To communicate comprehensibly and clearly in English, there are four fundamental verb tenses to know. If you know them and use them correctly, you will not have any trouble expressing yourself. What is the secret? Be (super) operational!
In English, there are tenses we use to communicate routine and generalities, present actions, future plans and actions, and finished, past actions.We use the specific tenses all the time.
The Four Tenses To Know To Be (Super) Operational
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- To express routine and generalities, use the Present Simple:
I live in Paris.
I work as an English trainer.
I run three times a week.
I drink coffee every day.
Examples of time expressions that correspond to the present simple:
Every day
Once a week
Always
Never
All the time
Sometimes
From time to time
The idea is to associate the time expressions with the verb tense.
Asking questions: DO/DOES + SUBJECT + VERB
Do you always drink coffee in the morning?
Does she have a car?
Where do you live and work?
How often do you run? - To express present actions, use the Present Continuous:
I am creating a new exercise now.
We are using a computer at the moment.
I am wearing black shoes today.
She is currently working in London.
Examples of time expressions that correspond to the present continuous:
Now
At the moment
Today
At present
Currently (presently)
Remember to associate the time expressions with the verb tense.
Asking questions: AM/IS/ARE + SUBJECT + VERB+ING
Is she currently working in London?
What are you wearing today?
What are you doing now? - To express future plans and actions, we also use the Present Continuous:
Tomorrow, I am going to Rome. I am staying in a hotel from Monday to Wednesday.
I am travelling to Japan next month.
He is meeting the general manager on Friday at 2 PM.
They are giving a presentation to their clients tonight.
Examples of time expressions that correspond to the present continuous for the future:
Tomorrow
Next week/month/year
In June
At 12 PM
Do not forget to associate the time expressions with the verb tense.
Asking questions: AM/IS/ARE + SUBJECT + VERB+ING
Where are you going tomorrow?
Are you travelling to Japan next month on business?
Who is Tom meeting on Friday?
- To express finished time and past actions, we use the Past Simple:
I went to New York last week.
She ate fish and chips for lunch yesterday.
They saw a movie last night.
I moved to Paris 18 years ago.
Examples of time expressions that correspond to the past simple:
Two days ago
On Monday
Last weekend/night/day/week
Yesterday morning/afternoon/evening
Again, associate the time expressions with the verb tense.
Asking questions: DID+SUBJECT+VERB
Did you go on holiday last month?
When did you go to the movies?
What did you do yesterday?
When do we use WILL?
We use WILL for predictions and future events. On the contrary, we use the present continuous for future plans and actions:
- The meeting will be in Los Angeles from June 1 to June 3. (The meeting is a future event.)
- I think I will go on vacation next month. (I did not make any plans yet. It is a prediction.)
- I am going to Munich on Friday. (I bought my plane tickets and I made my hotel reservations. It is a future plan.)
If you have made plans for the future, use the present continuous to talk about a future plan or action.
PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH
Write a paragraph about your best friend. Explain what he/she does for a living (for work), present activities, past experiences and actions, and future plans. Practice using the verb tenses above to be operational in English and remember to use time expressions.
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