Present Tense and Present Tense Aspects

 

The English language has two tenses. A tense is defined by the conjugation of the verbs to create the tense. In English we conjugate the verbs for present simple and past simple; therefore, we have two tenses. However, within both of these tenses we have aspects. In this blog post we will look at the present tense and the aspects within the present tense.

The Simple Aspect

When we use the simple aspect, we view the action or series of actions as a whole.

The simple aspect indicates:

- That an action or series of actions is complete e.g. daily routines

- The situation is permanent or is regarded as permanent e.g. Timetables.

We can use both dynamic and stative verbs in the simple aspect.

Dynamic verbs are verbs which describe actions and often have the auxiliary verb 'to do' used in negative affirmations and question formation.

Stative verbs are verbs which do not describe actions, they describe feelings, thoughts, wishes, the senses and states of being e.g. Know, like, belong, smell, understand.

Present Simple

We use the present simple:

- To talk about regular habits or repeated actions.

I get up really early and practise for an hour of so most days.

I use the internet just about every day.

Words that describe how often or when are often used (e.g. always, generally, normally, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day, every morning)

- To talk about permanent situations.

My parents own a restaurant.

Note – we use the present perfect and not the present simple to say how long something has continued (see present perfect).

- To talk about facts or general truths.

Students don't generally have much money.

If you heat water to 100 degrees celsius, it boils. (zero conditional).

- To give instructions (the imperative) and directions.

(You) go down to the traffic lights, then turn left.

To start the programme, first (you) click on the icon on the desktop.

- To tell stories and talk about films, books and plays.

In the film, the tea lady falls in love with the Prime Minister.

Note – in academic English we use the present tense to refer to articles and books.

Continuous (Progressive) Aspect

When we use the continuous aspect, we view the action or series of actions in progress. The continuous aspect does not describe the whole event.

The continuous aspect indicates:

That the action or series of actions are in progress. We view

the action at some point between its beginning and its end.

The action is not complete.

The situation is temporary.

Because we use the continuous aspect to describe an action

in progress, we use the continuous aspect with dynamic

verbs, but not with stative verbs.

We use the present continuous:

- To talk about temporary situations.

I'm studying really hard for my exams.

My cousin is living in Thailand at the moment (he doesn't normally live there).

- To talk about actions happening at the moment of speaking.

What are you doing now? - I'm waiting for my friends.

- To talk about trends or changing situations.

The internet is making it easier for people to stay in touch with each other.

The price of petrol is rising dramatically.

- To talk about things that happen more often than expected, often to show envy or criticise with adverbs like always, constantly, continually, forever.

My mum's always saying I don't help enough (complaint).

He's always visiting exciting places (envy).

The Perfect Aspect in the Present

We use the present perfect when we want to show a link between the present and the past.

We build the present perfect aspect by using the verb 'have' in the present tense + the past participle of the active verb of the sentence.

I have been to New York several times.

He has seen that movie already.

You haven't visited your grandmother this week.

Present Perfect Structure

In a positive sentence:

- have / has + past participle

She's started the assignment already.

In a negative sentence:

- have / has not + past participle

I haven't started the assignment yet.

In a question:

- have / has .... + past participle

Have you started the assignment yet?

How have you started the assignment already?

Present Perfect Continuous (progressive) Structure

We use the present perfect or the present perfect continuous to say how long a situation or activity has been going on (often with for or since):

I've felt tired for weeks.

I've been feeling tired since I started this course.

I've worked at the restaurant since I moved here.

I've been working at the restaurant for three years.

The present perfect continuous is formed by:

Positive sentences: have / has been + verb + ing

Negative sentences: have / has not been + verb + ing

Questions: have / has .... been + verb + ing?

Thank you for visiting the Solas English blog. We hope you found this helpful. 
You can download notes from this blog HERE

If you would like us to write a blog about any grammar or vocabulary of English, please leave a comment below.

Thank you
Dee

Solas English

Relative Clauses

In today's blog we will look at how we use relative clauses in writing and speaking. Relative clauses are a great way to add information to nouns. In the IELTS written paper, they can be very useful for the task 1 question on processes. Moreover, using relative clauses in IELTS writing task 2 can increase your grammatical range.

What are Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are parts of sentences which add information to a noun in the sentence.

The relative clause can be either the subject or the object of the clause.

The are connected to the noun with a relative pronoun e.g. who, which, that.

What are Relative Pronouns

There are two types of relative clauses:

- A defining relative clause

- A non-defining relative clause

Defining relative clauses add information after the noun to identify the noun more clearly.

The man who has the red hat on stole your wallet.

Without these relative clauses, it is not clear who, where or what is being referred to.

The man stole your wallet.

.... which man?

Non – defining relative clauses add extra but non-essential information to something.

The burglars got through the window, which was left open.

Non-defining relative clauses are more common in written language than in spoken language. Therefore, they can be used in a very descriptive way in writing.

Compare the following ...

I applied to the university which is located in the city centre.

I applied to the university, which is located in the city centre.

Defining Relative Clauses

Defining relative clauses give information after a noun to identify the noun clearly.

Find someone who can pick you up from the airport.

Store away any objects that could become damaging missiles if it gets windy.

Without these relative clauses it is unclear which person, place or thing we are referring to.

Store away any objects if it gets windy.

(We do not know the types of objects this statement is referring to.)

Non-defining Relative Clauses

Non-defining relative clauses add extra, non-essential information about something. Compare:

I always use the local butchers, which is in the city centre, because the staff are very friendly.

There is only one butchers, so the location is added information – not defining it from another.

I always use the local butchers which is in the city centre because the staff are very friendly.

There are more than one local butchers, so the location is clarifying which butchers its is exactly – defining it.

We do not use the relative pronoun 'that':

The burglars got through the window, which the owners had forgotten to shut.

NOT – The burglars got through the window, that the owners had forgotten to shut.

Use of commas:

We cannot leave out the relative pronoun:

My new apartment, which is located further outside the city, is much larger.

NOT – My new apartment, is located further outside the city, is much larger.

Used for single noun phrase and whole clauses:

Summary of difference between a Defining relative clause and a Non-defining Relative Clause

Relative clauses in Sentence structures

Practice Activity

There is a mistake with relative clauses in each of the email extracts below. Find the mistakes and correct them.

1. I wonder if you can help me. I want to get in touch with the woman which we met at the meeting last week. Do you know the one I mean?

2. I'm sending tis email to ask for more information about the language course which I saw them advertised in the Daily Star yesterday.

3. How are you getting on with your new job? I'm finding my new job exhausting, that is not surprising considering I have to travel so much.

4. I really enjoyed the lecture which you gave it on Wednesday, and am thinking about doing my assignment on the same topic.

5. I'm just emailing you to find out if you want to go to the cinema on Thursday. I've got todays newspaper which has a list of films. If you're free, let me know.

6. Can you pick up some shopping on your way home? I want some of those bread rolls what we had last week. Will you be able to stop at the shop?

7. You are clearly a person who life is full and busy, and that is why we think you would like our Personal Organizer. For just €15.99 you ....

Answer Key

1. I wonder if you can help me. I want to get in touch with the woman who we met at the meeting last week. Do you know the one I mean?

2. I'm sending tis email to ask for more information about the language course which I saw advertised in the Daily Star yesterday.

3. How are you getting on with your new job? I'm finding my new job exhausting, which is not surprising considering I have to travel so much.

4. I really enjoyed the lecture which you gave on Wednesday, and am thinking about doing my assignment on the same topic.

5. I'm just emailing you to find out if you want to go to the cinema on Thursday. I've got todays newspaper, which has a list of films. If you're free, let me know.

6. Can you pick up some shopping on your way home? I want some of those bread rolls that we had last week. Will you be able to stop at the shop?

7. You are clearly a person whose life is full and busy, and that is why we think you would like our Personal Organizer. For just €15.99 you ....

Thank you for visiting the Solas English blog. We hope you found this helpful. 
You can download notes from this blog HERE

If you would like us to write a blog about any grammar or vocabulary of English, please leave a comment below.

Thank you
Dee

Solas English

Infinitives and Gerunds

In this blog post I will be looking at when and how to use infinitives and gerunds. When to use the infinitive form or when to use the gerund form can be a little confusing, so this blog post is going to look at some tips to help you remember when to use infinitives and gerunds. 

What are infinitives and gerunds?

Infinitives

An infinitive is a word that is a form of a verb.
Infinitives often have 'to' in front of it, for example
to eat, to go, to see, to swim, to play

Gerunds

A gerund is when we add '-ing' to a verb so it can act like a noun.

Using infinitives and gerunds with "state" verbs

State verbs are verbs that describe how we feel about something. These verbs express an emotional state, for example like, love, hate

When we use infinitives with state verbs, we put an emphasis on the habit or routine of the action. Look at these examples ...

When we use the gerund form we turn the action of the verb into a noun. This puts emphasis on the whole experience of the action. Look at these examples ...

Using the gerund form turns the verbs 'to swim' and 'to eat' into noun phrases. With the gerund form we can use it as the object of a sentence –

To Summarise ...

Now let's move on and look at some more differences between the infinitive and the gerund.

When to use infinitives

Use of the infinitive without 'to'

When to use the gerund (verb + ing)

Additional tips on gerunds and infinitives

Practice activities

For this activity you need to complete the sentences with the gerund or infinitive. Use the verb in the brackets at the end of each sentence. You can check your answers below.

For example:

Smoking is banned in all public places. (smoke)

1. It's very expensive _______________ a flat in the centre. (rent)

2. Are you afraid of _______________? (fly)

3. I called the restaurant ________________ a table for tonight. (book)

4. Be careful _______________ a noise when you come home tonight. (not make)

5. She's worried about _______________ the exam. (fail)

6. Everybody went on _______________ until after midnight. (dance)

7. _______________ an only child is a bit boring. (be)

8. It's easy _______________ the way if you look at the map. (find)

9. He's terrible at _______________ languages. (learn)

10. A: Why are you learning Spanish?
      B: _______________ talk to my in-laws. They're Argentinian and they don't speak English. (be able to)

Answers Key

1. renting
2. flying
3. to book
4. not to make
5. failing
6. dancing
7. Being
8. to find
9. learning
10. Being able to

Thank you for visiting the Solas English blog. We hope you found this helpful. 
You can download notes from this blog HERE

If you would like us to write a blog about any grammar or vocabulary of English, please leave a comment below.

Thank you
Dee

Solas English