Mairi
Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2010
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- UK
- Current Location
- Netherlands
Hi everyone.
I am preparing for my phone interview in a few days and have been working on my pre interview task. I am having a little trouble explaining the reasons for certain tenses. If anyone has any advice or corrections I would love to hear them. The pre interview task is as follows... (my answers are in pink)
Look at the following sentences said by students.
a. Correct the mistake
b. Name the tense used to correct it
c. Say in simple terms how you would make that correction clear to the student.
1. I'm getting up early every morning to catch the bus.
a. should be 'I get up...'
b. correct tense is present simple. Student has used present continuous which is in-correct.
c. The present continous tense 'I'm getting up' indicates an action that is happening now (show with gesture). Present simple tense used with the time aspect 'every morning' indicates general habitual time, and the implication is that the action will happen again.
'I got up' - is past tense, indicating that the action has finished and will not happen again.
2. I have seen 'Star Wars' last week.
a. should be 'I saw...'
b. correct tense is past simple. (student has used present perfect)
c. Time governs the verb tense needed. In this sentence a single action has taken place in one moment of time in the past. Therefore, the simple form of the past tense is needed.
3. Can you come out tonight?
No, sorry. I will see 'Hamlet' at the National Theatre.
a. Should be 'I am going to see...'
b. correct tense is future simple.
c. Future simple tense indicates the near future. Prospective aspect of this sentence expresses intention. 'I will...' doesn't always refer to the future and expresses determintaion. In the context of the conversation, 'I will..' is not suited. 'I am going..' indicates the present intention of a future situation.
4. I'm living here for six years.
a. should be 'I have lived..'
b. correct tense is present perfect.
c. 'I'm living..' is to be used when referring to the present moment. In the context of the sentence, 'for six years' which indicates an action that has happened in the past and up to the present moment - present perfect tense is needed. Again, when time is indicated in a sentence; the aspect of the verb has to change.
Honest comments and constructive criticism will be taken on board and appreciated.
I am preparing for my phone interview in a few days and have been working on my pre interview task. I am having a little trouble explaining the reasons for certain tenses. If anyone has any advice or corrections I would love to hear them. The pre interview task is as follows... (my answers are in pink)
Look at the following sentences said by students.
a. Correct the mistake
b. Name the tense used to correct it
c. Say in simple terms how you would make that correction clear to the student.
1. I'm getting up early every morning to catch the bus.
a. should be 'I get up...'
b. correct tense is present simple. Student has used present continuous which is in-correct.
c. The present continous tense 'I'm getting up' indicates an action that is happening now (show with gesture). Present simple tense used with the time aspect 'every morning' indicates general habitual time, and the implication is that the action will happen again.
'I got up' - is past tense, indicating that the action has finished and will not happen again.
2. I have seen 'Star Wars' last week.
a. should be 'I saw...'
b. correct tense is past simple. (student has used present perfect)
c. Time governs the verb tense needed. In this sentence a single action has taken place in one moment of time in the past. Therefore, the simple form of the past tense is needed.
3. Can you come out tonight?
No, sorry. I will see 'Hamlet' at the National Theatre.
a. Should be 'I am going to see...'
b. correct tense is future simple.
c. Future simple tense indicates the near future. Prospective aspect of this sentence expresses intention. 'I will...' doesn't always refer to the future and expresses determintaion. In the context of the conversation, 'I will..' is not suited. 'I am going..' indicates the present intention of a future situation.
4. I'm living here for six years.
a. should be 'I have lived..'
b. correct tense is present perfect.
c. 'I'm living..' is to be used when referring to the present moment. In the context of the sentence, 'for six years' which indicates an action that has happened in the past and up to the present moment - present perfect tense is needed. Again, when time is indicated in a sentence; the aspect of the verb has to change.
Honest comments and constructive criticism will be taken on board and appreciated.