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We use the present simple for: habits, permanent or long-term situations, facts. start learning
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We use the present simple for: habits, permanent or long-term situations, facts.
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Habits: I clean my teeth every night. start learning
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Habits: I clean my teeth every night.
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Permanent or long-term situations: I come from Australia. They live near the sea. start learning
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Permanent or long-term situations: I come from Australia. They live near the sea.
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Facts: Ice melts in the heat. start learning
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Facts: Ice melts in the heat.
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We use the present simple for: habits, permanent or long-term situations, facts. Habits: I clean my teeth every night. Permanent or long-term situations: I come from Australia. They live near the sea. Facts: Ice melts in the heat. start learning
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We use the present simple for: habits, permanent or long-term situations, facts. Habits: I clean my teeth every night. Permanent or long-term situations: I come from Australia. They live near the sea. Facts: Ice melts in the heat.
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Typical time words and expressions used with the present simple include: start learning
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Typical time words and expressions used with the present simple include:
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usually, always, never, hardly ever, as often as I can, twice a day, whenever I can. start learning
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usually, always, never, hardly ever, as often as I can, twice a day, whenever I can.
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Typical time words and expressions used with the present simple include: usually, always, never, hardly ever, as often as I can, twice a day, whenever I can. start learning
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Typical time words and expressions used with the present simple include: usually, always, never, hardly ever, as often as I can, twice a day, whenever I can.
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For surprising or annoying habits (things that happen very often or too often), we use: start learning
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For surprising or annoying habits (things that happen very often or too often), we use:
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the present continuous or the present continuous + always, start learning
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the present continuous or the present continuous + always,
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keep + gerund or keep on + gerund: start learning
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keep + gerund or keep on + gerund:
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Kate's always giving me chocolates. I don't know why! start learning
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Kate's always giving me chocolates. I don't know why!
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She's always saying silly things. (It's annoying.) start learning
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She's always saying silly things. (It's annoying.)
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She keeps saying silly things. She keeps on saying silly things. start learning
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She keeps saying silly things. She keeps on saying silly things.
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For surprising or annoying habits (things that happen very often or too often), we use: the present continuous or the present continuous + always, keep + gerund or keep on + gerund: start learning
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For surprising or annoying habits (things that happen very often or too often), we use: the present continuous or the present continuous + always, keep + gerund or keep on + gerund:
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Kate's always giving me chocolates. I don't know why! She's always saying silly things. (It's annoying.) She keeps saying silly things. She keeps on saying silly things. start learning
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Kate's always giving me chocolates. I don't know why! She's always saying silly things. (It's annoying.) She keeps saying silly things. She keeps on saying silly things.
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We can also use tend to for things that usually happen: start learning
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We can also use tend to for things that usually happen:
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He tends to interfere in other people's business. start learning
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He tends to interfere in other people's business.
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Men don't tend to live as long as women. Men tend not to live as long as women. start learning
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Men don't tend to live as long as women. Men tend not to live as long as women.
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We can also use tend to for things that usually happen: He tends to interfere in other people's business. Men don't tend to live as long as women. Men tend not to live as long as women. start learning
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We can also use tend to for things that usually happen: He tends to interfere in other people's business. Men don't tend to live as long as women. Men tend not to live as long as women.
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We use will for: the typical way a person behaves, stating what we think or assume is true. start learning
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We use will for: the typical way a person behaves, stating what we think or assume is true.
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The typical way a person behaves: My brother will sit for hours just reading a book. (with a time expression for example for hours) start learning
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The typical way a person behaves: My brother will sit for hours just reading a book. (with a time expression for example for hours)
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Stating what we think or assume is true: That'll be your sister on the phone. Can you answer it? start learning
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Stating what we think or assume is true: That'll be your sister on the phone. Can you answer it?
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We use will for: The typical way a person behaves: My brother will sit for hours just reading a book. (with a time expression for example for hours). Stating what we think or assume is true: That'll be your sister on the phone. Can you answer it? start learning
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We use will for: The typical way a person behaves: My brother will sit for hours just reading a book. (with a time expression for example for hours). Stating what we think or assume is true: That'll be your sister on the phone. Can you answer it?
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We use the present continuous for: something happening now, temporary situations, changing or developing situations. start learning
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We use the present continuous for: something happening now, temporary situations, changing or developing situations.
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Something happening now: I’m watching TV at the moment. start learning
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Something happening now: I’m watching TV at the moment.
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Temporary situations: She's studying economics. start learning
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Temporary situations: She's studying economics.
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Changing or developing situations: It's getting dark. start learning
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Changing or developing situations: It's getting dark.
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We use the present continuous for: Something happening now: I’m watching TV at the moment. Temporary situations: She's studying economics. Changing or developing situations: It's getting dark. start learning
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We use the present continuous for: Something happening now: I’m watching TV at the moment. Temporary situations: She's studying economics. Changing or developing situations: It's getting dark.
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Typical time expressions used with the present continuous include: start learning
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Typical time expressions used with the present continuous include:
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at present, currently, at the moment, for the time being, today. start learning
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at present, currently, at the moment, for the time being, today.
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Typical time expressions used with the present continuous include: at present, currently, at the moment, for the time being, today. start learning
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Typical time expressions used with the present continuous include: at present, currently, at the moment, for the time being, today.
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Some examples of state verbs are verbs of: appearing, thinking, feeling, sensing, owning. start learning
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Some examples of state verbs are verbs of: appearing, thinking, feeling, sensing, owning.
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Appearing: appear, seem, look. start learning
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Appearing: appear, seem, look.
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Thinking: doubt, feel, gather, know, mean, remember, think, understand, expect. start learning
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Thinking: doubt, feel, gather, know, mean, remember, think, understand, expect.
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Feeling: dislike, hate, love, want, wish, prefer. start learning
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Feeling: dislike, hate, love, want, wish, prefer.
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Sensing: hear, see, smell, taste, sound. start learning
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Sensing: hear, see, smell, taste, sound.
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Owning: belong, need, owe, own. start learning
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Owning: belong, need, owe, own.
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Some examples of state verbs: appear, seem, look; doubt, feel, gather, know, mean, remember, think, understand, expect; dislike, hate, love, want, wish, prefer; hear, see, smell, taste, sound; belong, need, owe, own. start learning
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Some examples of state verbs: appear, seem, look; doubt, feel, gather, know, mean, remember, think, understand, expect; dislike, hate, love, want, wish, prefer; hear, see, smell, taste, sound; belong, need, owe, own.
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Other state verbs include: promise, agree, deny, depend, fit, mean, involve, matter. start learning
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Other state verbs include: promise, agree, deny, depend, fit, mean, involve, matter.
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Other state verbs include: promise, agree, deny, depend, fit, mean, involve, matter. start learning
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Other state verbs include: promise, agree, deny, depend, fit, mean, involve, matter.
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These verbs (state verbs) are not normally used in the continuous, except when they describe a mental or physical action or process: start learning
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These verbs (state verbs) are not normally used in the continuous, except when they describe a mental or physical action or process:
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I’m thinking of you all the time. (mental action) start learning
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I’m thinking of you all the time. (mental action)
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He's appearing in a new film. (physical action) start learning
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He's appearing in a new film. (physical action)
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These verbs (state verbs) are not normally used in the continuous, except when they describe a mental or physical action or process: I’m thinking of you all the time. (mental action). He's appearing in a new film. (physical action). start learning
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These verbs (state verbs) are not normally used in the continuous, except when they describe a mental or physical action or process: I’m thinking of you all the time. (mental action). He's appearing in a new film. (physical action).
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We can use the past simple (with a time word or expression) for past habits. start learning
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We can use the past simple (with a time word or expression) for past habits.
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Every day I got up at 7 a.m. and went to work by bus. start learning
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Every day I got up at 7 a.m. and went to work by bus.
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We can use the past simple (with a time word or expression) for past habits. Every day I got up at 7 a.m. and went to work by bus. start learning
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We can use the past simple (with a time word or expression) for past habits. Every day I got up at 7 a.m. and went to work by bus.
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We use used to + infinitive for habits or states which are no longer true: start learning
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We use used to + infinitive for habits or states which are no longer true:
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I used to go out every Friday. (habit) start learning
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I used to go out every Friday. (habit)
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We used to live in Bridgetown. (state) start learning
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We used to live in Bridgetown. (state)
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We use used to + infinitive for habits or states which are no longer true: I used to go out every Friday. (habit). We used to live in Bridgetown. (state) start learning
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We use used to + infinitive for habits or states which are no longer true: I used to go out every Friday. (habit). We used to live in Bridgetown. (state)
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We can use would for habits (but NOT states) which are no longer true: start learning
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We can use would for habits (but NOT states) which are no longer true:
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When I was younger, I would help my mother in the kitchen. start learning
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When I was younger, I would help my mother in the kitchen.
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(BUT NOT: When I was younger, I would live in Barbados.) start learning
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(BUT NOT: When I was younger, I would live in Barbados.)
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We can use would for habits (but NOT states) which are no longer true: When I was younger, I would help my mother in the kitchen. (BUT NOT: When I was younger, I would live in Barbados.) start learning
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We can use would for habits (but NOT states) which are no longer true: When I was younger, I would help my mother in the kitchen. (BUT NOT: When I was younger, I would live in Barbados.)
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We use the comparative form or as ... as to compare two or more people, things, places, etc. start learning
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We use the comparative form or as ... as to compare two or more people, things, places, etc.
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Chloe is a better singer than Hannah. (to a higher degree) start learning
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Chloe is a better singer than Hannah. (to a higher degree)
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Harry is as good a dancer as Ryan. (to the same degree) start learning
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Harry is as good a dancer as Ryan. (to the same degree)
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Amy is less confident than Katie. (to a lower degree) start learning
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Amy is less confident than Katie. (to a lower degree)
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Amy is not as confident as Katie. (to a higher degree) start learning
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Amy is not as confident as Katie. (to a higher degree)
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We use the comparative form or as ... as to compare two or more people, things, places, etc. Chloe is a better singer than Hannah. Harry is as good a dancer as Ryan. Amy is less confident than Katie. Amy is not as confident as Katie. start learning
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We use the comparative form or as ... as to compare two or more people, things, places, etc. Chloe is a better singer than Hannah. Harry is as good a dancer as Ryan. Amy is less confident than Katie. Amy is not as confident as Katie.
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We use the superlative form when we want to pick out one person, thing, place, etc. from all the others: start learning
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We use the superlative form when we want to pick out one person, thing, place, etc. from all the others:
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Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland. start learning
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Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland.
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We use the superlative form when we want to pick out one person, thing, place, etc. from all the others: Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland. start learning
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We use the superlative form when we want to pick out one person, thing, place, etc. from all the others: Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland.
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