Welcome to your English lesson for travelers! Today, we will learn basic English phrases and questions you can use at the airport. Mastering these simple sentences will help you feel more confident and navigate your journey smoothly. Let’s get ready to fly!

Before we dive into our grammar modes, let’s read a short story about a trip to the airport. Maria is a traveler. She is at the airport right now. Her plane ticket is ready. She was very excited yesterday because her trip will be long. Maria is checking her bags at the counter. She does need to show her passport to the agent. Many people are also waiting in line. The agent does check everyone’s ID. Soon, Maria will be going to the security check. She has already put her small bag on the scanner. She will have finished security by 10 AM. Maria can now go to her gate. Her flight number is important. She should find her gate quickly. Where is her gate? The signs will show her the way. She will arrive at her gate soon and will be happy to wait for her flight to take off.

MODE 1: The Foundation (To Be)

This mode helps you describe things and talk about states. We only use ‘to be’ verbs: am, is, are, was, were, will be. We do NOT use action verbs here.

• Past: I was at the check-in counter. The flight was delayed.
• Present: I am at the airport. The gate is number 25. You are ready for your trip.
• Future: I will be at my gate soon. The plane will be late.

Practice 1: To Be Sentences

Complete these sentences with the correct ‘to be’ verb:

1. The airport ______ very busy yesterday. (past)
2. My passport ______ in my hand now. (present)
3. We ______ happy for our vacation. (present)
4. The flight ______ on time tomorrow. (future)
5. They ______ hungry before they ate. (past)

MODE 2: The Flow (To Be + Continuous Action)

This mode talks about actions that are happening now, were happening, or will be happening. We use ‘to be’ verbs + an action verb with -ing.

• Past Continuous: I was waiting for my turn. They were talking to the agent.
• Present Continuous: I am checking my bag. We are looking at the signs.
• Future Continuous: I will be boarding the plane at 3 PM. They will be flying all night.

Practice 2: Continuous Action Sentences

Complete these sentences with the correct ‘to be’ + -ing verb:

1. I ______ (walk) to my gate now. (present)
2. She ______ (listen) to the announcement yesterday. (past)
3. We ______ (wait) for the plane tomorrow. (future)
4. The passengers ______ (board) the plane at this moment. (present)
5. He ______ (sleep) during the flight last night. (past)

MODE 3: The Perspective (Simple Tenses)

This mode describes regular actions. We use action verbs.
We will see Declarations, Affirmations, Negations, and Interrogations.

• Declarations (Just saying something):
  • Past: I checked my bag. They arrived early.
  • Present: I check my bag. They arrive early.
  • Future: I will check my bag. They will arrive early.
• Affirmations (Adding emphasis, using DO/DOES/DID):
  • Past: I did check my bag. They did arrive early.
  • Present: I do check my bag. They do arrive early. He does check his bag.
  • Future: (We do not use ‘do’ for emphasis in the simple future with ‘will’.)
• Negations (Saying no, using DO NOT/DOES NOT/DID NOT):
  • Past: I did not check my bag. They did not arrive early.
  • Present: I do not check my bag. They do not arrive early. He does not check his bag.
  • Future: I will not check my bag. They will not arrive early.
• Interrogations (Asking questions, using DO/DOES/DID before the subject):
  • Past: Did you check your bag? Did they arrive early?
  • Present: Do you check your bag? Do they arrive early? Does he check his bag?
  • Future: Will you check your bag? Will they arrive early?

Practice 3: Simple Tenses

Change these sentences as asked:

1. Declaration: You need your passport. (Affirmation)
2. Declaration: She packed her suitcase yesterday. (Negation)
3. Declaration: We will find our gate. (Interrogation)
4. Declaration: He gives his ticket. (Interrogation)
5. Declaration: They did not miss their flight. (Affirmation)

MODE 4: The Completion (Perfect Tenses)

This mode talks about actions that are finished at a certain time. We use have/has/had/will have + Past Participle of the action verb.

• Past Perfect: I had eaten before I left for the airport. She had packed her bag.
• Present Perfect: I have arrived at the airport. He has checked his passport.
• Future Perfect: By noon, I will have boarded my plane. They will have landed by 5 PM.

Practice 4: Perfect Tenses

Complete these sentences with the correct perfect tense verb:

1. I ______ (finish) security already. (present perfect)
2. She ______ (see) her gate number before. (past perfect)
3. By the time you call, I ______ (depart) the airport. (future perfect)
4. We ______ (find) our seats. (present perfect)
5. He ______ (travel) to many countries by next year. (future perfect)

MODE 5: The Strategy (Modals & Wh-Questions)

This mode helps us express possibility, necessity, advice, and ask for specific information.

Modals

Words like can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must.

• Can / Could (ability/permission): “I can speak English. Can I see your ticket?”
• Should (advice): “You should arrive early for your flight.”
• Will / Would (future/request): “I will fly tomorrow. Would you help me?”
• May / Might (possibility/permission): “It may rain. May I use your pen?”
• Must (necessity): “You must show your passport.”

Wh-Questions

Words like Who, What, Where, When, Why, How to ask for specific details.

• Who: “Who is the pilot?”
• What: “What is your flight number?”
• Where: “Where is the restroom?”
• When: “When is the plane leaving?”
• Why: “Why is the flight delayed?”
• How: “How do I get to gate 5?”

Practice 5: Modals & Wh-Questions

Answer these questions or fill in the blank:

1. ______ I help you with your bags? (Use a modal for offering help)
2. You ______ bring your passport. (Use a modal for strong necessity)
3. ______ is the departure gate for flight 456? (Ask about location)
4. ______ time does the plane leave? (Ask about time)
5. I ______ not find my boarding pass. (Use a modal for inability)

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