3. 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 cancelled their order and on my way home my car broke down.
• Actions taking place in the middle of another action
  (Sudden) action that took place in the middle of another action. (see also: Past Progressive)
  Examples:
  I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
  When I came in, John was playing solitaire.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, If Clause Type II (If I talked, …)

2. 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)
  Examples:
  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

1. Simple Present Tense

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 timetable or schedule
  Actions in the future that we cannot influence, as their course is set by a timetable 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, …)