that help you improve your English Use the simple present play(s), rain(s) etc to talk about habits and repeated actions. I play tennis every Saturday. (NOT I am playing tennis every Saturday.) It usually rains a lot in November. Use the present progressive am playing, is raining etc to talk about things that are happening around the time of speaking. I m playing very badly today. (NOT I play very badly today.). Look! It s raining! (NOT Look! It rains!) Don t use the present perfect have/has seen, have/has gone etc - with words that name a finished time. I saw him yesterday. (NOT I have seen him yesterday.) They went to Greece last summer. (NOT They have gone last summer.) Golden Grammar Rules are written by Michael Swan, author of Practical English Usage. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the extracts from Practical English Usage.
that help you improve your English Don t use the to talk about things in general. Books are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.) I love music. (NOT I love the music.) Use for with a period of time. Use since with the beginning of the period. for the last two hours = since 9 o clock for three days = since Monday (BUT NOT since three days) for five years = since I left school For more details, see PEU 460 Don t separate the verb from the object. verb obj She speaks English very well. (NOT She speaks very well English.) Andy likes skiing very much. (NOT Andy likes very much skiing) For more details, see PEU 611 Golden Grammar Rules are written by Michael Swan, author of Practical English Usage. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the extracts from Practical English Usage.
Use the simple present play(s), rain(s) etc to talk about habits and repeated actions. I play tennis every Saturday. (NOT I am playing tennis every Saturday.) It usually rains a lot in November. 461 present tenses (1): introduction 1 the two present tenses Most English verbs have two present tenses. Forms like I wait, she thinks are called simple present or present simple ; forms like I am waiting or she s thinking are called present progressive or present continuous. The two present tenses are used in different ways. 2 general time: simple present When we talk about permanent situations, or about things that happen regularly or all the time (not just around now), we usually use the simple present (see 462 463 for details). My parents live near Dover. Water freezes at 08 Celsius. I go to London about three times a week. 3 around now: present progressive When we talk about temporary continuing actions and events, which are just going on now or around now, we usually use a present progressive tense (see 464 for details). What are you doing? I m reading. I m travelling a lot these days. 4 future time Both present tenses can be used to talk about the future. I ll meet you when you arrive. Come and see us next week if you re passing through London. For the differences, see 463 464, 466. 462 present tenses (2): simple present (forms) 1 forms Affirmative Question Negative I work do I work? I do not work you work do you work? you do not work he/she/it works does he/she/it work? he/she/it does not work we work do we work? we do not work they work do they work? they do not work Contracted negatives (see 143): I don t work, he doesn t work etc Negative questions (see 368): do I not work? or don t I work? etc For passives (e.g. The work is done), see 412.
2 spelling of third person singular forms Most verbs: add -s to infinitive Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y to i and add -es But (vowel + y): Verbs ending in -s, -z, -ch, -sh or -x: add -es to infinitive Exceptions: work? works sit? sits stay? stays cry? cries hurry? hurries reply? replies enjoy? enjoys miss? misses buzz? buzzes watch? watches push? pushes fix? fixes have? has go? goes do? does 3 pronunciation of third person singular forms The pronunciation of the -(e)s ending depends on the sound that comes before it. The rules are the same as for the plural -(e)s ending see 525. Irregular pronunciations: says (/sez/, not /seiz/); does (/dvz/, not /du;z/). 463 present tenses (3): simple present (use) 1 general time: It always rains in November We often use the simple present to talk about permanent situations, or about things that happen regularly, repeatedly or all the time. What do frogs eat? (NOT What are frogs eating?) It always rains here in November. I play tennis every Wednesday. Alice works for an insurance company.
2 not used for things happening just around the present We do not usually use the simple present to talk about temporary situations or actions that are only going on around the present. Compare: Water boils at 1008 Celsius. The kettle s boiling shall I make tea? (NOT The kettle boils...) It usually snows in January. Look it s snowing! (NOT Look It snows!) Iplay tennis every Wednesday. Where s Bernard? He s playing tennis. (NOT...He plays tennis.) 3 non-progressive verbs However, the simple present is used for this around the present meaning with verbs that do not have progressive forms (see 471). I like this wine very much. (NOT I m liking...) I believe you. (NOT I m believing you.) 4 talking about the future We do not normally use the simple present to talk about the future. I promise I won t smoke any more. (NOT I promise I don t smoke any more.) We re going to the theatre this evening. (NOT We go to the theatre this evening.) There s the doorbell. I ll get it. (NOT I get it.) However, the simple present is used for timetabled future events (see 215). His train arrives at 11.46. I start my new job tomorrow. And the simple present is often used instead of will... in subordinate clauses that refer to the future. (For details, see 580). I ll kill anybody who touches my possessions. (NOT...who will touch...) I ll phone you when I get home. (NOT...when I ll get home.) The simple present is also used in suggestions with Why don t you...? Why don t you take a day off tomorrow? 5 series of events: demonstrations, commentaries, instructions, stories When we talk about series of completed actions and events, we often use the simple present. This happens, for example, in demonstrations, commentaries, instructions and present-tense stories (see 465 for more details). First I take a bowl and break two eggs into it. Next... (NOT First I am taking a bowl...) Lydiard passes to Taylor, Taylor shoots and it s a goal! How do I get to the station? You go straight on to the traffic lights, then you turn left,.... So I go into the office, and I see this man, and he says to me... 6 how long? present tenses not used We use a perfect tense, not a present tense, to say how long a present action or situation has been going on. (See 460 for details.) I ve known her since 1960. (NOT I know her since 1960.)
Use the present progressive am playing, is raining etc to talk about things that are happening around the time of speaking. I m playing very badly today. (NOT I play very badly today.). Look! It s raining! (NOT Look! It rains!) 464 present tenses (4): progressive (or continuous ) 1 present progressive: forms am/are/is + -ing I am waiting. Are you listening? She isn t working today. For double letters in words like sitting, stopping, see 562. For passive forms (e.g. The work is being done), see 412. 2 use: around now We use the present progressive to talk about temporary actions and situations that are going on now or around now : before, during and after the moment of speaking. Hurry up! We re all waiting for you! (NOT We all wait...) What are you doing? I m writing letters. (NOT...I write letters.) Why are you crying? Is something wrong? (NOT Why do you cry?...) He s working in Saudi Arabia at the moment. s 3 repeated actions The present progressive can refer to repeated actions and events, if these are just happening around the present (for more details, see 466). Why is he hitting the dog? I m travelling a lot these days. 4 changes We also use the present progressive to talk about developments and changes. That child s getting bigger every day. House prices are going up again. 5 talking about the future We often use the present progressive to talk about the future (see 214). What are you doing tomorrow evening? Come and see us next week if you re passing through London.
6 things that happen all the time: not used We do not normally use the present progressive to talk about permanent situations, or about things that happen regularly, repeatedly or all the time. Compare: Look the cat s eating your breakfast! What do bears eat? Everything. (NOT What are bears eating?...) Why is that girl standing on the table? Chetford Castle stands on a hill outside the town. (NOT...is standing...) My sister s living at home for the moment. Your parents live in North London, don t they? 7 verbs not used in progressive forms Some verbs are not used in progressive forms (see 471), even if the meaning is just around now. I like this wine. (NOT I m liking this wine.) Do you believe what he says? (NOT Are you believing...?) The tank contains about 7,000 litres at the moment. (NOT The tank is containing...) 8 how long? present tenses not used We use a perfect tense, not a present tense, to say how long something has been going on. (See 460 for details.) I ve been learning English for three years. (NOT I m learning English for three years.)
Don t use the present perfect have/has seen, have/has gone etc - with words that name a finished time. I saw him yesterday. (NOT I have seen him yesterday.) They went to Greece last summer. (NOT They have gone last summer.) 456 present perfect (2): perfect or past? 1 thinking about past and present together We use the present perfect if we are thinking about the past and present together. We do not use the present perfect if we are not thinking about the present. Compare: My sister has learnt French. (She can speak French now.) Shakespeare probably learnt Italian. (NOT Shakespeare has probably learnt Italian.) We ve studied enough to pass the exam. (The exam is still to come.) We studied enough to pass the exam. (The exam is over.) Ann and Peter have got married! (news) My parents got married in Canada. We do not use the present perfect in story-telling. Once upon a time a beautiful princess fell in love with a poor farmer. (NOT...has fallen in love...)
2 finished-time words: present perfect not used We do not often use the present perfect with words that refer to a completely finished period of time, like yesterday, last week, then, when, three years ago, in 1970. This is because the present perfect focuses on the present, and words like these focus on the past, so they contradict each other. Compare: Have you seen Lucy anywhere? I saw Lucy yesterday. (NOT I have seen Lucy yesterday.) Tom has hurt his leg; he can t walk. Tom hurt his leg last week. (NOT Tom has hurt his leg last week.) What have you done with the car keys? I can t find them. What did you do then? (NOT What have you done then?) My brother has had an accident. He s in hospital. When did the accident happen? (NOT When has the accident happened?) All my friends have moved to London. Eric moved three years ago. (NOT Eric has moved three years ago.) For tenses with just and just now, see 307. s 3 ever, before, recently etc But with words that mean at some/any time up to now (like ever, before, never, yet, recently, already), we normally use the present perfect (see 455.5). Have you ever been to Chicago? I ve seen this film before. 4 time not mentioned We use the present perfect when we are thinking of a period of time up to now, even if we do not mention it. Have you seen Romeo and Juliet? (= Have you ever seen it? or Have you seen the present production?) You ve done a lot for me. (... up to now) On the other hand, we do not use the present perfect when we are thinking of a particular finished time, even if we do not mention it. Did you see Romeo and Juliet? (It was on TV last night.) My grandfather did a lot for me. (... when he was alive) 5 news and details We normally use the present perfect to announce news (see 455.4). But when we give more details, we usually change to a past tense. Joe has passed his exam! He got 87%. There has been a plane crash near Bristol. Witnesses say that there was an explosion as the aircraft was taking off,... The Prime Minister has had talks with President Kumani. During a threehour meeting, they discussed the economic situation, and agreed on the need for closer trade links between the two countries. For more details, exceptions and notes on American usage, see 457.6.
Don t use the to talk about things in general. Books are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.) I love music. (NOT I love the music.) 68 articles (8): talking in general 1 the does not mean all We do not use the with uncountable or plural nouns to talk about things in general to talk about all books, all people or all life, for example. The does not mean all. Instead, we use no article. Compare: Move the books off that chair and sit down. (= particular books) Books are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.) I m studying the life of Beethoven. (= one particular life) Life is complicated. (NOT The life... ) Where s the cheese? I ate it. Why has the light gone out? I love cheese. Nothing can travel faster than light. I ve joined the local Dramatic Society. It s not always easy to fit in with society. I never really understood the nature of my father s work. She s very interested in nature, especially animals and birds. Write your name in the space at the bottom of the page. Would you like to travel into space? Note that most (meaning the majority of ) is used without the. Most birds can fly. (NOT The most...) Most of the children got very tired. (NOT The most...) 2 generalisations with singular countable nouns Sometimes we talk about things in general by using the with a singular countable noun. Schools should concentrate more on the child and less on exams. This is common with the names of scientific instruments and inventions, and musical instruments. Life would be quieter without the telephone. The violin is more difficult than the piano. We can also generalise by talking about one example of a class, using a/an (meaning any ) with a singular countable noun. A baby deer can stand as soon as it s born. A child needs plenty of love. Note that we cannot use a/an in this way when we are generalising about all of the members of a group together. The tiger is in danger of becoming extinct. (NOT A tiger is in danger of becoming extinct. The sentence is about the whole tiger family, not about individuals.) Do you like horses? (NOT Do you like a horse?) For the use of the + adjective to generalise about groups (e.g. the old, the blind ) see 17. s
Use for with a period of time. Use since with the beginning of the period. for the last two hours = since 9 o clock for three days = since Monday (BUT NOT since three days) for five years = since I left school 460 present perfect (6): present perfect or present? 1 how long? present perfect We use a present perfect to say how long a situation or action has continued up to now. Compare: It s raining again. It s been raining since Christmas. (NOT It s raining since Christmas.) Are you learning English? How long have you been learning? (NOT How long are you learning?) I hear you re working at Smiths. Yes, I ve been working there for a month. (NOT I m working there for...) Iknow her well. I ve known her for years. (NOT I know her for years.) My brother s a doctor. How long has he been a doctor? (NOT How long is he a doctor?) Compare also: How long are you here for? (= until when; when are you leaving?) How long have you been here for? (= since when; when did you arrive?) For the difference between simple and progressive forms, see 459. For the difference between since and for, see 208. For tenses with since, see 522. 2 This is the first time etc We use a simple present perfect after this is the first time that..., it s the second... that..., and similar structures (see 591). This is the first time that I ve heard her sing. (NOT This is the first time that I hear her sing.) It s the fifth time you ve asked me the same question. This is only the second opera I ve ever seen. For present perfect and simple present passives with similar meanings (e.g. The shop has been / is closed), see 420. s
Don t separate the verb from the object. verb obj She speaks English very well. (NOT She speaks very well English.) Andy likes skiing very much. (NOT Andy likes very much skiing) 611 very and very much 1 adjectives and adverbs: very kind, very quickly We use very, not very much, before adjectives and adverbs. You re very kind. (NOT You re very much kind.) The situation is very serious. (NOT... very much serious.) I came very quickly. (NOT...very much quickly.) However, very much is used before comparatives. I m very much happier in my new job. (NOT...very happier...) For very with superlatives (very first, very best etc), see 140.4. For the very same, see 503. 2 not very Not very expresses quite a low degree. It s not very warm you d better take a coat. That meal wasn t very expensive. (= quite cheap.) Note that little cannot be used in this way. He s not very imaginative. (NOT He s little imaginative.) 3 past participles: very much loved, very worried Before past participles we normally use very much. She was very much loved by her grandchildren. (NOT She was very loved.) Journey times will be very much reduced by the new road. (NOT...very reduced...) But we use very with some past participles that are used as adjectives. For details, see 410.4. I m very worried about Angela. (NOT...very much worried...) We were very surprised when Pete passed his exam. (More common than...very much surprised...) 4 very much (adverb) Very much can be an adverb. We very much enjoyed the party. (NOT We very enjoyed.) We do not normally put very much between a verb and its object. I very much like mountains. (NOT I like very much mountains.) Very much can also be a determiner before a noun. She didn t have very much money. Have you got very much work to do? Very much is not often used as a determiner in affirmative clauses (see 357.5). There was a lot of snow on the road. (NOT There was very much snow.) For very... indeed, see 273.