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Questions and Answers
Which of the following statements accurately describes the uses of the Present Simple tense?
What percentage of English usage is attributed to the Present Simple tense?
Which tense would you use to describe an action that started in the past and is ongoing up to the present?
Which of the following tenses is NOT part of the 12 fundamental verb tenses in English?
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When would the Past Continuous tense be appropriate to use?
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Which use is appropriate for the Future Simple tense?
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What distinguishes the Present Perfect tense from the Past Simple tense?
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In which situation would the Present Continuous tense not be appropriately used?
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Which use is associated with the Present Perfect Simple tense?
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Which aspect of the verb tenses refers to actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future?
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Study Notes
Introduction
- 90% to 95% of written and spoken English is done in just five grammar tenses
- A free PDF is available with information on these five tenses, plus a quiz to test understanding
- The PDF also contains other lessons and offers
- English technically has only three tenses: present, past, and future
- There are four different aspects within these tenses: simple, continuous, perfect simple, and perfect continuous
- When combined, the four aspects and three tenses create the 12 verb tenses
- Conditionals are not typically included in the 12 verb tenses, hence some people consider there to be 16 tenses
Verb Tenses Overview
- Present Simple : General truths, habits, and permanent situations
- Present Continuous : Actions happening now or around the present moment
- Present Perfect : Past actions with a connection to the present or for experiences
- Present Perfect Continuous : Actions that started in the past and are ongoing up to the present
- Past Simple : Talks about completed actions in the past
- Past Continuous : Actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past
- Past Perfect : Actions completed before a specific time in the past
- Past Perfect Continuous : Actions that started in the past, continued, and were completed before another past event
- Future Simple : Actions that will happen in the future
- Future Continuous : Actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future
- Future Perfect : Actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future
- Future Perfect Continuous : Actions that will start in the future, continue, and be completed before another future event
Key Verb Tense Usage
- The five most common verb tenses in English are: present simple (60%), past simple (20%), future simple (8%), present perfect simple (6%), and present continuous (5%)
- This equates to nearly 99% of all English usage
- All verb tenses have their place, but the five mentioned above are critical for everyday communication
Present Simple Uses
- Statements that are always true (Facts)
- Statements that are true in the present
- Routine actions or habits (Often used with an adverb of frequency)
- Scheduled Events in the future
- Directions or instructions
Past Simple Uses
- Actions that occurred at a specific time in the past
- Narrating a series of past events
- Habitual or repeated actions in the past
- Past states or conditions
Future Simple Uses
- Spontaneous decisions
- Predictions
- Promises
- Offers
- Requests
Present Perfect Simple Uses
- Unfinished states or actions that started in the past
- Completed actions relevant to the present
- Life events and experiences
- Actions or events at an unspecified time in the past
Present Continuous Uses
- Describing things happening right now
- Activities that are not permanent
- Plans or events that will happen in the future
- Actions happening around a specific time
- Describing things that are gradually changing or improving
Conclusion
- All of the covered verb tenses are explained in detail in the free PDF, with more examples and a quiz for practice.
- The PDF also provides information on the structure and formation of these tenses.
- English with Lucy offers online level programs for B1, B2, and C1 English learners.
Introduction
- English grammar uses 12 verb tenses: three tenses (present, past, and future) and four aspects (simple, continuous, perfect simple, and perfect continuous)
- 90% - 95% of written and spoken English involves just five verb tenses
- Conditionals are not usually considered a tense, but some people include them, which would bring the total to 16 tenses
Verb Tenses Overview
- Present Simple: general truths, habits, and permanent situations
- Present Continuous: actions occurring in the present moment
- Present Perfect: Actions with a connection to the present or experiences
- Present Perfect Continuous: actions begun in the past and still ongoing
- Past Simple: completed actions in the past
- Past Continuous: actions in progress at a specific past time
- Past Perfect: actions completed before a specific time in the past
- Past Perfect Continuous: actions begun in the past, continued, and completed before another past event
- Future Simple: actions that will occur
- Future Continuous: actions in progress at a future time
- Future Perfect: actions completed before a specific future time
- Future Perfect Continuous: actions that will start, continue, and complete before another future event
Key Verb Tense Usage
- Five verb tenses account for nearly 99% of English usage
- The five most common verb tenses are:
- Present Simple (60%)
- Past Simple (20%)
- Future Simple (8%)
- Present Perfect (6%)
- Present Continuous (5%)
Present Simple Uses
- Statements that are always true (Facts)
- Current truths
- Routine actions (with adverbs of frequency)
- Scheduled future events
- Directions and Instructions
Past Simple Uses
- Actions completed at a specific past time
- Narrating past events in order
- Past habits and repeated actions
- Past states and conditions
Future Simple Uses
- Spontaneous decisions
- Predictions
- Promises
- Offers
- Requests
Present Perfect Simple Uses
- Unfinished states or actions from the past
- Completed actions relevant to the present
- Life events and experiences
- Actions or events at an unspecified time in the past
Present Continuous Uses
- Actions occurring right now
- Non-permanent activities
- Future plans or events
- Actions happening around a specific time
- Gradually changing or improving things
Conclusion
- The verb tenses are explained in the PDF, with examples and a quiz for practice.
- The structure and formation of the verb tenses are also explained.
- English with Lucy offers online programs for B1, B2, and C1 English learners.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the five essential grammar tenses used in the English language and their four aspects. Designed to enhance your understanding, it covers the present, past, and future tenses and their combinations. Test your knowledge with a quiz included in the PDF.
