This document provides a summary of English verb tenses including: - The present simple tense is used to describe facts, habits, and routines. Examples include "Andy lives in Manchester" and "David watches television every day." - The present continuous tense describes actions happening now or planned future arrangements with a time expression like "tomorrow." Examples are "He's watching television at the moment" and "Liz is having lunch with her mum tomorrow." - The past simple tense is used for completed past actions with time expressions like "yesterday" or "in 1993." Examples include "She didn't go to the cinema last Saturday" and "They bought a new house in 2001."

1. TensesforEnglishinUseESO-3 Tense Use Useful words Examples
Present
simple
 facts and permanent states  Snow melts at 0ªC.
 Water freezes at 32º Fahrenheit.
 The weather in Britain is cold and rainy.
 habits and routines (units 0 &1)
 stative verbs are not used in the
pres. continuous (see, hear, like,
think, want, hope, feel, believe,
know, understand…)
how often…?
always / sometimes / often
/ never / usually / seldom…
/ on Sundays
every day / once a week /
twice a month…
 Andy lives in Manchester.
 David watches television every day.
 We often have lunch together.
 How often does your mother drive to Madrid?
 She doesn’t play tennis on Monday.
 We don’t usually come by bus.
 1st type conditional (unit 5) if  If I save money, I’ll buy a new mobile phone.
 We’ll go dancing if Sue comes with us.
Present
continuous
 actions happening now (units 0 & 1) now / at the moment  He’s watching television at the moment.
 future arrangements-definite plans in
the defined future (unit 5)
a future time expression  Liz is having lunch with her mum tomorrow.
 Mark and Tony are playing football on Sunday.
Past simple  for completed actions in the past
(unit 2)
when
yesterday / last week in
1993
 She didn’t go to the cinema last Saturday.
 I was having a shower when the bell rang.
 They bought a new detached house in 2001.
Past
continuous
 for actions in progress in the past
(unit 2)
 stative verbs are not used in
continuous tenses
while / as
at 9 o’clock (any time in the
past)
 I was having a shower when the bell rang.
 It started to rain while I was walking in the park.
 What were you doing at 9 o’clock?
 I was having breakfast.
Present
perfect
 for actions completed in the past that
are still relevant in the present (unit
3)
already / yet /just
ever
this week / today…
 It’s twelve o’clock and she’s already eaten her lunch.
 We haven’t finished our reports yet.
 I’ve passed all my exams. I’m on holiday now.
 Have you seen Brokeback Mountain yet?
 for actions started in the past that
continue up to the present (unit 3)
for / since
how long…?
 How long have you had your car?
 I’ve worked in London for two years.
 They have spent 100€ since last Saturday.
Past perfect  Actions done before a past time
(units 3 & 4)
past time expression  I had finished the exercises when you arrived.
 They would have phoned, if their phone hadn’t broken.
Will future  for instant decisions that we make at
the time of speaking (unit 5)
I think I’ll / I don’t think I’ll…  I need a holiday; I’ll phone the travel agent’s.
 I think I’ll tell my parents about it.
 1st
type conditional (unit 5) if  If I save money, I’ll buy a new mobile phone.
Going to
future
 For future plans and intentions when
we have already decided what to do
(unit 5)
a future time expression  We’re going to have a picnic in the park tomorrow.
 She’s going to play tennis next Monday.
 I’m not going to go shopping with her.