Philippine virtual assistants who need to improve their English skills will find this grammar lesson helpful…
Past Simple (action began in the past, and ended in the past) and Present Perfect (action began in the past, and still continues in the present) may be quite challenging, especially for Filipinos who speak mainly in Tagalog / Filipino.
I worked yesterday. – Nagtrabaho ako kahapon.
I worked last month. – Nagtrabaho nuong nakaraang buwan.
I have worked this month. – Nakakapagtrabaho ako ngayong buwan.
[Is that right? Or does “Nakapagtrabaho ako ngayong buwan” mean “I had worked this month” or “I was able to work this month”?]
Or perhaps… there’s no equivalent for “I have worked this month” in Tagalog/Filipino? 🙂
A fair number of people will say: “Nagtrabaho ako ngayong buwan” (I worked this month).
Perhaps it’s easier or faster to simply use nagtrabaho (worked) rather than nakakapagtrabaho (have worked). Sometimes, it just requires additional effort to make a distinction between Past Simple and Present Perfect. Or between the sound of the letter “B” (easy) or “V” (requires more effort).
Still, for Philippine virtual assistants who need to get a higher score in English certification tests, you need to learn and practice the finer points of grammar.
Thank you, RebeccaESL, for the numerous free English lessons on YouTube.
That’s another English lesson (how to use the verb “Go”).
Finally, we can now say goodbye to the “favorite” phrase: “I will going to…” [Actually, it should be “I am going to… {a certain place, or an action}” or “I will be going to… {a certain place}”] 🙂
