Grammar: Tense Review
B1 Tense Consolidation
Tense Review: Past, Present & Future 📖
Let's review the main tenses you have learned. Remember, the tense you choose changes the meaning of your sentence.
The Present Tenses
- Present Simple (Facts & Routines):
"I work in Battambang. The sun rises in the east." - Present Continuous (Happening Now & Temporary):
"The baby is sleeping. I'm staying with my aunt this week." - Present Perfect (Past-Present Connection):
"She has lived here since 2020. I've just finished my work."
The Past Tenses
- Past Simple (Finished Actions):
"We visited the temples yesterday." - Past Continuous (Background Action):
"I was reading a book when you called." - used to (Past Habits/States):
"This building used to be a cinema."
The Future Forms
- will (Predictions & Spontaneous Decisions):
"I think it will be hot tomorrow. The phone is ringing, I'll get it!" - be going to (Plans & Intentions):
"I'm going to learn how to cook Khmer food." - Present Continuous (Fixed Arrangements):
"I'm meeting my friends for dinner at 7 PM tonight."
🛠️ B1 Tense Summary Chart
Use this chart as a quick guide to remember the main uses of each tense.
| PAST | PRESENT | FUTURE |
|---|---|---|
| Past Simple: Finished past actions. (I walked.) | Present Simple: Routines, facts. (I walk.) | will: Predictions, offers. (I'll walk.) |
| Past Continuous: Background actions. (I was walking.) | Present Continuous: Happening now. (I'm walking.) | be going to: Plans. (I'm going to walk.) |
| used to: Old habits. (I used to walk.) | Present Perfect: Connection to now. (I've walked.) | Present Continuous: Arrangements. (I'm walking at 7pm.) |
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Mixed Tenses
Choose the correct tense to complete each sentence.
- Be careful! I think that motorbike _______ too fast. (is going / goes)
→ is going (Describes an action happening right now.) - I _______ that movie yet. Is it good? (didn't see / haven't seen)
→ haven't seen (The signal word 'yet' requires the Present Perfect.) - What _______ (you / do) when I _______ (call) you last night?
→ were you doing / called (A past background action interrupted by a shorter one.) - Next year, we _______ to visit Japan. (will travel / are going to travel)
→ are going to travel ('be going to' is best for plans.) - She _______ here for a long time, so she knows Battambang well. (has lived / lived)
→ has lived (The action started in the past and is still true now.)
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Tell a Short Story
Write a short paragraph (4-5 sentences) about a memorable day you had. Try to use at least three different tenses from the lesson.
Example: "Last Saturday, I went to the countryside. The sun was shining and we had a picnic. I have decided that I am going to go back there again next month."
Key Vocabulary
- Review / Consolidation The process of studying something again to combine your knowledge.
- Spontaneous Done as a result of a sudden impulse, without a plan.
- Intention / Arrangement A plan for how something will happen.