18166 revision of simple tenses

Present Simple

USE

EXAMPLE

NOTES

Routine/regular repeated actions

That dog always barks at me.

Often with adverbs of
frequency: always,
usually, often,
sometimes, never, every
Saturday morning, twice
a week…)

We usually go to the beach on
Sundays.

Permanent situations

Mary lives in Rome.

Scientific facts
With stative (non-action) verbs

She comes from Scotland.
Water freezes at 0° C.

I have two cats and a dog.
This sandwich tastes a bit
funny.
Does he want a beer?

When talking about the future in
terms of timetables, regulations
and programmes
In time clauses with a future
meaning

Non-action verbs do not
usually take the
continuous form: be,
have, depend, know,
think, understand,
disagree, like, want,
hear, love, see smell,
taste)

The train leaves from
Termini at 7.45.

I am going to take a shower
as soon as I get home.
Mary will see you when she is
free.

After: as soon as, if,
until, when

Present Perfect Simple

USE

EXAMPLE

NOTES

to talk about states, single or
repeated actions over a long
period of time up to the
present

Have you ever been to
London?

Often with ever, never,
often, and always

To talk about recent single
actions with a result in the
present

I have always wanted to go
to London.
I have just finished my
homework.
Has the bus arrived yet?

Often with: just, already and
yet

NOTE: In US English, you
can use the past simple in
sentences such as:
I already saw that film
(USA)

To talk about an unfinished
period of time up to the
present

They have been together for
five years.

I have already seen that film
(UK).
Often with: for/since, this
week/month/year

I have lived here since 1992.

Past Simple

USE

EXAMPLE

To talk about a finished
event that took place at a
specific time in the past.
To describe a sequence of
finished events in
chronological order.

I went to the cinema last
night.
I put on my coat, pulled on
my gloves, and grabbed my
hat.

NOTES


To talk about habits in the
past.
To talk about states in the
past.
In reported speech

My sister went to visit my
grandmother everyday when
we were little.
The house belonged to my
father from 1990 to 2001..
Mary said that she didn’t
want to go to the cinema.