How to Quickly Learn English with 3 Easy Steps

An easy way to learn English - Maybe you are looking for a lot on how to quickly learn English and how to speak, write, and memorize all the rules of grammar in English. Learn English much make students frustrated, because they do not know how the right method. As a result, the learning they do of course in vain and do not produce results significantly.

In a quick way to learn English, there are actually only three easy steps that you can apply and produce good results. The steps we will describe briefly below.

Ø  Focus on not only the input and output

Most students and teachers of English provides an understanding that the key lies in the mastery of the language written and spoken. Indeed, it is not wrong because a lot of people who directly practice speaking boldly, he will get used and then gain the ability to speak English well.

But for faster, one should also hone the ability to hear. The ability to listen is one of the keys to success in learning English. For that you have to spend countless hours to listen to English songs, English subtitles, and of course the English-language film.

By listening to a variety of words in the English language for a long time, the ability to listen can be increased considerably. Surprisingly, you will also improve by leaps and bounds in the context of speaking. The situation has been proven and then, you should be the next person to prove this.

Ø  Grammar is important, but do not be too charged

Grammar is important for you as a student. Why is that? Because the status of English in Indonesia is a foreign language, not the native language, or a second language. Thus, the grammar is a must to learn.

However, do not think of grammar as a load that requires you to adjust it as perfect as possible. In terms of writing, grammar is important of course, but in speaking English, we can provide a bit of tolerance with grammatical mistakes or grammar. However, the intent of the words we utter should be kept clear.

Grammar is important, but not to beat our courage to express in English.

Ø  Repeat and then go slow

The key in a quick way to learn English is to slow down and keep repeating. At school, students read the text too fast then the teacher provides materials with an attitude as if overtaken by time. As a result of understanding is often not optimal. Students will only get short-term memory and the teacher is difficult to succeed in teaching.

A study shows that repetition is performed continuously and in a slower tempo will result in better learning achievements. Students must obtain materials with repeatability up to a dozen times. With the repetition, then formed a long-term memory. Then, the students were able to learn English better, and certainly effective.

That's 3 major steps in a quick way to learn English. Good luck and may you succeed

News : "Man opens fire on Americans in Kabul; 9 dead"

Eight U.S. service members and an American civilian contractor were killed Wednesday in a shooting at an Afghan air force compound in Kabul, officials said.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said an Afghan military pilot opened fire on international troops, sparking a "gunfight." The Taliban, however, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it had been working with the shooter for some time -- an assertion that NATO denied.

The shooting started at the Afghan national air force compound at North Kabul International Airport after an argument between an Afghan pilot and an international colleague, officials said. The NATO-led force said an Afghan military pilot opened fire on international trainers and a "gunfight" ensued.

"A 50-year-old man opened fire at armed U.S. military soldiers inside the airport after an argument between them turned serious," said Col. Baha Dur, chief of public relations for the Afghan National Army at Kabul military airport.

NATO said the confrontation took place at 10:25 a.m. at the airport, where a quick reaction force responded to a "small arms fire incident." The airport is home to NATO Air Training Command Afghanistan.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the killings "by an Afghan military pilot."

Zaher Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, said the killings upset Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and that "he shares the pain with the families of the victims."

Despite the account by international troops, a Taliban spokesman said a man named Azizullah was responsible.

"One suicide attacker ... managed to attack an Afghan military unit and has managed to kill many Afghan and international soldiers," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said.

The Taliban said the man killed nine foreigners and five Afghans before being killed by the Afghan army.

"We had worked hard on this plan for a long time," Mujahid told CNN. "He was cooperating with us since long time and he was providing us information about military air operations for a long time."

NATO disputed the Taliban claim.

"We do not know why it started but there is no indication that a suicide bomber was involved and there are no reports that someone managed to get into the base to do this," the NATO-led force said in a statement.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for previous conflicts between NATO service members and members of the Afghan military. CNN could not independently verify the group's claims.

The Taliban said the man was once a pilot in an Afghan regime in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

"Since the current Afghan air forces have no planes so, he was just going to Kabul airport to show up and earn his salary for a long time," Mujahid told CNN.

The man "was holding the rank of colonel at the time and he had an AK-47 with him. After his bullets were finished, then he was shot to death by armed forces," Mujahid told CNN.

There was confusion about the death toll. The NATO-led force initially said six service members were killed. It raised that toll to nine but backed away temporarily before saying again that the shooting killed nine people -- eight international service members and a civilian contractor. The Pentagon confirmed that all were Americans.

Violence between Afghan forces and NATO troops is a matter of extreme concern for NATO officials, and it is growing in frequency.

There have been 36 NATO deaths in the past two years attributed to attacks by people perceived to be Afghan soldiers or police. Officials fear that the increasing frequency of the attacks could undermine trust between NATO troops and the Afghans they are working hard to prepare so they can eventually take over security in the country.

The Taliban's claim that the Afghan gunman was their recruit follows a now familiar pattern of the insurgency stating that attacks are theirs, even though NATO later suggests the gunman was acting out of personal motivation.

Out of 16 incidents of Afghan forces shooting NATO personnel that NATO has investigated, eight have been determined to be motivated by combat stress on the part of the Afghan attacker. The other eight investigations are undetermined.

English Assigment

Confusing words – 1

Choose the correct word for each sentence.

Note: Answer is the one that underlined.

1. She works for an advertisement/advertisingagency.
2. How will the increase in interest rates affect/effect your sales?
3. My bank manager has agreed to borrow/lendme another $2,000.
4. We’ve had to cancel/postponethe meeting until next Monday.
5. These machines are controlled/inspected at least once a day.
6. My plane was delayed/postponed by an hour due to computer failure.
7. Before coming here, I studied economics/economy at university.
8. I am interested/interesting in their new camera.
9. She applied for a job/work as a personnel officer.
10. Some employees have a long journey/travel to work every day.
11.  The cost of life/livinghas gone up again.
12. Please send precise measurements/measures when ordering.
13. We expect prices to raise/rise by at least five percent.
14. We only exchange goods if you produce a receipt/recipe.
15. I must remember/remindthe boss about that meeting this afternoon.
16. Can you say/tellthe difference between these two products?
17. The company is extremely sensible/sensitiveto any criticism.
18. There’s some more paper in the stationary/stationery cupboard.

Banking Services

Fill each blank in the text with the correct word or phrase. Choose from the following list. Use each item once only.

commission                 issued                          statement                    credit rating

debited                                    outstanding                 withdraw                     credit transfer

in full                           salaries                                    banker’s draft             financial institutions

interest                                    slip                               cash dispenser             standing order

Bank offers many services to business and their customers. Here are some of the most common:

Many people now have a card which enables them to 1. withdraw money from a 2. cash dispenser. You feed your card into the machine and key in your PIN (personal identification number) and the amount of money you want. If you have enough in your account, the money requested will be 3.issued up to a daily limit. Your account is automatically 4. debited for the amount you have drawn out.

Provided you have a sound 5.credit rating,you can get a credit card from a bank and other 6. financial institution. To obtain goods or services, you present your card and sign a special voucher. When it receives the voucher, the credit card company pays the trader (less a 7. commission) and then send you a monthly 8. slip. Depending on the type of card you have, you will either have to pay 9. in full or be able to pay part of what is owed and pay 10. interest in the balance left 11. statement.

 If you need to make fixed payments at regular intervals, e.g. for insurance premiums, you can arrange a 12. credit transfer (sometimes known as a banker’s order) so that the bank will do this for you.

If you have several bills to pay, you can do this by 13. standing order . You write one cheque for the total sum involved, fill in a 14. Outstanding for each bill and hand everything to the bank cashier.

The transfer system is also used by employers to pay 15. salaries directly into employees’ bank accounts.

If you are dealing with a supplier for the first time, a16. banker’s draftmay be used as payment. This is a cheque guaranteed by a bank and therefore it is not likely to ‘bounce’.

What’s the job?

accountant                              clerk                                        personnel officer

advertising executive             computer operator                 R&D Manager

assembly person                    draughtsperson                       receptionist

chauffeur                               motor mechanic                      salesperson

1. You will be in charge of a team of highly creative individuals delivering new quality products and enhancing our existing range.

·         Personnel officer

2. With particular responsibilities for recruitment and selection. Communication skills and a pragmatic approach to problem solving essential.

·         R&D Manager

3. With mechanical design experience to work as a member of a team producing designs and drawings for production. Experience of our products range is not essential.

·         Draughtperson

4. Duties include filing, mailing, relief reception and other general office work.

·         Receptionist

5. Needed for night shift. Clean modern factory. Varied work. Good eyesight essential.

·         Assembly person

6. Successful applicant will be articulate and presentable. Remuneration includes retainer and car allowance plus commission structure.

·         Salesperson

7. Reporting directly to Managing Director. You will take over financial control for all aspects of daily operation.

·         Accountant

8. Sober habits, clean driving licence, able to be on call 7 days per week at times. Uniform supplied.

·         Chauffeur

9. Must be experienced in the repair and maintenance of heavy duty vehicles. References must be provided from previous employers.

·         Motor mechanic

10. You are the first person our clients will meet so you need to be friendly, stylish and efficient.

·         Clerk

11. Some experience in the above-mentioned software is essential but training will be given to the successful applicant.

·         Computer operator

12. You will be an essential member of an agency responsible for some of the country’s top accounts. You will be responsible for the administration of local and national promotions.

·         Advertising executive

As you were reading the advertisements, did you notice word partnerships such as financial control and communication skills?

Look through the advertisements again and see how many more you can find.

Complete each of the sentences below with a suitable word partnership taken from the advertisements.

1. We’re looking for new products to add to ourselling list.
2. She’s an advertising executive of this team. We can’t do without her.
3. You get more money if you work on the advertising company but it ruins your social life.
4. He had a very good idea to solving problems.
5. I didn’t get the job as a driver as I didn’t have a driving license.
6. My concern are health and safety but I’m also concerned with the general welfare of employees.

REVIEWS OF FIRST LOVE (A LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE)

Info                  : [Thai-Movie]
Release Date   : 2010
Genre               : Comedy | Romance

Sinopsis

"We all"
"Have someone who is hidden in the bottom of my heart"
"When we think of him, we would feel like ... umm ...."
"It always felt a little sick inside"


"But we still want to keep him"
"Although I do not know where he is now .."
"What he did"
"But he is the one who made ​​me know this .."
.....
.....
"The crazy things, called LOVE" (crazy little thing called love)

(Prolog movie crazy little thing called love)

Nam lives with her sister and mother. She is Shone's junior and secretly loves him. Nam and her friends help her confess her love with the help of the book '9 recipes of love'. Meanwhile teacher Inn and teacher Orn are constantly competing with each other for the sport teacher. Nam plays snow white in the school drama, Snow white. Shone's childhood friend Top joins the school. He has an instant liking for her.Some days later Top confesses his love to Nam. She is shocked and does not answer. Next morning Top asks her to go to the football match to see Shone Play. She agrees to that idea. On an outing Shone finally confesses indirectly that he loves her, but is interrupted by Top. At the birthday night party of Ake, Top and Shone share their story and say that they promise never to fall in love with the same girl. During a dance Top kisses Nam's cheek. That night Nam breaks up with him. Three years has passed by since the beginning of her story. Nam secures the first position in her exam. She would leave for USA to be with her dad. On the closing of the school year, she finally confesses to Shone. But is heart broken when she sees that Pin and Shone are together. That night Shone leaves his diary in front of her house. That diary contained all of Nam's photos. He always loved her but their time never matched. Shone leaves for Bangkok.

Nine years later, Nam is a successful costume designer and Shone has changed his profession to be a pro-photographer. In a reality show Nam and Shone are reunited.

Feedback and reviews

The film got the good impression and positive reviews from critics and audiences, despite being filmed with an average budget. In Thailand, the film placed in 3rd place from its weekend gross in almost a hundred cinemas in Thailand, then an impressive up to 2nd place on the next weekend behind Kuan Mun Ho. The other two movies (including Toy Story 3) simultaneously released with First Love dropped to 3rd and 4th respectively. The film managed to maintain its position in 3rd place the following weekends and stayed inside the top 5 for six consecutive weeks. The film was shown in cinemas for nearly ten weeks (until October 2010) - making it one of the longest running movies in Thailand cinemas. In total, the film got an excellent gross of $2,659,443, becoming 8th highest gross movie of 2011 (beating Prince of Persia, The Chronicles of Narnia, Inception, Step Up 3-D, Alice in Wonderland, Tron Legacy), and the second highest grossing local produced film in Thailand.

By early 2011, copies of the film were uploaded on the Internet. Several countries got interested to get the rights to broadcast or release the film. Since then, some audiences got also a high interest to watch the film in their countries.

In the Philippines, the movie made a high impact to viewers after it was dubbed in Filipino and shown on free TV on June 5, 2011 on ABS-CBN, where it dominated the daytime viewership ratings, both in Manila people ratings and household ratings and Nationwide ratings. Just 2 weeks after it was first shown on free TV, on June 20, the film repeated in afternoon slot. The movie block time slot got the highest rating compare to its counterpart programs.

Passive Verbs

145. PASSIVE VERB FORMS

Change the verb to the active voice and rewrite the sentence. Be sure to keep the same tense. In some cases, it will be necessary to supply a subject (see the second example).

1.       The books were taken by John.

John took the books.

2.       The boxes were mailed today.

He mailed the boxes today.

3.       The two packages were opened by my secretary.

My secretary opened the two packages.

4.       Our homework is corrected by our teacher.

Our teacher corrects our homework.

5.       Two buildings have been constructed by that company.

That company had constructed two buildings.

6.       That room wasn’t cleaned carefully yesterday.

He didn’t clean that room carefully yesterday.

7.       The truck is being loaded by the men now.

The men are loading the truck now.

8.       Was that machine checked by the inspector?

Did the inspector check that machine?

9.       Will that report be written by the same committee?

Will the same committee write that report?

10.   Has the news been announced by the president yet?

Has the president announced the news yet?

11.   The mail is delivered to this office twice a day.

This office receives the mail twice a day.

12.   All of us were surprised by his frank attitude.

His frank attitude surprised all of us.

13.   Was the repair work done by the mechanic?

Did the mechanic do the repair work?

14.   He wasn’t very much respected by the employees.

The employees didn’t respect him very much.

15.   Are many courses in English given during the summer?

Are they giving many courses in English during the summer?

146. USING PASSIVE VERBS

Change the verb to the passive voice and rewrite the sentence. Be sure to keep the same tense.

1.       He signed the letter.

The letter was signed by him.

2.       The secretary opens the mail every morning.

The mails is opened by the secretary every morning.

3.       The committee is considering that proposal right now.

That proposal is being considered by the committee right now.

4.       The army will complete that project next year.

That project will be completed by the army next year.

5.       His boss has transferred him to another department.

He has been transferred to another department by his boss.

6.       Will the company distribute the announcements?

Will the announcements be distributed by the company?

7.        An artist wrote that interesting article about Paris.

That interesting article about Paris was written by an artist.

8.       Today a large number of people speak English.

English is spoken by a large number of people today.

9.       Didn’t they return those books to the library?

Were those books not return by them to the library?

10.   The government has not changed that regulation yet.

That regulation has not been changed by the government yet.

11.   Someone stole all her valuable jewelry last night.

All her valuable jewelry were stolen by someone last night.

12.   Miss Peters wrote all of the reports for Mr. Johnson.

All of the reports were written my Miss Peters for Mr. Johnson.

13.   Bad weather has delayed Flight 202 from Miami.

Flight 202 from Miami has been delayed due to bad weather.

14.   Did the court divide the money among the children?

Were the money divided by the court among the children?

15.   Many scholars have translated that famous Greek epic.

That famous Greek epic has been translated by many scholars.

147. ACTIVE vs PASSIVE

Use the correct voice (active or passive) and the correct tense of verb in each sentence.

1.       Everyone (shock) by the terrible news yesterday.

 Active  : The terrible news was shocked everyone yesterday.

2.       Almost everyone (enjoy) the lecture last night.

Passive : The lecture was enjoyed by almost everyone last night.

3.       English (teach) in the schools of almost every nation.

Active   : English taught in the schools of almost every nation.

4.       That proposal (consider) by the members right now.

Passive : That proposal is considering by the members right now.

5.       The accident (happen) right here at 6:30 last night.

Active   : The accident happened right here at 6:30 last night.

6.       Smith (teach) at the University of Washington since 1948.

Active   : Smith has taught at the University of Washington since 1948.

7.       Mr. Harris (divide) the class into two sections tomorrow.

Passive : The class will be divided into two sections by Mr. Harris tomorrow.

8.       Wilson (borrow) the money from Brown two weeks ago.

Active   : Wilson borrowed the money from Brown two weeks ago.

9.       Not much (say) about the matter since that time.

Active   : Not much said about the matter since that time.

10.   My friend (write) to me about it several times now.

Active   : My friend is writing to me about it several times now.

11.   Davis (promote) to the rank of sergeant last week.

Active   : Davis was promoted to the rank of sergeant last week.

12.   That event (occur) shortly after the meeting last week.

Active   : That event occurred shortly after the meeting last week.

13.   All the students (bring) guests to the party tomorrow night.

Passive : Guests will be brought by all the students to the party tomorrow night.

14.   Less than half of the cans of paint (use) up to now.

Passive : The cans of paint is being used less than half up to now.

15.   More classes in English (list) in the catalog next fall.

Passive : The catalog will be listed more classes in English next fall.

16.   Everything (go) well so far. There (be) no trouble yet.

Active   : Everything is going well so far. There is no trouble yet.

17.   That movie about Napoleon’s life (disappoint) me greatly.

Active   : That movie about Napoleon’s life disappointed me greatly.

18.   The mail (deliver, always) to this office before 10 a.m.

Active   : The mail is always deliver to this office before 10 a.m.

19.   Who (furnish) the food for the picnic next weekend?

Active   : Who will furnish the food for the picnic next weekend?

20.   At this time, much attention (devote) to that problem.

Active   : At this time, much attention is devoting to that problem.

21.   Think carefully. I’m sure you (remember) his name.

Active   : Think carefully. I’m sure you remember his name.

22.   We (treat) very kindly by our hosts last Saturday.

Active   : Our hosts were treated us very kindly last Saturday.

23.   Mr. Wilson (make) something interesting statements yesterday.

Passive : Something interesting statements were made by Mr. Wilson yesterday.

24.   A new textbook (publish) by that company next year.

Active   : That company will publish a new textbook next year.

25.   The noise from the trains (annoy) me terribly last night.

Active   : The noise from the trains annoyed me terribly last night.

26.   That old red house (build) in the year 1822.

Active   : That old red house was built in the year 1822.

27.   The report (examine, not) by a committee of experts yet.

Active   : A committee of expert has not examine the report yet.

28.   Cocktails (serve) to the guests about 10 minutes from now.

Passive : Cocktails will be served to the guests about 10 minutes from now.

29.   His sharp remarks (embarrass) everyone last night.

Active   : His sharp remarks embarrassed everyone last night.

30.    Fred (introduce) to the fellow by Mr. Brown yesterday.

Active   : Mr. Brown introduced Fred to the fellow yesterday.

31.   Listen to this! I think this news (surprise) you!

Active   : Listen to this! I think this news will surprise you!

32.   The Ajax Shoe Company (employ) 25 new men next month.

Active   : The Ajax Shoe Company will employ 25 new men next month.

33.   Only 25 new students (admit) into the department in 1955.

Active   : Only 25 new students were admitted into the department in 1955.

34.   A second coat of paint (spread) over that surface tomorrow.

Active   : A second coat of paint will spread over that surface tomorrow.

Tenses and The Exercises

Simple Present Tense

English Grammar Rules

The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal.
We use the present tense:
1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.

• I take the train to the office.
• The train to Berlin leaves every hour.
• John sleeps eight hours every night during the week.

2. For facts.

• The President of The USA lives in The White House.
• A dog has four legs.
• We come from Switzerland.

3. For habits.

• I get up early every day.
• Carol brushes her teeth twice a day.
• They travel to their country house every weekend.

4. For things that are always / generally true.

• It rains a lot in winter.
• The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.
• They speak English at work.

Verb Conjugation & Spelling

We form the present tense using the base form of the infinitive (without the TO).
In general, in the third person we add 'S' in the third person.

Subject	Verb	The Rest of the sentence
I / you / we / they	speak / learn	English at home
he / she / it	speaks / learns	English at home

The spelling for the verb in the third person differs depending on the ending of that verb:
1. For verbs that end in -O, -CH, -SH, -SS, -X, or -Z we add -ES in the third person.

• go – goes
• catch – catches
• wash – washes
• kiss – kisses
• fix – fixes
• buzz – buzzes

2. For verbs that end in a consonant + Y, we remove the Y and add -IES.

• marry – marries
• study – studies
• carry – carries
• worry – worries

NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + Y, we just add -S.

• play – plays
• enjoy – enjoys
• say – says

Negative Sentences in the Simple Present Tense

To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (can, might, should etc.).

• Affirmative: You speak French.
  Negative: You don't speak French.

You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the subject is I, you, we or they.

• Affirmative: He speaks German.
  Negative: He doesn't speak German.

When the subject is he, she or it, we add doesn't between the subject and the verb to make a negative sentence. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the negative sentence. We will see the reason why below.

Negative Contractions

Don't = Do not
Doesn't = Does not
I don't like meat = I do not like meat.
There is no difference in meaning though we normally use contractions in spoken English.

Word Order of Negative Sentences

The following is the word order to construct a basic negative sentence in English in the Present Tense using Don't or Doesn't.

Subject	don't/doesn't	Verb*	The Rest of the sentence
I / you / we / they	don't	have / buy eat / like etc.	cereal for breakfast
he / she / it	doesn't

* Verb: The verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO before the verb. Instead of the infinitive To have it is just the have part.
Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins with TO. For example: to have, to eat, to go, to live, to speak etc.
Examples of Negative Sentences with Don't and Doesn't:

• You don't speak Arabic.
• John doesn't speak Italian.
• We don't have time for a rest.
• It doesn't move.
• They don't want to go to the party.
• She doesn't like fish.
  

Questions in the Simple Present Tense

To make a question in English we normally use Do or Does. It has no translation in Spanish though it is essential to show we are making a question. It is normally put at the beginning of the question.

• Affirmative: You speak English.
  Question: Do you speak English?

You will see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative sentence to make it a question. We use Do when the subject is I, you, we or they.

• Affirmative: He speaks French.
  Question: Does he speak French?

When the subject is he, she or it, we add DOES at the beginning to make the affirmative sentence a question. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the question. We will see the reason why below.
We DON'T use Do or Does in questions that have the verb To Be or Modal Verbs (can, must, might, should etc.)

Word Order of Questions with Do and Does

The following is the word order to construct a basic question in English using Do or Does.

Do/Does	Subject	Verb*	The Rest of the sentence
Do	I / you / we / they	have / need want etc.	a new bike?
Does	he / she / it

*Verb: The verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO before the verb. Instead of the infinitive To have it is just the have part.
Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins with TO. For example: to have, to eat, to go, to live, to speak etc.
Examples of Questions with Do and Does:

• Do you need a dictionary?
• Does Mary need a dictionary?
• Do we have a meeting now?
• Does it rain a lot in winter?
• Do they want to go to the party?
• Does he like pizza?

Short Answers with Do and Does

In questions that use do/does it is possible to give short answers to direct questions as follows:

Sample Questions	Short Answer (Affirmative)	Short Answer (Negative)
Do you like chocolate?	Yes, I do.	No, I don't.
Do I need a pencil?	Yes, you do.	No, you don't.
Do you both like chocolate?	Yes, we do.	No, we don't.
Do they like chocolate?	Yes, they do.	No, they don't.
Does he like chocolate?	Yes, he does.	No, he doesn't.
Does she like chocolate?	Yes, she does.	No, she doesn't.
Does it have four wheels?	Yes, it does.	No, it doesn't.

However, if a question word such as who, when, where, why, which or how is used in the question, you can not use the short answers above to respond to the question.

Next activity

Grammar Rules:
Check out the conjugation rules for Have Has Go Goes and also of Verbs in the Third Person.
Grammar Games:
Practice this tense with our interactive game at: Simple Present Tense or Have - Has - Go - Goes

Simple Past Tense

The past tense is a grammatical tense whose principal function is to place an action or situation in past time. In languages which have a past tense, it thus provides a grammatical means of indicating that the event being referred to took place in the past. Examples of verbs in the past tense include the English verbs sang, went and was.

Complete List of Simple Past Forms

USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Examples:

• I saw a movie yesterday.
• I didn't see a play yesterday.
• Last year, I traveled to Japan.

USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.

Examples:

• I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.
• He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the others at 10:00.
• Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?

USE 3 Duration in Past

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.

Examples:

• I lived in Brazil for two years.
• Shauna studied Japanese for five years.
• A : How long did you wait for them?

B : We waited for one hour.

USE 4 Habits in the Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.

Examples:

• I studied French when I was a child.
• He played the violin.
• He didn't play the piano.

USE 5 Past Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to."

Examples:

• She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.
• He didn't like tomatoes before.
• Did you live in Texas when you were a kid?

IMPORTANT When-Clauses Happen First

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are often not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when I dropped my pen..." or "when class began..." These clauses are called when-clauses, and they are very important. The examples below contain when-clauses.

Examples:

• When I paid her one dollar, she answered my question.
• She answered my question when I paid her one dollar.

When-clauses are important because they always happen first when both clauses are in the Simple Past. Both of the examples above mean the same thing: first, I paid her one dollar, and then, she answered my question. It is not important whether "when I paid her one dollar" is at the beginning of the sentence or at the end of the sentence. However, the example below has a different meaning. First, she answered my question, and then, I paid her one dollar.

Example:

• I paid her one dollar when she answered my question.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

• You just called Debbie.
• Did you just call Debbie?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

• Tom repaired the car. Active
• The car was repaired by Tom. Passive

Simple Future Tense

In grammar, a future tense is a verb form that generally marks the event described by the verb as not having happened yet, but expected to happen in the future. Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will

[will + verb]

Examples:

• You will help him later.
• Will you help him later?
• You will not help him later.

FORM Be Going To

[am/is/are + going to + verb]

Examples:

• You are going to meet Jane tonight.
• Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
• You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

Complete List of Simple Future Forms

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

Examples:

• I will send you the information when I get it.
• Will you help me move this heavy table?
• A: I'm really hungry.

B: I'll make some sandwiches.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:

• I will call you when I arrive.
• If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
• I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.

USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

Examples:

• He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
• She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
• A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?

B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:

• The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
• The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.

• John Smith will be the next President.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.

No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.

Examples:

• When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
• When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

• You will never help him.

• Are you ever going to meet Jane?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

• John will finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active
• The work will be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive

• Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active
• A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive

Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect is a grammatical combination of the present tense and the perfect aspect, used to express a past event that has present consequences. The term is used particularly in the context of English grammar, where it refers to forms such as "I have left" and "Sue has died". These forms are present because they use the present tense of the auxiliary verb have, and perfect because they use that auxiliary in combination with the past participle of the main verb. (Other perfect constructions also exist, such as the past perfect: "I had eaten.")

Complete List of Present Perfect Forms

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

• I have seen that movie twenty times.
• I think I have met him once before.
• There have been many earthquakes in California.
• People have traveled to the Moon.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

• I have been to France.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.

• I have been to France three times.

You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.

• I have never been to France.

This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples:

• You have grown since the last time I saw you.
• The government has become more interested in arts education.
• Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

• Man has walked on the Moon.
• Our son has learned how to read.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:

• James has not finished his homework yet.
• Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

• The army has attacked that city five times.
• I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.

Examples:

• Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
• I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
• They have had three tests in the last week.
• She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.

Examples:

• I went to Mexico last year.

I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.

• I have been to Mexico in the last year.

I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.

Examples:

• I have had a cold for two weeks.
• She has been in England for six months.
• Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of Present Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

• You have only seen that movie one time.
• Have you only seen that movie one time?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

• Many tourists have visited that castle. Active
• That castle has been visited by many tourists. Passive