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Tenses Summary
Tenses Summary
TENSES
future
present tenses
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
FORM
The present simple is formed with the infinitive of the main verb. The
negative and interrogative are formed with the present tense of the verb
to do + infinitive.
Examples
I start ( he starts) work at 8.30 a.m.
When do I start work?
I don’t start work until 9.00 a..m. / He doesn’t start work until 9.00 a..m.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
Example
I play blues harp and dobro guitar
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
( often – usually – sometimes -seldom – rarely – always – occasionally –
never – twice a week - on Tuesdays – most of the time ....)
Example
He often arrives late
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
verbs of thinking think – feel – realize – understand – know – mean – suppose – believe –
expect – remember – forget
Example
Do you see what I mean?
She likes my brother very much.
I suppose he realizes that now.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
4. for something that is permanently true
Example
Water boils at 100° C.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be + present
participle of the main verb.
Examples
I’m watching television.
What are you doing?
He isn’t coming.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
Example
She’s reading the newspaper.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
Example
The company is reorganizing its services.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
Example
They’re signing the contract tomorrow.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to have + past
participle of the main verb.
Examples
I’ve finished.
Where have you been?
I haven’t talked to him.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at last,
lately’
Example
He has just immersed the temperature probe into the molten steel.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at last,
lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’
Example
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at last,
lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’
3. The indefinite past: we are interested in what happened, not in
when it happened.
Example
I have seen the report. (I know what it is about.)
He has sold the company.
They have had lunch.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at last,
lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’
3. The indefinite past: we are interested in what happened, not in
when it happened.
4. Actions starting in the past and continuing to the present, with
‘for’ or ‘since”.
Example
The operation has been suspended for two months.
The firm has had a Belgian branch since October last year.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the present perfect of the verb to be + present
participle of the main verb.
Examples
I ‘ve been writing code for our new data-mining program.
Has she been trying to contact me?
She hasn’t been writing at all.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
USE
We use this tense for actions started in the past, continuing to the present
and probably continuing into the future. We often use it with “for” or
“since”.
Examples
I’ ve been trying to persuade him for ten years now.
We ‘ve been practicing this routine since last Wednesday.
present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous
1984 2004
1984 2004
past simple
present
past continuous
past perfect
past perfect continuous
past
past tenses
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed by adding -ed to the infinitive. The negative and
interrogative are formed with the past tense of the verb to do + infinitive
of the main verb
Examples
They arrived at head quarters an hour ago.
When did he finalize this deal?
I didn’t finish until 12 o’clock.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
Example
We signed the contract last Friday at 2 o’clock.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
2. For actions which are already completed in the past: the time is
understood but not stated.
Example
Did you arrive in time?
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
2. For actions which are already completed in the past: the time is
understood but not stated.
3. The ‘unreal past tense’ is used after the verb ‘to wish’ and after
words and phrases such as ‘if only; it’s time; suppose’ etc. The
simple past tense implies that the speaker knows that the wish or
the idea is impossible. Note that the wish refers to the present
time.
Examples
If I only knew his name.
I wish I were at home now.
If I were in his shoes, I would fix his wagon without much scruples.
It’s time I went home.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to be + present
participle of the main verb.
Examples
I was watching TV at 8 o’clock yesterday.
Where were you looking for my glasses this time?
I wasn’t eavesdropping at all!
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
Examples
She was playing tennis with a friend.
He was discussing production planning for the coming week.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the past.
Examples
At 6 p.m. I was still sleeping.
At a quarter past nine I was having breakfast.
Prices were going up all the time.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the past.
3. To describe an interrupted past action.
Examples
When he arrived, I was studying the quarterly reports.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the past.
3. To describe an interrupted past action.
4. To express repeated past actions which caused irritation,
annoyance. ( with always, forever)
Examples
He was always trying to influence the personnel director.
She was forever paring her nails during meetings.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
yesterday
yesterday
While (1) emphasizes the continuity of the action, (2) only indicates that
the action took place yesterday.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
8.30 p.m.
8.30 p.m.
Whereas 3. indicates that the action started before and continued after a certain point in time, 4.
indicates that the action happened (started) at 8.30
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to have + past
participle of the main verb.
Examples
I had never seen so many measuring tools.
What assistance had he given?
He hadn’t expected this outcome.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening before
another past action.
Example
The customer had left the shop by the time I found his order form.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening before
another past action.
2. We use it when necessary to indicate the sequence of two actions.
Example
He had already cleared the screen when I got behind his desk.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening before
another past action.
2. We use it when necessary to indicate the sequence of two actions.
3. We often us it when the second action is understood, but not
stated.
Example
I hadn’t realized! (until you told me.)
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
had watched
past TV now future
dinner
FORM
This tense is formed with the past perfect tense of the verb to be +
present participle of the main verb.
Examples
She had been working as a secretary for two years when she was
promoted.
What had she been writing all day?
He hadn’t been listening to that tape for that long.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe a continuous past action happening
before another past action. We often use it
with for + time period.
Example
We had been waiting for thirty minutes when they arrived.
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe a continuous past action happening
before another past action. We often use it
with for + time period.
2. We use this tense to emphasize the continuity or duration of the
past action.
Example
I had been waiting for my exam results for six weeks. (before I got
them.)
past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
10 minutes
past now future
past now
2. I waited for 10 minutes before she arrived.
Whereas in (1) the past perfect continuous indicates both the sequence of the
actions and the continuity of the first action; in (2) the sequence of the actions is
indicated by before. (1.) emphasizes the duration.
future
future tenses
future simple
future continuous
present
future perfect
future perfect continuous
going to
present continuous
present simple
past
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
We use this tense to express a pure future. Actions expressed in the
simple future are bound to happen because of the course of time. This
means that the speaker has no power over the events, that he cannot
control what will happen. For this reason this tense is also called the
uncertain future..
Examples
He will be sixteen years old next Friday.
The baby will be born next month
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think – know
– believe – suppose – expect – hope to express beliefs, convictions,
hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions about the future.
Examples
I think Brazil will win.
I don’t suppose she will be promoted now
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think – know
– believe – suppose – expect – hope to express beliefs, convictions,
hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions about the future.
2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably – possibly
–perhaps to express uncertainty about the future.
Examples
He will probably ask the general manager.
This matter will probably not be raised before the commission’s first
meeting
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think – know
– believe – suppose – expect – hope to express beliefs, convictions,
hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions about the future.
2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably – possibly
–perhaps to express uncertainty about the future.
3. The simple present is used in conditional clauses and time clauses.
The simple future is used in the main clause (not in the if-clause).
Examples
He ‘ll help you if you ask him.
I ‘ll tell him the news as soon as I see him.
He ‘ll be arrested the moment he sets foot on Schengen soil.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be + going to
+ infinitive of the main verb.
Examples
I’ m going to watch this football match on TV tonight.
What are you going to do about this ?
She isn’t going to give this party next week
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for
future actions.
Examples
I ‘m going to pass my exams next month.
I ‘m going to spend two weeks in Spain this summer.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for
future actions.
2. We also use going to in order to express subjective certainty on
the part of the speaker.
Examples
This boat is going to sink.
It’s going to rain, by the look
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. We use this tense to indicate definite future arrangements, actions
planned in the near future. We nearly always use a future time
expression with it.
Examples
He ‘s starting his new job next Monday.
I’ m taking the 11 o’clock train to Berlin
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. We use this tense to indicate definite future arrangements, actions
planned in the near future. We nearly always use a future time
expression with it.
Note: do not confuse intention ( to be + going to + verb) and
arrangement (to be + present participle).
Examples
I’m going to stay in London. = intention
I’m going to London next weekend = arrangement
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the infinitive of the main verb. The negative
and interrogative are formed with the present tense of to do + infinitive
Examples
The plane takes off at 7.30 local time.
The match begins at 14.00 hours.
You leave from Kennedy airport at noon, and arrive in Paris at 15.00
hours GMT.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
We use this tense to talk about planned future actions. We usually use it
to describe travel plans, time tables, departures, arrivals.
Examples
The bus leaves at 15.30.
The reception starts at 19.00 hours.
The ferry leaves Dover at 12.30 tomorrow and we arrive at Calais at
13.15.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the future simple of to be + present participle
of the main verb.
Examples
We’ ll be flying to Rome this time next week.
What will you be doing this time next week?
They won’t be sitting in the classroom at 6 o’clock tomorrow.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
We use this tense for actions that will be in progress at a certain time
in the future.
Examples
At 11.45 next Friday, I ‘ ll be doing my chemistry exam.
I’ ll be hiking through the States this time next year.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
Examples
The band will be travelling through Scandinavia at the end of the month.
They will be giving three performances there.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite questions
about future activities. By using the future continuous tense, the
speaker asking the questions shows that he does not want to
influence the other person’s decision in any way at all.
Examples
Where will you be having dinner, Sir? (secretary to boss)
What will you be having, Madam? (waiter to customer)
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite questions
about future activities. By using the future continuous tense, the
speaker asking the questions shows that he does not want to
influence the other person’s decision in any way at all.
3. The future continuous is also used to make deductions about what is
happening at the moment of speaking.
Examples
He will be working in his garden now. Otherwise, he would have heard
the phone.
She hasn’t begun making up the beds. She will still be doing the washing
up.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
FORM
This tense is formed with will + have + past participle of the main verb.
Examples
They ‘ll have finalized their business by noon.
Will they have copied all that material by Friday morning?
They won’t have organized this course by the end of this year.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
We use this tense to describe actions which we know will (or will not)
be completed by a certain time in the future.
Examples
I ‘ll have finished this book by the end of the week.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
FORM
This tense is formed with the future perfect tense of to be + present
participle of rthe main verb.
Examples
By the end of this year, we ‘ll have been experimenting with this
polymer for more than three months.
How long will you have been living in that shack by the end of this
year?
I won’t have been living here for more than five years by the end of this
year.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
USE
We use this tense to describe continuous and repeated actions which
begin before a certain time in the future and will probably continue
after that time.
Examples
By the end of this academic year, I’ll have been teaching for 30 years.
future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous
going to ... present continuous present simple
past future
now
end of this academic year
Example
By the end of this academic year, I’ll have been teaching for 30 years.