🗺️ A2 TENSES REVIEW GRAMMAR MAP

PRESENT & PAST TENSES

Present Simple (habits) vs Present Continuous (now) vs Past Simple (finished).

(+) Positive I work every day • I am working now • I worked yesterday

(-) Negative don't work • am not working • didn't work

(?) Question Do you work? Are you working? Did you work?

FUTURE TENSES (Will vs Be Going To)

Will (spontaneous/opinion) vs Be Going To (prior plan/evidence).

(+) Positive I will help you (instant) • I am going to buy a car (planned)

(-) Negative won't help • am not going to buy

(?) Question Will you help? Are you going to buy?

1. Form & Structure

Quick Comparison Table of 4 Main A2 Tenses

1. Present Simple: Habits & General truths → He plays tennis on Saturdays.
2. Present Continuous: Right now / Temporary → He is playing tennis right now.
3. Past Simple: Finished past event → He played tennis yesterday.
4. Future (Will / Going to): Predictions & Plans → He will play tomorrow. / He is going to play next week.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
Present Simple	S + V(s/es) \| don't/doesn't + V	Signal: always, usually, every day
Present Continuous	S + am/is/are + V-ing	Signal: now, right now, at the moment
Past Simple	S + V2/V-ed \| didn't + V	Signal: yesterday, ago, last week
Future Simple / Going to	S + will + V \| S + am/is/are going to + V	Signal: tomorrow, next week, soon

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
Tense Harmony Principle	Match your tense to the time context! Look for time signal words first before choosing the verb form.	yesterday = Past Simple; tomorrow = Future; now = Present Continuous

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Mastering Mixed Tense Exercises

Identify time clues to seamlessly switch between past, present, and future forms.

I usually walk to work, but yesterday I took a bus, and tomorrow I will drive.

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

every dayright nowyesterdaytomorrow2 years agonext year

Master Time Map:

Past ← Present → Future

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

Mistake 1: Mixing up signal words
❌ Incorrect: I go to Paris yesterday.
✓ Correct: I went to Paris yesterday.
Note: Yesterday indicates Past Simple → use V2.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How can I improve my tense accuracy quickly?

Focus on time keywords (yesterday, now, usually, tomorrow). The time word dictates 95% of tense choices at A2 level.

1. Form & Structure

Quick Comparison Table of 4 Main A2 Tenses

1. Present Simple: Habits & General truths → He plays tennis on Saturdays.

2. Present Continuous: Right now / Temporary → He is playing tennis right now.

3. Past Simple: Finished past event → He played tennis yesterday.

4. Future (Will / Going to): Predictions & Plans → He will play tomorrow. / He is going to play next week.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
Present Simple	S + V(s/es) \| don't/doesn't + V	Signal: always, usually, every day
Present Continuous	S + am/is/are + V-ing	Signal: now, right now, at the moment
Past Simple	S + V2/V-ed \| didn't + V	Signal: yesterday, ago, last week
Future Simple / Going to	S + will + V \| S + am/is/are going to + V	Signal: tomorrow, next week, soon

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
Tense Harmony Principle	Match your tense to the time context! Look for time signal words first before choosing the verb form.	yesterday = Past Simple; tomorrow = Future; now = Present Continuous

Tenses Review

1. Form & Structure

Quick Comparison Table of 4 Main A2 Tenses

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Mastering Mixed Tense Exercises

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How can I improve my tense accuracy quickly?

Tenses Review

1. Form & Structure

Quick Comparison Table of 4 Main A2 Tenses

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Mastering Mixed Tense Exercises

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How can I improve my tense accuracy quickly?

Other Tenses lessons

Practice Exercises

Grammar Deep Dive: English Tenses