How to listen to this song: In My Life by The Beatles
How to Listen to This Song: “In My Life” by The Beatles
You’ll use this song to review different verb tenses.
First, listen to the song “In My Life” by The Beatles. You can listen here or here or here.
Now, let’s quickly review some verb tenses. (These explanations and examples are just quick reminders. For much better explanations, visit perfect-english-grammar.com.)
Future Simple: will+base form of the verb*, used for things that happen at one specific time in the future
Examples: I will go to the party at 7pm. I’ll meet you on Saturday
Present Simple: base verb + s/es, used for things that are generally true and the specific times aren’t important because they’re always true/false or the same.
Examples: I love pizza! He sleeps on the floor.
Past Simple: base verb + -ed (2nd form), used for things that happen at one specific time in the past (and we know when).
Examples: I walked home yesterday. I called her at 5pm.
Present Continuous: base verb + -ing (present participle), used for temporary (non-permanent) situations
Examples: I am eating, but I’ll finish soon. I am working as a waiter, but I want to change jobs.
Present Perfect: have/has + base verb+ed, used for things that happened and finished in the past, but we don’t know (or don’t care) when they happened.
Examples: I have already watched that movie, so let’s see a different movie. I’ve visited Canada. I’ve baked a cake!
* The base form of the verb is the form you find in the dictionary. For example the base form of “go” is “go”. The base form of “went” is also “go”.
Next, listen to the song and read the lyrics
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more
In my life, I love you more.
After Listening Now, looking at the lyrics, make a list of all the examples of each verb tense you can find. (Answers below)
Three more things…
Can you memorize this song? If you can, then you’ll always remember your verb tenses.
Listen to the song and try to sing it too.
Finally, use each verb tense to write three practice sentences (three Future Simple, three Present Simple, etc.)
Answers:
Future Simple: I’ll never lose affection, I’ll often stop and think
Present Simple: There are places, I remember, Some remain, Some are dead, There is no one, No one compares with you, These memories lose their meaning, I think of love, I know, I love you
Past Simple: These places had their moments, People and things…went before
Present Progressive: Some are living
Present Perfect: Some have changed, Some have gone, I’ve loved them all
August 10, 2010 Posted by jeremyschaar | How to listen to this..., Using Songs to Teach Grammar | Beatles, ESL, Grammar, listening, music, Review, Teachers, Verb Tenses | 24 Comments
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