Present Verb Forms referring to the Past

Present Verb Forms referring to the Past

We will remember how to use this grammar tool according to Cambridge University Press

We commonly use the present simple to refer to the past when we want to make events sound as if they are happening now.

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• Jokes and Newspapers

• Science Articles

• Poetry

• Software programming

News headlines are commonly written in the present simple:

Rebels attack government buildings.

German Finance minister resigns.

In formal writing the present simple is also used to refer to important events in the past

In spring 1984 the government is defeated and an election takes place. By the end of the year the strikes end.

We also use the present simple when we tell stories or jokes. It makes them sound more immediate:

• The soldier watches her and after a few minutes follows her.

We also use the present simple when we report what people say as part of a story.

It was only eleven o’clock and my mum says, ‘You’re late again.’ And I say, ‘No, I’m not.’ Then my dad starts to shout.

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★Rewrite the sentences using the simple present tense.★

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