Angliski Jazik Vreminja
Angliski Jazik Vreminja
Angliski Jazik Vreminja
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.
It's raining.
Who is Kate talking to on the phone?
Look, somebody is trying to steal that man's wallet.
I'm not looking. My eyes are closed tightly.
In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don't think it will be true in the
long term.
In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already been arranged.
Present simple
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 future facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart.
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.
I don't usually have cereals for breakfast but I'm having some this morning
because there is nothing else.
I often cycle to work but I'm taking the car this morning because it's
raining very hard.
I'm thinking about having my hair cut short but I don't think my husband
will be very happy about it.
My parents live in Washington but I'm just visiting.
Note how, in all these examples, we use the present continuous to talk about events which are
temporary/limited in time and the present simple to talk about events which are
habits/permanent.
Past simple
We use the past simple to talk about actions and states which we see as completed in the past.
You will often find the past simple used with time expressions such as these:
Yesterday
three weeks ago
last year
in 2002
from March to June
for a long time
for 6 weeks
in the 1980s
in the last century
in the past
Past continuous
We use the past simple to talk about actions and states which we see as completed in the past.
We use it when we want to emphasize the continuing process of an activity or the period of that
activity. (If we just want to talk about the past event as a simple fact, we use the past simple.)
While I was driving home, Peter was trying desperately to contact me.
Were you expecting any visitors?
Sorry, were you sleeping?
I was just making some coffee.
I was thinking about him last night.
In the 1990s few people were using mobile phones.
Both the past simple and the past continuous refer to completed actions in the past.
Most of the time when we are talking about such actions, we use the past simple. This is by far
the most common way of talking about the past.
I lived there for 6 years.
I only found out a few moments ago.
I asked her but she didn't know anything.
The company made 100 people redundant last year.
Only use the past continuous when you want to emphasize the continuity of the action.
When we use these two forms in the same sentence, we use the past continuous to talk about the
"background action" and the past simple to talk about the shorter completed action.
Present perfect
(Please note that British and American English have different rules for the use of this tense. The
explanation and exercises here refer to British English. In American English, it is often
acceptable to use the past simple in some of these examples.)
We use the present perfect when we want to look back from the present to the past.
When we look back on the recent past, we often use the words 'just' 'already' or the word 'yet' (in
negatives and questions only).
When we look back on the more distant past, we often use the words 'ever' (in questions) and
'never'.
This tense is used to talk about an action or actions that started in the past and continued until
recently or that continue into the future:
We can use it to refer to an action that has finished but you can still see evidence.
I've been learning Spanish for 20 years and I still don't know very much.
I've been waiting for him for 30 minutes and he still hasn't arrived.
He's been telling me about it for days. I wish he would stop.
The present perfect continuous is often used with 'since', 'for', 'all week', 'for days', 'lately',
'recently', 'over the last few months'.
Often there is very little difference between the present perfect simple and the present perfect
continuous. In many cases, both are equally acceptable.
They've been working here for a long time but Andy has worked here for even
longer.
I've lived here for 10 years and she has been living here for 12 years.
I've been reading this book for two months but I've only read half of it. It's very
difficult to read.
She's been trying to convince him for 20 minutes but she hasn't managed to yet.
They've been talking about this for month and they still haven't found a solution.
When an action is finished and you can see the results, use the continuous form.
The phone bill is enormous. You've been calling your boyfriend in Australia,
haven't you?
You're red in the face. Have you been running?
When you use the words 'ever' or 'never', use the simple form.
(Remember that British and American English have different rules for the use of the present
perfect. The comments and the exercises here refer to correct grammar for British English. In
American English, it is often considered acceptable to use the past simple in some of these
examples.)
The past simple is used to talk about actions in the past that have finished. It talks about 'then'
and definitely excludes 'now'.
The present perfect simple to look back on actions in the past from the present. It always
includes 'now'.
We use time expressions like 'yesterday', 'ago', 'last year', 'in 1999' with the past simple.
Typical time expressions used with the present perfect in British English but often used with the
past simple in American English are 'already', 'just', 'yet'.
We can use the time phrase 'for' with both forms, but with different meanings.
Past perfect
We use the past perfect simple to talk about what happened before a point in the past. It looks
back from a point in the past to further in the past.
The past perfect simple is often used when we report what people had said/thought/believed.
We use it to say what had been happening before something else happened.
Going to
There is no one 'future tense' in English. There are 4 future forms. The one which is used most
often in spoken English is 'going to', not 'will'.
We use 'going to' when we want to talk about a plan for the future.
Notice that this plan does not have to be for the near future.
We use 'going to' when we want to make a prediction based on evidence we can see now.
Will - future
Some people have been taught that 'will' is 'the future' in English. This is not correct. Sometimes
when we talk about the future we cannot use 'will'. Sometimes when we use 'will' we are not
talking about the future.
Often we add 'perhaps', 'maybe', 'probably', 'possibly' to make the belief less certain.
We use 'will' at the moment we make a new decision or plan. The thought has just come into our
head.
Going to or will
When we want to talk about future facts or things we believe to be true about the future, we use
'will'.
If we are not so certain about the future, we use 'will' with expressions such as 'probably',
'possibly', 'I think', 'I hope'.
If you are making a future prediction based on evidence in the present situation, use 'going to'.
At the moment of making a decision, use 'will'. Once you have made the decision, talk about it
using 'going to'.
I'll call Jenny to let her know. Sarah, I need Jenny's number. I'm going to call her
about the meeting.
I'll come and have a drink with you but I must let Harry know. Harry, I'm going to
have a drink with Simon.
We use the present continuous to talk about things that we have already arranged to do in the
future.
In many situations when we talk about future plans we can use either the present continuous or
the 'going to' future. However, when we use the present continuous, there is more of a suggestion
that an arrangement has already been made.
We use the present simple to talk about events in the future which are 'timetabled'. We can also
use the present continuous to talk about these.
Shall
We don't use 'Shall' very frequently in modern English, particularly in American English.
You only really need to know that about 'shall' in modern English. Read the rest of this only if
you want to know more about how some older speakers still use 'shall'.
Formerly, in older grammar, 'shall' was used as an alternative to 'will' with 'I' and 'we'. Today,
'will' is normally used. When we do use 'shall', it has an idea of a more personal, subjective
future.
I shall go to see the boss and I shall ask him to explain this decision.
Notice that the negative of 'shall' can be 'shall not' or 'shan't' – though the second one is now very
rare in American English.
The imperative
1. Push.
2. Do not use.
3. Insert one dollar.
Do be quiet.
Do come.
Do sit down.
The Passive
We use the active form to say what the subject does. For example:
We use the passive form to say what happens to people and things, to say what is done to them.
For example:
We use the passive form when we don't know who did the action. For example:
We use the passive form when what was done is more important than who did it. For example:
Can
Notice that there are two negative forms: 'can't' and 'cannot'. These mean exactly the same thing.
When we are speaking, we usually say 'can't'.
Can I help?
Can you give me a hand?
When you finish that, you can take out the garbage.
We use 'can' with 'see' 'hear' 'feel' 'smell' 'taste' to talk about something which is happening now .
(Where you would use the present continuous with most other verbs.)
We can use 'can't' for deduction. The opposite of 'can't' in this context is 'must'.
Could
'Could' can be used to talk about the past, the present or the future.
'Could' is used to make polite requests. We can also use 'can' for these but 'could' is more polite.
If we use 'could' in reply to these requests, it suggests that we do not really want to do it. If you
agree to the request, it is better to say 'can'.
Of course I can.
I could help you if it's really necessary but I'm really busy right now.
I could lend you some money but I'd need it back tomorrow without fail.
I could give you a lift as far as Birmingham.
'Could' is used to talk about theoretical possibility and is similar in meaning to 'might'.
May / might
may
We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in
modern spoken English
might
We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. Often we read that 'might' suggests a
smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little difference and 'might is more usual than 'may'
in spoken English.
Should
'Should' expresses a personal opinion and is much weaker and more personal than 'must' or 'have
to'. It is often introduced by ' I think'.
Must or have to
We can use 'must' to show that we are certain something is true. We are making a logical
deduction based upon some clear evidence or reason.
We also use 'must' to express a strong obligation. When we use 'must' this usually means that
some personal circumstance makes the obligation necessary (and the speaker almost certainly
agrees with the obligation.)
I must go to bed earlier.
They must do something about it.
You must come and see us some time.
I must say, I don't think you were very nice to him.
We can also use 'have to' to express a strong obligation. When we use 'have to' this usually
means that some external circumstance makes the obligation necessary.
In British English, we often use 'have got to' to mean the same as 'have to'.
I've got to take this book back to the library or I'll get a fine.
We've got to finish now as somebody else needs this room.
We can also use ' will have to' to talk about strong obligations. Like 'must' this usually means
that that some personal circumstance makes the obligation necessary. (Remember that 'will' is
often used to show 'willingness'.)
As you can see, the differences between the present forms are sometimes very small and very
subtle. However, there is a huge difference in the negative forms.
We use 'don't have to' (or 'haven't got to' in British English) to state that there is NO obligation or
necessity.
Should have
We can use 'should have' to talk about past events that did not happen.
I should have let her know what was happening but I forgot.
He should have sent everybody a reminder by email.
They should have remembered that their guests don't eat pork.
We can also use 'should have' to speculate about events that may or may not have happened.
She should have got the letter this morning. I expect she'll give us a call about it
later.
He should have arrived at his office by now. Let's try ringing him.
They should have all read that first email by this stage. It's time to send the next
one.
We can use ' should not have' to speculate negatively about what may or may not have
happened.
She shouldn't have left work yet. I'll call her office.
He shouldn't have boarded his plane yet. We can probably still get hold of him.
They shouldn't have sent the report off for printing yet. There is still time to make
changes.
Zero conditional
When we talk about things that are generally or always true, we can use:
Note that we are not talking about a specific event but something which is generally true.
In the condition clause, we can use a variety of present forms. In the result clause, there can only
be the present simple or imperative.
Unless he asks you politely, refuse to do any more work on the project.
Unless prices are rising, it's not a good investment.
Unless you've been there yourself, you don't really understand how fantastic it is.
We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen.
If I go to New York again, I'll buy you a souvenir from the Empire State Building.
If he's feeling better, he'll come.
If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.
The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as well as 'will'.
If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly how angry I am.
If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money.
The "future clause" can also contain other modal verbs such as 'can' and 'must'.
Second conditional
Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people
think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)
If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.
Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.
Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the
speaker's attitude rather than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these things are
possible, Peter doesn't.
Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.
Note that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.
Also note that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
Third conditional
We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they
are in the past and we cannot change what has happened.
Notice that the main clause can contain 'would', 'could' or 'might.
If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't there so I
didn't.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. ( But he wasn't there so
it wasn't possible.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure.
Perhaps if the opportunity had arisen.)
If I had paid more attention in class, I would have understood the lesson.
Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.")
I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")
He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that with me.")