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Grammar 5 – Fall 2014
Write a few sentences to describe your week
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What have you done so far this week? (since Sunday)
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Choose a specific day and describe what you did that day.
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What do you want to do this week?
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What are some plans for later this week?
Use
Key Words
• Habitual action
• General truth/facts/scientific ideas
• Description of existing
people/places/things
• Reporting phrases*
• Historical present
Every day, always, every + _____, every
time* I ______, usually, often,
sometimes, never
Smith reports that…
Jones claims that…
Use
Key Words
• Action that is happening right now
• Current action that is temporary
• Habitual action at a specific time
Now, right now, in this moment, still
• Future plans/future schedules
At 6:00 every day
When my roommate is sleeping,
*future time word
Use
Key Words
• Past action that is completed
at/during a specific time that is also
completed
Yesterday/last week/last _____/this
_____ (if it is in past)/in +
year/after/before/when/ago/for _____
(if this period of time is finished)/on +
day
Use
Key Words
• Continuous action at a specific time
in the past
• Continuous action during a period of
time
• Continuous action that was
interrupted or started before another
action
• Two continuous action happening
simultaneously
At ______
Last night/yesterday, …. from ___ to
___.
While
While I was studying, my roommate was
watching TV.
I was studying while my roommate was
watching TV.
Use
Key Words
• Action that started in the past but is
continuing until now (action is
unfinished) – use stative verbs
Since, for _______ (length of time that
continues until the present)
Since 9:00, I have been in class.
I have lived here for four months.
• Finished action with no specific time
or with unfinished time
Ever, never
Have you ever been to Canada?
I have taken 3 tests so far this semester.
Simple past: I took many tests last
semester.
So far/already/yet* expectation for the
future
Q1: present perfect
Have you ever been to New York?
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A1: Yes/no, present perfect
Yes, many times.
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Questions
Have you ever taken a long car trip?
Have you ever performed on stage?
How many concerts have you been to?
Q2: simple present/past
Do you like the city?
When was the last time you went?
Have you made plans for this weekend
yet?
A2: simple present/past
Yes, it’s fun!
I went last year for a friend’s wedding.
How long have you had the shoes that
you are wearing?
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Q3: Choose a different tense .. Use
key words/time phrases to help!
Have you met with an American friend
yet?
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Take out your journal entry from yesterday.
Use
Key Words
• Continuous action started in past but
continues until now (active verbs)
We have been studying since 9:00 this
morning.
• Temporary action
I have been reading a great book for the
past few days.
We have been taking English classes for
a couple of weeks.
I have lived here for one year. (I plan to
stay in this place)
I have been living here for one year. (but
I am planning to move)
Use
Key Words
• Describe a past action that occurred
before another past action - two
actions are connected
I realized that I had left my book in my
room.
1. Left my book in my room
2. Realized this mistake
When I came to the U.S. this year, I had
already taken care of my visa and
documents.
1. Took care of documents
2. Came to U.S.
By the time I woke up this morning, my
roommate had already eaten breakfast
and (my roommate had already) left for
class.
1. Roommate got ready and left
2. I woke up
Use
Key Words
• An action that occurred before
another past action but is
• Continuous
• Temporary
• Action verbs only
I had been waiting for an hour before he
finally arrived.
1. Waiting
2. He arrived
Use
Key Words
• Future action
• Plans (be going to/be + v-ing)
This weekend, I’m driving to Miami.
I’m going to have a party tomorrow.
X I will have a party tomorrow.
• Predictions (will / be going to)
It will rain tomorrow.
It is going to rain tomorrow. (it’s gonna)
X It is raining tomorrow.
• Promise (will)
I will help you tomorrow morning.
X I am going to help you tomorrow
morning.
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Ask your group members some questions about the future and
focus on the forms that you use for
o Plans
o Predictions (also plans that are tentative or unsure*)
o Promises
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are your plans for this weekend? How about 5 years from
now?
What are your plans for when the weather gets colder?
What do you expect for the weather in Florida in December?
How are things in your country right now? Do you expect
anything to be different when you return next year?
Make a promise to your classmates about anything 
Use
Key Words
Compares 2 different predicted or
planned actions for the future
(2) By the time + simple present, By +
future date
(1) future perfect (will + have + past
participle_
• By the time I return to my country, I
will have bought several gifts for my
family members.
• By the time I return to my country, I
will have received a certificate or
degree.
• By 2020, my son will have graduated
from high school.
• By 2020, I will have found a job.
Use
Key Words