We Use Tenses of Verbs To Refer

future
We use tenses of verbs to refer to

actions or situations in the present, in
the past and in the future
present
past
future
There are different sorts of tenses:

simple tenses
continuous tenses
present
perfect tenses
perfect continuous tenses
past
future
present
present tenses
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
present perfect continuous

present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
FORM
The present simple is formed with the infinitive of the
main verb. The negative and interrogative are formed
with the present tense of the verb to do + infinitive.
Examples
I start ( he starts) work at 8.30 a.m.
When do I start work?
I don’t start work until 9.00 a..m. / He doesn’t start work
until 9.00 a..m.
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
Example
I play blues harp and dobro guitar
USE
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
( often – usually – sometimes -seldom – rarely – always –
occasionally – never – twice a week - on Tuesdays –
most of the time ....)
Example
He often arrives late
USE
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
verbs of the senses see- hear- smell – notice – recognize
verbs of emotions want – desire – refuse – forgive – wish – care – love – hate –
like – dislike
verbs of thinking think – feel – realize – understand – know – mean – suppose –
believe – expect – remember – forget
Example
Do you see what I mean?
She likes my brother very much.
I suppose he realizes that now.
USE
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
4. for something that is permanently true
Example
Water boils at 100° C.
on the time diagram
past now future
I get up at 7.30 a.m. every day.

FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to
be + present participle of the main verb.
Examples
I’m watching television.
What are you doing?
He isn’t coming.
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of
speaking.
Example
She’s reading the newspaper.
USE
speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
Example
The company is reorganizing its services.
USE
speaking.
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
Example
They’re signing the contract tomorrow.
USE
speaking.
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
Some verbs are not usually used in a continuous
formof senses
verbs see – hear – smell – notice - recognize
verbs of emotion want – desire – refuse – forgive – wish – care – love –
hate – like - dislike
verbs of thinking think – feel – realize – understand – know – mean –
suppose – believe – expect – remember - forget
verbs of possessing own – owe – belong - possess
some other verbs seem – appear (seem) – contain – consist – keep
(continue) - matter
on the time diagram
past now future
I’m adjusting the rotating speed

FORM
have + past participle of the main verb.
Examples
I’ve finished.
Where have you been?
I haven’t talked to him.
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently,
already, at last, lately’
Example
He has just immersed the temperature probe into the
molten steel.
USE
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before –
so far’
Example
This is the highest carbon ratio I’ve ever seen.

USE
so far’
3. The indefinite past: we are interested in what
happened, not in when it happened.
Example
I have seen the report. (I know what it is about.)
He has sold the company.
They have had lunch.
USE
so far’
3. The indefinite past: we are interested in what
happened, not in when it happened.
4. Actions starting in the past and continuing to
the present, with ‘for’ or ‘since”.
Example
The operation has been suspended for two months.
The firm has had a Belgian branch since October last
year.
on the time diagram
relationship with the

present moment
pas now future

t
I ‘ve just arrived.

on the time diagram
pas ? ? ? now future

t
Have you been to France?

on the time diagram
pas now future

t
They have revised their

report.
on the time diagram
pas now future

t
We have conducted experiments on this

phenomenon for almost two years.
FORM
This tense is formed with the present perfect of the verb
to be + present participle of the main verb.
Examples
I ‘ve been writing code for our new data-mining program.
Has she been trying to contact me?
She hasn’t been writing at all.
USE
We use this tense for actions started in the past,
continuing to the present and probably continuing into
the future. We often use it with “for” or “since”.
Examples
I’ ve been trying to persuade him for ten years now.
We ‘ve been practicing this routine since last Wednesday.
on the time diagram
past now future
1984 2004
I ‘ve been driving driving lorries for twenty

years.....
In this sentence, the duration is emphasized, either
positively or negatively.
So I know what I’m talking about!

So it’s high time I quit.
on the time diagram
past now future
1984 2004
I ‘ve driven a Volkswagen for twenty

years.....
In this sentence, the duration is indicated,
but the car brand is emphasized.
Clearly I have confidence in this car.

future
past simple
present
past continuous
past perfect
past perfect continuous
past
past tenses
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
FORM
This tense is formed by adding -ed to the infinitive. The
negative and interrogative are formed with the past tense
of the verb to do + infinitive of the main verb
Examples
They arrived at head quarters an hour ago.
When did he finalize this deal?
I didn’t finish until 12 o’clock.
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the
past.
Example
We signed the contract last Friday at 2 o’clock.
USE
past.
2. For actions which are already completed in the
past: the time is understood but not stated.
Example
Did you arrive in time?
USE
past.
2. For actions which are already completed in the
past: the time is understood but not stated.
3. The ‘unreal past tense’ is used after the verb ‘to
wish’ and after words and phrases such as ‘if
only; it’s time; suppose’ etc. The simple past
tense implies that the speaker knows that the
wish or the idea is impossible. Note that the
wish refers to the present time.
Examples
If I only knew his name.
I wish I were at home now.
If I were in his shoes, I would fix his wagon without much
scruples.
on the time diagram
past now future

15.30
I arrived at 15.30 sharp.

FORM
This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to be
+ present participle of the main verb.
Examples
I was watching TV at 8 o’clock yesterday.
Where were you looking for my glasses this time?
I wasn’t eavesdropping at all!
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
Examples
She was playing tennis with a friend.
He was discussing production planning for the coming
week.
USE
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time
in the past.
Examples
At 6 p.m. I was still sleeping.
At a quarter past nine I was having breakfast.
Prices were going up all the time.
USE
in the past.
past
3. To describe an interrupted past action.
Examples
When he arrived, I was studying the quarterly reports.
USE
in the past.
3. To describe an interrupted past action.
action
4. To express repeated past actions which caused
irritation, annoyance. ( with always, forever)
Examples
He was always trying to influence the personnel director.
She was forever paring her nails during meetings.
on the time diagram
past now futur

e
I was working all day yesterday.

on the time diagram
past now futur

e
I was working all day yesterday.
yesterda
y
past now futur
e
I worked all day yesterday.
on the time diagram
past now futur

e
1. I was working all day yesterday.
yesterda
y
past now futur
2. I worked all day yesterday. e
While (1) emphasizes the continuity of the action, (2) only

indicates that the action took place yesterday.
on the time diagram
past now futur

e
8.30 p.m.
I was watching TV at 8.30 last night.

on the time diagram
8.30 p.m.
past now futur

e
3. I was watching TV at 8.30 last

night.
8.30 p.m.
past now futur

e
4. I watched TV at 8.30 last night.
Whereas 3. indicates that the action started before and continued after a
certain point in time, 4. indicates that the action happened (started) at 8.30
on the time diagram
I was browsing through your report ...
past now futur

e
when he knocked at my office door.

FORM
This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to
have + past participle of the main verb.
Examples
I had never seen so many measuring tools.
What assistance had he given?
He hadn’t expected this outcome.
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action
happening before another past action.
Example
The customer had left the shop by the time I found his
order form.
USE
2. We use it when necessary to indicate the
sequence of two actions.
Example
He had already cleared the screen when I got behind his
desk.
USE
2. We use it when necessary to indicate the
sequence of two actions.
3. We often us it when the second action is
understood, but not stated.
Example
I hadn’t realized! (until you told me.)
on the time diagram
past had watched

future
dinner TV now
1. When I had had dinner, I watched TV.
had watche
past d TV now future
dinner
2. I had dinner before I watched TV.
In (1) the sequence of actions is expressed by the past

perfect tense; whereas in (2) the sequence of actions
is indicated by the use of before
FORM
This tense is formed with the past perfect tense of the
verb to be + present participle of the main verb.
Examples
She had been working as a secretary for two years when
she was promoted.
What had she been writing all day?
He hadn’t been listening to that tape for that long.
USE
1. We use this tense to describe a continuous past
action happening before another past action.
We often use it with for + time
period.
Example
We had been waiting for thirty minutes when they
arrived.

USE
1. We use this tense to describe a continuous past
action happening before another past action.
We often use it with for + time
period.
2. We use this tense to emphasize the continuity or
duration of the past action.
Example
I had been waiting for my exam results for six weeks.
(before I got them.)
on the time diagram
past 10 minutes
now future
1. I had been waiting for 10 minutes when she

arrived.
past now
2. I waited for 10 minutes before she arrived.
Whereas in (1) the past perfect continuous indicates both the

sequence of the actions and the continuity of the first action; in
(2) the sequence of the actions is indicated by before. (1.)
future
future tenses
future simple
future continuous
present
future perfect
future perfect continuous
going to
present continuous
past
present simple
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
We use this tense to express a pure future. Actions
expressed in the simple future are bound to happen
because of the course of time. This means that the
speaker has no power over the events, that he cannot
control what will happen. For this reason this tense is also
called the uncertain future..
Examples
He will be sixteen years old next Friday.
The baby will be born next month
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such
as think – know – believe – suppose – expect – hope to
express beliefs, convictions, hope, expectations,
knowledge and opinions about the future.
Examples
I think Brazil will win.
I don’t suppose she will be promoted now
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
future
2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as:
probably – possibly –perhaps to express uncertainty
Examples
about the future.
He will probably ask the general manager.
This matter will probably not be raised before the
commission’s first meeting
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as:
probably – possibly –perhaps to express uncertainty
about the future.
future
3. The simple present is used in conditional clauses
and time clauses. The simple future is used in the
Examples
main clause (not in the if-clause).
He ‘ll help you if you ask him.
I ‘ll tell him the news as soon as I see him.
He ‘ll be arrested the moment he sets foot on Schengen
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
FORM
be + going to + infinitive of the main verb.
Examples
I’ m going to watch this football match on TV tonight.
What are you going to do about this ?
She isn’t going to give this party next week
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions
and plans for future actions.
Examples
I ‘m going to pass my exams next month.
I ‘m going to spend two weeks in Spain this summer.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions
and plans for future actions.
actions
2. We also use going to in order to express
subjective certainty on the part of the speaker.
Examples
This boat is going to sink.
It’s going to rain, by the look
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. We use this tense to indicate definite future
arrangements, actions planned in the near
future. We nearly always use a future time expression
with it.
Examples
He ‘s starting his new job next Monday.
I’ m taking the 11 o’clock train to Berlin
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. We use this tense to indicate definite future
arrangements, actions planned in the near
future. We nearly always use a future time expression
with it.
Note: do not confuse intention ( to be + going to + verb)
and arrangement (to be + present participle).
Examples
I’m going to stay in London. = intention
I’m going to London next weekend = arrangement
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the infinitive of the main verb.
The negative and interrogative are formed with the
present tense of to do + infinitive
Examples
The plane takes off at 7.30 local time.
The match begins at 14.00 hours.
You leave from Kennedy airport at noon, and arrive in
Paris at 15.00 hours GMT.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
We use this tense to talk about planned future actions.
We usually use it to describe travel plans, time tables,
departures, arrivals.

Examples
The bus leaves at 15.30.
The reception starts at 19.00 hours.
The ferry leaves Dover at 12.30 tomorrow and we arrive
at Calais at 13.15.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the future simple of to be +
present participle of the main verb.
Examples
We’ ll be flying to Rome this time next week.
What will you be doing this time next week?
They won’t be sitting in the classroom at 6 o’clock
tomorrow.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
We use this tense for actions that will be in progress
at a certain time in the future.

Examples
At 11.45 next Friday, I ‘ ll be doing my chemistry exam.
I’ ll be hiking through the States this time next year.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
on the time diagram
past now future
This time next week I’ll be taking my driving test.

simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-
term arrangements, especially for travelling.
Examples
The band will be travelling through Scandinavia at the
end of the month. They will be giving three performances
there.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite
questions about future activities. By using the
future continuous tense, the speaker asking the
questions shows that he does not want to influence the
other person’s decision in any way at all.
Examples
Where will you be having dinner, Sir? (secretary to boss)
What will you be having, Madam? (waiter to customer)
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite
questions about future activities. By using the
future continuous tense, the speaker asking the
questions shows that he does not want to influence the
other person’s decision in any way at all.
3. The future continuous is also used to make
Examples
deductions about what is happening at the moment
He of speaking.
will be working in his garden now. Otherwise, he would
have heard the phone.
She hasn’t begun making up the beds. She will still be
doing the washing up.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
FORM
This tense is formed with will + have + past participle of
the main verb.
Examples
They ‘ll have finalized their business by noon.
Will they have copied all that material by Friday morning?
They won’t have organized this course by the end of this
year.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
We use this tense to describe actions which we know
will (or will not) be completed by a certain time in the
future.
Examples
I ‘ll have finished this book by the end of the week.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
on the time diagram
past now future
Examples end of next week
By the end of next week, I’ll have finished my exams.

simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the future perfect tense of to be
+ present participle of rthe main verb.
Examples
By the end of this year, we ‘ll have been experimenting
with this polymer for more than three months.
How long will you have been living in that shack by the
end of this year?
I won’t have been living here for more than five years by
the end of this year.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
We use this tense to describe continuous and repeated
actions which begin before a certain time in the
future and will probably continue after that time.
Examples
By the end of this academic year, I’ll have been teaching
for 30 years.
simple
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
on the time diagram
past future
now
end of this academic
year
Example
By the end of this academic year, I’ll have been teaching
for 30 years.

We Use Tenses of Verbs To Refer

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We Use Tenses of Verbs To Refer

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future

We use tenses of verbs to refer to

There are different sorts of tenses:

present perfect continuous

past now future

I get up at 7.30 a.m. every day.

on the time diagram

past now future

I’m adjusting the rotating speed

This is the highest carbon ratio I’ve ever seen.

on the time diagram

relationship with the

pas now future

I ‘ve just arrived.

on the time diagram

pas ? ? ? now future

Have you been to France?

on the time diagram

pas now future

They have revised their

on the time diagram

pas now future

We have conducted experiments on this

on the time diagram

past now future

I ‘ve been driving driving lorries for twenty

So I know what I’m talking about!

on the time diagram

past now future

I ‘ve driven a Volkswagen for twenty

Clearly I have confidence in this car.

past now future

I arrived at 15.30 sharp.

past now futur

I was working all day yesterday.

past now futur

past now futur

While (1) emphasizes the continuity of the action, (2) only

past now futur

I was watching TV at 8.30 last night.

past now futur

3. I was watching TV at 8.30 last

past now futur

I was browsing through your report ...

past now futur

when he knocked at my office door.

past had watched

1. When I had had dinner, I watched TV.

2. I had dinner before I watched TV.

In (1) the sequence of actions is expressed by the past

1. I had been waiting for 10 minutes when she

2. I waited for 10 minutes before she arrived.

Whereas in (1) the past perfect continuous indicates both the

past now future

This time next week I’ll be taking my driving test.

past now future

Examples end of next week

By the end of next week, I’ll have finished my exams.

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