Tenses in 10 Words

future

We use tenses of verbs to refer to actions or
situations in the present, in the past and in the
future
present
past

future

There are different sorts of tenses:
simple tenses
continuous tenses
present

perfect tenses
perfect continuous tenses
past

future
present

present tenses

present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past

present perfect continuous

present present present present perfect
simple continuous perfect continuous
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.

USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions

Example
I play blues harp and dobro guitar

USE
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

USE
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
verbs of the senses see- hear- smell – notice – recognize

verbs of emotions want – desire – refuse – forgive – wish – care – love – hate – like –
dislike
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.

USE
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
4. for something that is permanently true

Example
Water boils at 100° C.

on the time diagram

past now future

I get up at 7.30 a.m. every day.


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.


USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.

Example
She’s reading the newspaper.


USE
2. For a temporary state.

Example
The company is reorganizing its services.


USE
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.

Example
They’re signing the contract tomorrow.


USE
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
Some verbs are not usually used in a continuous form
verbs of senses see – hear – smell – notice - recognize
verbs of emotion want – desire – refuse – forgive – wish – care – love – hate
– like - dislike
verbs of thinking think – feel – realize – understand – know – mean –
suppose – believe – expect – remember - forget
verbs of possessing own – owe – belong - possess
some other verbs seem – appear (seem) – contain – consist – keep
(continue) - matter


on the time diagram

past now future

I’m adjusting the rotating speed


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.


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.


USE
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so
far’
Example

This is the highest carbon ratio I’ve ever seen.


USE
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.


USE
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.


on the time diagram

relationship with the
present moment

past now future

I ‘ve just arrived.


on the time diagram

past ? ? ? now future

Have you been to France?


on the time diagram

past now future

They have revised their report.


on the time diagram

past now future

We have conducted experiments on this phenomenon
for almost two years.


FORM
This tense is formed with the present perfect of the verb to be +

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.


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.


on the time diagram

past now future

1984 2004

I ‘ve been driving driving lorries for twenty years.....
In this sentence, the duration is emphasized, either
positively or negatively.

So I know what I’m talking about!
So it’s high time I quit.


on the time diagram

past now future

1984 2004

I ‘ve driven a Volkswagen for twenty years.....
In this sentence, the duration is indicated, but the
car brand is emphasized.

Clearly I have confidence in this car.

future

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.

continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.

Example
We signed the contract last Friday at 2 o’clock.

continuous
USE
2. For actions which are already completed in the past:
the time is understood but not stated.

Example
Did you arrive in time?

continuous
USE
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.

continuous
on the time diagram

past now future
15.30

I arrived at 15.30 sharp.

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!

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.

continuous
USE
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.

continuous
USE
the past.
past
3. To describe an interrupted past action.

Examples
When he arrived, I was studying the quarterly reports.

continuous
USE
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.

continuous
on the time diagram

past now future

I was working all day yesterday.

continuous
on the time diagram

past now future
I was working all day yesterday.

yesterday

past now future

I worked all day yesterday.

continuous
on the time diagram

past now future
1. I was working all day yesterday.

yesterday

past now future
2. I worked all day yesterday.

While (1) emphasizes the continuity of the action, (2) only indicates
that the action took place yesterday.

continuous
on the time diagram

past now future

8.30 p.m.

I was watching TV at 8.30 last night.

continuous
on the time diagram
8.30 p.m.

past now future

3. I was watching TV at 8.30 last night.

8.30 p.m.

past now future

4. I watched TV at 8.30 last night.

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

continuous
on the time diagram

I was browsing through your report ...

past now future

when he knocked at my office door.

continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to have + past

Examples
I had never seen so many measuring tools.
What assistance had he given?
He hadn’t expected this outcome.

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.

continuous
USE
1. W e use this tense to describe one past action happening
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.

continuous
USE
1. W e use this tense to describe one past action happening
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.)

continuous
on the time diagram

past had watched
future
dinner TV now

1. When I had had dinner, I watched TV.

had watched
past TV now future
dinner

2. I had dinner before I watched TV.

In (1) the sequence of actions is expressed by the past perfect
tense; whereas in (2) the sequence of actions is indicated by
the use of before

continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the past perfect tense of the verb to be +

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.

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.

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.)

continuous
on the time diagram

10 minutes
past now future

1. I had been waiting for 10 minutes when she arrived.

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
past

present simple

future simple future future perfect future perfect
going to ... continuous
present present simple continuous
continuous
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

continuous
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

continuous
USE
the future.
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

continuous
USE
the future.
2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably –
possibly –perhaps to express uncertainty about the future.
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.

continuous
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

continuous
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.

continuous
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

continuous
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

continuous
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

continuous
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.

continuous
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.

continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the future simple of to be + present

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.

continuous
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.

continuous
on the time diagram

past now future

This time next week I’ll be taking my driving test.

continuous
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.

continuous
USE
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)

continuous
USE
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
Examples happening at the moment of speaking.
what is
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.

continuous
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.

continuous
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.

continuous
on the time diagram

past now future

Examples end of next week

By the end of next week, I’ll have finished my exams.

continuous
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.

continuous
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.

continuous
on the time diagram

past future
now
end of this academic year

Example
By the end of this academic year, I’ll have been teaching for 30
years.

Tenses in 10 Words

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