Simple present is also called present simple.

The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.

Use:

the infinite verb (play) with the personal pronouns I, you, we and they (or with the plural form of nouns) the verb + s (plays) with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)

  affirmative negative question

I/you/we/they I play. I do not play. Do I play?

he/she/it He plays. He does not play. Does he play?

Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions

Negative sentences and questions are formed with the auxiliary verb 'do'.

The 3rd person singular of 'do' is 'does'. This means that in negative sentences and questions the 's' of the main verb is placed behind 'do'.

The 3rd person singular is usually formed by adding s. But there are a few exceptions to the rule:

 Animation on exceptions in spelling when adding 's'

The verbs can, may, might, must remain the same in all forms. So don't add s.

example: he can, she may, it must

Verbs ending in o or a sibilant (ch, sh, s, x) add es instead of s.

example: do - he does, wash - she washes

A final y after a consonant becomes ie before s.

example: worry - he worries

But: A final y after a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) is not modified.

example: play - he plays

facts (something is generally known to be true) 

The sun sets in the west.

The sun never sets in the east or south or north, but always in the west.

action in the present taking place once, never or several times 

Colin always plays soccer on Tuesdays.

Colin plays football regularly - every Tuesday.In English, signal words are often used, e.g.: always, never, seldom, often,regularly, every Monday.

actions in the present taking place one after another 

She takes her bag and leaves.

First one action takes place and then the other.

action set by a time table or schedule 

The train leaves at 9 pm.

Although the action takes place in the future, it takes place regularly and is set by a time table.

verbs expressing states, possession, senses, emotions and mental activity

I love her. 

When you love someone, that's a state, a fact or emotion, but not an action (like running for example). Whenever you want to express a state, possession, sense or emotions, use the simple form (not the progressive). The following words all belong to this group:

be (state) believe (mental activity) belong (possession) hate (feeling and emotion) hear (senses) like (feeling and emotion) love (feeling and emotion) mean (mental activity) prefer (mental activity) remain (state) realize (mental activity) see (senses) seem (feeling and emotion) smell (senses) think (mental activity) understand (mental activity) want (feeling and emotion) wish (feeling and emotion)

Simple Present - Signal Words

The present progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action.

The present progressive is used for actions going on in the moment of speaking and for actions taking place only for a short period of time. It is also used to express development and actions that are arranged for the near future.

Present progressive is also known as present continuous.

Use a form of to be and the infinite verb plus -ing.

 Animation: form

Use:

am with the personal pronoun I is with the personal pronouns he, she or it (or the singular form of nouns) are with the personal pronouns you, we, they (or the plural form of nouns)

  affirmative negative question

I I am playing. I am not playing. Am I playing?

he, she, it He is playing. He is not playing. Is he playing?

you, we, they

You are playing. You are not playing. Are you playing?

Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions

 Animation: negative sentences and questions

In negative sentences, we put not between the form of be and the verb.

In questions, we simply swop the places of subject and the form of be.

Present Progressive - Exceptions in Spelling 

 Animation: exceptions in spelling

A single, silent e at the end of the word is dropped before ing.

example: come - comingI am coming home. You are coming home. He is coming home.

But: ee at the end of the word is not changed

example: agree - agreeing

The final consonant after a short, stressed vowel is doubled before ing.

example: sit - sittingI am sitting on the sofa. You are sitting on the sofa. He is sitting on the sofa.

The letter l as final consonant after a vowel is always doubled before ing.

example: travel - travellingI am travelling around. You are travelling around. He is travelling around.

Mind: This applies only for British English; in American English there is usually only one l.

An ie at the end of a word becomes y before ing.

example: lie - lyingI am lying in bed. You are lying in bed. He is lying in bed.

Actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now) 

He is playing football.

The action is going on now.Signal words like now, at the moment are often used to emphasise that the action is taking place at the moment of speaking. Signal words are not really necessary, however, as this is already expressed by the tense itself.

Arrangements for the near future 

I'm going to the theatre tonight.

In the example you can see that the tickets are already bought. So we are talking about an arrangement for the near future.To make clear that the action is not going on now, we usually use signal words like tonight, tomorrow, next Friday, at noon.

Actions taking place only for a limited period of time 

Jim is helping in his brother's firm this week.

Here we are talking about a time limit. Jim does not usually work in the firm, he is still at school and wants to earn some extra money during his holidays.To make clear that there is a time limit, we usually use signal words, e.g. this week/month/year.

Actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking) 

I'm studying for my exams.

This action takes place around now and only for a limited period of time, but not at the moment of speaking.We don't have to use signal words here, but we often find signal words in such sentences, e.g. now, at the moment.

Development, changing situations 

The population of China is rising very

fast.

The sentence describes a development from one situation to another.Signal words are not that common here, only sometimes the change of situation is emphasised by using for example more and more.

Actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now) 

at the moment now / just now / right now Listen! Look!

Arrangements for the near future 

in the morning / in the afternoon / in the evening at noon / tonight tomorrow next ...

Actions taking place only for a limited period of time 

this week / this month / this year

Actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking) 

at the moment now / just now / right now

Development, changing situations 

more and more

The simple past expresses an action in the past taking place once, never, several times. It can also be used for actions taking place one after another or in the middle of another action.

Form of Simple Past

  Positive Negative Question

no differences I spoke. I did not speak. Did I speak?

For irregular verbs, use the past form (see list of irregular verbs, 2nd column). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed Example

after a final e only add d love – loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowelor l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

admit – admittedtravel – travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried

Use of Simple Past

action in the past taking place once, never or several times

Example: He visited his parents every weekend.

actions in the past taking place one after the other

Example: He came in, took off his coat and sat down.

action in the past taking place in the middle of another action

Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

if sentences type II (If I talked, …)

Example: If I had a lot of money, I would share it with you.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, …)

Simple Past – Past Progressive

Form

Simple Past Past Progressive

irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs

I spoke

regular verbs: verb + ed

I worked

past form of 'be' + ing form of verb 

I was speakingyou were speakinghe / she / it was speakingwe were speakingthey were speaking

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed' :

when the final letter is e, only add d.

Exceptions when adding 'ing' :

silent e is dropped (but: does not apply for -ee)

Example: come - coming

Example: love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example: admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example: travel - travelled

after a consonant, final y becomes i. (but: not after a vowel)

Example: worry - he worriedbut: play - he played

but: agree - agreeing

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example: sit - sitting

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example: travel - travelling

final ie becomes y.

Example: lie - lying

See also explanations on Simple Past and Past Progressive

Use

After another or at the same time?

Do you want to express that the actions in the past happened one after another or at the same time?

Simple Past Past Progressive

after another

She came home, switched on the computer and checked her e-mails.

at the same time

Simon was playing on the computer while his brother was watching TV.

New action or already in progress?

If you want to express that a new action happened in the middle of another action, you need both tenses: Simple Past the new action and Past Progressive for the action already in progress.

Simple Past Past Progressive

new action

My mobile rang (when I was sitting in a meeting.)

action already in progress

While I was sitting in a meeting, (my mobile suddenly rang.)

Only mentioning or emphasising progress?

Do you just want to mention that an action took place in the past (also used for short actions)? Or do you want to put emphasis on the progress, e.g. that an action was taking place at a certain time?

Simple Past Past Progressive

just mentioning emphasising progress

Colin played football yesterday. Yesterday at six o'clock, Colin was playing football.

Certain Verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Past (not in the progressive form).

state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit

Example: We were on holiday.

possession: belong, have

Example: Sam had a cat.

senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He felt the cold.

feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish

Example: Jane loved pizza.

brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I did not understand him.

introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say

Example: “I am watching TV,“ he said.

Signal words

Simple Past Past Progressive

first when

then If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, …)

while as long as

Simple Past – Present Perfect Simple

Form

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs

Example:

I spoke

irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular verbs

Example:

I / you / we / they have spokenhe / she / it has spoken

regular verbs: infinitive + ed

Example:

I worked

regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed

Example:

I / you / we / they have workedhe / she / it has worked

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed':

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example:love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example:admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example:travel - travelled

after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example:worry - worriedbut: play - played

See also explanations on Simple Past and Present Perfect Simple

Use

In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if its consequence in the present is important.

Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to British English only. In American English, you can normally use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect. We cannot accept this in our exercises, however, as this would lead to confusions amongst those who have to learn the differences.

Certain time in the past or just / already / yet?

Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it was just a few seconds ago) or that an action has just / already / not yet happened?

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

certain time in the past

Example:

I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago.

just / already / not yet

Example:

I have just phoned Mary.

Certain event in the past or how often so far?

Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an action has happened till now?

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

certain event in the past

Example:He went to Canada last summer.

whether / how often till now

Example:Have you ever been to Canada? / I have been to Canada twice.

Emphasis on action or result?

Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasise the result (a past action's consequence in the present)?

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

Emphasis on action Emphasis on result

Example:

I bought a new bike. (just telling what I did in the past.)

Example:

I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I actually want to express that I have a new bike now.)

Signal Words

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

yesterday ... ago in 1990 the other day last ...

just already up to now until now / till now ever (not) yet so far lately / recently

Simple Past – Past Perfect Simple

Form

Simple Past Past Perfect Simple

2nd column of irregular verbs

Example:

I spoke

had + 3rd column of irregular verbs

Example:

I had spoken

regular verbs: infinitive + ed

Example:

I worked

regular verbs: form of have + infinitive + ed

Example:

I had worked

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding ed:

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example:love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example:admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example:travel - travelled

after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example:worry - worriedbut: play - played

See also explanations on Simple Past and Past Perfect Simple

Use

We use Simple Past if we give past events in the order in which they occured. However, when we look back from a certain time in the past to tell what had happened before, we use Past Perfect.

Normal order in the past or looking back to an event before a certain time in the past?

Do you just want to tell what happened some time in the past or do you want to tell what had happened before/up to a certain time in the past?

Simple Past Past Perfect Simple

some time in the past

Example:

Jane got up at seven. She opened her birthday presents and then the whole family went to the zoo.

before/up to a certain time in the past

Example:

Before her sixth birthday, Jane had never been to the zoo.

Signal Words

Simple Past Past Perfect Simple

first then

already up to then before that day after*

*Note: "After" is only used as a signal word for Past Perfect if it is followed by a subject + verb, meaning that one action had been completed before another action began (the new action is in Simple Past).

Example:

After the family had had breakfast, they went to the zoo.

However, if "after" is followed by object + subject + verb, the verb belongs to the new action and is therefore inSimple Past.

Example:

After her visit to the zoo, Jane was exhausted.

More exceptions with signal words

When

Depending on the situation, "when" can be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. Compare the following examples:

Example:

When Jane saw the elephants, she was amazed. (at the same time)When Jane had seen the elephants, she wanted to see the giraffes. (second action happened after the first action had been completed)When Jane went to see the elephants, she had already seen the lions. (second action had been completed when the first action took place)

Before

"Before" as well can either be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. If the action after "before" is a new action, useSimple Past. If the action after "before" started (and was not completed) before a certain time in the past, use Past Perfect. Compare the following examples:

Example:

Jane had read a lot about elephants before she went to the zoo.Jane went to the zoo before she had finished reading her new book about elephants.

Past Progressive (Past Continuous) 

The past progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past.

Form

  Positive Negative Question

I / he / she / it I was speaking. I was not speaking. Was I speaking?

you / we / they You were speaking. You were not speaking. Were you speaking?

Exceptions in Spelling

Exceptions in spelling when adding ing Example

final e is dropped (but: ee is not changed) come – coming(but: agree – agreeing)

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled sit – sitting

l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English) travel – travelling

final ie becomes y lie – lying

Use of Past Progressive

puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past

Example: He was playing football.

two actions happening at the same time (in the past)

Example: While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.

action going on at a certain time in the past

Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

Signal Words of Past Progressive

when, while, as long as

Present Perfect Simple 

The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.

Form of Present Perfect

  Positive Negative Question

I / you / we / they I have spoken. I have not spoken. Have I spoken?

he / she / it He has spoken. He has not spoken. Has he spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed Example

after a final e only add d love – loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowelor l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

admit – admittedtravel – travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried

Use of Present Perfect

puts emphasis on the result

Example: She has written five letters.

action that is still going on

Example: School has not started yet.

action that stopped recently

Example: She has cooked dinner.

finished action that has an influence on the present

Example: I have lost my key.

action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking

Example: I have never been to Australia.

Signal Words of Present Perfect

already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now

Present Perfect Progressive 

Present Perfect Continuous

The present perfect progressive expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts emphasis on the duration or course of the action.

Form of Present Perfect Progressive

  Positive Negative Question

I / you / we / they I have been speaking. I have not been speaking. Have I been speaking?

he / she / it He has been speaking. He has not been speaking. Has he been speaking?

Exceptions in Spelling

Exceptions in spelling when adding ing Example

final e is dropped(but: ee is not changed)

come – coming(but: agree – agreeing)

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled sit – sitting

l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English) travel – travelling

final ie becomes y lie – lying

Use of Present Perfect Progressive

puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result)

Example: She has been writing for two hours.

action that recently stopped or is still going on

Example: I have been living here since 2001.

finished action that influenced the present

Example: I have been working all afternoon.

Signal Words of Present Perfect Progressive

all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week

Past Perfect Simple 

The past perfect simple expresses an action taking place before a certain time in the past.

Form of Past Perfect Simple

  Positive Negative Question

no differences I had spoken. I had not spoken. Had I spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the past participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add ed.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed Example

after final e, only add d love – loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowelor l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

admit – admittedtravel – travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried

Use of Past Perfect

action taking place before a certain time in the past(putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration)

Example: Before I came here, I had spoken to Jack.

Conditional Sentences  Type III (condition that was not given in the past)

Example: If I had seen him, I would have talked to him.

Signal Words

already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day (with reference to the past, not the present) If-Satz Typ III (If I had talked, …)

Past Perfect Progressive (Past Perfect Continuous) 

The past perfect progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the past.

Form

A: He had been talking. N: He had not been talking. Q: Had he been talking?

Use

action taking place before a certain time in the past sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action

signal words

for, since, the whole day, all day

Future I Simple will 

Will future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced.

Form of will Future

  positive negative question

no differences I will speak. I will not speak. Will I speak?

Use of will Future

a spontaneous decision

example: Wait, I will help you.

an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future

example: He will probably come back tomorrow.

a promise

example: I will not watch TV tonight.

an action in the future that cannot be influenced

example: It will rain tomorrow.

conditional clauses type I

example: If I arrive late, I will call you.

Signal Words

in a year, next …, tomorrow Vermutung: I think, probably, perhaps

Future I Simple going to 

Going to future expresses a conclusion regarding the immediate future or an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared.

Form of going to Future

  positive negative question

I I am going to speak. I am not going to speak. Am I going to speak?

you / we / they You are going to speak. You are not going to speak. Are you going to speak?

he / she / it He is going to speak. He is not going to speak. Is he going to speak?

Use of going to Future

an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared

example: I am going to study harder next year.

a conclusion regarding the immediate future

example: The sky is absolutely dark. It is going to rain.

Signal Words

in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future I Progressive (Future I Continuous) 

Future I progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action taking place in the future.

Form

A: He will be talking. N: He will not be talking. Q: Will he be talking?

Use

action that is going on at a certain time in the future action that is sure to happen in the near future

Signal Words

in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future II Simple 

Future II Simple expresses an action that will be finished at a certain time in the future.

Form

A: He will have talked. N: He will not have talked. Q: Will he have talked?

Use

action that will be finished at a certain time in the future

Signal Words

by Monday, in a week

Future II Progressive (Future II Continuous) 

Future II progressive puts emphasis on the course / duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the future. It can also be used to express an assumption regarding a future action.

Future II progressive is not used very often as it can usually be replaced by future II simple.

Form

A: He will have been talking. N: He will not have been talking. Q: Will he have been talking?

Use

action taking place before a certain time in the future puts emphasis on the course of an action

Signal Words

for …, the last couple of hours, all day long