Present Simple
Usage
- Regular actions or habits
- General truths and facts
- Permanent situations
- Timetables and schedules
Structure
Subject + verb (base form) + ...
He/She/It: Subject + verb + s + ...
Negative: Subject + do/does + not + verb (base form) + ...
Question: Do/Does + subject + verb (base form) + ...?
Examples
- I work in an office.
- She lives in London.
- The Earth revolves around the Sun.
- The train leaves at 5 PM.
- They don't play football.
- Do you speak English?
Time Expressions
always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day/week/month/year, on Mondays, etc.
Present Continuous
Usage
- Actions happening now
- Temporary situations
- Planned future arrangements
- Trends and changing situations
Structure
Subject + am/is/are + verb + ing + ...
Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb + ing + ...
Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb + ing + ...?
Examples
- I am studying right now.
- She is working in Berlin this month.
- We are meeting friends tonight.
- The population is growing rapidly.
- They aren't listening to the teacher.
- Are you waiting for someone?
Time Expressions
now, at the moment, today, this week/month, currently, etc.
Going To Future
Usage
- Future plans and intentions
- Predictions based on present evidence
Structure
Subject + am/is/are + going to + verb (base form) + ...
Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + verb (base form) + ...
Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + verb (base form) + ...?
Examples
- I am going to visit my grandparents next weekend.
- She is going to study medicine at university.
- Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
- We are not going to attend the meeting.
- Are they going to move to a new house?
Time Expressions
tomorrow, next week/month/year, this evening, soon, etc.
Will Future
Usage
- Spontaneous decisions
- Predictions without present evidence
- Promises and offers
- Requests and threats
Structure
Subject + will + verb (base form) + ...
Negative: Subject + will + not (won't) + verb (base form) + ...
Question: Will + subject + verb (base form) + ...?
Examples
- I will help you with your homework.
- I think it will be sunny tomorrow.
- I promise I will call you later.
- Will you attend the conference?
- They won't arrive before 10 PM.
Time Expressions
tomorrow, next week, in the future, in 2030, etc.
Future Continuous
Usage
- Actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future
- Polite inquiries about future plans
- Predicted future activities that are expected to happen
Structure
Subject + will + be + verb + ing + ...
Negative: Subject + will + not + be + verb + ing + ...
Question: Will + subject + be + verb + ing + ...?
Examples
- This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Paris.
- She will be working on her project all weekend.
- Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow?
- They won't be staying with us when they visit.
Time Expressions
this time tomorrow, at 8 PM, all day, next week, etc.
Future Perfect
Usage
- Actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future
- Looking back from a point in the future
Structure
Subject + will + have + past participle + ...
Negative: Subject + will + not + have + past participle + ...
Question: Will + subject + have + past participle + ...?
Examples
- By next month, I will have finished my degree.
- She will have worked here for ten years by 2025.
- The builders will have completed the house by December.
- Will you have saved enough money by then?
- They won't have arrived by the time we leave.
Time Expressions
by next week/month/year, by the time, by then, before, etc.
Practice Exercises
Opposite Words Exercise
Turn the words below into their opposites, then translate them into German.
1. happy
Opposite: ?
German: ?
2. big
Opposite: ?
German: ?
3. fast
Opposite: ?
German: ?
4. rich
Opposite: ?
German: ?
5. difficult
Opposite: ?
German: ?
Gapped Sentences
Fill in the gaps with the correct tense forms.
1. This time tomorrow, I (fly) to London.
2. She (work) at this company every day.
3. Look at those clouds! It (rain) soon.
4. By the end of next year, I (complete) my studies.
5. Right now, they (discuss) the new project.
6. I think it (rain) tomorrow.