For present habits use usually or normally + simple present.
Example: I usually get up at 8:00 on school days.
I don't usually go out during the week.
Used to
Use it for past habits and states.
For past habits use used to / didn't use to + base form. Used to does not exist in the present tense.
We use used to for things that were true over a period of time in the past. It usually refers to something that is not true now.
Example: We used to be close friends, but we don't see each other anymore.
I used to go out with that girl when I was at school.
Use the second conditional to talk about a hypothetical/imaginary situation in the present or future and it's consequence.
Example: If I had more money, I would buy a bigger house.
If he spoke English, he could get a job in the hotel.
would / wouldn't + base form
You can also use would / wouldn't + base form (without an if clause) when you talk about imaginary situations.
The contraction of would is 'd
Example: My ideal vacation would be a week in the Bahamas.
First conditional sentences: if (or unless) + simple present, will / won't + base form
Use the present tense (NOT the future) after if in first conditional sentences.
unless = if . . . not I won't go unless she invites me. = I won't go if she doesn't invite me.
You can also use an imperative instead of the will clause. e.g., Come and see us next week if you have time.
Future time clauses
As soon as you get your test results, call me.
We'll have dinner when your father gets home.
I won't go bed until you come home.
I´ll have lunch before I leave.
After I graduate form college, I'll probably take a year off and travel.
First conditional
Can is a modal verb. It only has a present, past, and conditional form (but also can be used with a future meaning).
For other tenses and forms use be able to.
Example: I can speak Spanish very well.
She could play the violin when she was three.
She can't come tonight. She's sick.
They couldn't wait because they were in a hurry.
be able to + base form
You can use be able to in the present, past, future, present perfect, and as a gerund or infinitive. be able to in the present and past is more formal than can / could.
Example: I am able to accept your invitation.
They weren't able to come.
I'll be able to practice my English in the US.
She has been able to speak French since she was a child.
I'd like to be able to ski.
I love being able to sleep late on weekends.
The present perfect is formed from the present tense of the
verb have and
the past participle of
a verb: [has/have + past participle]
Use
We use the present perfect tense:
for something that started in the past and continues in the present:
They’ve been
married for nearly fifty years.
She has lived in
Liverpool all her life.
for something we have done several times in the past and continue to do:
I’ve played the
guitar ever since I was a teenager.
He has written three
books and he is working on another one.
I’ve been watching that
programme every week.
We often use a clause with since to show when something started in the past:
They’ve been
staying with us since last week.
I have worked here since
I left school.
I’ve been watching that
programme every week since it started.
when we are talking about our experience up to the present:
Note: We often use the adverb ever to talk about experience
up to the present:
My last birthday was the worst day I have ever had.
Note: and we use never for the negative form:
Have you ever met George?
Yes, but I’ve never met his
wife.
for something that happened in the past but is
important at the time of speaking:
I can’t get in the house. I’ve lost my keys.
Teresa isn’t at home. I think she
has gone shopping.
I’m tired out. I’ve been working all
day.
We use the present perfect
of be when someone
has gone to a place
and returned:
A: Where have
you been?
B: I’ve just been out to the
supermarket.
A: Have
you ever been to San Francisco?
B: No, but I’ve been to
Los Angeles.
But when someone has not returned we use have/has gone:
A: Where is Maria? I haven’t seen her for weeks.
B: She's gone to Paris
for a week. She’ll be back tomorrow.
We often use the present perfect
with time adverbials which
refer to the recent past:
Just; only just; recently;
Scientists have recently discovered a new breed of
monkey.
We have just got back
from our holidays.
Or adverbials which include the present:
Ever (in questions); so far; until now; up to now; yet (in questions and
negatives)
Have you ever seen a ghost?
Where have you been up to
now?
Have you finished your
homework yet?
No, so far I’ve only done my history.
WARNING:
We do not use the present perfect with an adverbial which refers to past time which is finished:
I have seen that film yesterday.
We have just bought a new car last week.
When we were children we have been to California.
But we can use it to refer to a
time which is not yet finished:
Have you seen Helen today?
We have bought a new car this week.
