Present Simple
affirmative: S+V1
III sg: S+V1-s/-es
interrogative: aux "to do"+S+V1
negative: S+"to do"+not+ V1
Usage:
-habits, repeated actions and permanent states
-sport commentaries, reviews, stories
-general truth, laws of nature
-timetables, schedule
Present Continuous
aff: S+aux "to be"+V1-ing
int: aux "to be"+S+V1-ing
neg: S+aux "to be"+not+V1-ing
Usage:
-now, action taking place at the moment of speaking
-temporary situation
-"always" to express annoyance
-gradual change
Past Continuous
aff: S+aux "to be"+V1-ing (to be used with it's specific past forms: "was" (for singular) and "were" (for plural)
int: aux "to be"+S+V1-ing
neg: S+"to be"+not+V1-ing
Usage:
-for an action in progress at a certain moment in the past
I was having lunch at 12AM yesterday
-for 2 or more simultaneous actions
My sister was cooking while my mom was washing the dishes
-for an action in progress when another one is interrupting it
I was reading when the phone rang
-to set the background in the opening of a story
Past Simple
aff: S+V2
int: "did"+S+V1
neg: S+"didn't"+V1
Usage:
-an action which finished in the past (the time of the action is stated, known or implied)
I went to the cinema yesterday
-two or more actions that take place immediately one after the other
I took out the key, opened the door...
-past habits or states (they don't continue any longer)
I went fishing when I was a child
-to talk about the lives of people who are no longer alive
Future Simple
aff: S+will/shall+V1 (shall is used only for the first person, singular and plural forms - I sg/pl)
int: will/shall+S+V1
neg: S+will/shall not+V1
Usage:
-on the spot decisions
I like both dresses but I'll buy the red one
-predictions based on what we think/believe
I think it will rain
"Be going to" Future
aff: S+aux"to be"+going to+V1
int: aux "to be"+S+going to+V1
neg: S+aux "to be"+not+going to+V1
Usage:
-decisions made before the moment of speaking (intentions, plans)
I'm going to spend my holiday at seaside
-predictions based on an evidence in the present
Look at the sky! It's going to rain.
Present Perfect
aff: S+aux "to have"+V3 (to have used as: I have, you have, he/she has, we have, you have, they have)
int: aux "to have"+S+V3
neg: S+aux "to have"+not+V3
Usage:
-we use P. Perf. for actions that started in the past and continue up to the present, especially with stated verbs
I have known him for 2 years
-for recently concluded action whose result is visible in the present (has an effect in the present)
I have just finished baking the cake
-for actions which took place at an unspecified moment in the past, the moment of the action is not important, the emphasis is placed on the action itself
He has broken his leg
-for an action that took place in a certain period of time, period which is not over yet (today, this month, morning)
She has written 3 letters today