English Verb Tenses and Grammar Rules

Present Continuous (be + verb + ing): For things that are happening at this moment. I'm working/you're working/he's working/are you working? (live-living, run-running, study-studying). Past Simple: To talk about finished actions in the past. Regular: I stayed with my friends. I didn't stay in a hotel. Where did you stay? Irregular: We went to Brazil on holiday. We didn't go to Rio Janeiro. (study-studied, say-said, work-worked, stop-stopped)Past Continuous (was were): To describe an action in the past. He was working. They were working. Wasn't/Weren't he working? Be Going To: To talk about future plans or intentions. He isn't going to work for an NGO. I'm going to work. We aren't going to work. Are you going to work for an NGO? Present Continuous (Future Arrangements): For future arrangements- I'm seeing a friend tonight. She is arriving at lunchtime. What are you doing this evening? Present Perfect: To talk about the recent past, not saying exactly when things happened- I have (I've) finished the exercise. He has finished the exercise. Have you finished the exercise? Present Perfect vs Present Simple: Conversations often begin in the present perfect and then change to the past simple to ask for or give specific details Comparative: To compare two people, places, things, or actions. My brother is older than me. It's more dangerous to cycle than to drive. Good: better/bad: worse/far: further/stressed: more stressed/tired: more tired) (adverbs: quickly: more quickly/slowly: more slowly/hard: harder/well: better/badly: worse)(big: bigger, short: shorter/busy: busier) Superlatives: To say which is the biggest in a group. It's the dirtiest city in Europe. It's the most popular holiday destination in the world. Have To- To talk about rules and obligations Don't Have To- To say that there is no obligation Must- To talk about rules and obligations Mustn't- To say something is prohibited. I have to get up at seven every day. He doesn't have to work on Saturdays. You must do your homework tonight. I mustn't forget to call her tonight. Should Shouldn't to say that you should do. He shouldn't work so hard. First Conditional: To talk about possible situations and will/won't+ verb to talk about the consequence. If I miss the last bus, I'll get a taxi. Second Conditional: Use if+past to talk about an imaginary future situation and would/wouldn't+verb to talk for the consequence. If a bull attacked me, I'd run away. If youdidn't go to bed so late, you wouldn't be so tired in the morning. Passive Voice: Present- am/is/are+past participle (the window are cleaned) Future- will be+past part. (the window will be cleaned) Present Perfect- have been/has been+past participle( the window have been cleaned) Past- was/were+past part. (the classroom was cleaned).