Tense is a crucial aspect of English grammar. Understanding it thoroughly allows for accurate comprehension of English dialogues and pieces of writing. In simplified terms, English tenses are divided into four categories: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous. Each category can further be broken down into three time frames: present, past, and future, totaling to 12 tense variations. In this lesson, we will focus on the first category, the 'simple tense', which includes the present simple tense, past simple tense, and future simple tense. We will also cover the concept of "future in the past tense," a frequently used concept in everyday English conversation that many students struggle with.
Lesson Introduction
章节 1
現在簡單式
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重點整理 |
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英文中的「現在簡單式」通常是學習英文時態的入門級別,但即使熟悉了這個時態 , 也有可能不知道在什麼狀況下應該使用它 。 現在簡單式主要用於表達以下情境: (1) 表示一般事實 (2) 表示現在狀態 (3) 表示個人喜好 (4) 表示習慣做的事情跟 重複的事件 (5) 表示已經計畫好的未來事件,還有未來會發生的一般事實 在現在簡單時態中,「be動詞」可以根據主詞變為「am/is/are」。 在現在簡單時態中,除了主詞是單數第三人稱(he/she/it)的狀況,動詞都使用原型動詞形式,如果主詞是單數第三人稱(he/she/it)的狀況,動詞會在結尾加 "s"。 |
在現在簡單時態中,「be動詞」可以根據主詞變為「am/is/are」。 以下的表格示範現在簡單時態中「be動詞」根據主詞而變化的用法。
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主詞 |
第一人稱 |
第二人稱 |
第三人稱 |
|
單數 |
I am a doctor. 我是醫生 。 |
You are a doctor. 你是醫生 。 |
He/she is a doctor. 他/她是醫生 。 |
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複數 |
We are doctors. 我們是醫生 。 |
They are doctors. 他們是醫生 。 |
在現在簡單時態中,除了主詞是單數第三人稱(he/she/it)的狀況,動詞都使用原型動詞形式 單數,如果主詞是單數第三人稱(he/she/it)的狀況,動詞會在結尾加 "s"。以下的表格使用動詞 write 來示範不同的用法。
|
主詞 |
第一人稱 |
第二人稱 |
第三人稱 |
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單數 |
I write a letter. 我寫一封信 。 |
You write a letter. 你寫一封信 。 |
He/she writes a letter. (注意 "s".) 他/她寫一封信 |
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複數 |
We write a letter. 我們寫一封信 。 |
They write a letter. 他們寫一封信 。 |
對於一些動詞,第三人稱單數的結尾是" es" 而不是"s"。通常,這些動詞的根形式以"o","ch",'sh',“th”,“ss”,“gh”或“z”結尾。例如:
He/she goes to the bus station.
他/她走去公車站。
It goes without saying that practice makes perfect.
不用說,熟能生巧。
✦ 表示一般事實
現在簡單式可以表達「一件事實」,或是世人普遍接受的真理。
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I speak English well . 我講英文講得很好。 Taipei is the capital of Taiwan. 台北是台灣的首都。 |
She looks like Jessica. 她長得像 Jessica。 He is my best friend from high school. 他是我最好的高中朋友。 |
✦ 表示現在狀態
現在簡單式可以表達「現在的狀態」。
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I have lots of friends. 我有很多朋友。 He is really sick now. 他現在病得很嚴重。 I am not in a good mood. 我現在心情不好。 Are you in line? 你現在在排隊嗎? |
I work in a tech company now. 我現在在一家科技公司上班。 We are not in a rush. 我們現在不趕時間。 All flights to New York today are delayed . 今天飛往紐約的所有航班都延誤了。 There is a long line outside of Starbucks now. 現在星巴克外面有一條長長的排隊人潮。 |
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 4C7 with service from London to Singapore. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes.
先生女士們,歡迎搭乘從倫敦飛往新加坡的 4C7 航班。我們目前在出發線的第三位,預計在七分鐘內我們將會起飛。
多益例題: The two films ____ currently the highest-grossing movies of all time at the worldwide box office.
(A) are
(B) will be
(C) were
(D) will have been
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此題答案為(A)。 翻譯: 這兩部電影目前是有史以來全球票房最高的電影。 |
✦ 表示個人喜好
現在簡單式可以表達「一個人的喜好」。
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I really like the weather today. 我真的很喜歡今天的天氣。 I prefer to drink sugar-free milk tea. 我比較喜歡喝無糖奶茶。 She really hates working overtime. 他真的很討厭加班。 I like mild and windy weather, and hate hot and humid weather. 我喜歡溫和多風的天氣,討厭炎熱潮濕的天氣。 |
I don't like rainy days. 我不喜歡下雨天。 I prefer to work night shifts. 我比較喜歡上晚班。 We all enjoy trying new foods and restaurants. 我們都喜歡嘗試新的食物和餐廳。 I dislike gloomy weather. It makes me feel depressed. 我不喜歡陰沉的天氣。它讓我感到沮喪。 |
✦ 表示個人習慣做的事情
現在簡單式可以表達「個人習慣做的事情」,這個「個人習慣做的事情」是跨越了過去、現在、未來的「習慣動作」。這種表示習慣的現在式經常和頻率副詞跟時間副詞一起使用,例如:always、usually、often、 sometimes、every day 等。
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He drinks coffee every morning . 他每天早上喝咖啡。 I hardly have a midnight snack. 我幾乎很少吃宵夜。 I often sleep in on weekends. 我通常假日會多睡一點 |
He always works overtime on weekdays. 他平日總是加班。 My dad never goes to night markets. 我爸從來不去夜市。 Jane never eats breakfast. Jane 從來不吃早餐。 |
I sometimes go to bed late , and oversleep the next morning.
我有時候會晚睡,然後隔天早上睡過頭。
My brother rarely gets up early , and often stays up late .
我弟很少早起,而且很常熬夜 。
如果你想要表達「現在習慣...」,你可以用 「be used to + Ving / 名詞」 這個片語 ,這個片語用法中的 to 是介系詞,因此後面必須加上名詞或是動名詞。例如:
I am already used to my new job.
我現在已經習慣我的新工作了。
I' m used to working out after work.
我現在習慣下班後去健身。
I' m used to reading a book before I go to bed.
我現在習慣睡覺前看一本書。
✦ 表示已經計畫好的未來事件,還有未來會發生的一般事實
現在簡單式也可以表達「已經安排好、確定不會改變的未來計劃」,類似時刻表、行程表上的計劃。
We have an early meeting tomorrow morning.
我們明天早上要開早會。
The final exam comes next week.
期末考會在下週到來 。
I have an appointment with Dr. Lee next Monday.
我下週一跟李醫生有約。
I have lunch with Joe next Monday.
我週一要跟Joe吃午餐。
除了已經安排好的未來計劃,現在簡單式也可以表達「未來會發生的一般事實」,像是飛機、火車、公車的到點時刻雖然是在未來發生,但因為是已經安排好,不太會去改變,所以也可以用現在簡單式。
The last flight leaves at 10 p.m.
末班飛機將在晚間 10 點起飛。
The lockdown begins tomorrow.
封城將會從明天開始。
The train arrives at 10 p.m. tonight.
火車今晚十點抵達。
The bank opens late tomorrow because it is the weekend.
由於是週末,銀行明天開門的時間會比較晚。
現在進行式也可以表達「已經安排好、確定不會改變的未來計劃」,所以上面中的例句都可以用現在進行式來表達。(第14堂課將會帶領大家學習現在進行式)
✦ 「現在式」表示未來,但主要子句還是用「未來式」的條件子句
在表示現在跟未來 真實情況的條件子句 中,要用「現在式」表示未來,但主要子句還是用「未來式」 ,多益和許多英文考試非常喜歡考這一類的題目。
If you work hard, your manager will give you a raise.
如果你努力工作,你的經理會給你加薪。
I n case our company goes bankrupt, you and I will have to find a new job.
萬一我們公司破產了,你跟我就得去找新工作。
I will call you when I get home.
我到家時會打電話給你。
多益例題: The bank will contact us once we ____ the enclosed form.
(A) submit
(B) submits
(C) will submit
(D) submitted
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此題答案為 (A)。 翻譯: 一旦我們提交隨附的表格,銀行將與我們聯繫。 |
Continue to next part:
章节 2
過去簡單式
重點整理 |
過去簡單式在日常對話中無所不在,主要用來表達下列兩種情境: (1) 過去已經結束的動作跟狀態 (2) 過去的習慣 在使用過去簡單式時候,動詞必須要使用「動詞的過去式型態」。 |
在過去簡單時態中,「be動詞」的過去式型態為「was/were」。 以下的表格示範過去簡單時態中「be動詞」根據主詞而變化的用法。
主詞 | 第一人稱 | 第二人稱 | 第三人稱 |
單數 | I was sick yesterday. 我昨天生病。 | You were sick yesterday 你昨天生病。 | He/she was sick yesterday 他/她昨天生病。 |
複數 | We were sick yesterday. 我們昨天生病。 | They were sick yesterday 他們昨天生病。 |
在使用過去簡單式時候,動詞必須要使用「動詞的過去式型態」,在學習「動詞的過去式型態」時候,有兩個觀念必須要了解: 「規則動詞」與「不規則動詞」,「規則動詞」指動詞的過去式與過去分詞的形成多半是在動詞後面加 -ed。「不規則動詞」指動詞的過去式與過去分詞的形成無規則可循。(註: 我們會在完成式的課程中深入討論何謂「過去分詞」)。
我們先來看「規則動詞」的「過去式型態」。
(1) 規則動詞最常見的通常是在動詞後面加 -ed。 | (2) 動詞字尾已有 e 時,直接加 -d 即可。 |
(3) 字尾是「子音+y」時,須先去掉 y,再加 -ied。 | (4) 字尾是「短母音+子音」時,須重覆字尾,再加 -ed。 |
我們再來看「不規則動詞」的「過去式型態」。我們可以歸納為下列幾種形態:
原式 | 過去式 | 過去分詞 |
ABC (三種動詞型態均不同) | ||
take | took | taken |
begin | began | begun |
fall | fell | fallen |
lie | lay | lain |
arise | arose | arisen |
blow | blew | blown |
ABB (過去式與過去分詞相同) | ||
buy | bought | bought |
send | sent | sent |
lend | lent | lent |
leap | leapt | leapt |
lead | led | led |
make | made | made |
meet | met | met |
keep | kept | kept |
sell | sold | sold |
breed | bred | bred |
flee | fled | fled |
AAA (三種動詞型態均一樣) | ||
put | put | put |
let | let | let |
bet | bet | bet |
bid | bid | bid |
burst | burst | burst |
hit | hit | hit |
quit | quit | quit |
shut | shut | shut |
upset | upset | upset |
cut | cut | cut |
cost | cost | cost |
read | read | read |
spread | spread | spread |
split | split | split |
set | set | set |
ABA (原式與過去分詞相同) | ||
run | ran | run |
come | came | come |
become | became | become |
overcome | overcame | overcome |
AAB (原式與過去式相同) | ||
beat | beat | beaten |
✦ 表示已經結束的過去動作和狀態
「過去式」表示已經結束的過去動作和狀態,句子中通常都會有代表過去時間的副詞如: yesterday、last month、last year、ago 等等。
I had a really bad day.
我今天過得很糟糕。
I fell asleep on my couch last night.
昨晚我在沙發上睡著了。
It was really cold last winter.
去年冬天真的很冷。
I went to the ATM to withdraw some money.
我去自動提款機取了一些錢。
The Nasdaq Composite dropped 57 points today.
納斯達克綜合指數今天下跌了 57 點。
I didn't bring my cellphone today.
我今天沒帶手機。
過去簡單式中,經常會使用表達時間的副詞子句,常見有下列幾種 :
(1) when/while + 主詞 + 動詞 (當.....)
(2) Before + 主詞 + 動詞 (在 ..... 之前)
(3) After + 主詞 + 動詞 (在 ..... 之後)
後續「進階英文句型 — 使用英文副詞子句」我們將帶大家深入了解什麼是副詞子句。
I was really full after I had a buffet lunch.
吃了自助午餐後,我真的很飽。
When my alarm went off this morning, I woke up immediately.
今天早上我的鬧鐘一響,我立刻就醒了。
I was totally exhausted after I ran 3 miles.
跑了 3 英里後,我完全筋疲力盡了。
I had a meeting with Jessica before she took maternity leave.
在傑西卡休產假之前,我曾與她會面。
多益例題: Governor Mary Simon spoke at length about the issue of the public education system when it _____ during a debate on education held at Edmonton Town City Hall yesterday.
(A) were brought up
(B) brings up
(C) will be brought up
(D) was brought up
此題答案為 (D)。 翻譯:昨天在埃德蒙頓市政廳舉行的教育辯論中,州長瑪麗西蒙就公共教育系統的問題發表了長篇演講。 |
✦ 表示過去的習慣
過去簡單式也可以表達「過去的習慣」。
When I was in high school, I went to cram school every day.
上高中的時候,我天天去補習班。
When my dad was young. He worked overtime every day to raise our family.
我爸年輕的時候。為了養家糊口,他每天都加班。
Would 是 will 的過去式,可以表達過去式中的未來式。
When I was young, my family would go skiing once a year.
我年輕的時候,我的家人每年都會去滑雪一次。
When I was little, we would go for a picnic every weekend.
我小的時候,每個週末我們都會去野餐。
When we were in college, we would ride scooters to different places every weekend.
我們上大學的時候,每個週末都會騎著摩托車去不同的地方。
Used to 表示「過去經常做某件事、但現在已經沒有了」。例如 :
I used to go swimming every day, but now I'm too busy.
我以前每天都去游泳,但現在我太忙了。
They used to go to nightclubs when they were in college.
他們上大學時常去夜店。
We used to play monopoly games when we were younger.
我們小時候經常玩大富翁遊戲。
We used to live in Taiwan before we moved to Vancouver.
在我們搬到溫哥華之前,我們曾經住在台灣。
John used to eat meat, but now he’s a vegetarian.
約翰以前吃葷食,但現在他吃素了。
I didn't use to believe in gods.
我以前不信神。
I didn't use to enjoy coffee, but now I can't start my day without it.
我以前不喜歡喝咖啡,但現在我不能沒有它來開始我的一天。
I didn't use to think speaking English is possible until I moved to the U.S. and lived there.
在我搬到美國並住在那裡之前,我以前不認為說英語是可能的。
This is the final section of the lesson. I'm ready to start the review exercises!
Review Exercise (1/9)
提交答案
done 答对了!正确答案是“((B))”。
clear 不太对。((B)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (B) received.
In the sentence, the action of receiving positive reviews is completed or happened in the past based on the word “recently”. According to the tense rule, to express completed actions, we use the past simple tense. Hence, "received" is the correct choice here.
(A) "receives" is in the present tense and is used for habits or general truths. The sentence is talking about a specific action that happened in the past, not a general truth or habit.
(C) "was receiving" is in the past continuous tense and is used for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past or for actions that were happening over a period of time in the past. The sentence is talking about a completed action, not an action in progress.
(D) "is received" is in the present passive voice. We usually use the passive voice when the focus is on the action, not who is doing the action. In this sentence, the focus is on the person (Liza Baley) who is doing the action, so we need to use the active voice. Also, "is received" is in the present tense, and the sentence is talking about a past event, so we need to use the past tense.
重新测验
提交答案
done 答对了!正确答案是“((B))”。
clear 不太对。((B)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (B) will resume.
In this sentence, we are using the future simple tense, which is formed with "will" + the base form of the verb. We use the future simple tense when we predict that something will happen in the future. Here, the verb is "resume", and it is used to express the prediction that construction on a new wing at the Hamilton Museum will start again once additional funding has been arranged.
(A) "has been resumed" is incorrect because it uses the present perfect tense, which is used for actions that started in the past and continue in the present or have an effect on the present. This doesn't fit the context of the sentence because the funding has not yet been arranged.
(C) "was resumed" is incorrect because it uses the past simple tense. This tense is used for actions that have already finished. This doesn't make sense in the context of the sentence because the action hasn't happened yet.
(D) "to be resuming" is incorrect because it's not a proper verb tense. It looks like an infinitive (to be) followed by a present participle (resuming), but this form doesn't fit the future prediction expressed in the sentence.
重新测验
提交答案
done 答对了!正确答案是“((C))”。
clear 不太对。((C)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (C) rains.
Type 1 conditional sentences are used to talk about possible situations, events, or outcomes that are likely to happen in the future. In this type of conditional sentence, the condition clause (if-clause) is in the simple present tense, while the main clause uses the simple future tense. Thus, "If it rains tomorrow, the company outing will be put off until next week" is a correct type 1 conditional sentence.
(A) "will rain" is incorrect because it uses the simple future tense. In a type 1 conditional sentence, the if-clause should be in the simple present tense.
(B) "would rain" is also incorrect. "Would" is a modal verb used in the second and third conditional to talk about unreal or unlikely situations. It is not used in the simple present tense if-clause of a type 1 conditional sentence.
(D) "rained" is incorrect because it is in the simple past tense. In type 1 conditional sentences, the if-clause uses the simple present tense, not the past tense.
重新测验
提交答案
done 答对了!正确答案是“((D))”。
clear 不太对。((D)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (D) had to.
We can tell this stance is a past event based on “when a few of his filming crew did not arrive on schedule.” “did not arrive” indicates that this is a past event. Therefore, we must use the past tense form of the verb "to have" which is "had".
(A) "has to" is incorrect because it is in the present tense. This implies that Anthony Mandler needs to postpone the filming now, which contradicts the timeline given in the sentence.
(B) "will have to" is also incorrect because it is in the future tense. This suggests that Anthony Mandler will need to postpone the filming in the future, which also contradicts the timeline given in the sentence.
(C) "having to" is incorrect because it is in the present participle form. This form is used to express ongoing actions, which does not fit with the completed action of postponing the filming. Furthermore, it does not agree with the subject "Anthony Mandler" who is a single individual and thus requires a singular verb form.
重新测验
提交答案
done 答对了!正确答案是“((A))”。
clear 不太对。((A)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (A) will expire.
"Will expire" is the correct answer because the sentence is referring to a future event, the end of the membership in January. In English, we use "will" to talk about future events, hence "will expire" is the correct choice.
(B) "expired" is incorrect because this form is in the past tense, suggesting the event has already occurred. According to the sentence, though, the membership has not yet expired; it will expire at the end of January.
(C) "to expire" is incorrect because it does not align with the future tense context of the sentence. This form is typically used after certain verbs and adjectives, not in this context.
(D) "expiring" is incorrect because it indicates an ongoing process. If we were currently in the month of January, "expiring" could potentially work; however, the sentence suggests we are not yet in January. Therefore, "will expire" is the correct choice.
重新测验
提交答案
done 答对了!正确答案是“((A))”。
clear 不太对。((A)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (A) affirmed.
In this sentence, the use of the past tense 'affirmed' is appropriate because the action has already taken place. The accountant has already determined the invalidity of the travel expenses and this decision was made in the past, therefore the past tense is required to correctly articulate this.
(B) 'have affirmed' is incorrect due to a subject-verb agreement error. In this case, if the subject 'accountant' was 'accountants' (plural), then 'have affirmed' would be correct. However, as 'accountant' is singular, the verb 'have affirmed' is not correct.
(C) 'affirms' is incorrect as it is in the present tense, but the context of the sentence indicates that the action (the accountant determining the travel expenses are invalid) has already occurred in the past.
(D) 'will affirm' is incorrect because it suggests that the action will occur in the future. This contradicts the sentence, which implies that the decision about the travel expenses has already been made.
重新测验
提交答案
done 答对了!正确答案是“((D))”。
clear 不太对。((D)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (D) be held.
The sentence is in passive voice and is talking about a future event. In English, passive voice in the future is constructed with "will" + "be" + past participle of the main verb. In this case, the main verb is "hold", and its past participle is "held", so the correct form is "will be held".
(A) "have held" is incorrect because it is in present perfect tense, which does not fit the future context of the sentence.
(B) "be holding" is incorrect because it is in present continuous tense, which is also not appropriate for the future context of the sentence.
(C) "hold" is incorrect because it is in base form. This doesn't match with the future tense context and the passive voice required by the sentence.
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done 答对了!正确答案是“((D))”。
clear 不太对。((D)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (D) closed.
The sentence is in the past tense, as indicated by the use of "yesterday." Therefore, the verb that follows must also be in the past tense. "Closed" is the past tense of "close" and fits the context of the sentence, meaning that the businesses were not open.
(A) "Are closed" is incorrect because it is in the present tense, not the past. The use of "are" indicates a current state of being, which contrasts with the past tense context provided by "yesterday."
(B) "To close" is incorrect because it is an infinitive form of the verb and does not fit into the sentence structure appropriately. It would be used in a sentence like "The businesses on Ellory Avenue planned to close early yesterday..."
(C) "Closing" is incorrect because it is a gerund or present participle form of the verb. It implies an ongoing action, which is inconsistent with the past tense context of the sentence.
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done 答对了!正确答案是“((A))”。
clear 不太对。((A)) 才是正确答案。
The correct answer is (A) won't.
Type 1 conditional sentences are used to talk about real and possible situations. In these sentences, the condition clause is in the present simple tense, and the result clause is in the future simple tense. In this sentence, the condition is "Unless you promise to behave yourself, Johnny," which is in the present simple tense. Therefore, the result clause should be in the future simple tense: "I won't take you to the movies this weekend."
(B) “wouldn't” is incorrect because it is the past tense of will, and this sentence is not talking about the past; it's talking about a future event.
(C) “couldn't” is incorrect because it indicates an inability to perform an action, rather than a conditional decision on whether or not to perform the action.
(D) “don't” is incorrect because it is the present tense, not the future tense, which is needed to match the first clause of the sentence. Therefore, all the other options are incorrect based on the rules of subject-verb agreement and the type 1 conditional rule.
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