ENGLISH FORMULAS
Language Facilitator: Elhi Cueto
SIMPLE PRESENT
We use it to talk about present actions and routines.
SUB + VERB(S) + COMPLEMENT
She works in an office.
SUB + DO/DOES + NOT + VERB + COMPLEMENT
She does not work in an office.
DO/DOES + SUB + VERB + COMPLEMENT + ?
Does she work in an office?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
We use it to talk about ongoing actions
SUB + VERB BE + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT
They are watching a movie
SUB + VERB BE + NOT + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT
They are not watching a movie.
VERB BE + SUB + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT + ?
Are they watching a movie?
SIMPLE PAST
We use it to talk about past actions and events.
SUB + VERB (PAST) + COMPLEMENT
You went to the movies
SUB + DID + NOT + VERB + COMPLEMENT
You did not go to the movies. (didn’t)
DID + SUB + VERB + COMPLEMENT + ?
Did you go to the movies?
WQ + DID + SUB + VERB + COMPLEMENT + ?
When did you go to the movies? I went to the movies yesterday.
FUTURE GOING TO
We use it to talk about plans for the future.
SUB + VERB BE + GOING TO + VERB + COMPLEMENT
We are going to go to the mountains.
SUB + VERB BE + NOT + GOING TO + VERB + COMPLEMENT
We are not going to go to the mountains.
VERB BE + SUB + GOING TO + VERB + COMPLEMENT + ?
Are we going to go to the mountains?
PRESENT PERFECT
We use it to talk about past actions with present relevance.
SUB + HAVE/ HAS + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT
She has eaten Mexican food.
SUB + HAVE/HAS + NOT + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT
She has not eaten Mexican food.
HAVE/HAS + SUB + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT + ?
Has she eaten Mexican food?
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
We use it to talk about a past action that continues in the present.
SUB + HAVE/ HAS BEEN + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT
You have been studying all night.
SUB + HAVE/HAS + NOT + BEEN +VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT
You have not been studying all night.
HAVE/HAS + SUB + BEEN +VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT + ?
Have you been studying all night?
PAST CONTINUOUS
We use it to talk about continuous actions in the past
SUB + WAS/WERE + VERB(ING) + COMPLEMENT
They were running in the park.
SUB + WAS/WERE + NOT + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT
They were not running in the park.
WAS/WERE + SUB + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT + ?
Were they running in the park?
FUTURE PERFECT
We use it to talk about an action that will be completed in the future.
SUB + WILL HAVE + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT
He will have finished his career in two years.
SUB + WILL NOT HAVE + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT
He will not have finished his career in two years.
WILL + SUB + HAVE + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT + ?
Will he have finished his career in two years?
PAST PERFECT
We use it to talk about a past action that occurs after or before another action.
SIMPLE PAST + SUB + HAD + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT
When you got home, you had finished your homework.
SIMPLE PAST + SUB + HAD + NOT + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT
When you got home, you had not finished your homework.
SIMPLE PAST + HAD + SUB + VERB (PARTICIPLE) + COMPLEMENT + ?
When you got home, had you finished your homework?
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
We use it to talk about ongoing actions in the future.
SUB + WILL HAVE BEEN + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT
He will have been working for the company in three years.
SUB + WILL NOT HAVE BEEN + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT
He will not have been working for the company in three years.
WILL + SUB + HAVE BEEN + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT + ?
Will he have been working for the company in three years?