Simple Past Tense

How do we make the Simple Past Tense?

To make the simple past tense, we use:

* past form only
or
* auxiliary did + base form

Here you can see examples of the past form and base form for irregular verbs and regular verbs:
V1
base V2
past V3
past participle
regular verb work
explode
like worked
exploded
liked worked
exploded
liked The past form for all regular verbs ends in -ed.
irregular verb go
see
sing went
saw
sang gone
seen
sung The past form for irregular verbs is variable. You need to learn it by heart.
You do not need the past participle form to make the simple past tense. It is shown here for completeness only.

The structure for positive sentences in the simple past tense is:
subject + main verb
past

The structure for negative sentences in the simple past tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb
did base

The structure for question sentences in the simple past tense is:
auxiliary verb + subject + main verb
did base

The auxiliary verb did is not conjugated. It is the same for all persons (I did, you did, he did etc). And the base form and past form do not change. Look at these examples with the main verbs go and work:
subject auxiliary verb main verb
+ I went to school.
You worked very hard.
- She did not go with me.
We did not work yesterday.
? Did you go to London?
Did they work at home?

Exception! The verb to be is different. We conjugate the verb to be (I was, you were, he/she/it was, we were, they were); and we do not use an auxiliary for negative and question sentences. To make a question, we exchange the subject and verb. Look at these examples:
subject main verb
+ I, he/she/it was here.
You, we, they were in London.
- I, he/she/it was not there.
You, we, they were not happy.
? Was I, he/she/it right?
Were you, we, they late?

How do we use the Simple Past Tense?

We use the simple past tense to talk about an action or a situation - an event - in the past. The event can be short or long.

Here are some short events with the simple past tense:
The car exploded at 9.30am yesterday.
She went to the door.
We did not hear the telephone.
Did you see that car?
past present future

The action is in the past.

Here are some long events with the simple past tense:
I lived in Bangkok for 10 years.
The Jurassic period lasted about 62 million years.
We did not sing at the concert.
Did you watch TV last night?
past present future

The action is in the past.

Notice that it does not matter how long ago the event is: it can be a few minutes or seconds in the past, or millions of years in the past. Also it does not matter how long the event is. It can be a few milliseconds (car explosion) or millions of years (Jurassic period). We use the simple past tense when:

* the event is in the past
* the event is completely finished
* we say (or understand) the time and/or place of the event

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In general, if we say the time or place of the event, we must use the simple past tense; we cannot use the present perfect.

Here are some more examples:

* I lived in that house when I was young.
* He didn't like the movie.
* What did you eat for dinner?
* John drove to London on Monday.
* Mary did not go to work yesterday.
* Did you play tennis last week?
* I was at work yesterday.
* We were not late (for the train).
* Were you angry?

Note that when we tell a story, we usually use the simple past tense. We may use the past continuous tense to "set the scene", but we almost always use the simple past tense for the action. Look at this example of the beginning of a story:

"The wind was howling around the hotel and the rain was pouring down. It was cold. The door opened and James Bond entered. He took off his coat, which was very wet, and ordered a drink at the bar. He sat down in the corner of the lounge and quietly drank his..."

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

I have been singing
How do we make the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

The structure of the present perfect continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + auxiliary verb + main verb
have
has been base + ing

Here are some examples of the present perfect continuous tense:
subject auxiliary verb auxiliary verb main verb
+ I have been waiting for one hour.
+ You have been talking too much.
- It has not been raining.
- We have not been playing football.
? Have you been seeing her?
? Have they been doing their homework?
Contractions

When we use the present perfect continuous tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and the first auxiliary. We also sometimes do this in informal writing.
I have been I've been
You have been You've been
He has been
She has been
It has been
John has been
The car has been He's been
She's been
It's been
John's been
The car's been
We have been We've been
They have been They've been

Here are some examples:

* I've been reading.
* The car's been giving trouble.
* We've been playing tennis for two hours.

How do we use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

This tense is called the present perfect continuous tense. There is usually a connection with the present or now. There are basically two uses for the present perfect continuous tense:
1. An action that has just stopped or recently stopped

We use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action that started in the past and stopped recently. There is usually a result now.
I'm tired because I've been running.
past present future
!!!
Recent action. Result now.

* I'm tired [now] because I've been running.
* Why is the grass wet [now]? Has it been raining?
* You don't understand [now] because you haven't been listening.

2. An action continuing up to now

We use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action that started in the past and is continuing now. This is often used with for or since.
I have been reading for 2 hours.
past present future

Action started in past. Action is continuing now.

* I have been reading for 2 hours. [I am still reading now.]
* We've been studying since 9 o'clock. [We're still studying now.]
* How long have you been learning English? [You are still learning now.]
* We have not been smoking. [And we are not smoking now.]

For and Since with Present Perfect Continuous Tense

We often use for and since with the present perfect tense.

* We use for to talk about a period of time - 5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years.
* We use since to talk about a point in past time - 9 o'clock, 1st January, Monday.

for since
a period of time a point in past time

x
20 minutes 6.15pm
three days Monday
6 months January
4 years 1994
2 centuries 1800
a long time I left school
ever the beginning of time
etc etc

Here are some examples:

* I have been studying for 3 hours.
* I have been watching TV since 7pm.
* Tara hasn't been feeling well for 2 weeks.
* Tara hasn't been visiting us since March.
* He has been playing football for a long time.
* He has been living in Bangkok since he left school.

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For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses only.

Present Perfect Tense

How do we make the Present Perfect Tense?

The structure of the present perfect tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb
have past participle

Here are some examples of the present perfect tense:
subject auxiliary verb main verb
+ I have seen ET.
+ You have eaten mine.
- She has not been to Rome.
- We have not played football.
? Have you finished?
? Have they done it?
Contractions with the present perfect tense

When we use the present perfect tense in speaking, we usually contract the subject and auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this when we write.
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He's or he's??? Be careful! The 's contraction is used for the auxiliary verbs have and be. For example, "It's eaten" can mean:

* It has eaten. [present perfect tense, active voice]
* It is eaten. [present tense, passive voice]

It is usually clear from the context.

I have I've
You have You've
He has
She has
It has
John has
The car has He's
She's
It's
John's
The car's
We have We've
They have They've

Here are some examples:

* I've finished my work.
* John's seen ET.
* They've gone home.

How do we use the Present Perfect Tense?

This tense is called the present perfect tense. There is always a connection with the past and with the present. There are basically three uses for the present perfect tense:

1. experience
2. change
3. continuing situation

1. Present perfect tense for experience

We often use the present perfect tense to talk about experience from the past. We are not interested in when you did something. We only want to know if you did it:
I have seen ET.
He has lived in Bangkok.
Have you been there?
We have never eaten caviar.
past present future
!!!
The action or state was in the past. In my head, I have a memory now.
Connection with past: the event was in the past.
Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event; I know something about the event; I have experience of it.
2. Present perfect tense for change

We also use the present perfect tense to talk about a change or new information:
I have bought a car.
past present future
- +
Last week I didn't have a car. Now I have a car.

John has broken his leg.
past present future
+ -
Yesterday John had a good leg. Now he has a bad leg.

Has the price gone up?
past present future
+ -
Was the price $1.50 yesterday? Is the price $1.70 today?

The police have arrested the killer.
past present future
- +
Yesterday the killer was free. Now he is in prison.
Connection with past: the past is the opposite of the present.
Connection with present: the present is the opposite of the past.

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Americans do not use the present perfect tense so much as British speakers. Americans often use the past tense instead. An American might say "Did you have lunch?", where a British person would say "Have you had lunch?"
3. Present perfect tense for continuing situation

We often use the present perfect tense to talk about a continuing situation. This is a state that started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably continue into the future). This is a state (not an action). We usually use for or since with this structure.
I have worked here since June.
He has been ill for 2 days.
How long have you known Tara?
past present future


The situation started in the past. It continues up to now. (It will probably continue into the future.)
Connection with past: the situation started in the past.
Connection with present: the situation continues in the present.

For & Since with Present Perfect Tense

We often use for and since with the present perfect tense.

* We use for to talk about a period of time - 5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years.
* We use since to talk about a point in past time - 9 o'clock, 1st January, Monday.

for since
a period of time a point in past time
x------------
20 minutes 6.15pm
three days Monday
6 months January
4 years 1994
2 centuries 1800
a long time I left school
ever the beginning of time
etc etc

Here are some examples:

* I have been here for 20 minutes.
* I have been here since 9 o'clock.
* John hasn't called for 6 months.
* John hasn't called since February.
* He has worked in New York for a long time.
* He has worked in New York since he left school.

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For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses only.

Present Continuous Tense

How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?

The structure of the present continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb
be base + ing

Look at these examples:
subject auxiliary verb main verb
+ I am speaking to you.
+ You are reading this.
- She is not staying in London.
- We are not playing football.
? Is he watching TV?
? Are they waiting for John?

How do we use the Present Continuous Tense?

We use the present continuous tense to talk about:

* action happening now
* action in the future

Present continuous tense for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now
I am eating my lunch.
past present future

The action is happening now.

Look at these examples. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time...
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...the pages are turning. ...the candle is burning. ...the numbers are spinning.

b) for action happening around now

The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.
John is going out with Mary.
past present future



The action is happening around now.

Look at these examples:

* Muriel is learning to drive.
* I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.

Present continuous tense for the future

We can also use the present continuous tense to talk about the future - if we add a future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. "Future words" include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June, at Christmas etc. We only use the present continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a plan before speaking.
I am taking my exam next month.
past present future
!!!
A firm plan or programme exists now. The action is in the future.

Look at these examples:

* We're eating in a restaurant tonight. We've already booked the table..
* They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
* When are you starting your new job?

In these examples, we have a firm plan or programme before speaking. The decision and plan were made before speaking.

How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense?

We make the present continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally it's simple - we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the present continuous tense.
Basic rule Just add -ing to the base verb:
work > working
play > playing
assist > assisting
see > seeing
be > being
Exception 1 If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter:
s t o p
consonant stressed
vowel consonant
(vowels = a, e, i, o, u)
stop > stopping
run > running
begin > beginning
Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed:
open > opening
Exception 2 If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:
lie > lying
die > dying
Exception 3 If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e:
come > coming
mistake > mistaking

Simple Present Tense

I sing
How do we make the Simple Present Tense?
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb
do base

There are three important exceptions:

1. For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary.
2. For the 3rd person singular (he, she, it), we add s to the main verb or es to the auxiliary.
3. For the verb to be, we do not use an auxiliary, even for questions and negatives.

Look at these examples with the main verb like:
subject auxiliary verb main verb
+ I, you, we, they like coffee.
He, she, it likes coffee.
- I, you, we, they do not like coffee.
He, she, it does not like coffee.
? Do I, you, we, they like coffee?
Does he, she, it like coffee?

Look at these examples with the main verb be. Notice that there is no auxiliary:
subject main verb
+ I am French.
You, we, they are French.
He, she, it is French.
- I am not old.
You, we, they are not old.
He, she, it is not old.
? Am I late?
Are you, we, they late?
Is he, she, it late?
How do we use the Simple Present Tense?

We use the simple present tense when:

* the action is general
* the action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present and future
* the action is not only happening now
* the statement is always true

John drives a taxi.
past present future
It is John's job to drive a taxi. He does it every day. Past, present and future.

Look at these examples:

* I live in New York.
* The Moon goes round the Earth.
* John drives a taxi.
* He does not drive a bus.
* We do not work at night.
* Do you play football?

Note that with the verb to be, we can also use the simple present tense for situations that are not general. We can use the simple present tense to talk about now. Look at these examples of the verb "to be" in the simple present tense - some of them are general, some of them are now:
Am I right?
Tara is not at home.
You are happy.
past present future
The situation is now.

I am not fat.
Why are you so beautiful?
Ram is tall.
past present future
The situation is general. Past, present and future.

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This page shows the use of the simple present tense to talk about general events. But note that there are some other uses for the simple present tense, for example in conditional or if sentences, or to talk about the future. You will learn about those later.

england 2

Tenses

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses. In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense:

* Structure: How do we make the tense?
* Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.
Many English learners worry too much about tense. If you stopped 100 native English speakers in the street and asked them about tense, 1 of them might give you an intelligent answer - if you were lucky. The other 99 would know little about terms like "past perfect" or "present continuous". And they would know nothing about aspect, voice or mood. But they can all speak fluent English and communicate effectively. Of course, for ESL it helps to know about tenses, but don't become obsessed with them. Be like those native speakers! Speak naturally!

Present Tense
I do do, I do
Present Continuous Tense
I am doing, I am doing tomorrow
Present Perfect Tense
I have done
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
I have been doing

Past Tense
I did do, I did
Past Continuous Tense
I was doing
Past Perfect Tense
I had done
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
I had been doing

Future Tense
I will do
Future Continuous Tense
I will be doing
Future Perfect Tense
I will have done
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
I will have been doing

englan 1

Salah seorang pembaca blog ini mengirim pesan yang membuat saya terenyuh. Dia seorang mahasiswa jurusan Bahasa Inggris. Saat menulis pesan, dia sedang di semester 7. Dia mengaku belum bisa berkomunikasi dalam bahasa Inggris dan merasa ingin berhenti. Melalui email, dia meminta masukan motivasi ihwal pembelajaran bahasa Inggris. Tulisan ini saya tujukan untuk menjawab keresahan sang pengirim pesan. Juga siapa saja yang memerlukannya. Semoga bermanfaat.

Hal pertama yang harus kita pahami dalam mempelajari bahasa Inggris adalah realita bahwa bahasa Inggris adalah bahasa asing bagi kita orang Indonesia. Konsekuensinya, kita jarang sekali bergaul dan berinteraksi dengan bahasa tersebut. Akibatnya, otak kita kurang mendapat asupan (input) kebahasainggrisan. Dengan bekal asupan yang minim, otak kita cenderung sulit mengolah segala proses pikiran yang berkaitan dengan bahasa Inggris. Apalagi untuk menggunakan bahasa tersebut dalam berkomunikasi sehari-hari.

Untuk mengatasi keterasingan kita terhadap bahasa itu adalah dengan memaksa diri kita agar sesering mungkin bercengkrama dengan bahasa Inggris. Buatlah agar diri kita familiar dengan bahasa tersebut. Selama menjalaninya, sadarilah sepenuhnya bahwa belajar bahasa Inggris, dan bahasa manapun, adalah sebuah proses. Pelan tapi pasti, kemampuan kita akan meningkat seiring waktu.

Beberapa strategi di bawah ini bisa membantu kita meningkatkan kemampuan berbahasa Inggris secara efektif.

Begini caranya.

1. Ingatlah bahwa belajar bahasa adalah proses yang bertahap, bukan proses yang terjadi dalam 1×24 jam.
2. Tentukan tujuan belajar Anda. Apa yang ingin Anda pelajari dan mengapa Anda perlu mempelajarinya?
3. Jadikan belajar sebagai kebiasaan. Biasakan belajar hal baru setiap hari. Lebih baik belajar sedikit demi sedikit secara kontinyu, daripada belajar keras dua jam seminggu.
4. Usahakan membaca teks berbahasa Inggris, baik itu koran, majalah, atau teks apapun, atau menonton film atau menyimak berita berbahasa Inggris. Lakukan ini setiap hari atau sesering mungkin.
5. Pilih bahan ajar yang baik. Bagaimanapun, Anda tetap perlu belajar membaca, tata bahasa (grammar), menulis, berbicara, dan menyimak, sebagai satu kesatuan keterampilan berbahasa.
6. Lakukan proses belajar itu secara konstan. Jika Anda belajar bahasa Inggris selama 10 menit setiap hari, bahasa Inggris akan memenuhi memori otak Anda. Jika Anda belajarnya sekali dalam seminggu, jangan harap bahasa itu memenuhi memori otak.
7. Variasikan proses belajar Anda. Sebaiknya lakukan hal berbeda setiap hari agar membantu proses belajar empat bagian keterampilan berbahasa (baca, tulis, simak, bicara). Jangan terpaku pada satu aspek saja.
8. Cari kawan belajar. Belajar bahasa secara berjamaah akan lebih menyenangkan dan memberi motivasi ganda.
9. Pilih materi belajar yang sesuai dengan topic-topik yang Anda minati. Ini akan membuat proses belajar Anda menjadi lebih nikmat, menyenangkan, sehingga lebih efektif.
10. Hubungkan pengetahuan tata bahasa dengan penggunaan keseharian. Belajar tata bahasa suatu bahasa tidak akan otomatis membuat Anda bisa menggunakan bahasa tersebut. Praktekkan secara aktif apa-apa yang sudah dipelajari.
11. Buka mulut! Memahami suatu bahasa tidak berarti mulut Anda akan otomatis bisa berbicara dalam bahasa tersebut. Cobalah berbicara dalam bahasa Inggris dengan suara yang lantang. Awalnya mungkin akan terdengar aneh, tapi ini sangat efektif untuk proses belajar Anda.
12. Bersabarlah dengan diri sendiri. Ingat bahwa belajar adalah suatu proses. Perlu waktu dan kontinuitas. Anda bukanlah computer yang memiliki tombol on dan off.
13. Cobalah berkomunikasi dalam bahasa Inggris. Menguasai grammar memang bagus. Tapi bisa berkomunikasi secara lisan dan tertulis dengan orang lain dalam bahasa Inggris, itu lebih bagus dan menyenangkan lagi.
14. Manfaatkan Internet! Internet merupakan sarana belajar bahasa Inggris yang luar biasa lengkap, menyenangkan, dan mudah diakses.

Tiga pesan pamungkas untuk Anda:

1. Ingatlah bahwa belajar bahasa Inggris adalah suatu proses.
2. Bersabarlah dengan diri sendiri.
3. Praktek praktek praktek.