Simple Present vs Present Continuous

Simple Present Present Continuous

- used for actions, activities, or situations that are -used for actions or activities that are currently
regular, habitual, permanent, or continuing for an happening but only for a limited time
unlimited time

Anne writes a letter to her father every month. Anne is writing an essay about global
(Anne repeatedly writes letters as a habit.) warming. (Anne is writing only in this
particular period of time.)

Anne is busy on the new project. Anne is being attentive on how to spend
( general description = be verb + adjective) funds wisely for the new project.

The newly hired secretary is childish. The newly hired secretary is being childish
(The secretary is childish almost every time.) because our boss is not around.
(The secretary is being childish only today,
but not always.)

Expression of Disapproval and Frequency of Action

Simple Present Tense Present Continuous

Soo Yun often eats out for breakfast and David is always playing video games that he
lunch, but she usually cooks dinner. forgets to do the house chores.
(This sentence emphasizes how a certain (David is always playing games that it has
action is repeated.) become a habit. It even leads to him not
doing his tasks.)

Stative and Dynamic Verbs

A ​stative verb​ expresses conditions, feelings, senses, or thoughts. Thus, it is usually followed
by a modifier. A ​dynamic verb​, on the other hand, expresses action. Verbs including look,
appear, think, feel, have, see, taste, smell, weigh, measure, mind, think, cost, etc. can express
both action and state/condition.
 Simple Past and Present Perfect

The​ ​simple past​ and present perfect tenses both generally refer to actions done in the past. But
there are some differences in what they want to express.The simple past is used when the time
expression expresses a completed time period. The ​present perfect​ is used when the time
expression expresses an unfinished time period.

Simple Past Present Perfect

She ​devised ​a plan ​this morning​. She ​has devised​ a plan​ this morning​.
(Morning is already over and the speaker (Morning is not yet over and the speaker is
could be talking in the afternoon or evening.) talking about an action that was completed
recently or not yet completed.)

Time clauses​ are group of words used to express a time period based on an event or action.
The ​since + simple past clause​ is used to express a particular point or a completed action in
the past. On the other hand, the ​since + present perfect clause​ is used if one wants to
express a situation that extends to the present.

Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

It shows that an action is completed or has It shows that an action or event is

occurred once or few times. repeated, progressing, or unfinished just
before or at the moment of speaking.

Herrick has accused Phillip of plagiarism. Herrick has been accusing Phillip of
plagiarism for three years now.

permanent temporary : emphasis on duration

I have lived in America for 30 years. I have been living in America for two months.

For, since For, since

Result, Process Process

The criminals have targeted vulnerable The criminals have been targeting vulnerable
women. (process) women. (process)
 I have used two kilos of flour for the cake. (not)​ I have been using two kilos of flour for
(result) the cake.

Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous

Action 1 - past perfect Action 2 - simple past

*If the focus is not on the duration of a past action or activity, the past continuous tense is used
instead of the past perfect continuous tense.

Future Continuous, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous

will Be going to

Predictions based on opinion or one’s Predictions based on evidence seen at the

experience moment

The last time I worked with Meg, she was The river is replete with fish. The fishermen
sedulous. She ​will be​ a great employee. are ​going to have​ a large catch today.

Willingness, intention, and invitations Decided, pre-arranged activity

Logan will help us set up our tent by the Logan will be helping us set up our tent by
 placid lake. the placid lake.

The​ future perfect​ is used when one wants to say that an action, activity, or event will be
ended, completed, or accomplished by a specific point in the future. However, when the focus is
on how long an activity or event is in progress at a specific point in the future, use the ​future
perfect continuous​.

BE to + infinitive

*​Infinitive​ here means the base form of a verb.

Is/am/are to + infinitive​ is used when talking about arrangements or instructions that are
official or formal. The same pattern is used when giving orders. When giving orders in general
and not just to a particular person, the passive form ​(is/am/are to be + past participle)​ is used.

When future events are uncontrolled, the word ​will ​is usually used. However, when talking
about future events that are controlled, the pattern ​be to + infinitive​ is used.

The pattern ​be to + infinitive​ is also used in if-clauses when something that has to be or needs
to be done in order for another thing to happen afterward.

You must not be dubious if you are to trust Sheila’s plan.

(and) If you pass the exam, you will be too complacent.

*Note that the word “about” is added to be to + infinitive when talking about an activity or event
that will or will not happen in the very near future. This is often used in informal conversations.
 Future as seen from the Past and Present

in some cases the past tense can also be used to talk about a future activity or event. That is, to
talk about events or activities that happened or did not at some point in the past – a point which
was considered the future back then.

Early this morning, Amanda said she ​was going to call​ me at noon, but she hasn’t
called yet. (The verb “was going to call” indicates a future event.)

Early this morning, Amanda said she ​is/was going to call​ me at 4:00 P.M. (Both tenses
can be used because it’s not yet four in the afternoon.)

* To show that they did happen at a time considered as the future back then, use the pattern
was/were to + infinitive.

​ ere to consider​ the disappearance of Faye as an enigma.

Years later, they w

*To show that they did not happen although were expected to happen, use was/were to have +
past participle.

Florence was ​to have dropped​ her class because of ennui, ​but Christine convinced her not to.

*Note that this is about future events or activities not from the point of view of today but from the
point of view of the past.
 Passives

Some active sentences can have two corresponding passive sentences, while others can have
one only. When the verbs ​award, hand, lend, offer, send, throw, ask, read,​ and ​teach ​are used
in the active sentences, there can be two possible corresponding passive sentences. Other
verbs than these, like ​announce, demonstrate, describe, introduce, mention, propose, repost,
appoint, declare, make, nominate​, and ​vote,​ usually have one passive form.

For phrasal verbs, some can be used in passive forms and some cannot. Other phrasal verbs
can only be used in the active form but not in the passive.

Reporting with Passives

Reported speech using the passive can also use the following patterns.

A. It + passive verb + that-clause

It is reported that the defendant was under investigation for fabricating evidence.
It was believed that the pioneer of that medical practice was a quack.

B. Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive

She was ordered to hand over the questionable documents.

 Frida has been taught to sing for many months.

*Some verbs can be used in both A and B patterns.

*Some reporting verbs can only be used in the B pattern, especially the verbs encourage,
persuade, reassure, remind, tell, and warn.

C. It + passive verb + wh-clause

This pattern often uses the verbs discover, explain, find, know, reveal, show, and understand to
report information that has been discovered, learned, or found out.

It has been found out who the perpetrators of last night’s robbery were.
It has been explained why the supposed council meeting was postponed.

Echo Questions

Echo questions​ are used when the listener wants the speaker to repeat what was just said.
This is usually used as an expression of surprise or a means to ask for clarification. Echo
questions usually repeat details already mentioned and is said in a rising intonation. In echo
questions expressing surprise, the pattern changes into​ subject + verb + wh-question​.

Reported Speech

When reporting statements, a that-clause is used in the reported clause. That may be omitted
after reporting verbs such as notice, agree, mention, say, promise, and think.

He thought the inspector was bluffing.

 The manager mentioned the increase of sales this month.

However, that should not be left out after reporting verbs such as deny, confide, complain,
speculate, grumble, warn, reply, answer, and argue.

He argued that turtles can breathe through their butt.

Mr. Cruz denied that his health was declining.

That is also not left out when the that-clause does not immediately follow the verb.

Ellis agreed with her friends that it would be better to watch a less morbid movie
than Battle Royale. (NOT “…agreed with her friends it would be better…”)

Jacob promised his mom that he will not join the army.

Reporting with Modals

1. If the situation being reported is existing or is yet to happen in the future and the verb in the
reporting clause is in the present, use can, will, and may in the reported clause.

2. When the situation being reported exists or is yet to happen and the verb in the reporting
clause is in the past tense, use would/will, can/could, or may/ might in the reported clause.

“He may not agree to the terms you’re proposing.”

They said he may/might not agree to the terms I’m proposing.

3. When the situation being reported used shall to talk about the future, use would.
 “I shall meet you next weekend.”
She told me she would meet me next weekend.
4. When the situation used shall for confirmation, offers, suggestions, requests, or advice, use
should.

“What shall I do with the large boxes downstairs?”

He asked what he should do with the boxes downstairs.

5. When must is used in the original/direct speech to talk about the necessity of doing
something, use must or had to in the reported speech.

“You must arrive at the park by noon.”

Mom said I must/had to arrive at the park by noon.​

6. When must is used in the original/direct speech to conclude that something happened or that
something is true, use must but not had to in the reported speech.

“I must have left my phone somewhere.”

She said she must have left her phone somewhere.

7. When mustn’t is used in the original/direct speech, use mustn’t (but not didn’t have to) in the
reported speech.

“You mustn’t act as though you know everything.”

He told me that I mustn’t act as though I know everything.

That-clause with Should

A ​that-clause​ is used with ​should + infinitive​ when reporting requests, suggestions, orders,
advice, etc. and about things which are needed to be done. Should is usually followed by a be
+ past participle (passive) or a be verb + adjective.

When omitting should in less formal contexts, use the ordinary forms of the verbs rather than
the ​subjunctive form​. When omitting should in formal contexts, use the base form of the verb
or the present subjunctive. It is used when bringing about the situation expressed in a
that-clause.
When talking about one’s own reaction to something that one is reporting, should is used in a
that-clause after be + adjective. When omitting should in sentences like this, do not use a
subjunctive. Instead, use an ordinary tense.

She was concerned that he should think she ran away from the police.
She was concerned that he thinks she ran away from the police.

Moreover, should is used in a that-clause when talking about a situation that exists now or in the
future.

It’s not shocking that he should be caught tampering the signatures.

I believe that he should perceive a more suitable métier for him.

A subjunctive is preferred rather than should when talking about a plan or an intention.

I arranged that he come to the party at the exact time of the startling news.
He planned that tiny bulbs light up at the entrance when she walks through the
pavement.

Reported Speech with WH- Questions

Some verbs can be followed by a clause starting with a wh-clause (like what, when, where, who,
why, which, or how). Verbs such as calculate, check, choose, determine, discuss, forget,
imagine, debate, determine, plan, notice, realize, and a lot more can also be followed by a
that-clause and a wh-clause (except why) + to-infinitive.

1. If a subject is added to the WH-word, a to-infinitive is not needed.

I can’t understand why he likes mushroom so much.

 I can’t imagine how she manipulated the judges in the competition.
2. Verbs need an object before the WH-word, and these verbs can also be followed by object +
WH-word + to-infinitive.

My Korean friend advised me when to book a flight to Korea.

He taught me how to handle obnoxious customers.

3. When showing possible choices, use whether as the WH- word in a WH-clause. Whether is
similar to if.

I couldn’t recall whether/if I had sent her the data she needs.
She can’t decide whether/if she’ll go to their usual rendezvous.

4. When talking about the choice between two or more possibilities, whether is often followed by
a to-infinitive. If is never used before a to-infinitive.

There are only a few days left to decide whether to keep him or not.
(NOT “… left to decide if to keep him…”)

My roommate asked me whether I prefer to eat out or not.

5. In formal contexts, as to is used with a similar meaning to about or concerning before a

WH-clause, most commonly whether.

The incident was considered by the police as to whether it should be reported in

the media due to its sensitivity.
My parents discussed as to whether they’ll send me to a private or public school.

Reported Speech with WH-words

When reporting people’s words and thoughts using a noun in the reporting clause, it is followed
by a reported clause starting with that, to-infinitive, or WH-word.

1. When reporting using the following nouns, “that” is not usually omitted. Instead of using a
that-clause, use a to-infinitive clause.

refusal threat promise order invitation

 encouragement decision instruction recommendation

2. There are also nouns such as problem, question, issue, discussion, and explanation that are
followed by a WH-clause. The word “of ” is usually used directly after these nouns.

He raised the issue of how the organization is losing its members rapidly.

3. Use as to + WH-clause or as to + WH- word + to-infinitive when introducing a topic or a

question being discussed or thought about.

She asked my advice as to what subject she should study at the university.
She asked my advice as to what to study at the university.

4. Adjectives such as sure, angry, annoyed, etc. can be used to report someone’s opinions or
feelings about a situation. They are usually followed by a that-clause.

The secretary was sure that the complications started when one of the new
members questioned the authorities.

Noun Phrases

There are many ways in which one could add information about a noun phrase.

1. A conjunction such as and or or is added to a noun phrase.

Billy, her best friend and a well-known party-person, thinks that she already left for
vacation.
Geology or the study of Earth is being taught in elementary school these days.

2. Use the adverb namely and the phrase that is.

People think that this side effect of lack of sleep, namely being hyperactive, is good for
productivity.
The main cause of our unhappiness, that is scarce personal interactions with other
people, is making us discontented with our lives.

3. Use a participle clause beginning with an –ing, -ed, or being + ed verb form.
 The bookstore opening in the opposite street comes from London.
The typewriter displayed in the museum has been missing for a month now.
4. Use a to-infinitive clause.

Have you brought a book for Jacob to read on our trip?

His decision to leave from the organization was made after drinking three cups of coffee.

5. The –ing and –ed clauses are used instead of non-defining relative clauses for writing,
especially in newspapers. These are written between commas or dashes (-).

The kids, wearing drapes from her windows, climbed apple trees and enjoyed the day.
The articles – expected to be submitted by the end of the day – are not yet done.

Participle Clauses with Adverbial Meaning

To give information about causes, timing, and results of described events, the present participle
(-ing) and past participle (-ed) are used.

Closing the gates, she began to weep. (when the gates closed)
Faced with the most fearsome foe, the young boxer has accepted defeat. (because he
is faced)

Having + past participle is used at the beginning of a clause instead of a present participle when
the action verb in the main clause is the consequence of the event in the participle clause.

Having her motorbike stolen the last time she parked in the area, Lene decided not to
visit the Hamptons. (or After stealing her motorbike…; not Stealing her motorbike…)

Having wanted to travel all her life, he immediately booked a flight upon the approval of
his leave.