TIME RELATED ACTIVE VERB CONSTRUCTIONS
FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE
The simple form is used for
facts, truths, verbs of state,
mind related verbs (like, hate,
doubt)
PAST PERFECT SIMPLE
John had already seen the film
so he didnt come with us.
Had you ever visited a museum
before you went to Rome?
We had lived in London for
years before we could afford to
buy a house.
PAST SIMPLE
I visited London last year.
Did you see John yesterday?
I didnt buy the green dress, I
bought the red one.
Where were you when it started
raining?
John arrived ten minutes ago.
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
Have you ever been to London?
I have seen this film three
times.
John hasnt finished his
homework yet.
I havent been to the cinema
this week.
PRESENT SIMPLE
I live in London.
Where does John live?
We dont know the answer.
John hasnt got a dog.
Who are you?
Water boils at 100C.
They usually go to the cinema
once a week.
PRESENT SIMPLE (FUTURE)
When does school start this
year? It starts in September.
What time is the meeting? Its
at 3 p.m.
Does this shop open today?
No, but it is open tomorrow
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What time does your flight
leave?
It doesnt leave until 9.00.
FUTURE PERFECT SIMPLE
Come to my office at 8.00
tomorrow. I will have finished
my project by then.
Im not sure that I will have
read all these books before the
exam.
The continuous form is used for
actions in course at a given
moment/period in time
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
There was a hole in Johns
Related to a fact
trousers because he had been
(simple)/the duration of an
fighting.
action (continuous) which
I had been waiting for the bus for
precedes a point of time in
an hour when it finally arrived.
the past
How long had they been playing
tennis when it started raining?
PAST CONTINUOUS
I wasnt watching TV when you
called me.
Related to a discernible What were you doing when the
point of time in the past. accident occurred?
Mary fell off the ladder while she
was painting the ceiling.
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
How long have you been waiting for
Related to a fact me?
(simple)/the duration of an My hands are dirty because I have
action (continuous) which been repairing my bicycle.
precedes the present time You look tired! Have you been
(before now) working hard?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Simple: something which What is John doing? Hes washing
is always true, the car.
frequency, habits, facts Be quiet! Im studying for my
Continuous: Action now/ exams.
Excuse me. Is anybody sitting
at the moment of
here?
speaking. Actions which
I dont like him, hes always
disturb us. smoking when I see him.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS (FUTURE)
Simple: timetable of What time is John leaving? He is
things and events. leaving on the midnight train.
Continuous: Peoples John is coming to visit us next
week.
actions arranged for
What are you doing on Saturday
the future/programs
morning? Im going to the park.
Im sorry! I cant help you. Im
playing tennis with John this
afternoon.
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
When I retire next June, I will
A fact/action takes have been working for this company
place before, and is for twenty-five years.
related to, a future When the ceremony finishes those
soldiers will have been standing
point in time.
to attention for two hours.
1
FUTURE SIMPLE Will
Will you help me(to) open the
window?
I promise I wont go there.
I like it! Ill buy it.
It will rain in London tomorrow
John will be 27 in June.
When you arrive, Ill meet you.
I dont think it will rain.
If it rains I will cancel the
event.
Simple: Will takes the be watching the Cup Final on TV
verb associated to it
into the future.
Continuous: at a future
point in time this action
will be ongoing.
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
Dont phone me this evening. Ill
and I dont want to be disturbed.
This time next week Ill be lying
on a beach in Italy.
John wont be coming with us
because he is ill.
In a few years time a lot of
people will be working from home.

IN ADDITION:
Future clauses with simple Future clauses with
present when, as soon as, until,
When I arrive I will phone you. till, before, after, as
As soon as I arrive Ill call.
long as, providing, while
Before I leave Ill call you.
If it stops raining we can go
to the shops. No specific future time
I hope to see John while I am is mentioned.
in London next week.
Future clauses with present Sequence of events
perfect where the first event is
After I have phoned John, we completed before the
can have lunch. second takes place.
When you have finished with the
newspaper, may I borrow it?
GOING TO
Im going to watch TV. Peoples intentions
John says he is going to visit
Italy sooner or later.

Look at those clouds! Its

Predictions based on
going to rain.
the present
ABOUT TO
The Queen is about to present
the soldier with his medal. Immediate future
You are about to see something
very unusual.
John is about to go to a
meeting. He hasnt got time to
talk to you now.
FUTURE IN THE PAST
I knew John would arrive on Expresses the idea that
time. at a point of time in the
He promised he would send us past something
some money as soon as he could. would/might happen in
I knew he wouldnt keep the
the future
secret.
I thought John was going to
make a mistake.
On Monday I was told they were
going to give me some money.