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English – Grammar

we will talk about:

English Tenses Aktive -:

Simple Present
Present Progressive
Simple Past
Past Progressive

lets start with : Simple Present
Form of Simple Present
P: He speaks.
N: He does not speak.
Q: Does he speak?
Use of Simple Present

Simple Present is used for actions and situations in the present.
Facts and situations in the present

Expresses a fact or given situation.
Examples:

Our secretary works very hard.
I do not agree with you.
Actions in the present

Actions that take place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)
Beispiele:

Mister Brown never attends a meeting. He always sends me.
Actions set by a ti****ble or schedule

Actions in the future that we cannot influence, as their course is set by a ti****ble or schedule.
Examples:

The train leaves at 6:24.
The conference starts at 9:30.
Signal Words of Simple Present

always, every …, never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually If Clause Type I (If I talk, …)

next : Present Progressive
Form of Present Progressive
P: He is speaking.
N: He is not speaking.
Q: Is he speaking?
Use of Present Progressive

Present Progressive is used for actions in the present and focusses on the course or duration of the action.
Action taking place now

Being in the middle of doing something at the time of speaking.
Examples:

Carla is preparing the briefing.
I am looking for Mister Miller’s phone number.
Action taking place for a limited period of time only.

Actions that don’t take place regularly, but only temporarily.
Examples:

Mister Thomson is on sick leave, that’s why I am doing his job.
Three temporary employees are helping out this month.
Arranged future actions

Future actions that are already arranged (and maybe even jot down in a diary)
Beispiele:

I am meeting Misses Walker at 5 pm.
Bob is doing overtime tomorrow.
Signal Words of Present Progressive

at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now

Simple Past
Form of Simple Past
P: He spoke.
N: He did not speak.
Q: Did he speak?
Use of Simple Past

Simple Past is used for actions and situations in the past.
Facts and situations in the past

Expresses a fact or given situation in the past.
Beispiele:

Our secretary worked very hard.
I did not agree with you.
Actions in the past

Actions in the past that took place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)
Examples:

Mister Brown never attended any meeting. He always sent me.
Actions taking place one after another

Actions in the past that took place one after the other.
Examples:

Mister Sanders came into the office, checked his mailbox and went straight to the briefing.
What a horrible day: first my computer crashed, then our best customer canceled their order and on my way home my car broke down.

Past Progressive

Form of Past Progressive
P: He was speaking.
N: He was not speaking.
Q: Was he speaking?
Use of Past Progressive

Past Progressive is used for actions in the past and focusses on the course or duration of the action.
Action taking place at a certain moment in the past

Being in the middle of doing something at a certain time in the past.
Examples:

At two o’clock, Carla was preparing the contract.
Yesterday I was looking for Mister Miller’s phone number.
Actions happening simultaneously

Actions in the past happening at the same time (over a longer period of time).
Examples:

While Claire was preparing her presentation, Tom was showing the customer around.
While Sarah was looking for the ********s, I was keeping the customer on the line.
Being in the middle of an action, when another action set in

Action taking place over a longer period of time in the past when (suddenly) another (shorter) action set in. (see also: Simple Past)
Beispiele:

I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
When I came in, John was playing solitaire.
Signal Words of Past Progressive

when, while, as long as