Present Tense Simple

Form: V1 + s/es in the 3rd person singular (he,she,it)

Use:

- To talk about habitual actions, often with adverbs of frequency such as:
usually, habitually, normally, ever day, daily, etc.

Ex.

He frequently responds angrily to even the slightest criticism.

I go to the gym daily.

- To talk about permanent states or states which are likely to last for a longer
period of time.

Ex.

A good relationship combines love, trust and friendship.

She works for an insurance company.

- To describe a permanent truth

Ex.

Water boils at 1000 C.

The sun rises in the East.
Emotional and physical changes in adolescence mean that teenagers often behave
unpredictably.

- When we are telling a story or a joke

Ex.

“Initially, the hero decides to seek out his mother after years of separation.”
“Here comes this guy who enters the building and asks everyone to stand up...”

- In newspaper headlines
Ex.

Minister attacks social services in child poverty scandal.

Brit plunges 30 feet to his death from Indian temple while taking selfie.

Present Tense Continuous

Form: present tense of the verb “to be” + Ving

Use:
- to describe an activity which is in progress at the present time or at the moment
of speaking; it may be associated with a number of time expressions such as:
(right) now, at the moment, as we speak, etc.
Ex.

I am cooking lunch for the kids , can I call you back later?
They are screaming for help.
The number of children who live with step parents is rising.
She is working very hard these days.

- to talk about a temporary activity

Ex.

Usually I go to school by bus but this week I’m walking.

Their mother is in the hospital so the twins are staying with their grandparents.
I am staying with a friend until I find my own place.
Just now, I’m waiting to do my military service.

- With “always” to describe annoying or upsetting facts

Ex.

She is always talking too much.

You are always borrowing money.

Future Tense Simple

Form: shall (I, we) + V1

Use:

- To make predictions about the future, to talk about facts regarding the future
Ex.

Tomorrow’s weather will be fine.

According to research, a child with high self-esteem at the age of ten will be more
successful in later life.
Christmas day will fall on a Tuesday this year.

- To talk about decisions we make at the moment of speaking, spontaneous

decisions.
Ex.
“We’re going for a walk.” “I’ll come with you”
“We’re leaving.” “I’ll just go and get my coat.”
I’ll forgive you for your hypocritical behaviour considering your apology.

Future Tense Continuous

Form: shall (I, we) + be + Ving

Use:
- To describe an action that will be in progress at a specific moment in the future
Ex.
This time next week I’ll be sitting on the beach.
Don’t phone too early because I will be putting the baby to bed then.

- To describe an action that will happen because it is part of a fixed plan, it is

regular or decided
Ex.
We’ll be staying here until next week.
“I’ll send this message to him” “I’ll be seeing him this evening”.
I shall be working on this until the end of the year.
I’ll be driving to London next week so I can give you a lift if you like.
The band will be releasing their latest album in December.
The BBC will be broadcasting a new documentary on poverty.
Future Perfect Simple

Form: shall (I, we) + have + V3

Use:
- To describe an event that will be finished before a specified time in the future
Ex.
By the time we get there we will have driven for over 500 miles.
My grandparents will have been together for 50 years next June.
By the year 2020 the city hall will have completed the new resort.
She will have finished this assignment by Saturday.
When I finish this book it means I will have finished all her books.

Future Perfect Continuous

Form: shall (I, we) + have + been + Ving

Use:
- The duration of an activity or a state of affairs in progress for a certain period
of time up to a specified time in the future.
Ex.
We will have been living here for ten years next May.
By the time the presidential results are announced the presidential candidates will
have been campaigning for three months solid.
By this time next month we will have been working on this task for a year.

Pay attention:

- Future Tense Simple vs. Future Tense Continuous in questions

Ex.
Will you drive me to the airport?
Will you be driving me to the airport? (more polite)
Other Ways of Expressing the Future

- Present Tense Simple

To present an official arrangement (timetables, schedules, plans already fixed)

Ex.

The plane takes off at 10.00 am.

The meeting starts in an hour.

- Present Tense Continuous

To present a personal arrangement for the near future

Ex.

I am seeing my friend this evening.

We’re meeting tomorrow at noon. Want to join us?

- “to be going to”

To present a decision that we have thought about before the moment of speaking
Ex.

I’m going to stop in a minute.

We are going to travel to that country.

To make a prediction about the future considering what is happening at present

Ex.

“Look out!” “We’re going to hit the car in front!”

“It’s 8 o’clock.” “You’re going to be late again!”
“Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain”

- “to be to + V1”
To present an official arrangement in formal language mainly
Ex.
He is to receive an award.

- “to be about to + V1”

To present things that will happen soon and are quite certain
Ex.
He is about to jump.
They are about to start the meeting.

- “to be bound to +V1”

To present things which are certain to happen
Ex.
The opposing team has already scored 6 goals. We are bound to lose this game.

Expressions pointing to the future

We were on the point/verge of leaving when the bell rang.

We are due to meet in half an hour.
We’ll deal with that in due course.
I wonder what the future has in store/ is in store for us.
Nothing will change for the foreseeable future.
From now on, things will be very different.
The time is fast approaching when private citizens will fly to space.
A feeling of impending doom has overwhelmed me lately.

Future time in subordinate clauses

- Subordinate clauses beginning with: once, when, till, until, after, before, as
soon as, as long as, while, immediately, whenever, by the time can only be
followed by
 a) A present form

Ex.

I’ll come down and greet him as soon as he arrives.

Phone me whenever it’s convenient.

He will have gone by the time you get there.

Tell me immediately you arrive.

b) A present perfect form (when the action in the subordinate clause is finished
before the action in the main clause)
Ex.
I won’t make a decision until I have heard from you.
I’ll take up gardening when I have retired.

Stative Verbs

Describe a state rather than an event and they are not normally used in the continuous
tenses. The most common stative verb is the verb “to be”.
Ex.
I have been here for 1 hour.

Classification
- Verbs which describe mental processes such as: think, feel know, believe,
suppose, understand, realise, recognise, remember, etc.

Ex.

Do you realise/Are you realising what they are doing?

I suspect/am suspecting we are not making as much profit as we should.

I understand/am understanding everything you are saying.

- Verbs which describe emotional states and senses such as: like, dislike, love,
doubt, care, hate, want, prefer, mind, care, see, smell, taste, hear, notice,
recognise, etc.
Ex.
I only want to ask you a simple question.
Do you prefer to travel by bus or by train?

Observation! “enjoy” is not a stative verb

Ex.
I am enjoying this!

- Verbs which describe possession such as: own, possess, belong to, have etc.
Ex.
Who does/is this book belong/belonging to?
My family owns/is owning three cars.

- Verbs which present inherent properties such as: be, appear, seem, sound,
weigh, measure, hold, contain, consist of, fit, cost, etc.
Ex.
What does/is this lorry contain/containing?
This dress fits/is fitting you perfectly.

- Other stative verbs: owe, matter, depend on trust, apply, deserve, etc.

Observation! Some stative verbs can be used in the continuous forms but there is a
change of meaning usually.
Ex.
I think you are right. (Have an opinion)
Be quiet while I am thinking! (a deliberate activity)

I see what you mean (understand)

I am seeing him tonight. (meeting)

I feel what we did was wrong.(opinion)

I am feeling exhausted. (physical reaction)

This juice tastes good. (senses)

He is tasting the milk to see if it;s ok. (checking the quality)

She appears to be very upset. (appearance)

The Rolling Stones are appearing at the Odeon on Saturday. (performing)

Observation! With verbs such as: see, smell, hear, taste, understand, remember, we
use “can/could” to describe what is or was happening at a particular moment.
Ex.
I can smell something burning.
I am smelling something burning.

I can see her crossing the street.

I am seeing her crossing the street.