English grammar
Present, present perfect, past simple, going to — all together
Tell someone important news using the tenses you already know.
From the scene My parents are coming!
In short
Use the present for timetables, the present perfect for news, the past simple for finished actions, and going to for plans.
Your turn
Which one goes with news that still matters (perfect)?
Options: my parents called me · they've already bought the tickets · the flight lands on Saturday
Show answer
news that still matters (perfect) → they've already bought the tickets
How it works
Real news mixes tenses. The present simple is for facts and timetables: the flight lands on Saturday.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
We're going to clean up and we're (blank) to buy food.
Options: went · going · go
Show answer
We're going to clean up and we're going to buy food.
Vamos a limpiar y vamos a comprar comida.
Good to know
The present perfect is for news that still matters now (they've already bought the tickets); the past simple is for a finished action (my parents called me).
Good to know
Going to is for plans: we're going to get everything ready.
a fact / schedule (present) the flight lands on Saturday
Javi
The flight lands on Saturday.
El vuelo aterriza el sábado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: The flight lands on Saturday · They've already bought the tickets · My parents called me
Show answer
Javi
The flight lands on Saturday.
El vuelo aterriza el sábado.
news that still matters (perfect) they've already bought the tickets
Your turn
What goes with they've already bought the tickets?
Options: a fact / schedule (present) · a finished action (past simple) · news that still matters (perfect)
Show answer
they've already bought the tickets → news that still matters (perfect)
a finished action (past simple) my parents called me
Javi
This morning my parents called me.
Esta mañana me llamaron mis padres.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
This morning (blank).
Options: they've already bought the tickets · my parents called me · the flight lands on Saturday
Show answer
Javi
This morning my parents called me.
Esta mañana me llamaron mis padres.
a plan (going to) we're going to get everything ready
Nuria
Relax. We're going to get everything ready.
Tranquilo. Vamos a preparar todo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Relax. (blank).
Options: We're going to get everything ready · The flight lands on Saturday · They've already bought the tickets
Show answer
Nuria
Relax. We're going to get everything ready.
Tranquilo. Vamos a preparar todo.
Common mistake
Not does or was here. Past simple question.
And what did they tell you?
¿Y qué te han dicho?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a fact / schedule (present) | the flight lands on Saturday |
|---|---|
| news that still matters (perfect) | they've already bought the tickets |
| a finished action (past simple) | my parents called me |
| a plan (going to) | we're going to get everything ready |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAnd what did they tell you?¿Y qué te han dicho?
- JaviWe're going to clean up and we're going to buy food.Vamos a limpiar y vamos a comprar comida.
- NuriaWhat's happened? Tell me.¿Qué ha pasado? Cuéntame.