The rule, as people use it

The simple tenses carry most of what you say in a day. The present simple is for habits, routines and things that are generally true: "I work from home on Fridays." "The store opens at nine." The past simple is for something that started and finished at a time that's over: "We met in 2019." "She called me last night." For the future, speakers use two forms. "Going to" is for plans you've already made: "I'm going to see my sister this weekend." "Will" is for decisions you make as you speak, and for offers and promises: "I'll get the door." "I'll text you when I land."

Three mistakes give learners away. The first is losing the -s with he, she and it in the present: "He work in a bank" should be "He works in a bank." The second is doubling the past in questions and negatives. Once "did" is there, the main verb goes back to its base form: "Did you see it?" not "Did you saw it?", and "I didn't go", not "I didn't went". The third is using "will" for a plan you made last week. If it's already on your calendar, "going to" sounds more natural.

Examples

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Fill the gap

Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.

  1. 1

    My brother (live) in Sydney.

  2. 2

    We (go) to Kyoto last spring.

  3. 3

    Did you (finish) the report?

  4. 4

    I didn't (see) the message until this morning.

  5. 5

    Harry (not like) spicy food.

  6. 6

    We've booked the hotel. We're (going to / will) stay for a week.

  7. 7

    The phone's ringing. (I'm going to / I'll) get it.

  8. 8

    She usually (take) the train to work.

Practice · 3 min

Write three sentences about a normal Tuesday, three about last weekend, and three about next weekend. Use a time word in each one: "On Tuesdays I have a team call." "Last Saturday we went hiking." "Next Sunday I'm going to sleep in." Read all nine out loud. Check every he or she sentence for the -s, and every "did" or "didn't" sentence for the base form.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.