Page 12 - Grasp English C1 (Student Book)

1 ART AND CRAFT

Grammar Tenses revision

The simple aspect is the group of verb forms used to The perfect aspect is the group of verb forms
state a fact. The simple aspect includes the simple used to express a completed action. The perfect
present, the simple past and the simple future tenses. aspect includes the present perfect, the past
E.g. perfect and the future perfect tenses. E.g.

• Everest is the highest mountain in the world. • I have cleaned the car. (present perfect –
(present simple – fact) the action is complete now)
• It rained. (past simple – fact) • I saw that it had rained. (past perfect – the
• I will be on time. (future simple – fact) action (it rained) was complete before
another past event (I saw))
• I will have been in France for three days by
Saturday. (future simple – the action will
The three simple tenses describe actions but do not be complete before a specified time in
state whether the actions are completed, habitual or the future)
ongoing. Sometimes, the context or other words within
the sentence supply this information. E.g.
• He ran. It is unclear if it was a habit or a single
event, or whether he continues to run.
Compare these sentences in terms of when the
• We sing. It is unclear if it is a habit or just a fact. action took place and if they are complete or not.
• We will know. It is unclear if this is a habit or fact. 1. Joe has broken his leg.
Joe broke his leg.
2. When I got home, my parents had gone to
Note that the present simple is an oddity, as it is not bed.
always about present activities. It can be used for: When I got home, my parents went to bed.
• habits which are not currently in progress 3. I will have finished the work by Sunday.
E.g. He runs three times a week. I will finish work on Sunday.
• Future schedules 4. Ann lives in Paris.
E.g. Jim’s train gets in at ten o’clock this evening. Ann has lived in Paris.

Compare these sentences in terms of when, how often
and how long they continue.
1. Classes start at nine am.
Our class starts at nine am tomorrow.
2. He drove that old car.
He drove that old car for 20 years.
3. The earth’s temperature will increase.
We will be upstairs.

10