TALKING ABOUT THE PAST-PAST SIMPLE TENSE PROBLEM

Many students don’t have any problems with forming the past simple tense.  English has it’s fair share of irregular verbs; was, ate, ran, bought, but in general the ‘ed’ ending can be added to verbs to form the past simple tense.  For example; walked, enjoyed, lived, started, stopped and decided.  The past simple problem begins when students want to communicate a negative statement in the past simple.  Take a look at the sentence structure of positive statements, questions and negative statements in the past simple tense. 

Positive Statement	Past Simple
Subject	Verb – Past Simple
I	decided
She	saw
They	went

Question	Past Simple
Auxiliary Verb – Past Simple	Subject	Verb – Stem form
Did	you	decide?
Did	she	see?
Did	they	go?

Note that once we use the “do” verb as an auxiliary verb to form a question about the past it is changed into the past simple tense and the action verb is maintained in the stem or original form.
“Did you decide to go to the dance?” – We are asking a question related to the past and we must use the past simple tense but only for the auxiliary ‘do’ verb at the beginning of the sentence.  All verbs which follow would be in the stem form of the verb.

Negative Statement	Past Simple
Subject	Auxiliary Past Simple + not	Verb – Stem form
I	didn’t	decide
She	didn’t	see
They	didn’t	go

In a negative statement the sentence structure is subject + the auxiliary ‘do’ verb in the past simple + not + action verb in the stem form.  This is where many EFL students make their mistakes.  It is important to remember that the auxiliary ‘do’ verb is the only verb which requires the past simple tense and, as always, all the verbs which follow will be in the stem or original form (see, go, walk, run, jump). 
“I didn’t decide on the movie.” NOT “I didn’t decided on the movie.”
“She didn’t realise what she was doing.” NOT “She didn’t realised what she was doing.”

If you have any questions or need further clarification please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or email me.

 

We use the present simple to talk about actions we see as long term or permanent. It is a very common and very important tense.

Here, we are talking about regular actions or events.

• They drive to the office every day.
• She doesn't come here very often.
• The news usually starts at 6.00 every evening.
• Do you usually have bacon and eggs for breakfast?

Here, we are talking about facts.

• We have two children.
• Water freezes at 0° C or 32° F.
• What does this expression mean?
• The Thames flows through London.

Here, we are talking about future facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart.

• Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year.
• The plane leaves at 5.00 tomorrow morning.
• Ramadan doesn't start for another 3 weeks.
• Does the class begin at 10 or 11 this week?

Here, we are talking about our thoughts and feelings at the time of speaking. Although these feelings can be short-term, we use the present simple and not the present continuous.

• They don't ever agree with us.
• I think you are right.
• She doesn't want you to do it.
• Do you understand what I am trying to say.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

The present continuous is used to talk about present situations which we see as short-term or temporary. We use the present simple to talk about present situations which we see as long-term or permanent. 

In these examples, the action is taking place at the time of speaking.

• It's raining.
• Who is Kate talking to on the phone?
• Look, somebody is trying to steal that man's wallet. 

In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don't think it will be true in the long term.

• I'm looking for a new apartment.
• He's thinking about leaving his job.
• They're considering making an appeal against the judgment.
• Are you getting enough sleep? 

In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already been arranged.

• I'm meeting her at 6.30.
• They aren't arriving until Tuesday.
• We are having a special dinner at a top restaurant for all the senior managers.
• Isn't he coming to the dinner?

GrAmmAr

Welcome to Twisted Mind Club for readers who want to know about grammar. Many of these grammar lessons also have quizzes to check your understanding. If you still don't understand something, feel free to ask a question at the shout box!

What is grammar?

grammar (noun) is the structure and system of a language, or of languages in general, usually considered to consist of syntax and morphology.