ESL Grammar Past Progressive

Forms of Past Progressive 

Affirmative 

Subject   +   to be   +   ing verb

Example: They were eating apples

Negative

Subject   +   to be   +   not   +   ing verb

Example: He was not running last week.

Question

To be   +   subject   +   ing verb

Example: Were you drinking yesterday?

Uses of Past Progressive 

1. Use the past continuous to indicate a longer action in the past was interrupted by a shorter action. I was playing video when my friend called. While we were eating, it started to rain. 

2. Specific time as an interruption. Last night at 7, they were watching a movie. At midnight, she was taking a bath. 

3. When you use the past continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. I was walking while listening to music in the park. She was texting her friend, working on homework and eating at the same time. 

ESL Grammar Simple Past

Forms of Simple Past Regular Verbs 

Affirmative

Subject   +   Verb+ed

Exampled: I talked with my brother.

Negative

Subject   + auxiliary verb   +   not   +   verb

Example: He did not talk with Mary.

Question 

Auxiliary verb   +   Subject   +   Verb

Example: Did you go to school today?

Uses of Simple Past 

1. Actions in the past taking place once, never or several times. She visited her brother every weekend. 

2. Actions in the past taking place one after the other. They entered the room, sat in the chairs and listened to their teacher. 

3. Actions in the past that have finished. I finished my homework yesterday. I walked from my house to the school. 

Special Notes

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

1.  After a final e only add d.  love - loved

2. Final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as a final consonant is doubled. admit- admitted, travel- travelled

3. Final y after a consonant become i. hurry- hurried

ESL Grammar Simple Present

Forming Simple Present 

Affirmative 

Subject   +   verb

Example: I eat chocolate

Negative 

Subject   +   auxiliary verb   +   not   +   verb

Example: He does not drive to school.

Question

Auxiliary verb   +   Subject   +   verb

Example: Do they run everyday?

Uses of Simple Present 

1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period. I drive my car to work. She sleeps eight hours every night. 

2. For facts. A dog has four legs. We come from Jamaica. The President of Mexico lives in Mexico City. 

3. For habits. They wake up early everyday. Jimmy brushes his teeth twice a day. We travel every summer

ESL Grammar Present Progressive

Forming Present Progressive 

Affirmative 

Subject       +        to be      +        ing verb

Example: He is talking


Negative 

Subject    +     to be      +      not     + ing verb

Example: She is running


Question 

To be   +   Subject   +  ing verb

Example: Are they eating?


Uses of Present Progressive 

1. to describe an action that is going on at this moment: We are studying the Present Progressive. I am helping you practice English. 

2. to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend: Is she still dating Bob? More and more men are wearing longer shirts. 

3. to describe an action or event in the future which has already been planned or prepared: We are going to the movies tomorrow. Are they going to call you tomorrow? 

4. to describe a temporary event or situation: I usually eat Mexican food on Fridays, but tonight I'm eating Italian food. The weather forecast was good, but it's snowing right now.