Grammar Booklet

Second Year English Intermediate

UPH College

May God help you all understand what is written in this booklet.
(↑↑↑This sentence is in future simple↑↑↑)

(Why, you may ask? Because we also use future simple to talk about wishes.)
A. Simple Tenses
a. Simple present
Used when the action is happening in the present but not necessarily an ongoing
action.
- I feel great! Feeling in the present
- Ms. Sabina likes coffee. Feeling towards something
- I am sorry to hear about your dog. Feeling towards something
We also use it when the action happens regularly or unceasingly (we are unsure
when will it end), including habitual actions or occurrences.
- Jeremiah practices the piano every day. Habit
- Ms. Lizzie travels home during the summer. Happens regularly
- Hamsters run all night. Unceasing action
The difference between this tense and the present continuous is the type of action.
Present continuous is used when the ongoing action is temporary.

Formula: Subject + verb + object(optional)

In the simple present, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the third-
person singular (which ends in -s).
First person Second person Third person
Singular I write. You write. He/she/it writes.
Plural We write. You write. They write.

For a few verbs, the third-person singular ends with es instead of s. Typically, these
are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, th, ss, gh, or z.
First person Second person Third person
Singular I go. You go. He/she/it goes.
Plural We go. You go. They go.

Negative sentence formula:

Subject + do/does + not + [root form of verb].

Example: Pauline does not want to share the pie.

She doesn’t think there is enough to go around.
Subject + [to be] + not + adjective/noun.

Example: I am not a pie lover, but Pauline sure is.

You aren’t ready for such delicious pie.
Interrogative sentence formula:
do/does + [subject] + [root form of verb]?
Example: Do you know how to bake a pie?
How much does Pauline love pie?
b. Simple past
Used to talk about things that happened or existed before now. The simple past
tense indicates that the action occurred at a certain time and then was completed.
- Wolfgang entered a hula hoop contest.
- He won the silver medal.
- The contest was the highlight of his week.
The simple past is also used to talk about a past state of being (the way someone
felt about something). This is often expressed with the simple past tense of the
verb to be and an adjective, noun, or prepositional phrase.
- Wolfgang was proud of his hula hoop victory.
- His friends were there to witness his achievement.

Formula: Subject + [past form (verb 2)] + object.

Remember:
- For regular verbs, add –ed to the root form of the verb (or just –d if the root
form ends in an e).
- The simple past tense of some irregular verbs looks exactly like the root form.
- For other irregular verbs, including to be, the simple past forms are more
erratic. There is nothing you can do other than MEMORIZE IT.
Negative sentence formula:
Subject + did not + [root form of verb]
Example: Wolfgang did not brag too much about his hula hoop skills.
Although his friends watched, Wolfgang’s girlfriend didn’t see the
contest.
For the verb to be, you don’t need the auxiliary did, but rather use the past form
of the verb itself. When the subject of the sentence is singular, use was not. When
the subject is plural, use were not.

Interrogative sentence formula:

did / was / were + [subject] + [root form of verb]?
Example: Was Wolfgang in a good mood after the contest?
Did people take lots of pictures?

c. Simple future
Used to talk about things that haven’t happened yet, or an action or condition that
will begin and end in the future.
- This year, Jen will read War and Peace. -> Haven’t started, is planned
- She thinks it will be hard.
 Formula: Subject + will + [root form of verb]
Subject + am/is/are + going to + [root form verb]

It doesn’t matter if the subject is singular or plural; the formula for the simple
future doesn’t change.
Example: My brothers will sleep till noon if no one wakes them up.
You will see what I mean.
I am going to learn a new language.
Jen is going to read that book.

Negative sentence formula:

Subject + will + not + [root form of verb].
Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + [root form].
Example: He will not say anything bad about his boss.
I will not finish my homework in time for class.
Jen is not going to quit before she reaches her goal.
The bus is not going to wait for you, so be on time.

Interrogative sentence formula:

Will + [subject] + [root form of verb]?
am/is/are + [subject] + going to + [root form of verb]?

Example: Will Jen finish War and Peace over the summer?
Will I have the discipline to study Spanish every day?
What are you going to buy with the money you saved?
B. Progressive/Continuous Tenses
a. Present continuous
This tense indicates that an action or condition is happening now, frequently, and
may continue into the future, and its helps readers understand when the action is
happening.

Formula: Subject + to be [am, is, are] + verb-ing [present participle]

Example: Aunt Christine is warming up the car while Scott is looking for his new
leather coat.
They are eating at Scott’s favourite restaurant today.
Regarding stative verbs
Do not use the present continuous tense with stative verbs. Stative verbs show a
state of being that does not show qualities of change. These verbs can stay in the
simple present. Stative verb categories include emotion (to love), possession (to
belong), and thoughts (to recognize), and none of these should use the present
continuous form.
Example:
Aunt Christine prefers the maple walnut pancakes over the banana peanut butter
ones that Scott loves.
The stative verb to “prefer” shows opinion, and therefore should not be
conjugated into the present continuous.
HOWEVER! Some verbs can be both dynamic and stative!
- The waiter thinks Scott should save room for pumpkin pie. (Stative and in the
simple present)
- The waiter is thinking about getting a new job that requires less human
interaction, like a veterinarian. (Dynamic and in the present continuous)

b. Past continuous
The past continuous tense shows an ongoing action that began in the past, such
as I was studying for the test all night.
Formula: Subject + [was/were] + [present participle].
Negative: Subject + [was/were] + not + [present participle].
Interrogative: [was/were] + subject + [present participle]?

PAST CONTINUOUS VS. SIMPLE PAST TENSE

o The past continuous tense means the action started before the other action.
o The simple past means one action started after the other.
Example:
When the whistle blew, I was running. -> run first, then whistle blew
When the whistle blew, I ran. -> whistle first, then run
 When you mention a time directly, the past continuous tense means the action
started before the time, whereas the simple past means the action started at the
time.
DIFFERENT USES OF PAST CONTINUOUS:
1. An action in the past that got interrupted
One of the most common uses of the past continuous tense shows a past
action that was interrupted by another past action. These are often complex
sentences featuring subordinating conjunctions.
Example: They were sleeping peacefully until the alarm rang.
2. Ongoing actions at a specified time
When you mention an exact time in the past, use the past continuous tense if
the action started before that time and continued afterward. If the action
begins at the time mentioned, use the simple past instead.
Example: By the age of nine, I was training to be a ninja.
3. Habitual actions in the past (usually with adverbs like always)
Use the past continuous tense to talk about an action that used to be done
frequently in the past but is not done in the present. This form is usually used
with adverbs and adverb phrases, specifically ones that suggest the action was
done a lot.
Example: My first year of college, I was making spelling mistakes all the time.
4. Emphasizing how long a past action took
Use the past continuous tense to emphasize how long an action took and
highlight just how much time was spent doing it. This form usually uses adverb
phrases that explain the length of time.
Example: I was trying to complete the final level for hours.
5. Setting the background for a story
When telling a story (or writing one), you can use the past continuous tense to
“set the scene,” or describe exactly what was happening at the beginning of
your story. We use the past continuous tense because these actions were,
presumably, already happening before the story began.
Example: The city was going about its business without knowing the aliens had
arrived.
c. Future continuous
The future continuous tense shows an ongoing action in the future. It is helpful to
use the future continuous tense when describing:
o multiple actions happening in the future,
o planned or confirmed future events taking place at a specific time.
Formula: Subject + [will] + [be] + [present participle].
Negative: Subject + [will] + not + [be] + [present participle].
Interrogative: [will] + [subject] + [be] + [present participle of verb]?
Example: She will be speaking in the auditorium this evening.
She will not be joining us this evening.
Will she be acting in the sequel next year?

FUTURE CONTINUOUS VS. SIMPLE FUTURE

The future continuous tense is usually used with a specified period of time,
whereas the simple future tense can be used with or without an exact time. The
future continuous tense also shows more certainty than the simple future tense
does. We use the future continuous tense for actions we know will happen, but
we use the simple future tense for actions that are less likely.
o Future continuous (certain): They will be promoting me to manager on Friday.
o Simple future (uncertain): They will promote me to manager one day.
Like all other continuous tenses, you cannot use the future continuous tense with
stative verbs like want, need, love, or hate. Use the simple future tense with stative
verbs instead.
o Future continuous tense (incorrect): I will be needing help with the repairs
tomorrow.
o Simple future tense (correct): I will need help with the repairs tomorrow.
DIFFERENT USAGE OF FUTURE CONTINUOUS
1. To describe a future action happening during a specific time, example:
▪ We will be watching horror movies from dusk until dawn.
▪ The museum will be hosting a special tour at 8 p.m.
2. To describe multiple future actions happening at the same time with at least
one ongoing action, example:
▪ My brother will be babysitting while I’m at work.
▪ I’ll be playing basketball on Sunday, and my partner will be playing tennis.
3. To describe a future action interrupted by another action,
In a situation involving multiple future actions and one action interrupting
another, use the future continuous tense for the action being interrupted,
and use the simple present for the action that interrupts.
▪ I will be taking a shower when the guests arrive.
▪ When the clock strikes midnight, we will be burning marshmallows.
4. To describe likely hypothetical situations in the future, example:
▪ Everyone will be cheering for me at the game tomorrow.
▪ We’ll be driving hover cars any day now.
C. Perfect Tenses
a. Present perfect
Used to show an action that happened in the past that is directly related to the
present, such as actions that are still continuing or that indicate a change over
time.

Formula: Subject + [have/has] + [past participle].

Negative: Subject + [have/has] + not + [past participle].
Interrogative: [have/has] + S + [past participle]?
Example: Charlotte has become friends with Wilbur.
I have not slept well since exams started.
She has neither eaten breakfast nor gotten dressed.
Has the party started?
In the present perfect tense, the main verbs always use the auxiliary verbs (helper
verbs) has or have. This, of course, need to be in accordance with the subject-verb
agreement.
First person Second person Third person
Singular I have. You have. He/she/it has.
Plural We have. You have. They have.

DIFFERENT USAGE OF PRESENT PERFECT

1. An ongoing action that started in the past but has not yet been completed.
This demonstrates the relationship between an action started in the past and
its effects on the present.
• The present perfect tense emphasizes the EFFECTS OR CONSEQUENCES of
the action.
• The present perfect continuous tense emphasizes the ACTION ITSELF OR
DURATION.
Example:
• I’ve lived in Lagos my whole life.
• I’ve been living in Lagos my whole life. -> emphasize the duration
2. A series of the same action completed multiple times in the past, likely to
happen again in the future, example:
• I’ve seen the movie six times! [probably will see it again]
• I saw the movie six times! [probably will not see it again]
3. An action that was completed very recently (often used with just or now),
example:
• I shouldn’t eat anymore because I have just brushed my teeth.
• We have finished practice now, so let’s go home.
 4. A change over time, example:
• My dog has grown so much since I got him two years ago.
• Thanks to the many months of playing, I have become an expert at Wordle.
5. An uncompleted action that is expected to be finished, example:
• The jury has not reached a verdict yet.
• I haven’t finished the handout although I promised to finish it by Thursday!
6. To add significance to a completed action, example:
• Macbeth has killed the king.
• I’ve met the love of my life!
WHEN TO NOT USE PRESENT PERFECT
Do not use the present perfect tense with a specific time. Using the present
perfect tense with a general time range is perfectly acceptable. If you want to be
specific, just use simple past.
Incorrect: I have gone for a walk on Tuesday. -> specific time with p. perfect
Correct: I went for a walk on Tuesday. -> specific time with sim. past
(Also) Correct: I have gone for a walk every Tuesday this year. -> nice.

b. Past perfect
Used to talk about something that happened before something else that is also in
the past. When you’re talking about some point in the past and want to reference
an event that happened even earlier, using the past perfect allows you to convey
the sequence of the events. It’s also clearer and more specific.

Check! This point is different than what we discussed in class through the PPT.
Past perfect is used when you NEED sequence. Non-sequential events use past
simple.

Past perfect is also used when you are expressing a condition and a result, where
it is used in the part of the sentence that explains the condition (the if-clause).
Example: If I had woken up earlier this morning, I would have exercised.
Formula: Subject + had + [past participle].
Negative formula: Subject + had not + [past participle].
Interrogative formula: had + [subject] + [past participle]?
Example:
• I woke up this morning and saw that someone named Tootles had defaced
my front door!
• We looked for witnesses, but the neighbours had not seen Tootles in the act.
• Had Tootles caused trouble in other neighbourhoods before they struck ours?
c. Future perfect
Used for actions that will be completed before some other point in the future.
Example: You will have graduated in 2026.
This sentence tells us that ‘you’ will graduate some time after right now, but before
a certain point in the future (in 2026).
Formula: Subject + will have + [past participle].
Negative formula: Subject + will not have + [past participle].
Interrogative formula: will + [subject] + have + [past participle]?
The future perfect tense is only for actions that will be complete before a specified
point in the future. In other words, the action you’re talking about must have a
deadline. If you don’t mention a deadline, use the simple future tense instead.
Example:
Incorrect: Linda will have left. -> Future perfect but no deadline.
Correct: Linda will leave. -> No deadline, so use future simple.
(Also) correct: Linda will have arrived before tomorrow. -> Nice.
The deadline can be very specific, or it can be vague. It can even depend on when
something else happens. It just has to be some time in the future.