English Verb Tenses and Grammatical Structures Reference

Present Simple Tense

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: They play tennis every day.
• Negative: We don't enjoy classical music.
• Interrogative: Does he often chat on the Internet?

Time Expressions and Adverbs

• Time Expressions: Every day, at the weekend, once a week, on Sundays.
• Adverbs of Frequency: Always, often, sometimes, never, usually.

Present Continuous Tense

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: They are listening to music now.
• Negative: I'm not studying at the moment.
• Interrogative: Are they chatting on the Internet now?

Time Expressions

• Now, right now, at the moment.

The Structure "Used To"

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: I used to live in London.
• Negative: She didn't use to be thin.
• Interrogative: Did you use to go to this school?

Past Simple Tense

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: He performed in the concert.
• Negative: We didn't perform in the concert.
• Interrogative: Did you perform in the concert?

Past Continuous Tense

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: He was standing near the building.
• Negative: I wasn't standing near the building.
• Interrogative: Were you standing near the building?

Question Types

Subject Questions

Example: Who was on the programme? Chris was on the programme.

Object Questions

Example: Who did he try to convince? He tried to convince the judges.

Present Perfect Simple Tense

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: I have worked.
• Negative: You haven't worked.
• Interrogative: Has he worked?

Time Expressions

Ever, just, already, never, yet, for, and since.

Irregular Verbs (Past Participle Examples)

• Ride → Ridden
• See → Seen

Future Tense: Will

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: I will try later.
• Negative: You won't like it.
• Interrogative: Will they go next week?

Future Tense: Be Going To

Forms and Structure

• Affirmative: I am going to play tennis tomorrow.
• Negative: She isn't going to sing soon.
• Interrogative: Are we going to help him?

Time Expressions for Will and Be Going To

Tomorrow, soon, in a week/month, later, one day, next week/year.

Present Continuous for Future Meaning

• Affirmative: I am starting a diet tomorrow.
• Negative: He isn't watching a film later.
• Interrogative: Are you flying to London on Tuesday?

Conditional Structures

First Conditional

• If you take a photograph, you will see the mirage.
• He won't be a good magician unless he practices.
• What will they do if they forget the camera?

Second Conditional

• If you saw the mirage, you would understand.
• He wouldn't be famous if he didn't do good tricks.
• If you wanted a camera, where would you buy one?

Conditional Reminder

Remember: Unless means If not.

Modal Verbs

Possibility and Probability

We use may, might, and could to show possibility or probability.

• He may arrive tomorrow.
• This might be one of Escher's paintings.
• He could win the contest.

Other Key Modals

Remember:

• Ability: Can (poder), Could (podría)
• Obligation: Must (deber), Have to (tener)
• Prohibition: Mustn't
• Advice: Should (debería)