Professional Documents
Culture Documents
perfect tenses
perfect continuous tenses
past
future
present
present tenses
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
Example
I play blues harp and dobro guitar
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
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
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
4. for something that is permanently true
Example
Water boils at 100° C.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
on the time diagram
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of
speaking.
Example
She’s reading the newspaper.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of
speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
Example
The company is reorganizing its services.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of
speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
Example
They’re signing the contract tomorrow.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of
speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
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
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to
have + past participle of the main verb.
Examples
I’ve finished.
Where have you been?
I haven’t talked to him.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently,
already, at last, lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before –
so far’
Example
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently,
already, at last, lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before –
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently,
already, at last, lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before –
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
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.
present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
1984 2004
1984 2004
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the
past.
Example
We signed the contract last Friday at 2 o’clock.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the
past.
2. For actions which are already completed in the
past: the time is understood but not stated.
Example
Did you arrive in time?
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
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!
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time
in the past.
past
3. To describe an interrupted past action.
Examples
When he arrived, I was studying the quarterly reports.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
yesterda
y
past now futur
e
I worked all day yesterday.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
yesterda
y
past now futur
2. I worked all day yesterday. e
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
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
Examples
I had never seen so many measuring tools.
What assistance had he given?
He hadn’t expected this outcome.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action
happening before another past action.
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action
happening before another past action.
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.)
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
had watche
past d TV now future
dinner
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
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.
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
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.)
past simple past past perfect past perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past 10 minutes
now future
past now
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
on the time diagram
Examples
The band will be travelling through Scandinavia at the
end of the month. They will be giving three performances
there.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-
term arrangements, especially for travelling.
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)
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-
term arrangements, especially for travelling.
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
present perfect
present continuous
continuous simple
on the time diagram
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.
future future future future perfect
simple
going to ... continuous
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.