Notes on Pronunciation with Emma Lecture on English Tenses

Introduction

• Focus on English grammar, specifically tenses from levels A1 to B2.
• Uses "Cambridge English Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy.
• Offers a 25% discount on the ebook with code GIUSAVE25.
• Free downloadable PDF of lesson notes and activities available.

Present Continuous

• Structure: Subject + Auxiliary verb (am/is/are) + Verb(ing).
• Usage:
  • Actions happening now.
  • Actions in progress or not finished.
• Contractions: Makes speech sound more natural (e.g., I’m, you’re).
• Negative Form: Add "not" after auxiliary (e.g., I am not reading).
• Examples:
  • "She is driving to work."
  • "I am reading a book."

Present Simple

• Structure: Subject + Verb.
• Usage:
  • General facts.
  • Routines/habits.
• Conjugation for He/She/It: Add "s" (e.g., works, drives).
• Negative Form: Use "do not/does not" (e.g., He does not drive).
• Examples:
  • "Alex works as a nurse."
  • "The shop closes at 6 p.m."

Present Continuous vs. Present Simple

• Present Continuous: Actions happening now or not completed.
• Present Simple: General facts or repeated actions.

Past Simple

• Structure: Subject + Verb(ed) for regular verbs.
• Irregular Verbs: Do not follow "-ed" rule (e.g., go -> went).
• Usage: Completed actions in the past.
• Negative Form: Use "did not" (e.g., I did not go).
• Examples:
  • "I went to a party last week."

Past Continuous

• Structure: Subject + was/were + Verb(ing).
• Usage:
  • Longer actions in the past.
  • Actions interrupted by a shorter past action.
• Examples:
  • "He was living in London last year."
  • "I was taking a shower when you called me."

Present Perfect

• Structure: Subject + have/has + Past Participle.
• Usage:
  • Past experiences without specific time.
  • Actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
• Negative Form: Add "not" after have/has (e.g., I have not lost).
• Examples:
  • "I have been to Japan."
  • "I have lost my keys."

Present Perfect Continuous

• Structure: Subject + have/has been + Verb(ing).
• Usage:
  • Actions started in the past and continuing now.
  • Actions recently finished with present connection.
• Examples:
  • "I have been recording this video for over 3 hours."
  • "It has been raining."

Past Perfect

• Structure: Subject + had + Past Participle.
• Usage: One past action occurring before another.
• Examples:
  • "Sarah had finished her homework before she ate dinner."
• Negative Form: Add "not" after had (e.g., I had not cleaned).

Past Perfect Continuous

• Structure: Subject + had been + Verb(ing).
• Usage: Emphasize duration of past actions before another action.
• Examples:
  • "I had been working hard all day."
• Negative Form: Add "not" in between had and been (e.g., I hadn’t been doing).

Future Tenses

Will

• Usage: Decisions made at the moment of speaking, offers, promises.
• Negative Form: "will not" or "won’t".
• Examples:
  • "I'll close the window."

Going to

• Structure: Subject + am/is/are + going to + Verb.
• Usage: Plans/intention made before speaking, obvious future predictions.
• Examples:
  • "I am going to buy a new phone."

Present Continuous for Future

• Usage: Concrete plans decided for the future.
• Examples:
  • "I am meeting my friend this evening."

Present Simple for Future

• Usage: Scheduled events or timetabled activities.
• Examples:
  • "My plane leaves at 7 a.m."