PRESENT

❖ PRESENT SIMPLE
STRUCTURE: Subject + verb present
1. General truth/fact
- Water boils at 100º
2. Habitual/regular action
- I play basketball every weekend
3. Stative verbs (see below)
- I don’t understand your question
4. Future timetable/schedule
- Our train leaves at 7.15
5. Permanent situation
- Mary works in Paris
6. To tell a story, joke or describe a sports event
- I open the door, turn on the light and suddenly I see…
- He aims, throws the ball and shoots a basket

TIME EXPRESSIONS: always, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, hardly ever,
never, every week, once/twice a year, on Monday
**Adverbios de frecuencia: never, sometimes, often, usually, always

STATIVE VERBS
Stative verbs refer to the state of thing rather than an action and are not usually used in the
continuous form. These verbs express:
Senses: feel, hear, see, smell, sound, taste
Mental activities: believe, depend, doubt, expect, feel, forget, guess, imagine, know,
prefer…
Possession: belong (to), have, own, possess
Emotion: adore, desire, dislike, fear, hate, like, love, need, want, wish
Measurements: cost, equal, weigh

**Some of these verbs can be used in the continuous form but with a different meaning
I have a new phone (possession) I see why you like Susie (understand)
I’m having lunch with Wendy (eating) I am seeing John at the weekend (meeting)

I think that painting is beautiful (opinion) Annie’s roast beef smells delicious (sense)
I’m thinking of buying a tablet (considering) They’re smelling the fragrance (action)

That play looks fun (seems) That watermelon weighs 2 kilos (measure)
He is looking at the theatre poster (observing) The doctor is weighing the child (action)

This sauce tastes like lemon (sense)

She is tasting the soup (action)

My parents feel that I should go to summer school (opinion)

Are you feeling alright? You look tired (physical feeling)
 ❖ PRESENT CONTINUOUS
STRUCTURE: Subject + am/are/is + verb ing
1. Action in progress at the time of speaking
- I’m playing a computer game
2. Temporary actions or situations over a longer period
- Tony is studying medicine
3. Arrangement or plan in the future
- I’m meeting her at the theatre this evening
4. To describe an annoying habit (with always, forever, constantly)
- He is forever complaining
- Jane is always talking in class
5. ALWAYS KEEP + VERB ING (sin am/are/is)
- My dentist always keeps telling me to clean my teeth
6. Normalmente cuando hay now, se utiliza present continuous
- You can’t see Tom now. He is having a bath.

TIME EXPRESSIONS: at the moment, now, right now, today, tonight

**With a future meaning: next week, on Tuesday, soon, this week, tomorrow, tonight

❖ PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

STRUCTURE: Subject + have/has + verb past participle
1. Completed action that took place at an unspecified time in the past, but is still relevant in
the present
- I have invited Jill to the barbecue
- I have just spoken to Phil
2. Action that began in the past and continues up in the present (usually with for, since, and
stative verbs)
- I have known her since we started school
- We have lived here for five years
3. Unfinished time periods (with words like so far, today)
- I haven’t visited her today
4. Repeated actions in the past
- They have spoken to Bob several times this week
5. Used with superlatives and expressions like This is the first/second time…, This is the
best/worst…
- This is the first time I’ve met John’s cousin
- This is the best birthday I’ve ever had
6. To give information or to announce a recent event
- The mayor has announced some new taxes

TIME EXPRESSIONS: already, yet, ever, never, just, lately, recently, since, for, so far,
today, this week/month/year, How long, several times.

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Notes:
**The time expression since can be followed by a specific time or by a subject + verb in the
Past Simple
- I haven’t seen my friend since last year (desde)
- I haven’t seen my friend since I moved to Berlin (porque/desde)

**Pay attention to the difference between have/has been to and have/has gone to:
Has been to= went and came back She has been to Italy (She’s back now)
Has gone to= went and is still there She has gone to Italy (She’s still in Italy)

❖ PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

STRUCTURE: Subject + have/has + been + verb ing
1. Action that began in the past and continues up to the present (usually with for and since),
with an emphasis on duration
- I have been watching a film for two hours
- She has been living in London since she left school
2. A longer action that began in the past and has just finished, but the results are still
obvious
- He is tired because he has been studying since 10 o'clock

TIME EXPRESSIONS: all day/morning, lately, recently, since, for, How long, ever since

PASSIVE

Present Simple: am/are/is + past participle

They give scholarships to the best students>> The best students are given scholarships
Present Continuous: am/are/is + being + past participle
The dog is chasing the cat >> the cat is being chased by the dog
Present Perfect Simple: have/has + been + past participle
Someone has found my purse >> My purse has been found
Present Perfect Continuous has no passive form

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 PAST
❖ PAST SIMPLE
STRUCTURE: subject + verb past
1. Completed action that took place at a specific time in the past
- We sold our car yesterday
- I didn't play tennis last weekend
2. Sequence of actions that happened in the past, one after another
- She got up, handed in his exam and left the room
3. Past routine or habits ( similar to used to)
- When I was young, I walked to school everyday
4. To describe the main events in a story
- It was late at night. We heard the front door opening and then we saw him

TIME EXPRESSIONS: a month/year ago, last week/month, yesterday, in 2010/January,

when, the other day

❖ PAST CONTINUOUS
STRUCTURE: was/were + verb ing
1. Action in progress at a specific time in the past
- We were watching TV at nine o’clock last night
2. Two or more unfinished actions in progress at the same time in the past
- I was doing homework while Dad was watching the news
3. Unfinished action in progress (Past Continuous) interrupted by a shorter action (Past
Simple)
- She was taking a shower when the phone rang
4. To give the background information in a story
- It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining and the birds were singing

TIME EXPRESSIONS: as, while, at nine o’clock, yesterday

❖ PAST PERFECT SIMPLE

STRUCTURE: had + past participle
1. Action that took place before another action or a specific time the past
**Note: When there are two actions, the more recent action is in the Past Simple
- By the time we got to the party, the dancing had already started
- I had never been to Rome before, so I didn't know how to get around
- John had returned from his walk before I arrived

TIME EXPRESSIONS: after, already (ya), as soon as, before, by the time (para el momento/
en el moment

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 ❖ PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
STRUCTURE: had + been + verb ing
1. Action which started in the past and was still in progress when another past action started
- We had been waiting in line for half an hour when the ticket office opened
2. Continuous action that started and finished at a particular time in the past and the result
was still evident at that time
- I was tired because I had been running for an hour

TIME EXPRESSIONS: all night/week, for, since

PASSIVE
Past Simple: was/were + past participle
Past Continuous: was/were + being + past participle
Past Perfect Simple: had + been + past participle
Past Perfect Continuous has no passive form
 USED TO / WOULD
❖ USED TO
STRUCTURE: used to + verb infinitive
NEGATIVE STRUCTURE: didn’t use to + verb infinitive
never + used to
INTERROGATIVE STRUCTURE: did...use to + verb infinitive?
(OJO!! en negativo e interrogativo es use, no es used)
1. Action that happened regularly in the past but no longer happens
- My friends used to meet every day
- I didn’t use to go to the gym, but now I do
- Did you use to travel abroad?

2. Past habit, state or situation that is no longer true

(STATE: love, hate, like o también algo que llevaba (gafas, pelo largo...))

**Note: in the negative form we can use never + used to instead of did not use to
- I used to work in a office, but now I work from home
- We never used to travel abroad

NOTE: use is a regular verb. The past form is used

- I used a roller to paint my room

Common Mistakes:
Many students confuse used to do and be used to doing. This is another phrase. It means
‘be familiar with doing something’.
I am used to live near here. => I used to live near here.

be + used to + verb ing >> be familiar with doing something (acostumbrarse)

- I am used to working alone

❖ WOULD
STRUCTURE: would + verb infinitive
1. Action that happened regularly in the past (similar to used to) but no longer happens.
ONLY WHEN IS A REPEATED ACTION

**Note: would with this meaning is not usually used in negative sentences or questions or
for past state or situation
- I would often play tennis when I was young

Would CANNOT be used to talk about states. It can only be used to talk about repeated
actions.
There would be a park here. => There used to be a park here.

Write adverbs after would: I would always talk to my grandma when I had a problem.

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 FUTURE
❖ FUTURO SIMPLE: WILL
Structure: will/won’t + inf
Not sure/ predictions: una función del futuro simple es expresar una PREDICCIÓN.
Habitualmente utilizaremos palabras como think, perhaps, maybe, para este fin.
- I think we will arrive late
- If he doesn’t come tomorrow, perhaps he will come today

Immediate decision: se usa para expresar una DECISIÓN tomada en el MOMENTO.

OJO! Si traduces literalmente las frases, te pegaría más poner going to, pero no, no te guíes
por la traducción.
- If you can’t get the bus, I will take you there
- It’s hot here, I will open the window

Promise: para hacer promesas

- I will buy a present for your next birthday

Ask or offer: cuando te OFRECES para hacer algo o cuando PIDES algo, ambas de forma
educada.
- I will carry that suitcase for you
- Will you do it for me?

Information about the future: se utilizan con palabras como tomorrow, next year/month,
soon, later, in few minutes
- We will send a letter to your mother tomorrow

❖ GOING TO
Structure: am/is/are going to + verb inf
Intentions:
- I’m going to get a new car

Plans: se utiliza para hablar de planes que tomarán lugar en el futuro INMEDIATO
- Dan has broken the window, he’s going to be in trouble

Predictions (often based on evidence): hacer predicciones con evidencia

- Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain

Pre-immediate decisions: decir decisiones establecidas ya anteriormente.

- I’m going to visit my grandfather
- What are you going to do this weekend?

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 ❖ FUTURE CONTINUOUS
Structure: will + be + verb ing
Se utiliza para hablar de una acción que ESTARÁ EN PROGRESO en cierto momento del
futuro
- Tomorrow at 6 o’clock I will be working

**Se utilizan con palabras como this time next year, at this moment tomorrow

❖ FUTURE PERFECT
Structure: will/won’t + have + past participle
Acción COMPLETADA en el futuro, ya terminada.
- By tomorrow at 6 o’clock I will have done my exam

**Se utilizan con palabras como by + future date, by the time, by then

❖ PRESENT SIMPLE
Structure: sujeto + verb inf (3ª persona +S/+ES)
Scheduled events: acontecimientos PROGRAMADOS, tales como horarios de trenes,
aviones, etc, o en el calendario. Estos eventos son normalmente organizados por alguien
más, son a menudo eventos públicos y fijos.
- The train leaves at 12:30
- When does the concert begin? (utilizamos do/does al ser una pregunta. El verbo
principal va al final)
- The yoga studio opens tomorrow
- Lena has yoga class at midday next Friday
- By the time you read this letter I should be in Paris (cuidado no confundirlo con el
by+tiempofuturo del future perfect)

Después de palabras como until, when, by the time, before, as soon as, etc.

❖ PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Structure: am/are/is + verb ing
Personal arrangements or fixed plans: programado u organizado
- We are travelling to Madrid on the 22nd of June
- I’m getting a new car (se puede utilizar también going to)
- Tomorrow I’m having lunch with my mother (es un futuro próximo)
- We are having a party on Friday night (planes personales)

NO se usa para hablar de situaciones fuera del control de las personas

- (going to) It’s going to rain
- (present continuous) It’s raining

**Común con verbos de movimiento

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FUTURO SIMPLE (WILL), BE GOING TO Y PRESENT CONTINUOUS PUEDEN A MENUDO USARSE
INDISTINTAMENTE:
I will watch/ am watching/ am going to watch a film tonight

PASSIVE FUTURE
❖ SIMPLE: will/won’t + be + past participle
❖ BE GOING TO: am/is/are + going to + be + past participle
❖ PERFECT SIMPLE: will/won’t + have + been + past participle
❖ PRESENT SIMPLE: am/are/is + past participle
❖ PRESENT CONTINUOUS: am/are/is + being + past participle
 MOQ sS AfiQ SESƒ-MOQ sS
❖ CAN
1. General ability in the present or future
- I can speak Spanish
2. Informal request
- Can you visit Gran tomorrow?
3. Permission
- You can play outside till 7.30
CAN’T: impossibility or something hard to believe
- You can’t be hungry now! You have just eaten a big meal

❖ COULD
1. General ability in the past (past form of can)
- Linda could play the piano when she was six
- I couldn’t understand the lecture
2. Possibility (not certain)
- Sam is not here. He could be at school
3. Formal request
- Could I borrow your bicycle?
4. Suggestion
- You could ask Jenny to help you with your homework
COULDN’T: inability
- He couldn’t walk because he had injured his leg

❖ MAY
1. Possibility in the present or future
- I may go to the concert on Saturday
2. Formal request (with I/we)
- May I use your phone, please?
3. Formal permission
- You may leave the room when you have finished the test
4. Lack of permission (negative)
- You may not go out now. It’s late

❖ MIGHT
1. Possibility in the present or future
- I might watch a film on TV this evening
2. Negative possibility (negative)
- We might not go on the trip tomorrow
3. Past form of may
- We thought that you might join us at the pool

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 ❖ MUST
1. Strong necessity
- We must read the contract carefully
2. Obligation
- You must obey the school rules
3. Near certainty
- Lisa must be pleased with her new job (Passive)
4. Suggestion / recommendation
- You must see their new home!
MUSTN’T: prohibition
- You mustn’t drive faster than the speed limit

❖ SHOULD / OUGHT TO
1. Advice / opinion
- You look pale. You should / ought to lie down
2. Obligation
- We should / ought to visit Joe
3. Polite suggestion (with I/we)
- Should I put away the cake?
4. Prediction
- We should / ought to be there on time if we leave now

❖ NEEDN’T (NEED NOT)

1. Lack of necessity / obligation (similar to don’t / doesn’t have to)
- You needn’t make supper. I have already prepared it

❖ WILL
1. Polite request
- Will you close the door please?

❖ WOULD
1. Polite request
- Would you pour me some water, please?
2. Repeated past action
- Every summer, we would go to the seaside
3. Past form of will
- They hoped he would invite them to the party
WOULDN’T: refusal or impossibility
- She told him to stop making a noise, but he wouldn’t

❖ SHALL
1. Polite question / offer / suggestion (with I/we)
- Shall we book a table at the restaurant?

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SEMI-MODALS
❖ BE ABLE TO
1. General ability (=can) (can be used in all tenses: present, past, future)
- He is able to run fust
- I won’t be able to meet you tomorrow
- I wasn’t able to walk when I was a baby
2. Specific past ability / managing to do something despite difficulty or a successful result
- Ian was able to rescue the child from the sea
(NOT: Ian could rescue)

❖ HAVE TO / HAS TO
1. Obligation or necessity (have to can be used in different tenses to express the past and
future of must)
- I have to leave by five o’clock
- I had to fix my bicycle
- You will have to speak to the manager tomorrow

❖ DON’T / DOESN’T HAVE TO

1. Lack of obligation or necessity (similar to needn’t)
- I don’t have to go to football practice toda

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 MODAL PERFECT

MAY / MIGHT / COULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When we are not sure what happened in the past
She hasn’t arrived yet. She may have forgotten about our arrangement

COULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When we had the ability or opportunity to do something in the past but did not do it
- she could have told us about the problem, but she didn’t

WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

Willingness to do something but didn’t do it
- I would have helped you prepare for the test if you had asked me

CAN’T HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When we are sure that something did not happen.
- You can’t have lost your glasses - you were wearing them a few minutes ago

MUST HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When we are certain that something happened in the past
- I can't find my sunscreen. i must have forgotten to bring it

SHOULD/ OUGHT TO HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When expectations were not fulfilled / advice was not followed / showing
regret about something
- I ought to have handed in my project yesterday but I didn't
- she should / ought to have gone to the doctor but she didn't

NEEDN’T HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When we want to express that there was no obligation or necessity to do something
- You needn't have washed the dishes. we have a dishwasher
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 THE TENSE DOES NOT CHANGE WHEN THE REPORTING VERB IS IN
PRESENTSIMPLE:
She says, “I will play the music” >> She says that she will play the music

SOME COMMON REPORTING VERBS ARE:

- For statements (para decir algo): say, tell, explain, complain, claim,
admit, confess, estimate.
- For questions: ask, want to know, wonder, inquire
- For commands and instructions: tell, order, remind, advise, warn.
Be careful not to confuse the reporting verbs SAY and TELL. The verb tell
TELL is followed by an object
- They said (that) they were delighted with their new house
- They told me they were delighted with their new house

REPORTING VERBS FOLLOWED BY AN OBJECT: ask, tell, order, remind, warn, advise

FIRST AND SECOND PERSON ARE USUALLY CHANGED TO THE THIRD PERSON
She said, “I have finished my project” >> She said (that) she had finished her project

WH- QUESTIONS >> order of a regular sentence

(sujeto + verbo)She asked, “Why are you crying” >>
She asked why I was crying.

YES/NO QUESTIONS >> add IF / WHETHER and regular sentence

He asked, “Do you play the guitar?” >> He asked if / whether I played the guitar.

TO REPORT GENERAL TRUTHS OR SCIENTIFIC FACTS >> se deja el

verbo como está yno se cambia de tiempo

COMMAND >> reporting verb + object + infinitive

The officer ordered the soldiers, “Stand still!” >> The officer ordered the soldiers to stand
still

NEGATIVE COMMAND >> use NOT TO before verb

“Don’t be so childish”, my father said >> My father ordered me not to be so childish

SUGGESTIONS: I said, “Perhaps we should study”

- I said we should study
- I suggested studying

Reporting verb + -ing form

Verbs like admit, apologise for, complain about, deny, insist on, mention and suggest can follow an -ing form pattern.

'I broke the window.' >> She admitted breaking the window.

'I'm really sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.' >> He apologised for not getting
back to me sooner.

'Let's take a break.' >> She suggested taking a break.

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