TIME TENSES

María Catalina Diaz Critelli

 PRESENT SIMPLE
Everyone needs friends. Real friends are important.
I see my old school friends every few months. We generally have dinner together.
He doesn’t like all his Facebook friends.
Do you talk to all your friends regularly?

Remember that the ¨s¨ is for the third person singular (like→ likes). Sometimes the spelling
changes (watch→ watches, try → tries).

We use do/does to form the present simple negative and questions.

We generally use the present simple to talk about:

A. Things that are always or generally true.
B. Things that happen regularly or repeatedly.

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 Uses Examples
For routine or regular repeated actions
and habits (often with adverbial phrases We go for a run every evening.
of frequency like always, usually, never, She doesn’t do any work at weekends.
every Saturday morning, twice a week). I never get home before eight o’clock.

When we are talking about permanent

situations, and a particular time She comes from South America.
reference is not important. They live in London.

With stative verbs (verbs that do not

imply movement). These usually relate to They don’t have a car.
states, thoughts, emotions and senses, Does she understand?
e.g. be, have, depend, know, think, I’m sorry, but I disagree completely.
understand, disagree, like, want, hear, That perfume smells too strong.
love, see, smell, taste.
With scientific facts, to say something is
Water freezes at 0°C.
always or generally true.

Watch out! When using stative verbs to describe things we sense (sights, sounds,
smells, etc.) we often use the modal verb can:
I can see you - I can’t hear the music - Can you feel the heat?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Please be quiet. I’m watching TV.
We´re learning about the history of music at school.
The Earth’s temperature is increasing.

We form the present continuous with be + Ing form.

Be careful with the spelling of –Ing forms (begin→ beginning, make→ making).

We use the present continuous to talk about:

A. Things that are happening at the time when we speak.
B. Things that are happening around the time when we speak.
C. Things that are changing.

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We can use the present continuous with dynamic verbs
(verbs that describe actions or things that happen) in the
following ways:

Use
For actions happening at this
moment.
For changing/developing situations.
For temporary situations.
With always for habits which we may
find annoying.
Examples
He’s watching TV in his bedroom.
I’m getting better at French.
I’m staying at this hotel for two weeks.
She’s always losing her keys.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

We can also use the present continuous with some stative verbs
such as be, have, take, think, depend, appear, but this usually
changes this meaning:
 She´s overconfident. (stative- it’s a permanent state).
 She’s being overconfident. (dynamic – it’s a temporary feeling).

 I have my own apartment. (stative – I possess it).

 I’m having a great time here. (dynamic – I’m experiencing it).

 I think it’s a good book. (stative – it’s my opinion).

 I´m thinking about changing my job. (dynamic – I’m considering it).

 She depends on her parents for money. (stative – it’s a long-term state).
 I’m depending on you to help me. (dynamic – it’s a temporary situation).
Occasionally, with the verb ¨feel¨, there may be little or no difference in meaning:
 I feel great!
 I’m feeling great!
Exercise: Complete the sentences with the
correct present form of the verb in brackets.

 I usually ___________ (go) to the gyms on Sundays.

 The children ______________ (grow up) very quickly.
 I think she ______________ (be) a bit unfair – he didn’t mean to upset her.
 She _______________ (not get) any better at math’s even though she has a
private tutor.
 Sally ______________ (appear) to be enjoying the course.
 Even when I have a bad headache I ________________ (not take) painkillers.
 Collin ______________ (be) used to walking to school – he’s always done it.
 It seemed very cold at first but now we _______________ (get) used to the
weather.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

Answers:

 I usually go (go) to the gyms on Sundays.

 The children are growing up (grow up) very quickly.
 I think she is being (be) a bit unfair – he didn’t mean to upset her.
 She isn’t getting (not get) any better at math's even though she has a
private tutor.
 Sally appears (appear) to be enjoying the course.
 Even when I have a bad headache I don’t take (not take) painkillers.
 Collin is (be) used to walking to school – he’s always done it.
 It seemed very cold at first but now we are getting (get) used to the
weather.
Be used/Get used to
➢ Be used to + -Ing describes habits and states that we have become
accustomed to.
She’s used to sleeping in a tent because she often goes camping.
She isn’t used to sleeping in a tent as she’s never been camping.
Is she used to sleeping in a tent?

➢ Get used to + -Ing describes habits and states that we are becoming
accustomed to.
He’s getting used to living in London but he still misses the countryside.
Is he getting used to living in London?
For the negative, can’t is usually added.
He can’t get used to living in London.
Habits in the Past
1. Used to + bare infinitive

 Used to + Bare Infinitive refers to past habits and states that do not occur
now or no longer exist.
People used to buy CDs, but now they pay to download the music.
What did people use to do before electricity was invented?
I didn’t use to be good at English but I am now.
Watch Out! The past participle used in the negative and question form is use.

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Habits in the Past
2. Would
 Would is used to talk about past habits and repeated actions but NOT
about pasts states, thoughts, emotions, etc.
When I was little I would/used to play with my brother’s toys. (habit)
NOT We would live in a small village. (state)

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Habits in the Past
3. Past Simple
 If it’s clear from the context that a habit or state is being referred to, the
past simple can be used instead of used to or would.
When I was a child, I walked to school every day.

Exercise: Decide if one or both verbs are possible.

1. When I was six years old, my best friend was/would be Billy Street.
2. Billy and I used to sit/sat next to each other in class.
3. Our families didn’t have/wouldn’t have much money at the time.
4. Every evening Billy and I played/would play in the park.
5. We didn’t use to go/wouldn’t go home until it was dark.
Answers

Exercise: Decide if one or both verbs are possible.

1. When I was six years old, my best friend was be Billy Street.
2. Billy and I used to sit/sat next to each other in class.
3. Our families didn’t have much money at the time.
4. Every evening Billy and I played/would play in the park.
5. We didn’t use to go/wouldn’t go home until it was dark.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

 Complete the text with “used to”, “be used to”
or “get used to” in their appropriate forms.

 I come from Germany, and I ____________ (live) in the north, in Hamburg, but then I
moved to Madrid about five years ago. I had to ______________ (have) lunch quite late,
at about 2.00 p.m., and dinner as late as 9.00 p.m. or 10.00 p.m. I love the weather in
Spain, there are more sunny days and it’s a lot warmer. In Germany, people ____________
(do) everything exactly on time, but here things are much more relaxed. I like that, too.
The only thing I really miss is the bread! I ___________ (be able to) eat from between 20 or
30 different kinds of bread, but here it’s totally different. I can’t _____________ (choose)
only two or three, and white, not whole meal. And sometimes I have problems with noisy
neighbours, especially at night. That never ______________ (be) a problem in Hamburg.
People there ____________ (go) to bed early.
 Answers:
 I come from Germany, and I USED TO LIVE (live) in the north, in Hamburg, but then I
moved to Madrid about five years ago. I had to GET USED TO HAVING (have) lunch
quite late, at about 2.00 p.m., and dinner as late as 9.00 p.m. or 10.00 p.m. I love the
weather in Spain, there are more sunny days and it’s a lot warmer. In Germany,
people ARE USED TO DOING (do) everything exactly on time, but here things are
much more relaxed. I like that, too. The only thing I really miss is the bread! I USED TO
BE ABLE TO (be able to) eat from between 20 or 30 different kinds of bread, but here
it’s totally different. I can’t GET USED TO CHOOSING (choose) only two or three, and
white, not whole meal. And sometimes I have problems with noisy neighbors,
especially at night. That never USED TO BE (be) a problem in Hamburg. People there
ARE USED TO GOING (go) to bed early.
Rewrite the following sentences using USED TO,
WOULD, BE USED TO or GET USED TO
➢ 1. Marc ate a lot of pizza when he was a child.
Marc ______________________ when he was a child.
➢ 2. Women more long skirts in the 19th century.

Women ____________________ in the 19th century.

➢ 3. It is difficult for my friends to get up early but I think they will become
accustomed to it in a few days.
It is difficult for my friends to get up early but they _____________________________ .
➢ 4. Kim is a lawyer so she speaks with criminals every day.
Kim is a lawyer, she _______________________ with criminals every day.
➢ 5. Women didn’t vote in elections a long time ago.
Women __________________in elections a long time ago.
Rewrite the following sentences using USED TO,
WOULD, BE USED TO or GET USED TO

➢ 6. I have worn glasses for 10 years so I don’t mind wearing them.

I have worn glasses for 10 years so I _____________________ them.
➢ 7. I just moved to Ireland, I hope to become accustomed to driving on the
left quickly.
I just moved to Ireland, I ____________________ on the left.
➢ 8. Mary always went swimming after school last year.
Mary ____________________ after school last year.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

Answers: Rewrite the following sentences using
USED TO, WOULD, BE USED TO or GET USED TO
➢ 1. Marc ate a lot of pizza when he was a child.
Marc WOULD/USED TO EAT A LOT OF PIZZA when he was a child.
➢ 2. Women more long skirts in the 19th century.

Women USED TO WEAR LONG SKIRTS in the 19th century.

➢ 3. It is difficult for my friends to get up early but I think they will become
accustomed to it in a few days.
It is difficult for my friends to get up early but they ARE GETTING USED TO IT.
➢ 4. Kim is a lawyer so she speaks with criminals every day.
Kim is a lawyer, she IS USED TO SPEAKING with criminals every day.
➢ 5. Women didn’t vote in elections a long time ago.
Women DID NOT USE TO VOTE in elections a long time ago.
Answers: Rewrite the following sentences using
USED TO, WOULD, BE USED TO or GET USED TO

➢ 6. I have worn glasses for 10 years so I don’t mind wearing them.

I have worn glasses for 10 years so I AM USED TO WEARING them.
➢ 7. I just moved to Ireland, I hope to become accustomed to driving on the
left quickly.
I just moved to Ireland, I AM GETTING USED TO DRIVING on the left.
➢ 8. Mary always went swimming after school last year.
Mary WOULD/USED TO ALWAYS GO SWIMMING after school last year.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

 PRESENT PERFECT
I’ve lived here all my life.
Have you ever been to Brazil?
Is Marco here? No, he’s already left.

We form the present perfect with have + past participle

The past participle for regular verbs is the same as the past simple form (live→ lived, work
→ worked), but some verbs are irregular (e.g. know→ knew → known, eat → ate → eaten).

We use the present perfect simple to talk about:

A. Things up to now, our experience (our lives until now)
B. Things that have already or just happened.

Irregular Verb List:

https://englishgrammarhere.com/verbs/irregular-verbs-list-in-english/
 Use Examples
I've always wanted to be an actor.
To talk about states, or single or repeated I've never entered a surfing competition.
actions, over a period of time up to and Have you ever been to Australia?
including the present (often with ever, often, She's read that book at least ten times.
Present never, always, for, since, this That's the first time I 've been to a concert.
Perfect week/month/year). It's the worst concert I've ever been to.
Simple We haven't had a holiday this year.
To talk about completed single actions, with I've already seen that film, let's go to another one.
some relevance to the present (often with Our friends have just arrived.
just, already, yet). Have you had breakfast yet?
I haven't finished writing yet.
To talk about a recent completed activity
A: Why are you out of breath?
when the effects of that activity are still B: I've been running.
relevant.
To talk about an action that’s been going
I've been replying to emails all morning.
Present on for a long time, or that’s been repeated
Has he been training ever since last year?
Perfect many times. The action may or may not be He hasn't been singing at all for the past years.
Continuous finished.
To suggest that an activity is temporary. I've been living here for five years but I'm going to
move soon.
To suggest that an action is not completed. I've been reading his biography, but I haven't finished
it yet.
Watch out, we don’t use verbs that refer to a state (e.g. be, know, love) in the continuous form.
 We can also use the past simple:
Use
To talk about a finished
event that happened at a
specific time in the past.
Past Simple To talk about a habit in the
past.
To talk about a state in the
past
Example
I saw Paul last night.
I went to Brazil five years
ago.
I didn't phone him
yesterday.
Did your parents read to you
when you were a child?
The house belonged to my
father for many years.
Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli
 Match the phrases in bold in sentences 1-9 to the tenses and uses A-1:
A. Present perfect continuous: to
 1. You can see she’s been swimming – her hair is still
emphasize that an action has been
wet.
going on for a long time
 2. I knew almost everyone at the party. B. Past simple: for a state in the past.
C. Present perfect continuous: to suggest
 3. Carol’s been working here for the last few weeks,
an activity is not complete.
while Chloe’s away having a baby.
D. Present perfect: for an action
 4. I've only worn that shirt three times since I bought it. repeated up to the present time.
 5. I've been having driving lessons for months but I'm E. Past simple: for a finished event that
not getting any better. happened at a specific time in the
past.
 6. All my friends at school played football, not rugby. F. Present perfect continuous: to suggest
 7. I've just seen Carrie, she sent you her best wishes. that an activity is temporary.
G. Present Perfect: for a completed single
 8. Harry's birthday party didn't end until three in the action, with some relevance to the
morning. present.
 9. They've been building that house for ages and it's H. Past simple: for a habit in the past.
still only half-finished. I. Present perfect continuous: for a
recent completed activity when the
effects are still relevant.
 Answers:
 1 – I → You can see she’s been swimming – her hair is still wet. Present perfect continuous:
for a recent completed activity when the effects are still relevant.
 2 – B → I knew almost everyone at the party. Past simple: for a state in the past.
 3 – F → Carol’s been working here for the last few weeks, while Chloe’s away having a
baby. Present perfect continuous: to suggest that an activity is temporary.
 4 – D → I've only worn that shirt three times since I bought it. Present perfect: for an action
repeated up to the present time.
 5 – A → I've been having driving lessons for months but I'm not getting any better. Present
perfect continuous: to emphasize that an action has been going on for a long time
 6 – H → All my friends at school played football, not rugby. Past simple: for a habit in the
past.
 7 – G → I've just seen Carrie, she sent you her best wishes. Present Perfect: for a
completed single action, with some relevance to the present
 8 – E → Harry's birthday party didn't end until three in the morning. Past simple: for a
finished event that happened at a specific time in the past.
 9 – C →They've been building that house for ages and it's still only half-finished. Present
perfect continuous: to suggest an activity is not complete. (¨for ages¨ could also be A)
Exercises
Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli
Answers:
 1)
 1. Are 2. is increasing 3. has changed 4. look 5. has become 6. include 7. know
8. have never meet 9. have lost 10. are now available 11. are connecting
12. means 13. need
 2)
 1. B) Work /I’m working
 2. A) Do/know B) have known
 3. A) Do/live B) had live
 4. A) is having B) has
 5. A) have/emailed B) I’m emailing
 6. A)have/got B) had got
 7.A) I’m looking B) Have/looked
 8. A) see B) Haven’t seen
 9. A) I’m reading / Have you read it? B) Read
 PAST SIMPLE
A narrative is a description of a past event. We generally use three main verb forms
in a narrative.
We use the past simple for main events in a story.

Most past simple verbs are formed by adding –ed to the infinitive (want→ wanted).
However, many common verbs are irregular (make → made).
We wanted to leave early the next morning so we went to bed at 10 p.m.
Something made a loud noise.

Negatives and questions are formed with did and the infinitive without to:

We didn’t recognize the stranger who was standing outside the house.
What did he want with us?

Irregular Verb List:

https://englishgrammarhere.com/verbs/irregular-verbs-list-in-english/
 Use Example
To talk about a finished I saw Paul last night.
event that happened at I went to Brazil five years
a specific time in the ago.
past. I didn't phone him
yesterday.
To talk about a habit in Did your parents read to
the past. you when you were a
child?
Past Simple
To talk about a state in The house belonged to
the past. my father for many
years.
To describe a sequence I took out my key,
of finished events in opened the door and
chronological order. walked in.
In reported speech. She said she didn’t want
to join us.
 PAST CONTINUOUS
We use the past continuous for background events. We also use it for longer actions
interrupted by a shorter event.
She was sitting in the corner of the room.
They were having dinner when the phone rang.

We form the past continuous with was/were and the –Ing form.
I was feeling nervous.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

 Use Examples
To describe an action in
progress in the past, I was sitting in the
often to set the scene for garden reading a book.
a particular event.
To talk about temporary Rodolfo was living in
situations in the past. South America at the
time.
To talk about an event
I was going out of the
Past Continuous that was in progress in
house when I heard a
the past and was
noise.
interrupted.
To talk about multiple
While I was painting, he
actions in progress at the
was watching TV.
same time in the past.
To talk about We were going to Rome
anticipated events that for a holiday, but then I
did not happen. broke my leg.
PAST PERFECT
We use the past perfect for events that happened before ne of the main
events or that happened before one of the main events or that happened
before the time of the story.
I’d stayed in the same hotel twice before.

We form the past perfect with had and the past participle.
I’d taken the train to London an hour before.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

 Use Example
To refer to a time earlier
than another point in the When the police arrived,
past, when this is the criminal had
Past Perfect needed to make the disappeared.
order of events clear.
They said they had never
In reported speech.
met before.

WATCH OUT! Be careful not to overuse the past perfect. Once we have
established the time sequence, we can revert to past simple.
When I got home I realised that I had lost my phone. I’d definitely had it when
I left work, because I used it to check when the next train was due, and I
called my wife to tell her when I’d be home.
→ The past perfect is not necessary with before/after, which make the
sequence of events clear on their own, although it is not incorrect.
Peter arrived after I (had) finished writing the letter.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

Exercise

 1.
A. I had learnt/learnt to ski before I went to Switzerland.
B. When he had spent/spent some years working in Southeast Asia had
decided to return to England.
C. I started to work as a journalist after I had married/married Steve.
D. The animals had all disappeared/all disappeared by the time we got to the
water hole.
E. I had first met/first met Frances when I was working in a bank in London, but
then we lost touch.

Maria Catalina Diaz Critelli

Exercise
 Answers:
 1.
A. I had learnt/learnt to ski before I went to Switzerland.
B. When he had spent some years working in Southeast Asia had decided to return to
England.
C. I started to work as a journalist after I had married/married Steve.
D. The animals had all disappeared by the time we got to the water hole.
E. I first met Frances when I was working in a bank in London, but then we lost touch.
 2.
1. ‘d walked - realized – ‘d left
2. Went – ‘d finished
3. Was shining – were sitting
4. Was – Went
5. Didn’t recognize – ‘d met
6. Locked – ‘d checked – had gone
7. Met – were – were both studying
 PRESENT PERFECT
 Usually use with verbs of state:
 be know
 have believe
 own want
 like
 Use (have/has + past participle) for completed actions that happened at some point
before now.
 We do not focus on or know when the action happened.
 The action usually has some influence or importance now.
 Use with unfinished time periods.
 Useful expressions:
 recently never/ever for (10 mins, 3 weeks, etc)
 already yet since (2013, 10 o’clock, etc)
 just so far over the past (2 days, 6 months, etc)
PAST SIMPLE
 Use with finished time periods.

 Useful expressions:

 yesterday
 recently
 last (night, weekend, year, etc)
 in (January, 2012, the summer, etc)
 on (Wednesday, my birthday, etc)
 (a few days, 3 years) ago
 when (I was at university, etc)
PRESENT PERFECT and PAST SIMPLE

 Some time expressions can refer to both finished or unfinished actions

depending on the context.

 Have you seen Luciana this morning? (present perfect) it’s still this morning.
 Did you see Luciana this morning? (past simple) the morning is finished.

 I have bought a few new video games recently (present perfect) focus on
time until now.
 I bought a new phone recently. (past simple) focus on the time of doing
the action.
Exercise:
Past Simple- Present Perfect: Complete with a suitable tense
of the verb in brackets.
 1. We ______ (live) here for three years.
 2. Last year, we ________ (decide) to go on holidays to the Bahamas.
 3. Who _______ (you see) at the party last night? I heard that it ended in
scandal.
 4. Italy _______ (become) a republic in 1947.
 5. I _______ (work) at the university for 19 years.
 6. Paul McCartney ________ (write) Yesterday in 1969.
 7. Taylor Swift’s Folklore _________ (break) the record for first-day album
streams on the streaming platform Spotify in January 2021.
 8. I ________ (never travel) abroad. It is a dream I will accomplish in the
future.
 9. After six years of hard work. I can finally say I ___________ (graduated).
Answers:
Past Simple- Present Perfect: Complete with a suitable tense
of the verb in brackets.
 1. We have lived here for three years.
 2. Last year, we decided to go on holidays to the Bahamas.
 3. Who did you see at the party last night? I heard that it ended in scandal.
 4. Italy became a republic in 1947.
 5. I have worked at the university for 19 years.
 6. Paul McCartney wrote Yesterday in 1969.
 7. Taylor Swift’s Folklore broke the record for first-day album streams on the
streaming platform Spotify in January 2021.
 8. I have never travelled abroad. It is a dream I will accomplish in the
future.
 9. After six years of hard work. I can finally say I have graduated.