explanations unit 0, 1 and 2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

present simple: 

• for facts and permanent situations: I have tickets for the game next Sunday
• for habits and routines: I always go to school by bike
• for timetables and schedules in the present and future: the film starts at 3 p.m.

present continuous:

• for things happening now: what are you thinking about?
• for annoying or repeated behaviour: you're always complaining about school
• for future arrangements: we're going to the movies next Saturday

past simple:

• completed actions in the past: I cycled to school yesterday
• in combination with past continuous: while I was doing the dishes, my dad came home (past simple for the short, completed action)
• in combination with past perfect: when I got home, my mom had already made dinner (past simple for thing that happens later)

past continuous:

• actions in progress in the past: I was doing my homework

present perfect simple:

• actions in the past that are still relevant for the present: I have lost my keys (focus on the result: you can't get into the house)
• to talk about experiences: I have been to China twice
• ezelsbruggetje: BAH FYNE JASS
  

                 before, already, how long, for, yet, never, ever, just, 

                 always,  since, so far

present perfect continuous:

• actions in the past that are still relevant for the present: I have been learning how to drive for two months now (focus on the action) --> you want to emphasize the length of an action and the fact that it’s still in progress

past perfect :

• to talk about an action that was finished before another past action happened: I had already done the dishes when my mom came home.