Past Simple Tense

(example : to play)

• The past simple tense of regular verbs is formed by adding - ed to the infinitive
  (for example: -  Infinitive : to play   Past Simple : I played)


• The auxiliary did is used to form the negative and interrogative forms

Affirmative	Negative		Interrogative
	Long Form	Contracted Form
I played	I did not play	I didn't play	Did I play?
You played	You did not play	You didn't play	Did you play?
He/she/it played	He/she/it did not play	He/she/it didn't play	Did he/she/it play?
We played	We did not play	We didn't play	Did we play?
You played	You did not play	You didn't play	Did you play?
They played	They did not play	They didn't play	Did they play?

The past simple tense is used to talk about finished actions in a finished period of time,
for example :

• Yesterday evening I played tennis with a friend.
• Last year I started taking tennis lessons.
• When I was at school I hated history.
• Five minutes ago I finished the report for my boss.
• Last week I attended a meeting in Tokyo.

Present Continuous Tense

Affirmative	Negative		Interrogative
	Long Form	Contracted Form
I am playing	I am not playing	I'm not playing	Am I playing?
You are playing	You are not playing	You're not playing	Are you playing?
He/she/it is playing	He/she/it is not playing	He/she/it's not playing	Is he/she/it playing?
We are playing	We are not playing	We're not playing	Are we playing?
You are playing	You are not playing	You're not playing	Are you playing?
They are playing	They are not playing	They're not playing	Are they playing?

The present continuous tense is used:

To talk about continuous activities :

• At the time of speaking :
  • I am reading this page now.
• Around now, in a more general sense :
  • I am learning English this year.

To talk about planned future activities or intentions :

• Tom and Mary are coming to dinner tomorrow. They called to confirm.

• I am spending my holidays in Australia. I have already booked my flight.

Present Simple Tense

Affirmative	Negative		Interrogative
	Long Form	Contracted Form
I play	I do not play	I don't play	Do I play?
You play	You do not play	You don't play	Do you play?
He/she/it plays	He/she/it does not play	He/she/it doesn't play	Does he/she/it play?
We play	We do not play	We don't play	Do we play?
You play	You do not play	You don't play	Do you play?
They play	They do not play	They don't play	Do they play

The present simple tense is used :

• To talk about regular activities :
  • John plays tennis once a week.
  • We start work at 9 a.m. every morning.
  • Mary goes to visit her parents on Sundays.

• To talk about tastes :
  • Peter likes Chinese food.
  • Julie doesn't like classical music.
  • Most children love chocolate.

• To talk about facts :
  • The sun rises in the east.
  • In Europe, the weather is cold in winter.
  • Authors write books.

Shall and Will

What is the difference between shall and will?

Shall is not used often in modern English especially in American English. In fact, shall and will have the same meaning and are used to refer to the simple future. They are use as follows:

• will is used with all persons
  

  I, you, he, she, it, we, they	will	go there

• shall is used with the first person singular and plural
  

  I, we	shall	go

• The short form of will and shall is 'll

  I, you, he, she, it, we, they	will or 'll	call you

  
  

  I, we	shall or 'll	call you

• In the negative, the short forms of will not and shall not are won't and shan't respectively
  

  I, you, he, she, it, we, they	won't	give up

  
  

  I, we	shan't	give up

Uses of shall

It should be noted that shall is often used to make suggestions, offers or ask for advice. It is used in questions as follows:

• Shall we stay or go out?
• Shall we dance?
• Shall I get his phone number if I meet him?
• What shall I do to get rid of my acne?

Shall and Will

What is the difference between shall and will?

Shall is not used often in modern English especially in American English. In fact, shall and will have the same meaning and are used to refer to the simple future. They are use as follows:

• will is used with all persons
  

  I, you, he, she, it, we, they	will	go there

• shall is used with the first person singular and plural
  

  I, we	shall	go

• The short form of will and shall is 'll

  I, you, he, she, it, we, they	will or 'll	call you

  
  

  I, we	shall or 'll	call you

• In the negative, the short forms of will not and shall not are won't and shan't respectively
  

  I, you, he, she, it, we, they	won't	give up

  
  

  I, we	shan't	give up

Uses of shall

It should be noted that shall is often used to make suggestions, offers or ask for advice. It is used in questions as follows:

• Shall we stay or go out?
• Shall we dance?
• Shall I get his phone number if I meet him?
• What shall I do to get rid of my acne?