted actions for example:

I was sewing when the telephone rang. While i was sewing, the telephone rang.

A continuous state or repeated action in the past example:

She was looking very ill. I was meeting lots of people at that time.

Events planned in the past example:

Nancy was leaving for chicago but had to make a last-minute connection.

STRUCTURE FOR PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

WHAT IS SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE? We use the simple future tense when: (going to) expressing a future intent based on a decision made in the past. Example: Jim is going to bring his sister tonight. Predicting an event that is likely to happen in the future example: you’re going to pass the test. Don`t worry. Predicting an event that is likely to happen based on the present conditions example: I don’t feel well . I’m going to faint. (will) making a decision at time of speaking. Example: I’ll call you after lunch. Predicting an event that is likely to happen in the future. Example: you will pass the

test don’t worry. Indicating willingness to do something. Example: If i don’t feel better soon, i will go to the doctor.

STRUCTURE FOR SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE. ALSO YOU CAN USE WITH GOING TO:

WHAT IS FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE? Is when you use:

An action that will be ongoing at a particular time in the future. Example:

At noon tomorrow. I’ll be taking the children to their piano lessons.

Future actions which have already been decided. Example:

I’ll be wearing my black evening dress to the dinner.

STRUCTURE FOR FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE.

WHAT IS PRESENT PERFECT TENSE? An actions that happened at an unspecified time. Example: she has never

climbed a mountain.

An action that has recently occurred. Example: He’s just gone to sleep. An action that began in the past and continues up to the present (often

used with «for» or «since») example: Jacky has lived in maine all her life. I’ve been here since Monday. He’s known her for two weeks. An action happened repeatedly that happened repeatedly before now. We have flown across the pacific four times. I’ve failed my driver’s test twice.

WHAT IS A PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS? We use the present perfect continuous tense when:

An action that began in the past and has just recently ended. Example: Have you been raking the lawn? There’s grass all over your pant legs.

An action that began in the past and continues in the present. Example: laura has been studying for two hours.

An action repeated over a period of time in the past and continuing in the present . Example: simon has been smoking since he was thirteen.

A general action recently in progress (no particular time is mentioned). Example: I`ve been thinking about going to college next year.

WHAT IS A PAST PERFECT TENSE?

We use the past perfect tense when:

A past action occurred before another past action. Example:

Tom has left hours before we got there.

An action that was expected to occur in the past. Example:

I had hoped to know about the job before now.

WHAT IS A PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE? We use the past perfect continuous tense when:

An action that occurred before another past action. Example:

They have been playing tennis before the storm broke. His eyes hurt because he had been reading for eight hours.

An action that was expected to occur in the past. Example:

I had been expecting his change in attitude.

WHAT IS A FUTURE PERFECT TENSE? We use the future perfect tense when:

An action that will be completed before a particular time in the future. Example:

By next July, my parents will have been married for fifty years.

WHAT IS A FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE? We use the future perfect continuous tense when:

Emphasizing the lenght of time that has occurred before a specific time in the future. Example:

By May, my father will have been working at the same job for thirty years.

WHAT IS A MODALS VERBS? We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests and offers, and so on.

The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, shall, should, will and would. This are the most common.

EXAMPLES AND HOW TO USE THE MODALS VERBS: Probability: First, we can be used when we want to say how sure we are

that something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.

example:

It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.

I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.

This bill can't be right. $20 for two cups of coffee!

Ability: We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.

example:

She can speak six languages.

My grandfather could play golf very well.

I can't drive.

Obligation and Advice: We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.

example:

Children must do their homework.

We have to wear a uniform at work.

You should stop smoking.

Permission: We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.

example:

Could I leave early today, please?

You may not use the car tonight.

Can we swim in the lake?

Habits: We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past.

example:

When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat.

John will always be late!

OTHER EXAMPLES WITH MORE MODALS VERBS: