Appendix 3

GRAMMAR REFERENCE SECTION

Tenses: present, past and future

State verbs

Time clauses.

Question tags

Conditional sentences

Infinitive, Bare Infinitive, Gerund / -ing form

Comparative forms

Table of irregular verbs

TENSES

PRESENT TENSES

Present Simple Tense

We use the present simple:

· For permanent states. Tom works for a construction company.

· For daily routines, repeated and habitual actions. He plays tennis twice a week.

· For general truths and laws of nature. The sun sets in the west.

· For timetables and programmes to replace the future tense. The first flight to London leaves at 9 am.

· For sporting commentaries, reviews and narrations. Stevenson catches the ball and passes it to Johnson.

	Time expressions used with the present simple: usually, often, always, sometimes, rarely, seldom; every day/week/month/year, etc, in the morning/afternoon/evening; at night/the weekend, on Fridays, etc.

Present Continuous Tense

We use the present continuous

· For actions taking place at or around the moment of speaking. Tina is doing her homework at the moment.

· For fixed arrangements in the near future. I am going to the dentist tomorrow. I've already booked an appointment.

· F or currently changing and developing situations. The pollution is increasing.

· With adverbs such as always to express anger or irritation when an undesirable action happens too often but not always in reality. You ’re always forgetting to close the door.

	Time expressions used with the present continuous: now, at the moment, at present, these days, nowadays, still, today, tonight, always, etc.

Note:

1. Always + present simple: “every time”. I always have breakfast before I go to work.

2. Always + present continuous:“too/very often”. You are always complaining!

3. We cannot use never... again with the present simple. I am never going camping with you again. (NOT: I never go camping with you again).