Academic Grammar
What are the most common tenses in academic English?
- According to corpus research, in academic writing, the four tenses used the most often are present simple, past simple, present perfect simple and future simple (will) (Biber et al., 1999; Caplan, 2012).
- 80% – 85% of academic and technical English is in the present, including passives (Source: Longman Grammar of Written and Spoken English).
Academic Grammar Video
A short 7 minute video on the four most common tenses in academic English
Download worksheet for video: Word Doc
PDF Lesson Download
Academic Grammar 1: the four most common tenses in academic English [new 2021]
This lesson focuses on the four tenses: past simple, present simple, present perfect simple and future simple (will). It includes a language review of each tense, sentence level and paragraph level practice exercises. It also includes a freer writing practice at the end (with example paragraph). See worksheet example Time: 120mins. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Exercise 1: Present simple vs past simple
Task: Identify the mistakes in the following sentences. Not all are incorrect.
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Exercise 2: Present simple vs present perfect
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Exercise 3: Past simple vs present perfect simple
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Exercise 4: Present simple vs future simple (will)
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Exercise 5: Tense Review
1. Government income _____________ from indirect taxation such as import duties. (derive)
2. Unemployment _____________ when economic growth outstrips productivity growth. (fall)
3. Over the last five years, major exporting countries _____________companies caught bribing foreign officials to win contracts. (prosecute)
4. Once the new resolution is approved, countries _____________to inspect any suspicious land, sea or air cargo, including luxury goods. (require)
5. The findings are based on responses from 500 business owners around the country who _____________ fewer than 100 employees. (have)
6. Every year, member states _____________ more available funding for agriculture subsidies. (demand)
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Exercise 6: Paragraph gap fill
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Exams versus coursework
The most effective way to assess students ______________ (long debate) in the field of education. Two of the most common methods are examinations and coursework. On the one hand, examinations ______________ (allow) teachers to assess several students at the same time on the same content. Exams are also seen by some as more flexible in relation to content, timing and question types. Indeed, a 2018 study led by Stanford University ______________ (show) that male students ____________ (achieve) higher scores with multiple-choice tasks whereas open-ended questions ________________ (enable) female students to perform better. On the other hand, …..
Exams versus coursework
The most effective way to assess students __has long been debated__ (long debate) in the field of education. Two of the most common methods are examinations and coursework. On the one hand, examinations ___allow___ (allow) teachers to assess several students at the same time on the same content. Exams are also seen by some as more flexible in relation to content, timing and question types. Indeed, a 2018 study led by Stanford University ____showed___(show) that male students ___achieve____(achieve) higher scores with multiple-choice tasks whereas open-ended questions ____enable___ (enable) female students to perform better. On the other hand, …..
For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.
Academic Grammar 1 Download
Academic Grammar 1: the four most common tenses in academic English [new 2021]
This lesson focuses on the four tenses: past simple, present simple, present perfect simple and future simple (will). It includes a language review of each tense, sentence level and paragraph level practice exercises. It also includes a freer writing practice at the end (with example paragraph). See worksheet example Time: 120mins. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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