Present Simple Past Simple Future Simple

1. permanent states 1. for an action which happened at a 1. for future actions which may or may
He is a businessman. definite time in the past not happen.
He lives in NY. (the time is stated, already known We’ll visit NY one day.
2. repeated actions or daily routines or implied) 2. for actions which will definitely
(with always, never, usually ...) They met yesterday. happen in the future and which we
He often stays at the office until late 2. for actions which happened cannot control.
in the evening. immediately one after the other in He will be 3 years old next month.
3. general truths or laws of nature the past. 3. for predictions about the future
The moon moves round the earth. Mom cooked the meal, then we ate it. unually with:
4. programmes or timetables (trains, 3. for actions which happened - the verbs: think, believe, expect
planes, buses, classes ...) repeatedly in the past, but don’t - the expressions: be sure, be afraid
The bus leaves in 10 minutes. happen any more. - adverbs:perhaps,certainly, probably
5. for sports commentaries, reviews, (we can use adv. of frequency) His parents think he’ll become an
and nerrations He often played football with his artist one day.
He kicks the ball and passes it to dad when he was 5. 4. for on-the-sport decisions and
Jameson. (we can use used to) offers.
People used to travel by carriage in I’ll buy this dress.
Time expressions those days. I’ll pay for the lunch.
always 4. to talk about people who are no 5. for promises (promise,swear,guarantee)
usually longer alive for threats / for warnings
often M. Jackson was a famous singer. for requests / for hopes
seldom Stop or I’ll shoot !
rarely Time expressions I hope pollution levels will drop soon.
hardly ever yesterday
never last night / week / month Time expressions
every day / week / year 2 week ago tomorrow / the day after tomorrow
on Mondays / Tuesdays ... then next week / month/ year
in the morning / afternoon ... when tonight
at night / at the weekend in 2008... soon
in a week/ month / year
 nowaday all day /night / morning
Present Continuous still
when /while /as + Past Cont (longer action)
1. for actions taking place now, at the when + Past Simple (shorter action)
moment of speaking.
He is reading a book right now.
Past Continuous Future Continuous
1. for an action which was in progress 1. for an action which will be in
2. for temporary actions; that is action
at a atated time in the past. We do progress at a stated future time.
that are going on around now, but not mention when the action started
not at the actual moment of This time next week, I will be skiing
or finished. in Austria.
speaking. At 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon
She is practising for a concert these 2. for an action which will definitely
Mike and his son were washing the
days. happen in the future as the result of
dog.
3. with „always” for actions happening 2. for an action which was in progress a routine or arrangement.
too often and about which we wish when another action interrupted it. – Shall I inform the rest of the
to express our annoyance or – longer action – Past Continuous team?
criticism. – shorter action – Past Simple – No, I’ll be seeing them at the
You are always interrupting me! He was reading a newspaper when his meeting anyway.
4. for fixed arrangements in the near wife came. 3. when we ask politely about
future; that is actions we have 3. for 2 or more simultaneous past someone’s plans for the near future.
already arranged to do in the near actions. (What we want to know is if our
The children were playing while the wishes fit in with their plans.)
future, especially when the time &
mother was cooking. – Will you be going out later?
place have been decided. 4. to give the background information
He is flying to NY in an hour. – Yes, why?
in a story; to describe the – Could you get me a coffee, please?
5. for changing or developing atmosphere, the setting in the
situations. introduction to a story before we
More and more forests are describe the main events
disappearing because of fires. The sun was shining and the birds were
Time expressions singing. Tom was driving his old truck
now through the forest...
at the moment Time expressions
these day when
at present while
tonight as
 Present Perfect
* connects the past & the present.
1. is used to describe an action which
started in the past & continues up to
the present, especially with state verbs
such as have, like, know, be ... In this
case we often use for and since.
They have been friends for 20 years.
2. for an action that has recently finished
and whose result is visible in the
present.
They have done their shopping.
3. for an action which happened at an
unstated time in the past. The exact
time is not important. We put more
emphasis on the action.
He has broken his arm.
4. for an action which happened within a
specific time period, which is not over
at the moment of speaking, such as:
today, this morning / week / year ...
She has received 3 faxes this morning.
Time expressions
for ever today
since how long this
already yet morning
just lately
always never
recently so far
+ for // since // already // just // always // recently
? ever // how long // yet // lately
– for //since // yet // lately // never
Past Perfect
1. for an action which happened
before another past action or before
a stated time in the past.
They had done their homework before
they went out to play yesterday
afternoon.
– earlier action – Past Perfect
– later action – Past Simple
She had watered all the flowers by 5
o’clock in the afternoon.
2. for an action which finished in the
past and whose result was visible in
the past.
Bill had injured his legs in a car
accident, so he had to use a wheelchair
for 6 months.
Note: The Past Perfect is the past
equivalent of the Present Perfect.
a) He had broken his leg, so he
couldn’t walk.
b) He has broken his leg, so he can’t
walk.
* We can use the Past Perf or the
Past Simple with before or after
without any difference in meaning.
Time expressions
before when
...
after by
already by the time
for never
since
just
fill / until
Future Perfect
1. for an action which will be finished
before a stated future time.
They will have finished their
meeting by 4 o’clock this afternoon.
* We use the Present Perfect to
announce a piece of news, and the
Past Simple or Past Continuous to
give more details about it.
I’ve just seen the new boss.
I was talking to Carol on the phone
when he came in.
* After the time expressions
– by the time
– until
– before
we use the Present Simple because
they introduce time clauses.
a) I will have tidied up by the time
you get back.
Time expressions
by
by the time
before
until
by then
 Present Perfect Continuous
1. is used to put emphasis on the duration
of an action which started in the past
and continues up to the present,
especially with the expressions such as
for, since, all morning / day, week etc.
He has been painting the house for 2 days.
2. for an action which started and
finished in the past and lasted for some
time. The result of the action is visible
in the present.
He is dirty. He has been playing football.
3. is used to express anger, annoyance or
irritation.
Who has been reading my business papers?
* with the verbs: feel, live, work, teach
we can use the Pr.Perfect or
Pr.Perf.Cont. with no difference in
meaning.
* we use the Pr. Perf. instead of the
Pr. Perf. Cont. with non-continuous
verbs (know, belive, like, etc )
Time expressions
how long
for(duration)
since(starting point)
lately / recently
Past Perfect Continuous Future Perfect Continuous
1. to put emphasis on the duration of 1. is used to emphasize the duration of an
an action which started and finished action up to a certain time in the
in the past before another past future.
action or a stated time in the past, By the time Rick retires, he will
usually with since or for. have been working for the same
They had been skating together for company for 30 years.
5 years before they entered the * after the time expressions
competition.
– by the time
2. for an action which lasted for some
time in the past and whose result
– until
was visible in the past. – before
She had been working hard that day, we use the Present Simple because
so she was tired. they intoduce time clauses.
* the Past Perf. Cont. is the past
equivalent of the Pr. Perf. Cont.
a) He had been waiting for hours, so he was
bored.
b) He has been waiting for hours, so he is
bored.
* we can use the Past Perfect or the Past
Simple with before or after without
any difference in meaning
She left after she had finished her
work.
She left after she finished her work.
Time expressions
for
since
how long
before
until
 Expressing Preference (aș dori)
to be = were
1. I had better do (//not do) a) Past Simple /Past Continuous
(mai bine aș)
(we would like sth to be different in
the present)
2. I would rather do(să fac)//not do ex: I wish I had a room of my own.
(present)
(Mi-aș dori să am camera mea)
(aș prefera) have done(să fi făcut) // b) Past Perfect
haven’t done (past)
(to express regret that sth happened
=I would prefer to in the past)
ex: I wish I hadn’t met him
3. I would rather you yesterday.
- did / didn’t do(present) (Mi-aș dori să nu-l fi întalnit ieri)
(să faci) c) Would + inf
- had done // hadn’t done * for a polite imperative
(să fi făcut) ex: I wish you would stop shouting!
--------------------------------------------------- (Mi-aș dori să nu strigi!)
1. I prefer meat to fish * wish for a change in a situation
2. I prefer jogging to cycling or someone’s behaviour because
3. I prefer to go rather stay at we are annoyed by it.
out than home ex: I wish the wind would stop
4. I would to pay in rather (pay) by
rather cash than credit card
blowing!
5. I would have a than (have) a (Mi-aș dori să nu bată vântul!)
rather salad steak ex: I wish John would stop
insulting people!
(Mi-aș dori ca John să nu mai
insulte oamenii)
* to express our wishes for the
future
ex: I wish my son would study in
Germany!

I wish I:
 IF-
Condi ti onal s clause main clause
unreal / hypothetical / situations real/possible situations

general truths 0 Pr. Pr. Simple

laws of nature
If we heat water, it boils. Simple
(Dacă incălzim apa, ea fierbe.)
present, I Pr. Future Simple
future
If I have money, I will go to the cinema. Simple imperative
probable (Dacă voi avea bani, voi merge la cinema.) modals

present II If I had money now, I would go to the cinema. Past FutureInThePast

improbable Simple would+verb
(Dacă aș avea bani acum, aș merge la cinema.) could + verb
past III If I had had money yesterday, I would have gone tothe cinema. Past Future-Perfect-in
Perfect the Past
(Dacă aș fi avut bani ieri, m-aș fi dus la cinema.)
Future in the
mixed

III + II If he hadn’t killed that man 10 years ago, he wouldn’t be in prison now. Past
past present (Dacă el nu l-ar fi omorât pe acel om cu 10 ani în urmă, el nu ar fi în închisoare acum.) Perfect Past
cause effect
 Condi t i onal s
IF- clause main clause
general truths 0 If we heat water, it boils. Pr. Simple Pr. Simple
real/posible situations

laws of nature (Dacă incălzim apa, ea fierbe.)

I Pr. Simple Future Simple

If I have money, I will go to the cinema. Imperat. Modals
present, future probable (Dacă voi avea bani, voi merge la cinema.)

present II If I had money now, I would go to the cinema. Past Simple Future in the Past
would+verb
unreal / hypothetical / situations

(Dacă voi avea bani acum, aș merge la cinema.)

could + verb

past III If I had had money yesterday, I would have gone tothe cinema. Past Perfect Future-Perfect-in the Pasr
(Dacă aș fi avut bani ieri, m-aș fi dus la cinema.)

III + II mixed If he hadn’t killed that man 10 years ago, he wouldn’t be in prison now. Past Perfect Future in the Past
past present (Dacă el nu l-ar fi omorât pe acel om cu 10 ani în urmă, el nu ar fi în închisoare acum.)
cause effect