1. Present simple 3 forms with ex.
Use: General truths – The sun sets in the west.
Current habits -
Permanent situations and states
Telling jokes and other informal stories
Live sports commentary
Newspaper headlines
Reviews and summaries
Instructions and directions
Proverbs and sayings – Too many cooks spoil the broth
Keys: always, usually, usually, generally, often, sometimes, rarely, seldom, never, whenever, nowadays, these days, from time to time, every now and then / every, each, once a week, twice, three times (before aux verb)
2. Present continuous 3 forms with ex.
Use: Actions happening now
Actions happening around now
Temporary situations and series of actions
Changing and developing situations
Annoying or amusing habits (usually with always)
Background information in jokes and other informal stories
Keys: now, right now, for now, currently, at the moment, for the time being, at present, today, this week
Warning: Stative verbs for states not actions
Appear, be, believe, belong to, hate, have, include, know, like, love, need, prefer, see, seem, taste, think, understand, want
Watch out: some may be used to describe actions. (be, have, think)
3. Past simple 3 forms with ex.
Use: Single completed actions
Repeated or habitual actions in the past
General truths about the past
Permanent situations and states in the past
The main events in a story
Keys: yesterday, last, in January 2001, ago
Irregular verbs
4. Past continuous 3 forms with ex.
Use: Actions in progress at a particular moment in the past
Actions in progress around a particular moment in the past
Temporary situations and series of actions in the past
Changing and developing situations in the past
Annoying or amusing past habits (usually with always)
