Download present simple

English for
Academic Skills
Independence
[EASI]
Session 7
Grammar
Quiz
Can you remember the names of the tenses in English?
e.g.
‘present simple’
• I consider …
• Smith (2012) considers …
12 Tenses in English
Time
simple
Present
consider[s]
is considering
has
has been
considered considering
Past
considered
was
considering
had
had been
considered considering
Future
will
consider
will be
considering
will have
considered
will have
been
considering
Technical note: what we are calling tense here is a combination of tense and aspect;
however, for convenience we can refer to these as ‘tenses’.
12 Tenses in English
Time
Simple
Continuous
Perfect
Perfect
continuous
consider[s] is considering
has
has been
considered considering
Past
considered
was
considering
had
had been
considered considering
Future
will
consider
will be
considering
will have
considered
Present
will have
been
considering
Technical note: what we are calling tense here is a combination of tense and aspect;
however, for convenience we can refer to these as ‘tenses’.
By the end of this session you will be
able to…
 state the form and function of present simple and past
simple
 state when present simple and past simple are
appropriate in academic writing
 identify the three most important tenses for academic
writing
Traps …
Many students spend a lot of time and effort trying to learn
about all 12 tenses
This is probably not the best use of your time: for academic
writing it makes more sense to concentrate on just three
tenses …
Activity
What are the three most important tenses in English for
academic writing?
The three most important tenses for
academic writing …
 Present simple tense: Smith (2012) considers …
 Past simple tense: Smith’s earlier research showed that…
 Present perfect: Student numbers have increased….
Objectives …
For these three tenses you should aim for 99% accuracy …
Focus on:
 Form
 Usage
Form of the present simple
Time
simple
continuous
perfect
Perfect
continuous
Present
consider[s]
is considering
has
considered
has been
considering
Past
considered
was
considering
had
considered
had been
considering
Future
will consider
will be
considering
will have
considered
will have
been
considering
Form of the present simple
Singular
Plural
1st person
I
consider
we
consider
2nd person
you
consider
you
consider
considers
they
consider
he
3rd
person
she
It
Form of the present simple
Singular
Plural
1st person
I
consider
we
consider
2nd person
you
consider
you
consider
considers
they
consider
he
3rd
person
she
It
Traps …
Say this sentence out loud to your neighbour:
This essay address digital literacy skills.
Did you correct the mistake?
This essay addresses digital literacy skills.
Activity
A common function of the present simple is to talk about daily
routines:
I check Facebook every day.
If you were talking about someone else you might say:
She checks Facebook every day.
Activity
Turn to your neighbour and share three things that one of
your family members / a friend does regularly every morning,
eg:
• S/he gets up at 6 am
• S/he eats breakfast
• S/he catches the bus to University
Statements
We can analyse this statement by identifying
the subject and the verb
The subject is typically in the form of a noun group.
The verb must ‘agree’ with the subject.
Subject VERB
Most birds fly
.
Subject-verb ‘agreement’
When we say that the verb must ‘agree’ with the
subject we need to consider if it is singular or plural.
A singular subject requires the correct form of the verb:
Subject
Most birds
VERB
fly
The shining
cuckoo
flies
long distances
.
to warmer lands in
the winter
.
Finite and non-finite
Subject – verb agreement can be understood with
reference to the concept of ‘finiteness’.
Each finite verb is marked for tense
Finite
Non-finite
fly/flies
[to] fly
flew
flying
Present simple tense
Activity
Read this example:
The sun rises in the East.
What is the function of the present simple in this case?
How many other functions can you identify?
Present simple tense
Example
Function
1
They live in Auckland.
Permanent situation
2
She checks Facebook every day.
3
The sun rises in the East.
4
I am cold.
5
I think war is stupid.
6
The train departs at 6:30 pm
Fact
Opinion
Present simple tense
Example
Function
1
They live in Auckland.
Permanent situations
2
3
She checks Facebook every day. Regular habits and daily
routines
The sun rises in the east.
Facts
4
I am cold.
Feelings
5
I think war is stupid.
Opinions
6
The train departs at 6:30 pm
Timetables
Past simple tense
Activity
Read this example:
Pope Benedict resigned in 2013.
What is the basic meaning associated with the past
simple tense?
Past simple tense
Past
Present
Pope Benedict resigned in 2013.
 A completed event
 At a specific time in the past
Future
Past simple tense
Past
Present
Pope Benedict resigned in 2013.
 This time is typically specified …
 … or understood
Future
Past simple tense
Here is a useful rule of thumb to help you choose the
correct tense:
Use the past simple when the time is specified
or understood. Use past time adverbials:




Yesterday
A week ago
Last year
In 2010
Traps …
Many non-native speakers of English use the present
simple form of the verb as the default:
Yesterday, I go to see a film.
Yesterday, I went to see a film.
X
This can be explained with reference to the concept of
‘fossilization’.
Learn the irregular forms!
The three most important tenses for
academic writing …
 Present simple tense: This essay argues that …
 Past simple tense: The study found that …
 Present perfect: There has been an increase in …
The problem for many students is knowing when to use the
appropriate tense.
Academic writing – Past simple
In academic writing, the past simple tense is often used to
refer to a study or investigation which is clearly in the past:
McCarthy (2013), in his three year study of
Facebook as an online learning environment for
first year undergraduate students in Australia and
Singapore, found that students benefited from
involvement in virtual discussions which allowed
them time to create and measure their responses.
Academic writing – Past simple
In academic writing, the past simple tense is often used to
refer to a study or investigation which is clearly in the past:
McCarthy (2013), in his three year study of
Facebook as an online learning environment for
first year undergraduate students in Australia and
Singapore, found that students benefited from
involvement in virtual discussions which allowed
them time to create and measure their responses.
Report writing – Past simple
In the Methods section of a report you use the
past simple to refer to what was done in a study
or experiment:
The soil was placed in a beaker and then
heated in a furnace …
In the Results section you use the past simple to
summarise what happened and indicate the
results which were obtained.
Report writing – Past simple
In the Methods section of a report you use the
past simple to refer to what was done in a study
or experiment:
The soil was placed in a beaker and then
heated in a furnace …
In the Results section you use the past simple to
summarise what happened and indicate the
results which were obtained.
Academic writing – Present simple
In academic writing, many verbs will be in the present simple
tense. This tense is used to make generalisations and to
express general truths:
Socialising is a crucial component of the student
tertiary experience.
Many students already use Facebook for
socialising …
Academic writing – Present simple
In academic writing, many verbs will be in the present simple
tense. This tense is used to make generalisations and to
express general truths:
Socialising is a crucial component of the student
tertiary experience.
Many students already use Facebook for
socialising …
Academic writing – Present perfect
In the introduction to an essay or report present perfect is
often used to identify the subject area or to comment on a
current trend.
The social networking website Facebook has
become enormously popular throughout the
world.
In recent years there has been a significant
increase in the numbers of international students
studying in New Zealand.
Academic writing – Present simple
In the introduction paragraph of an essay you can use the
present simple to perform the following functions:






Identify the subject area
Introduce the topic
Define key terms
Explain why this topic is of interest
Clear state the main aim [or argument]
Outline how your essay is organised
In the body paragraphs you use the present simple:
 To refer to ideas which are quoted or paraphrased
Defining key terms – Present simple
tense
Note that the verb ‘define’ is often used, typically in the
present simple tense:
Social networking websites are defined as online spaces which “allow
individuals to present themselves, articulate their social networks, and
establish or maintain connections with others” (McCarthy, 2012,
p.758).
Another example:
According to O’Reilly (2005), the term ‘Web 2.0’ refers to tools and
websites for social networking and participation.
Establishing rationale – Present simple
tense
In the introduction, when you explain why the topic is of
interest you typically use the present simple tense:
The use of social networking sites within universities is of interest
because their growing ubiquity is already making both positive and
negative impacts on tertiary level learning and teaching.
Aim or argument – Present simple tense
In the introduction, when you state your main aim or the
argument for the essay, you typically use the present
simple tense:
This essay argues that Facebook can have a potentially positive
impact on learning and teaching at tertiary level if used
appropriately.
Indicating structure – Present simple
tense
In the introduction, when you outline the structure of the
essay, you typically use the present simple tense:
This essay will argue that Facebook can have a potentially positive
impact on learning and teaching at tertiary level if used appropriately.
The essay explains the benefits of Facebook for students in terms of
socialising, engagement and creativity. It then addresses the digital
literacy skills students need in order to succeed, examines potential
impacts on academic performance related to multitasking and
distractions, and also highlights concerns related to privacy and
safety.
Quoting and paraphrasing – Present
simple tense
Note that reporting verbs are typically in the present simple
tense:
There is a growing body of literature which argues that social
networking websites can transform learning and teaching.
Duffy (2011) suggests that Web 2.0 tools can change the dynamics of
classroom interaction.
Present simple tense with reporting
verbs
Here are some examples of reporting verbs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
argue
emphasise
explain
discuss
comment
claim
contend
state
suggest
For more ways to refer
to sources, go to:
Manchester University
Academic Phrasebank
To summarise
You will communicate more effectively if you become
sensitised to the following:




Subject/verb agreement
Present simple tense
Past simple tense
Tense choice in academic writing
End of classroom session
You can find the PowerPoint slides on the Student Learning
website
http://www.aut.ac.nz/being-a-student/currentundergraduates/academic-information/academic-and-studysupport/student-learning
Also there are useful videos and exercises about the tenses on
the Griffith University website
https://www.griffith.edu.au/international/englishhelp/helpyourself-resources/verbs
Here are some follow-up activities you might like to do …
Homework tasks 1 & 2
1. Familiarise yourself with the various functions and
uses of these two important tenses:
 Present simple
 Past simple
2. Set yourself a goal to learn all of the meanings and
spellings of the irregular verbs in English.
There are many lists online.
Homework task 3
Functions of the present simple
Identify the functions in the following six examples
Present simple tense
7
Example
Beckham dummies, passes …
8
I cut the onions, put them …
9
A man walks into a bar and says …
10
… so I say to the shopkeeper …
11
Pope resigns
12
Smith (2010) argues that …
Function
Present simple tense
7
Example
Beckham dummies, passes …
Function
Sports commentary
8
I cut the onions, put them …
Demonstration
9
A man walks into a bar and says …
Jokes
10
… so I say to the shopkeeper …
Anecdotes
11
Pope resigns
News headlines
12
Smith (2010) argues that …
Academic writing
Homework task 3: Form of the present
simple
It is also useful to consider form in the context of:
 Statements
 Questions
 Commands
When we consider this aspect of grammar, the focus is
on interpersonal communication …
Statements
The concept of ‘Mood’ is very useful in grammar, becaus
it helps us to focus on two important elements of the
clause.
Consider the statement:
Most birds fly.
What tense? Why?
Statements
We can analyse this statement by identifying the
Subject and the verb
The Subject is typically in the form of a noun group.
The verb must ‘agree’ with the Subject.
Subject VERB
Most birds fly
.
Activity: Questions
Consider the question:
Do all birds fly?
 What tense is this?
 Where is the tense indicated?
Questions
 tense
 Where indicated
present simple
auxiliary verb ‘do’
Do all birds fly?
Does the kiwi fly?
We can analyse this question by identifying the Subject
and the finite verb
Questions
We can analyse this question by identifying
the Subject and the finite verb
Finite
Subject Verb
verb
Do most birds fly?
Activity: Commands
Consider the command:
Fly away!




What tense is this?
Trick question: no tense!
What is the Subject?
Trick question: no subject! Subject is
understood as ‘you’
Commands
 Trick question: no tense! Imperative uses a
non-finite form of the verb
 Trick question: no subject! [Subject is
‘invisible’ – understood as ‘you’]
Fly away!
We can analyse this command by identifying the
various elements
Commands
We can analyse this command by identifying the
various components
Finite
verb
Subject Non-finite verb
Fly away!
Homework
Video
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammarvocabulary/grammar-videos/past-simple-irregular-verbs