TENSES

Murni SalinaB.Sc.Ed (TESL)

UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Simple Present

To show actions, events or states that happen habitually or as a general rule

To narrate events in sequence Two basic forms :

ends with -s doesn't end with -s

Forming the simple present tense

Subject

+

Verb form

+

Example

I Simple form I run

You Simple form You run

We Simple form We run

They Simple form They run

He Simple form + s He flies

She Simple form + s She flies

It Simple form + s It flies

The paragraph below indicate states, qualities, characteristics and attitudes of the subject, Alberto. The verbs do not tell us about any activities.

My name is Alberto.  I am a sleepwalker.  I know the condition seems very unusual.  As you can guess, I never know where I will wake up in the morning.  I am tired much of the time. I have medicine to suppress my sleepwalking, but it doesn't work well. My footsteps in the middle of the night surprise people. 

Present Continuous

To express activity or a situation which is happening : At the moment of speaking Over a period of time

Some of the time expressions used with this tense are still, now, at present, currently and at the moment.

However, verbs which show thoughts, feeling or conditions are not usually used in the continuous form, we use the simple present tense

Forming the present continuous tense

Subject

+

BE

+

-ING FORM

I am walking

You are walking

We are walking

They are walking

He is walking

She is walking

It is walking

Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and

finished at a specific time in the past. Usually used with specific time expressions

such as yesterday, last night, just now, once upon a time and last month.

2 types of verbs Regular verbs (verb + ed) Irregular verbs (was, were, had, did)

Mi Madre – Pat Mora

I say feed me.

She serves red prickly pear on a spiked cactus.

I say tease me.

She sprinkles raindrops in my face.

I say frighten me.

She shouts thunder, flashes lightning.

Mi Madre – Pat Mora

I say comfort me.

She invites me to lay on her firm body.

I say heal me.

She gives me manzanilla, orégano, dormilón.

I say caress me.

She strokes my skin with her warm breath.

Mi Madre – Pat MoraI say make me beautiful. She offers turquoise for my fingers, a pink blossom for my

hair.

I say sing to me. She chants lonely women's songs.

I say teach me. She endures: glaring heat

                  numbing cold                   frightening dryness.

She: the desert She: strong mother.

Replace the correct verb tense into each box.

Alberto (get) nervous whenever he takes a test. His head feels light and his hands (become) sweaty.  He worries that the teacher (look) at him. Other people notice that Alberto (appear) upset because he (act) so 'jumpy'. Alberto Benigni is a very funny Italian actor. Presently, he (appear) in a movie called "Il Monstro" , the monster. He (seem) to have a natural gift for comedy . In this movie, the police think he, Loro, is a dangerous serial killer, but this is a case of mistaken identity. The police try to catch him by having a beautiful woman, a cop, invite him to her apartment. He is delighted to be in her company. However, Loro is a person who (act) strange. He bumbles, and fumbles, which causes the police to think he is going to attack her at any moment. Instead, the woman (appear) to fall in love with him. Meanwhile another man, the real serial killer, is caught. He (resemble) Loro in appearance, but not in character.

GROUP DISCUSSION

Describe what is happening using present tenses

GROUP DISCUSSION

Tell the story a second time, using past tense