THE PAST SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

THE PAST

Past Simple

The past simple is used to talk about a definite point of time in the past.

· I went to the cinema last night

To talk about an action or event that started and finished in the past.

· We ate dinner at 9PM.

To talk about a past time known to the speaker but not mentioned in the conversation.

· Did you have a good time in Paris?

Yes we did, it was fantastic.

Used to + infinitive

Used to is an expression used for talking about habitual actions in the past.

· When I was young I used to love playing cops and robbers with my brother.

In the negative the auxiliary verb ‘do’ is used and the ‘d’ is dropped.

· We didn’t use to play with dolls.

Past Continuous

The past continuous is used to talk about an event which was in progress when another past action interrupted it.

· I was driving along the road when suddenly a cat jumped out in front of me.

To provide the background for a story.

· It was six o’clock and the sun was beginning to disappear behind the mountain...

To talk about two or more events that were in progress at the same time.

· I was watching TV while mum was cooking the dinner.

For an event that had been arranged but that did not happen.

· He was coming to dinner but at the last minute he had to go to the hospital.

Exercises

Complete the following story using either the past simple or the past continuous:

Rita (look around).................................. the airport. So many people (walk)......................................through the departure hall that she (can)........................ hardly see the check-in desks. She (wonder)....................................... whether any of the people (be) ................................... as nervous as she (be) .................................... As she (wait)............................................. she (see) ................................a man who (look) ..................................... exactly like her ex boss. He (wear) ..................................... a shirt and tie like the type her boss always (wear) ...................................... but his hair (be) ................................. a slightly different shade of grey. For a moment she (think) .................................. he (be) ......................................... there to collect her and force her back to work, but fortunately that (be not) .................................. the case.

While she (walk) .................................... through passport control she gradually (relax) ..................................... At last she (be) ............................. free. However, 5 minutes later that feeling (begin).................................... to disappear, and she suddenly (start).............................. to panic. What on earth (do)....................she...........................? Why (run) .................. she.........................away? Where (go)........................she............................? The plane would take her to to Amsterdam, but then what? She (have)........................ no idea and (not want) ..................................... to think about it, but she (can)...................................... think of nothing else. This was going to be the worst trip of her life!

THE PRESENT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOS

THE PRESENT

Present Simple

The present simple is used:

to talk about something that happens habitually or regularly (often with adverbs of time: always, usually, every, never...).

· We go out every Saturday night.

To talk about something which remains true for a long time or for a scientific fact.

· He lives in Greece.

· The Earth travels around the sun.

To give instructions.

· First you follow the main road into the city, then you turn left at the traffic lights.

To describe events in jokes, stories or news items to make them seem more dramatic.

· The Pope visits Tokyo today.

· A gorilla goes into a bar and asks for a beer...

With the following verbs: believe, understand, imagine, suppose, hear, see, taste, love, hate, need, want, prefer, seem, appear, belong and deserve.

· I don’t like your shoes, they smell horrible!

Present Continuous

The present continuous is used:

to talk about events that are in progress at the present time.

· Look, they are coming out of the cinema.

To describe events which have already begun but which are not complete, especially in stories or jokes.

· A man is standing on the pavement when suddenly and alien appears.

With ‘always’ to show surprise or disapproval when an action is repeated.

· It is always raining here!

To talk about a near future action.

· I am going on holiday to Italy next week.

Exercises:

Complete the following sentences using either the present simple or the present continuous.

1. He (not like)....................... his job so he (think) ......................about changing it.

2. I (want)................ to see the new film as I (hear)................... it is very good.

3. I (love).................. the roses you sent me. They (smell) .......................wonderful.

4. She (prefer)........................ tea to coffee because it (not taste)......................... so bitter.

5. I (doubt)............................. if they will understand what you (talk).............................. about.

6. It (appear)................................that the house now (belong)....................... to Mrs Johnson.

7. I (see)............................from your report that you (meet)............................... the manager tomorrow.

8. He (work).............................. very hard at the moment and (deserve).................................. to do well.

9. She (say)...........................she (feel) ............................ a bit better now.

10. I (measure)..................................the room to see what size carpet we need.

Complete the following letter using either the present simple or the present continuous.

Dear Sally,

I (write)......................................... just to let you know that I’ve arrived and that everything (be).............................. fine.

At the moment I (stay) ............................... in a hotel in Athens and I (do)................................ quite a lot of sight seeing. Next week I (move)......................................... to the island of Crete which is where most of the people from the company (live)...................................... I (rent)...................................... a villa there for the summer which should be nice.

The weather is not particularly good – as a matter of fact it (rain)............................ at the moment! However, it should improve and I am sure it will be fantastic when you (come)........................... in the sumer. I (look forward)...................................... to it already.

The job (not seem)..............................................to be too difficult. Most of the time I (make) .........................bookings and (answer) ............................the telephone. I (suppose)................................ it will be different when the tourist season (start).......................................... properly. Things (begin).........................................to get busy already.

Speak to you soon,

Love,

Jenny

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