Grammar2Easy

English Grammar in Use (17) Present perfect with how long; simple past with when; since and for

2009-05-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

Present perfect with how long; simple past with when; since and for

A) Use the simple past (I did) to ask or say when something happened:

· A: When did it start raining?

· B: It started raining at one o'clock / an hour ago.

· A: When did Joe and Carol first meet?

· B: They first met when they were in college / a long time ago.

Use the present perfect (I have done / 1 have been doing) to ask or say how long something has been happening (up to the present):

· A: How long has it been raining?

· B: It's been raining since one o'clock / for an hour.

· A: How long have Joe and Carol known each other?

· B: They've known each other since they were in college / for a long time.

B) Since and for

We use both since and for to say how long something has been happening:

· I've been waiting for you since 8 o'clock.

· I've been waiting for you for two hours.

We use since when we say the beginning of the period (8 o'clock).

We use for when we say the period of time (two hours).

Since

For

8 o'clock

Monday

May 12

April

1977

Christmas

Lunchtime

we arrived

two hours ten minutes three days six months

a week five years

a long time ages

· She's been working here since April. (= from April until now)

She's been working here for six months. (not since six months)

· I haven't seen Tom since Monday. (= from Monday until now)

I haven't seen Tom for three days. (not since three days)

We do not use for in expressions with all (all day / all morning / all week / all my life, etc.):

· I've lived here all my life. (not for all my life)

C) Note the structure How long has it been since .. ?:

· A: How long has it been since you had a vacation?

· B: It's been (= it has been) two years since I had a vacation. (= I haven't had a vacation for two years.)

· It's been ages since Aunt Helen visited us. (= She hasn't visited us for ages.)

English Grammar in Use (16) Present Perfect simple & continuous with for, since, how long

2009-04-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

Present Perfect (I have done/I have been doing) with how long, for and since

A) Study this example situation:

Bob and Alice are married. They got married exactly 20 years ago, so today is their 20th wedding anniversary.

They have been married for 20 years.

We use the present perfect to say how long something has existed or how long something has been happening.

They are married. ....

> How long have they been married?
> They have been married for 20 years.

B) We use the present perfect continuous (I have been doing) to say how long something has been happening. Note that the action is still happening now.

I've been studying English for a long time.
Sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long?
It's been raining since I got up this morning.

Sometimes the action is a repeated action:

Liz has been driving for ten years.
How long have you been smoking?

The continuous (I have been doing) or the simple (I have done) can be used for actions repeated over a long period:

I've been collecting / I've collected stamps since I was a child.

C) We use the simple (I have done) for situations that exist for a long time (especially if we say always). Note that the situation still exists now.

My father has always worked hard. (not has always been working)

We use the continuous for situations over a shorter time. Compare:

John has been living in Caracas since January.
John has always lived in Caracas.

D) Some verbs (for example be, have, know) are not normally used in the continuous:

How long have Bob and Alice been married?
Sue has had a cold for the past week. (not has been having)
Bill and I have known each other since high school.

E) Do not use the simple present (I do) or present continuous (I am doing) to say how long something has been happening:

I've been waiting here for an hour. (not I am waiting)
How long have you known Jane? (not do you know)

E Grammar in Use (15) Present Perfect (Continious or Simple)

2009-03-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Present Perfect continuous (I have been doing) or Present Perfect Simple (I have done?

A) Study this example situations:

Ann's clothes are covered in paint. She *has been painting* the ceiling. Has been painting is the present perfect continuous tense.	The ceiling was white. Now it's blue. She *has painted* the ceiling. Has painted is the present perfect simple* tense.*
We are interested in the action. It does not matter whether something has been finished or not. In the example, the action has not been finished.	This time, the important thing is that something has been finished. We are interested in the result of the action, not in the action itself.
Here are some pairs of examples:
Tom's hands are very dirty. He has been fixing the car.	The car is working again now. Tom has fixed it.
You've been smoking too much lately. You should smoke less.	Somebody has smoked all my cigarettes. The packet is empty.
B) We use the continuous form to say how long something has been happening:	We use the simple form to say how much we have done, how many things we have done, or how many times we have done something:
Ann has been writing letters all day. How long have you .been reading that book? Jim has been playing tennis since 2:00.	Ann has written ten letters today. How many pages of that book have you read? Jim has played tennis three times this week.

C) Some verbs are not used in the continuous form, for example know. You have to say have known (not have been knowing). For a list of these verbs see Unit 3b.

English Grammar in Use (14) Present Perfect Continious

2009-03-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

Present Perfect Continious

(I have been doing)

(A) Study this example situation:

Is it raining?

No, it isn't, but the ground is wet.

It has been raining.

This is the present perfect continuous tense:

I/we/they/you have (= I've, etc.) been doing

he/she/it has (= he's, etc.) been doing

We use the present perfect continuous when we talk about an action that began in the past and has recently stopped or just stopped.

Here are some examples:

You're out of breath. Have you been running?
Why are yOUT clothes so dirty? What have you been doing?
I've been talking to Tom about your problem, and he thinks...

(B) We also use the present perfect continuous to ask or say how long something has been happening. This time the action or situation began in the past and is still happening or has just stopped.

Study this example:

It is raining now. It began to rain two hours ago, and it is still raining.

It has been raining for two hours.

We often use the present perfect continuous in this way, especially with how long, for, and since.

Here are some more examples:

Have you been working hard today?
How long have you been studying English?
They've been waiting here for over an hour.
I've been watching television since 2:00.
George hasn't been feeling very well lately .

You can also use the present perfect continuous (with how long, for, and since) for actions repeated over a period of time:

She has been playing tennis since she was eight.
How long have you been smoking?

For more information about the present perfect + since/for, see Units 18~19. For the difference between the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous, see Units 17-18.

English Grammar in Use (13) Present Perfect (I have done)

2009-02-22T04:25:00.000-08:00

Present Perfect (I have done)

(A) Study this example situation:

Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it.

He has lost his key.

"He has lost his key" means that he lost it a short time ago and he still doesn't have it.

This is the present perfect (simple) tense:

I/we/they/you have (= I've, etc.) lost

he/she has (= he's, etc.) lost

I (etc.) haven't lost

he/she hasn't

has he/she lost

have you (etc.) lost?

We form the present perfect with have/has + the past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed (opened, decided), but many important verbs are irregular (lost, written, done, etc.). See Appendix 2.

(B) When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with the present:

· I've lost my key. (= I don't have it now.)

· Jim has gone to Canada. (= He is in Canada or on his way there now.)

· I've lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

· Did you hear about Jim? He's gone to Canada.

You can use the present perfect with just (= a short time ago):

· "Would you like something to eat?" "No, thanks. I've just had lunch."

· Hello, have you just arrived?

Use the present perfect with already to say something has happened sooner than expected:

· "Don't forget to mail the letter." "I've already mailed it."

· "When is Tom going to start his new job?" "He has already started."

Note that you can also use the simple past (I did I I lost, etc.) in the above situations.

· I lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

· "Would you like something to eat?" "No thanks. I just had lunch."

· "Don't forget tomai! the letter." "I already mailed it."

(D) Study the difference between gone to and been to:

· Beth is on vacation. She has gone to Italy. (= She is there now or she is on her way there.)

· Tom is back from his vacation. He has been to Italy. (= He was there, but now he has come back.)

(See also Unit 114.)

For the present perfect see also Units 14-19.

For the present perfect and simple past see Units 19-20.

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2009-02-22T04:13:00.000-08:00

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English Grammar in Use (12) Past continuous (I was doing)

2008-12-29T23:08:00.000-08:00

Past continuous (I was doing)

A) Study this example:

Yesterday Tom and Jim played tennis. They began at 10 o'clock and finished at 11 o'clock.

What were they doing at 10.30?

They were playing tennis (at 10.30).

'They were playing' means that they were in the middle of playing tennis. They had started playing but they hadn't finished.

This is the past continuous tense:

I / he/ she was playing

We / they / you were playing

We use the past continuous to say that someone was in the middle of doing something at a certain time. The action or situation had already started before this time but hadn't finished:

- This time last year I was living in Brazil.

- What were you doing at 10 o'clock last nigh?

B) The past continuous does not tell us whether an action was finished or not. Perhaps it was finished, perhaps not. Compare:

- Tom was cooking the dinner. (past continuous) = He was in the middle of cooking the dinner and we don't know whether he finished cooking it.

- Tom cooked the dinner (past simple) = He began and finished it.

C) We often use the past continuous (I was doing) and the past simple (I did) together to say that something happened in the middle of something else:

- Tom was burnt his hand when he was cooking the dinner.

- I saw Jim in the pub. He was drinking gin and talking to the barman.

- It was raining when I got up.

- While I was working in the garden, I hurt my back.

But to say that one thing happened after another, use the past simple:

- Yesterday evening Tom was having a bath when the phone rang. He got out of the bath and answered the phone.

Compare:

- When Tom arrived, we were having dinner. (past continuous) = We had already started dinner before Tom arrived.

- When Tom arrived, we had dinner. (past simple) = Tom arrived and then we had dinner.

Note: There are some verbs (for example know) which are not normally used in continuous tenses.

For your questions and suggestions, Post a comment

English Grammar in Use (11) Past simple (I did)

2008-12-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Past simple (I did)

A) Study this example :

Tom : Look! It’s raining again.

Ann : Oh no, not again. It rained all day yesterday too.

Rained is the past simple tense. We use the past simple to talk about actions or situations in the past.

- I very much enjoyed the party.

- Mr. Edwards died ten years ago.

- When I lived in Manchester, I worked in a bank.

B) Very often the past simple ends in -ed :

- We invited them to our party but they decided not to come.

- The police stopped me on my way home last night.

- She passed her examination because she studied very hard.

But many important verbs are irregular.This means that the past simple does not end in -ed. For Example:

leave → left We all left the party at 11 o’clock.

go → went Yesterday I went to London to see a friend of mine.

cost → cost This house cost $35,000 in 1980.

The past of the verb be (am/is/are) is was/were :

I/he/she/it

was

we/you/they

were

I was angry because Tom and Ann were late.

C) In past simple questions and negatives we use did/didn’t + the infinitive (do/open/rain etc.):

It rained did it rain? It didn’t rain

- Ann : Did you go out last night, Tom?

- Tom : Yes, I went to the cinema. But I didn’t enjoy the film.

- When did Mr. Edwards die?

- What did you do at the week-end?

- We didn’t invite her to the party, so she didn’t come.

- Why didn’t you phone me on Tuseday?

Note that we normally use did/didn’t with have:

- Did you have time to write the litter?

- I didn’t have enough money to buy anything to eat.

But we do not use did with the verb be (was/were):

- Why were you so angry?

- They weren’t able to come because they were very busy.

Was Tom at work yesterday?

English Grammar in Use (10) When and If sentences (When I do … If I do ……..)

2008-11-21T06:34:00.000-08:00

When and If sentences (When I do … If I do ……..)

A) Study this example:

A: What time will you phone me tonight?

B: I'll phone you when I get home from work.

'I'll phone you when I get home from work' is sentence with two parts: 'I'll phone you' (the main part) and 'when I get home from work' (the when part). The sentence is future (tonight) but you cannot use will or going to in the when part of the sentence. Instead we use a present tense, usually present simple (I do).

- I'll send you a postcard when I'm on holiday. (not 'when I will be')

- When the rain stops, we'll go out. (not 'when the rain will stop')

The same thing happens after:

while after before until / till as soon as

- Can you look after the children while I am out? (not 'will be')

- Before you leave, you must visit the museum. (not 'will leave')

- Wait here until I come back. (not 'will come')

B) You can also use the present perfect (I have done) after when / after / until etc. to show that the first action will be finished before the second:

- When I've read this book, you can have it.

- Don't say anything while Tom is here. Wait here until he has gone.

It is often possible to use present simple or present perfect:

- I'll come as soon as I finish.

Or I'll come as soon as I've finished.

- You'll feel better after you have something to eat.

Or You 'll feel better after you've had something to eat.

C) After if we also use the present simple I do for the future:

- It's raining. We'll get wet if we go out. (not 'if we will go')

- Hurry up! If you don't hurry, we'll be late. (not 'if we wont' hurry').

Be careful not to confuse when and if.

Use when for things which are sure to happen:

- I'm going shopping this afternoon. If I go shopping, I'll buy some food.

- If it rains this evening. I won't go out. (not 'when it rains')

Don't worry if I'm late tonight. (not 'when I'm late')

- If he doesn't come soon, I'm not going to wait. (not 'when he doesn't come').

English Grammar in Use (9) Will (2)

2008-10-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Will (2)

A) When we talk about the future, we often say what someone has arranged to do or intends to do. Do not use will in this situation:

- Tom is playing tennis on Monday. (not 'Tom will play')

- Are you going to watch television this evening? (not 'will you watch')

But often when we are talking about the future, we are not talking about arrangements or intentions. Study this example:

Tom: I'm very worried about my examination next week.

Ann: Don't worry, Tom, You'll pass.

'You'll pass' is not an arrangement or an intention. Ann is just saying what will happen. Or what she think will happen; she is predicting the future. When we predict a future happening or a future situation, we use will/won't.

- When you return home, You'll notice a lot of changes.

- This time next year I'll be in Japan. Where will you be?

- When will you know your examination results?

- Tom won't pass his examination. He hasn't done any work for it.

We often use will with these words and expressions:

Probably è I'll probably be a bit later this evening.

(I'm) sure è You must meet Ann. I'm sure you'll like her.

(I) expect è I expect Carol will get the job.

(I) think è Do you think we'll win the match?

B) Will and shall:

you can use Shall or will with I and we:

- We shall (or we will ) probably go to Scotland in june.

But in spoken English we normally use the short forms I'll and we'll:

- We'll probably go to Scotland in June.

The negative of shall is shan't (or shall not):

- I shan't (or I won't) be here tomorrow.

Do not use shall with he/she/it/you/they.

Note that we use shall (not will) in the questions shall I ……..? and shall we …? (for offers, suggestions etc.:

- Shall I open the window? (= Do you want to me to open the window?)

- I've got money. What shall I do? (= What do you suggest I do?)

- Where shall we go this evening?

English Grammar in Use (8) Going to (I am going to do)

2008-08-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

Going to (I am going to do)

A) We use going to (do) when we say what we have already decided to do, what we intend to do in the future:

-A:There's a film on television tonight. Are you going to watch it?
B:No, I'm too tired. I'm going to have an early night.
-A:I hear Ann has won a lot of money. What is she going to do with it?
B:I've heard she's going to travel round the world.
-A:Have you made the coffee yet?
B:No, but I'm just going to make it.
(just = just at this moment)

B) We prefer to use the present continuous (I am doing) when we stay what someone has arranged to do – for example, arranged to meet someone, arranged to travel somewhere.
Going to is also possible:

- What time are you meeting Ann? (or 'are you going to meet')
- I'm traveling to Scotland on Monday. (or 'I'm going to travel.

C) We use was/were going to say what someone intended to do in the past but didn't do):

- We were going to travel by train but then we decided to go by car.
- A: Did Tom do the examination?
B: No, he was going to do it but in the end he changed his mind.
- I was just going to cross the road when someone shouted "Stop!'.

D) Going to also has another meaning. Study this example situation:

The man can't see where he is going.
There is a hole in front of him.
He is going to fall into the hole.

We use going to in this way when we say what we think will happen. Usually there is something in the present situation (the man walking towards the hole) that makes the speaker sure about what will happen.

* Look at those black clouds! It's going to rain. (The clouds are there now)
* Oh, I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick. (I feel terrible now)

English Grammar in Use (7) Will

2008-05-11T18:46:00.001-07:00

Will

(A) We use will (’ll) when we decide to do something at the time of speaking :

- Oh, I’ve left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.

- ‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘I’ll have tea, please.’

- ‘Did you phone Ann?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot it. I’ll do it now.’

- I’m too tired to walk home. I think I’ll get a taxi.

The negative of will is won't (or will not):

Receptionist : I'm afraid Mr Wood can't see you until 4 o'clock.

You : Oh, in that case I won't wait.

We often use I think I'll ……or I don' think I'll…when we decide to do something:

- I think I'll stay at home this evening.

- I don't think I'll go out tonight. I'm too tired.

(B) We often use will in these situations:

Offering to do something:

- That bag looks heavy. I'll help you with it.

(not ' I help ')

- ' I need some money' . ' Don't worry. I'll lend you some.'

Agreeing or refusing to do something:

- A: You know that book I lent you ? Can I have it back?

B: Of course. I'll bring it back this afternoon.

(not ' I bring')

- I've asked John to help me but he won't

- The car won't start. ( = the car ' refuses ' to start)

Promising to do something:

- Than you for lending me the money. I'll pay you back on Friday.

(not ' I pay')

- I won't tell Tom what you said. I promise.

- I promise I'll phone you as soon as I arrive.

Asking someone to do something (Will you…?):

- Will you shut the door, please?

- Will you please be quiet? I'm trying to concentrate.

English Grammar in Use (6) Present tenses (I am doing/I do) with future meaning

2008-05-10T01:18:00.000-07:00

Present tenses (I am doing/I do) with future meaning

A- Present continuous with a future meaning :

Study this example situation :

Sun

Thurs

Mon

Tennis 2pm

Fri

Dinner with Ann

Tuesday Dentist

Sat

Wed

This is Tom's diary for next week.

He is playing tennis on Monday afternoon.

He is going to the dentist on Tuesday morning.

He is having dinner with Ann on Friday.

In all these examples, Tom has already decided

and arranged to do these things.

When you are talking about what you have already arranged to do, use the present continuous (I am doing). Do not use the present simple (I do).

-A	:	What are you doing tomorrow evening? (not 'what do you do'))
B	:	I'm going to the theatre. (not 'I go')
-A	:	Are you playing football tomorrow?
B	:	Yes, but Tom isn't playing. He has hurt his leg.
-A	:	Ann is coming tomorrow.
B	:	Oh, is she? What time is she arriving?
-A	:	At 10.15.
B	:	Are you meeting her at the station?
-A	:	I can't. I'm working tomorrow morning.

It is also possible to use going to (do) in these sentences:

- What are you going to do tomorrow evening?

- Tom is going to play tennis on Monday afternoon.

But the present continuous is usually more natural when you are talking about arrangements.

Do not use will to talk about what you have arranged to do:

- What are you doing this evening? (not 'what will you do')

- Alex is getting married next month. (not 'Alex will get')

B- Present simple with a future meaning:

We use the present simple when we are talking about timetables, programmers etc. (for example, for public transport, cinemas):

- What time does the film being?

- The train leaves Plymouth at 10.30 and arrives in London at 13.45.

- The football match starts at 8 o'clock.

- Tomorrow is Wednesday.

But we do not normally use the present simple for personal arrangements:

- What time are you meeting Ann? (not 'do you meet')

English Grammar in Use (5) The Use of Punctuation Marks

2008-04-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Use of Punctuation Marks

1- The Comma (,) 2- The Full Stop (.) 3- The Colon (:)

4- The Exclamation Mark (!) 5- The Question Mark (?). 6- Quotation Marks (" ").

1- The Use of Commas(,).

a) To separate items
I bought two shirts, a pair of shoes, half a dozen handkerchiefs and a beautiful tie.

b) To separate clauses or phrases from the rest of the sentence:

Our headmaster, Mr.Ahmed, is absent today.

Although he was poor, he was happy.

c) Before the quotations:

I said to Ali, "Where did you live?"

d) In letters after salutation:

Dear Mr. Smith, Dear uncle.

2- The use of Full Stop(.):

a) At the end of a statement

I found my lost book.

b) After abbreviations, the first letters in names:

A.R.E. - U.S.A. - A.H. Salem - M.A. El Sadat.

3- The colon (:):

It is used before the quotation or before a list

The tourist exclaimed: "What a great Pyramid".

I telephoned the grocer and order the following:

a packet of tea, half a pound of butter and two kilos of sugar.

4- The question mark (?):

It is used after a question.

1- Where do you live?

2- Have you seen the new film?

5- The exclamation Mark (!)

It is used to express a strong feeling:

Hurrah! Our team has won (feeling of joy).

Alas! The poor child is homeless (strong feeling of sorrow).

My dear! I am delighted to see you (strong feeling of joy).

6- The Quotation Marks (" ")

a) To enclose direct quotations.

I said to my friend, "What is the time now?"

b) To enclose titles of books, plays, newspapers and magazines.

"Al Akhbar" is published in Cairo.

"Al Mossawar" is an illustrated weekly.

Have you read "Hamelt"?

English Grammar in Use (4) The Use of Capital Letters

2008-04-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

The Use of Capital Letters

Capital letters are used at the beginning of:

1- Names of person, cities, towns,
countries, regions, rivers, mountains and seas:

Ahmed-Magdi-Cairo-New York-Iraq-Egypt-Sudan
- The Arab Republic of Egypt The Nile - The Mokattam Hills - The Mediterranean - The Red Sea.

2- Adjectives formed from proper nouns:

Egyptian - Syrian - English - German - Russian - etc.

3- The first letter of the first word of every new sentence.

4- The first word of a quotation:

He said to me, "Please lend me your book".

5- The names of months, days of the week and festivals:

January - February - March - April - May, etc.

Saturday - Sunday - Monday - Tuesday, etc.

Ramadan - Christmas - Sham El Nessem.

6- Titles of offices and descriptive titles

The President

The Vice President

The Minister of Education

Dr. Kamel-Mr.Adly-Mr. Ramzy - Professor Magdi.

7- Forms of addresses in letters:

Dear Sir - Dear Mis - Dear Friend, etc.

8- Titles of books, newspapers, magazines;

The Citadel - Cleopatra - El Ayam. etc.

Al Ahmram - the Egyptian Gazette. The Times. etc.

9- The word "God" and Pronouns that stands for it:

We pray to "God" so that "He" may help us.

English Grammar in Use (3) Present continuous (I am doing) or present simple (I do ) ?

2008-04-20T02:20:00.000-07:00

Present continuous (I am doing) or present simple (I do ) ?

A) Study this explanation and compare the examples:

Present continuous (I am doing) Use the present continuos to talk about something which is happening at or around the time of speaking:					Present simple (I do) Use the present simple to talk about things in general or things which happen repeatedly:
The kettle is boiling. Can you turn it off,please? Listen to those people. What language are they speaking? ‘Where’s Tom?’ ‘He’s playing tennis.’ (you find a stranger in your room) What are you doing here? Silvia is in Britain for three months. She’s learning English. Use the present continuos for a temporary situation: I’m living with some friends until I can find a flat. That machine isn’t working. It broke down this morning.					Water boils at 100 degrees centigrade. Excuse me, do you speak English? Tom plays tennis every Saturday. What do you do? (=What’s your job?) Most people learn to swim when they are children. Use the present simple for a permanent situation: My parents live in London. They have been there for 20 years. That machine doesn’t work. It hasn’t worked for years.

B) Some verbs used only in simple tenses. For example, you cannot say ‘I am knowing’. You can only say I know. Here is a list of verbs which are not normally used in continuous tenses (but there are exceptions):

want	like	belong	know	suppose	remember
need	love	see	realise	mean	forget
prefer	hate	hear	believe	understand	seem
have	(When the meaning is ‘possess’)
think	(When the meaning is ‘believe’)

Do you like London? (not ‘are you liking’)

He doesn’t understand. (not ‘he isn’t understanding’)

These shoes belong to me. (not ‘are belonging’)

What do you think Tom will do? (= What do you believe he will do?)

But:

What are you thinking about? (= What is going on in your mind?)

English Grammar in Use (2) Present simple (I do)

2008-04-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Present simple (I do)

a) Study this example situation:

Alex is a bus driver. But now he is asleep in bed.

So:

He is not driving a bus (he is asleep).

But:

He drives a bus.

This is the present simple tense:

I /We/They/You Þ drive

He/She/It Þ drives

We use the present simple when we talk about things in general. We are not thinking only about the present. We use it to say that some thing happens all the time or repeatedly, or that some thing is true in general. It is not important whether the action is happening at the time of speaking:

The earth goes round the sun.

Nurses look after patients in hospitals.

In Britain most of the shops close at 5.30 p.m.

Remember that we say he/she/it –s. Don't forget the s:

I work in a bank. Barry works in a shop.

B) We use do/does to make questions and negative sentences:

do (I/we/you/they) work?

does (he/she/it) work?

(I/we/you/they) don't work

(he/she/it) doesn't work

Excuse me, do you speak English?

"Would you like a cigarette?" "No, thanks. I don't smoke."

What does

this word mean? (not "What means this word?")

Rice doesn't grow in Britain.

C) We use the present simple when we say how often we do things:

I get up at 8 o'clock every morning. (not "am getting")

How often do

you go to the dentist?

Ann doesn't often drink cola.

In summer Tom usually plays tennis twice a week.

D) Notes that we say “Where do you come from?” (= Where are you are from?):

Where do you come from? (not “where are you coming from?”)

He comes from Japan. (not “He is coming from Japan.”)

E) When you make a suggestion, you can say Why don’t you…. ? :

"I’m tired.” “Why don’t you go to bed early?”

English Grammar in Use (1) Present continuous (I am doing)

2008-04-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Present continuous (I am doing)

Study this example situation:

Ann is in her car. She is on her way to work.

She is driving to work.

This means: She is driving now, at the time of speaking.

This is the present continuous tense:

I am = (I'm) driving

He/She/It is = (he's etc.) driving

We/They/You are = (we're etc.) driving

We use the present continuous when we talk about something which is happening at the time of speaking.

- Please don't make so much noise. I'm studying. (not "I study")

- "where is Margaret?" "She's having a bath." (not "she has")

- Let's go out now. It isn't raining any more.

- (at a party) Hello, Ann. Are you enjoying the party? (not "do you enjoy")

We also use the present continuous when we talk about something which is happening around the time of speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking. Study this example situation:

- Tom and Ann are talking and drinking in a café. Tom says: "I'm reading an interesting book at the moment. I'll lend it to you when I've finished it."

Tom is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun the book and hasn't finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it. Here are some more examples:

- Silvia is learning English at the moment. (not "learns")

- Have you heard about Tom? He is building his own house. (not "builds")

But perhaps Silvia and Tom are not doing these things exactly at the time of speaking.

C) We often use the present continuous when we talk about a period around the present. For examples: (today – these days – this season etc. ) :

- "You're working hard today." "Yes, I have a lot to do."

- These days more and more people are learning foreign languages.

- Tom isn't playing football this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies.

We use the present continuous when we talk about changing situations:

- The population of the world is rising very fast. (not "rises")

- Is your English getting better? (not "does…get")