English Verb Tenses and Core Vocabulary Reference

English Verb Tenses

Present Simple

• Positive (+): you work / he works
• Negative (-): you don't work / he doesn't work
• Interrogative (?): do you work / does he work

Usage:

• Routines, general facts, schedules, and programs.

Present Continuous

• Positive (+): you are singing / I am singing / he is singing
• Negative (-): you aren't singing / I'm not singing / he isn't singing
• Interrogative (?): are you singing / am I singing / is he singing

Usage:

• Actions happening at the moment of speaking.
• Plans for the near future.
• Actions occurring in a broader present.

Past Simple

• Positive (+): you finished (all forms)
• Negative (-): you didn't finish
• Interrogative (?): did you finish

Usage:

• Finished actions that occurred in the past.
• Descriptions of how things were in the past.

Past Continuous

• Positive (+): I was writing / you were writing / he was writing
• Negative (-): I wasn't writing / you weren't writing / he wasn't writing
• Interrogative (?): was I writing / were you writing / was he writing

Usage:

• What was happening at a specific moment.
• A long action that was in progress when a short one began.
• Several actions occurring simultaneously.

Future Simple

• Positive (+): you will start (Note: Use the base form of the verb)
• Negative (-): you won't start
• Interrogative (?): will you start

Usage:

• Predictions or future facts.
• Established schedules.
• Sudden decisions.

Be Going To

• Positive (+): I am going to buy (Note: Use the base form of the verb) / you are going to... / he is going to...
• Negative (-): I am not going to... / you aren't going to...
• Interrogative (?): am I going to... / are you going to... / is he going to...

Usage:

• Intentions or plans for the near future.
• Something that is about to happen.

Present Perfect Simple

• Positive (+): you have lived / he has lived
• Negative (-): you haven't lived / he hasn't lived
• Interrogative (?): have you lived / has he lived

Usage:

• (Usage not provided in original document)

Past Perfect

• Positive (+): you had arrived
• Negative (-): you hadn't arrived
• Interrogative (?): had you arrived

Usage:

• (Usage not provided in original document)

Essential Vocabulary

Family & Relationships

• Chore: task
• Fiancé/Fiancée: betrothed person
• Nephew: sister's or brother's son
• Niece: sister's or brother's daughter
• Peer: colleague, equal
• Sibling: brother or sister

Phrasal Verbs & Expressions

• Apply for: to make a formal request (solicitar/eskaera)
• Bring up: to raise (a child) (criar)
• Fit in: to integrate (integrarse)
• Grow apart: to become less close (distanciarse)
• Involved: to deal with, to be about (tratar sobre)
• Live up to: to meet expectations (estar a la altura)
• Look up to: to admire (admirar)
• Name after: to give someone the same name as another person (llamarse como/llevar el nombre de)
• Provide: to supply (proveer)
• Reject: to refuse to accept (rechazar)
• Side with: to support one person or group against another (tomar partido)
• Stand out: to be easily noticeable (destacar)
• Stay away: to keep a distance (mantenerse alejado)
• Take after: to resemble (parecerse)
• Tease: to make fun of (molestar/bromear)

Adjectives & Descriptors

• Alike: similar, identical (igual/idéntico)
• Aware of: conscious of (consciente de)
• Easy-going: relaxed, tolerant (abierto/relajado)
• Likely: probable
• Spoilt: pampered, overindulged (mimado/consentido)
• Strict: estricto

"Name" Related Terms

• Nickname: an informal name given to a person or thing.
• Maiden name: a woman's surname before marriage.
• A big name: a famous or influential person.
• Call someone names: to insult someone.
• Have a bad name: to have a bad reputation.

"Behave" Related Terms

• Behave: to act in a particular way.
• Behaviour: the way someone acts.
• Well-behaved: acting in a polite or proper way.
• Misbehave: to behave badly.
• Behave yourself: to act in a proper way (often an instruction).