ÍNDICE

1. CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................2
1.1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................2
1.2. Objectives....................................................................................................................................3
1.2.1. General................................................................................................................................3
1.2.2. Specifics..............................................................................................................................3
2. CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE.......................................................................................4
2.1. Past continuous............................................................................................................................4
2.2. Present continuous.......................................................................................................................7
2.3. Present perfect continuous...........................................................................................................9
2.4. Future continuous tense.............................................................................................................11
2.5. Future Perfect Continuous.........................................................................................................13
2.5.3. Duration Before Something in the Future..........................................................................13
2.5.4. Cause of Something in the Future......................................................................................14
2.6. Demonstrative Adjectives..........................................................................................................15
2.7. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................17
3. CHAPTER III: METHOD.................................................................................................................18
3.1. Bibliographic references............................................................................................................18

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1. CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Introduction
This work was carried out under the Discipline of technical English, which belongs to the degree
course plan in hospital administration and management (1st year, 2nd semester), with the aim of
talking about some verb tenses, namely: past continuous, present continuous and present perfect
continuous, future continuous and future perfect continuous, and demonstrative adjectives and
pronouns. For considering that this theme is of great importance for the discipline, I will address
it, considering the most relevant aspects of the topics.
The tense of a verb is determined by when the action took place. The three main tenses are as
follows: the past tense, the present tense and the future tense. The tense of a verb can also tell us
things like whether the action is habitual, ongoing, or completed. This is called the aspect of the
verb, which is part of tense.

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1.2. Objectives

1.2.1. General
 To evaluate the importance of verb tenses and demonstrative adjectives and pronouns.

1.2.2. Specifics
 To define the concepts of past, present ant futures perfect end continuous verb tense,
 To describe past, present ant futures perfect end continuous verb tense,
 To establish demonstratives adjectives and pronouns.

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2. CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1. Past continuous

2.1.1. Form
We form the past continuous with was/were + v-ing
was/were + present participle. Examples:
 You were studying when she called.
 Were you studying when she called?
 You were not studying when she called.

2.1.2. Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The
interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real
interruption or just an interruption in time. Examples:
 I was watching TV when she called.
 When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
 While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
 What were you doing when the earthquake started?
 I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
 You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
 While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
 Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
 While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.

2.1.3. Specific Time as an Interruption

First, we described above that, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the
Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption. Examples:
 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
 At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
 Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.

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In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past
Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action. Examples:
 Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.
I started eating at 6 PM.
 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.

2.1.4. Parallel Actions

When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea
that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel. Examples:
 I was studying while he was making dinner.
 While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
 Were you listening while he was talking?
 I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.
 What were you doing while you were waiting?
 Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
 They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.

2.1.5. Atmosphere
In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular
time in the past. Example:
 When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the
phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One
customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each
other about the bad service.

2.1.6. Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that
something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the
expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or
"constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing." Examples:
 She was always coming to class late.

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 He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
 I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

While vs. When

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning, but are often not complete sentences. Some
clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when she called" or "when it bit me." Other clauses
begin with "while" such as "while she was sleeping" and "while he was surfing." When you talk
about things in the past, "when" is most often followed by the verb tense Simple Past, whereas
"while" is usually followed by Past Continuous. "While" expresses the idea of "during that time."
Study the examples below. They have similar meanings, but they emphasize different parts of the
sentence. Examples:
 I was studying when she called.
 While I was studying, she called.

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Past. Examples:
 Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct
 Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc. Examples:
 You were just studying when she called.
 Were you just studying when she called?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:

 The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store. Active
 The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store.
Passive

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2.2. Present continuous
we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking. These
things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking about
them.

2.2.1. Function
 To describe what someone is wearing.
 To describe what is happening around us right now.
 To describe what someone or something else is doing right now in another place.

2.2.2. Form
For the present continuous, we use a form of be (is, am, are) + verb + –ing
Subject Be (am, is, are) Verb + -ing
I Am Working Hard
Mike Is Marking Dolls
She Is Getting A pension
Some seniors Are Staring Second careers
You Are Exploring Possibilities

2.2.3. Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is
happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening
now.
1. We can make a contraction with the subject pronoun and a form of be. Most nouns can also
contract with is.
 I'm having fun. We're learning new things.
 Judy’s making dolls. Frank's working as a carpenter.

2. To form the negative, we put not after am/is/are. In many cases, we can make a negative
contraction in two ways:
 She is not working. = She isn’t working. = She’s not working.
 You are not relaxing. = You aren’t relaxing. = You’re not relaxing.

3. For I am not, there is only one contraction:

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  I am not traveling. = I’m not traveling.

4. We do not repeat the be verb after and or or.

 Some people are working and getting a pension.

5. We can put an adverb between be and the verb + –ing.

 He’s still working.

2.2.4. Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on.
Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer
action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second. Examples:
(All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in arestaurant.)
 I am studying to become a doctor.
 I am not studying to become a dentist.
 I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
 I am not reading any books right now.
 Are you working on any special projects at work?
 Aren't you teaching at the university now?

2.2.5. Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not
happen in the near future. Examples:
 I am meeting some friends after work.
 I am not going to the party tonight.
 Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
 Isn't he coming with us tonight?

2.2.6. Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that
something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present,

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but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be"
and "verb+ing." Examples:
 She is always coming to class late.
 He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
 I don't like them because they are always complaining.

2.2.7. Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbscannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present. Examples:
 She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
 She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc. Examples:
 You are still watching TV.
 Are you still watching TV?

2.2.8. ACTIVE / PASSIVE

 Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
 Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

2.3. Present perfect continuous

2.3.1. Form
We form the present perfect continuous with have/ has been + -ing form:
 I’ve been watching you.
 They haven’t been playing long.
 Has he been travelling all day?

The present perfect progressive is used for continuous actions that are not complete.
 I’ve been reading the chapter. I’m almost finished.
 Jill has been making phone calls for two hours.

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The present perfect progressive is often used to express the idea of how long.
 How long have you been playing the piano?
 We have been playing for a long time.
We also use the present perfect continuous to talk about an action we started in the past that
finished a very short time ago:
 I’ve been waiting for you to call.

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about actions that started in the past and continue
into the present:
 The earth has been getting warmer.

We can use the present perfect continuous for a series of repeated actions, for example when we
try to do something again and again:
 We’ve been trying to contact you all day to tell you that you’ve won a prize.

We use the present perfect continuous when the emphasis is on the action being done. (To talk
about the result of the action, use the present perfect – for more information, see p. 10.)
 Why is the kitchen in a mess? ~ Because Alan’s been making a cake.
 Emma’s tired. She’s been tidying her room all morning. (The job is not necessarily
finished.)

We use the present perfect continuous to talk or ask about an action happening over a period of
time up to now. We can use how long with for or since:
 Sally’s been cooking all afternoon. She’s been preparing for the party since lunchtime. (We
are thinking of Sally doing the cooking.)

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about recent repeated actions or for a repeated
action that is different from usual. We use time phrases such as recently, lately, this week.
 My son’s been staying up late a lot recently – I’m rather worried.

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about an action we started in the past, and are still
doing now:
 I’ve been working all day and I still haven’t finished.

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We often use the present perfect continuous when a recent action explains why we look or feel a
certain way:
 Jane’s tired because she’s been painting her room. (The action of painting explains why
she is tired.)

2.4. Future continuous tense

2.4.1. Form
The future continuous verb tense, sometimes called the future progressive, is the present
participle form of a verb used with either will or shall and the verb be.

Positive statement: I will be speaking (I'll be speaking)

Negative statement: I will not be speaking (I won't be speaking)
Question form: Will you be speaking?
Negative question: Will you not be speaking? (Won't you be speaking?)

1. The future continuous tense is used for activities that will be in progress at a point of time. The
action will start before that point of time and will continue after it. The point in time can be given
by time expressions or by other activities.
 At 8 o'clock I will be travelling to Dorset.
 This time tomorrow we'll be lying on the beach.
(In these two sentences the point of time that we refer to is given by a time expression.)
- The shop will be closed. Will you be working?
- I'll be sleeping when you come back.
(In these two sentences the point of time that we refer to is given by another action.)

2. It describes the idea that an action will happen in the normal course of events. It refers to
routine activities, not intentions, decisions or plans.
 I'll be writing to you again. (I always write to you, so I'll do it again, as usual.)
 They'll be leaving on Friday. You can join them. (They normally leave on Fridays.)
 Everybody will be working on a computer sooner or later. (If nothing special happens.)

We can also use present tenses for future. But they have a different meaning from the future
tense. Compare the following examples of sentences.

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  We are going to the cinema next weekend. (We have already arranged it. We know the
time and place and probably have the tickets.)
 We'll be going to the cinema next weekend. (We have not arranged anything and,
probably, we do not even know which film we want to see. We only say how we will
spend the weekend.)
 I am seeing Susan tomorrow. (I have some reason. Susan and I have arranged the time
and place.)
 I'll be seeing Susan tomorrow. (Susan is my classmate and because I will go to school
tomorrow, I will see her as usual.)

In the following examples the first ones express intentions, while in the second ones there is no
intention, they express routine activities.
 Bill won't play football tomorrow. (The fact is that Bill cannot play or does not want to
play for some reason.)
 Bill won't be playing football tomorrow. (Bill will not play, because it will be Friday and
he never plays on Fridays.)
 I'll call Mimi tonight. I'll ask her. (I will do it because I need to talk to her.)
I'll be calling Mimi tonight. I can ask her. (I call her every night, that is why I will call
her tonight too.)

In some cases we can use several forms. But each of them will have a slightly different meaning.
 I'll be meeting Jim next week. (I meet Jim every week and it will be the same next week.)
 I'll meet Jim next week. (I intend to meet Jim next week or I suppose that I will meet
him.)
 I'm going to meet Jim next week. (I decided to meet Jim some time ago and now I am
expressing my intention.)
 I'm meeting Jim next week. (We have arranged the time and place because we have some
reason to meet. We use the present continuous.)
 It will rain, I'm afraid. (I assume it will rain, it is my opinion. But who knows!)
 It's going to rain. (I am sure it will rain because I can see the dark clouds in the sky. My
opinion is based on clear evidence.)
 I am meeting is more definite than I am going to meet and I will meet is the least definite.

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2.5. Future Perfect Continuous
Future Perfect Continuous has two different forms: "will have been doing " and "be going to
have been doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect Continuous forms are usually
interchangeable.

2.5.1. FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Will"

[will have been + present participle] Examples:
 You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
 Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
 You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
2.5.2. FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Be Going To"
[am/is/are + going to have been + present participle] Examples:
 You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives.
 Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives?
 You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives.

It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect Continuous with
little or no difference in meaning.

2.5.3. Duration Before Something in the Future

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until a particular
event or time in the future. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Friday" are all
durations which can be used with the Future Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the
Present Perfect Continuous and the Past Perfect Continuous; however, with Future Perfect
Continuous, the duration stops at or before a reference point in the future. Examples:
 They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Thomas arrives.
 She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it finally closes.

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  James will have been teaching at the university for more than a year by the time he leaves
for Asia.
 How long will you have been studying when you graduate?
 We are going to have been driving for over three days straight when we get to
Anchorage.
A: When you finish your English course, will you have been living in New Zealand for
over a year?
B: No, I will not have been living here that long.

Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present
rather than Simple Future. This is because these future events are in time clauses, and you cannot
use future tenses in time clauses.

2.5.4. Cause of Something in the Future

Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good way to show
cause and effect. Examples:
 Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for over an
hour.
 Claudia's English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she is going to
have been studying English in the United States for over two years.

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with
time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc.
Instead of Future Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous is used. Examples:
 You won't get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as Tim. Not
Correct
 You won't get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim. Correct

2.5.5. Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Future Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Future Perfect.
Examples:

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  Ned will have been having his driver's license for over two years. Not Correct
 Ned will have had his driver's license for over two years. Correct

2.5.6. ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc. Examples:
 You will only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
 Will you only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?
 You are only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
 Are you only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?

2.5.7. ACTIVE / PASSIVE

 The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is
finished. Active
 The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six months by the
time it is finished. Active

2.6. Demonstrative Adjectives

In English, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns are identical. They also are identical with the
exception of a written accent mark over demonstrative pronouns. And of course, in Spanish, they
must agree in number and gender with the nouns they replace or modify, just like other
adjectives in Spanish. The following table reviews English demonstratives.

English, demonstrative adjectives and Number

pronouns Singular Plural
Nearest to speaker This (here) These (here)
Proximity Close to speaker That (there) Those (there)
Farthest from speaker That (over there) That (over there)

Demonstrative Adjectives: Demonstrative Pronouns:

Example: I want this book. Example: I want this one (book).
Example: I need those scissors. Example: I need those (scissors).

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Demonstrative Adjectives
Adjectives modify nouns. So, what are demonstrative adjectives?
Demonstrative adjectives are used to "point out" objects or people and "demonstrate" the spatial
relationship between the speaker and the object. That is, they identify how close something is to
another noun or pronoun. For example, "This bread is as fresh as that bread."

Demonstrative Pronouns
Pronouns take the place of nouns. So, what are demonstrative pronouns?
Demonstrative pronouns look just like demonstrative adjectives except that they have a written
accent mark on the first é. The accent replaces the noun.

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2.7. Conclusion
In the past continuous tense, the action was ongoing till a certain time in past. This tense is
used to talk about an action at a particular time in the past.
In the present continuous tense, the action is on-going/ still going on and hence continuous.
The present continuous tense is used to talk about actions that are happening at this current
moment.
The present perfect continuous is used to emphasize the duration of a recent past activity. It
can also be used for actions that began in the past and are still going on now.
Future continuous tense it is used to express a continued or an ongoing action in the future.
And future perfect continuous is used to talk about an-going action before some point in the
future.
The words this, that, these, and those can be used as adjectives or as pronouns. When they
modify nouns or pronouns, they are called demonstrative adjectives. When they are used alone,
they are called demonstrative pronouns.

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3. CHAPTER III: METHOD

3.1. Bibliographic references

 M. H. Ma’mor, H. Yamat. (2019). Learning Tense Made Easy through “Son, Mummy and
the -ing Cat” Module. Creative Education, 2019, 10, 2831-2839.

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