This document provides an overview of English verb tenses including: - The basic structure of affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences. - Examples and usage of the present simple, present continuous, past simple, past continuous, present perfect, present perfect continuous, past perfect, and past perfect continuous tenses. - Common time expressions used with each tense. - Notes on stative and dynamic verbs and their usage in continuous and non-continuous forms.

1. REVIEW OF VERBAL TENSES
BACHILLERATO
ADL

2. BASIC NOTIONS TO REMEMBER:
•3 types of sentences follow the same structure.
•(+) Subject + (Aux. Vb) + MV + Complements
Subject + Aux. Vb + MV + Complements
(dO, iO, Adjuncts)
•(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + MV + Complements
•(?) YES / NO __ Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?
WH ___ WH + Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?

3. PRESENT SIMPLE
• Regular habits and routines. Frequency (How often?)
We usually visit our grandparents at the weekend.
• Permanent situations.
David lives in Manchester. / He doesn’t live in Wales.
• General truths or scientific facts.
Water boils at 100˚C.
• States, not actions, e.g. like, believe, know >>> STATIVE VERBS
She doesn’t like chorizo.
• Future in timetables.
The train leaves at 16.00.
• Future in time clauses.
When you finish, I will start making dinner.

4. TIME EXPRESSIONS
Once / twice / X times a week/month/year
every week…
in the morning… at night
at three o’clock
on Mondays
how often?
ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY
Before MV except To BE
Always Usually
Occasionally Frequently
(not) often Sometimes
Rarely Seldom
hardly ever Never
(+) Subject + MV* ( -s / -es) + Complements
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + MV + Complements
(do / does) (bare infinitive)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?
(do / does) (bare infinitive)

5. STATIVE VERBS ( NOT USED IN CONTINUOUS TENSES )
Feelings: Thoughts,
opinions:
Senses: Possession: Measure,
cost,
Others:
LIKE*
DISLIKE
LOVE
HATE
PREFER
WANT
NEED
MIND
CARE
KNOW
THINK
UNDERSTAND
BELIEVE
GUESS
MEAN
SUPPOSE
DOUBT
REALIZE
REMEMBER
FORGET
AGREE
FEEL
HEAR
SEE
SMELL
SOUND
TASTE
TOUCH
LOOK
BELONG
OWN
HAVE*
COST
MEASURE
WEIGH
OWE
SEEM
BE
APPEAR
CONSIST

6. COMMON VERBS THAT CAN SHOW
“STATE” OR “ACTION”:
Some transitive verbs can sometimes be “Dynamic/ action” verbs
& appear in continuous tenses
AND GO IN A CONTINUOUS TENSE:THINK = have an opinion  not in Continuous: I think that smoking is bad.
= consider, have in mind  Can be continuous: I am thinking about you.
HAVE = own, possess  not in Continuous: She has a new baby brother.
+ expressions  Can be continuous: She’s having a shower.
SMELL,
WEIGH,
LOOK,
TASTE, ...
WHEN INTRANSITIVE  not in Continuous: The coffee smells great .
You look tired.
This pizza tastes good!
WHEN TRANSITIVE  Can be continuous: I’m smelling coffee.
He’s looking at a picture.
The chef is tasting the lunch.
SEE with your eyes/ understand:  not in Continuous: I see what you mean.
= meet someone:  Can be continuous: I’m seeing Peter tonight.

7. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
• An action which is happening now
Mum is talking on the phone right now.
• A temporary action
Mary and I are learning Italian this year.
• Changing situations
Santa Marta is getting bigger.
• Annoying habits (complaints)
You are always losing your keys.
• A definite or arranged plan for the near future
I’m meeting Martin tomorrow.

8. TIME EXPRESSIONS
USE 1 (PRESENT TIME)
• "Now, right now, at present,
presently, for the time being,
currently, at the moment, at the
present, nowadays, this year " are
common time expressions used with
this tense.
TIME EXPRESSIONS
USE 2 (FUTURE TIME)
• "Tomorrow, tonight, next week, next
year" are common time expressions
used with future meaning
(+) Subject + Aux. Vb. + MV –ing + Complements
(To BE present simple)
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + MV + Complements
(To BE present simple) (-ing)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?
(To BE present simple) (-ing)

9. PAST SIMPLE
• A completed action in the past. It normally refers to an action that happened
at a definite (concrete) time in the past.
I finished lunch late yesterday. // Last year we bought a dog.
• Actions taking place once, never or several times in the past.
He visited his parents every weekend.
• Consecutive actions (happened immediately one after the other in the past).
He came in, took off his coat and sat down.
• An action in the past which occurred in the middle of another action (normally
the past simple is introduced by WHEN & past continuous by WHILE).
When / While I was having breakfast, the phone (suddenly) rang.

10. • Distinguish between regular (-ED ending) & irregular verbs.
• TIME EXPRESSIONS:
• Yesterday, last year, when, then, in 2004, ten days ago, the other day
(+) Subject + MV (-ed / irr. Vb) + Complements
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + MV + Complements
(DID) (bare infinitive)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?
(DID) (bare infinitive)

11. PAST CONTINUOUS
• An incomplete action in progress at a specific time the past.
At 10 o’clock last night, I was writing an e-mail to my friend Rose.
• An incomplete action interrupted by another action.
He was watching that famous TV show when I called.
• Two incomplete actions in progress at the same time in the past.
Last year, I was teaching English while I was studying at university.

12. (+) Subject + Aux. Vb. + MV –ing + Complements
(To BE past simple)
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + MV + Complements
(To BE past simple) (-ing)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?
(To BE past simple) (-ing)
•
•
• TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Last night/week/year, at nine o’clock, when, and, while, as, as long as…

13. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
• An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present.
I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
• An action performed during a period that has not yet finished.
She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
• A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now.
We have visited Portugal several times.
• An action that was completed in the very recent past, expressed by 'just'.
I have just finished my work.
• An action when the time is not important.
He has read 'War and Peace'. (= the result of his reading is important)

14. (+) Subject + Aux. Vb. + MV (past participle)+ Complements
(HAVE / HAS)
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + MV + Complements
(HAVE / HAS) (past participle)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?
(HAVE / HAS) (past participle)

15. • YET is used in negative statements and questions, to mean (not) in the period of time between
before now and now, (not) up to and including the present. Yet is usually placed at the end of the
sentence.
Have you met Judy yet? // I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet.
•EVER & NEVER These adverbs express the idea of an unidentified time before now(Have
you ever visited Berlin?). 'Ever' and 'never' are always placed before the main verb (past
participle). Ever is used:
IN QUESTIONS: Have you ever been to England?
IN NEGATIVE QUESTIONS: Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
IN NEGATIVE STATEMENTS USING THE PATTERN NOTHING+EVER OR NOBODY+EVER
Nobody has ever said that to me before. // Nothing like this has ever happened to us.
WITH 'THE FIRST TIME’: It's the first time that I've ever eaten snails.

16. •NEVER Never means at no time before now, and is the same as not ..... ever: (I
have never visited Berlin)
*** BE CAREFUL! You must not use never and not together
I haven't never been to Italy. // I have never been to Italy.
•ALREADY refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It
suggests that there is no need for repetition.
I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (= and you're offering me another one!)
It is also used in questions: Have you already written to John?
Already can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence:
I have already been to Tokyo. // I have been to Tokyo already.

17. FOR & SINCE
We use for and since with the present perfect to talk about how long the action or situation
existed from the past to the present.
We use for to talk about a length of time;
We use since to talk about when a period of time began.
FOR + PERIOD OF TIME
four years six months
five weeks four days
three hours twenty minutes
a minute a long time
SINCE + SPECIFIC MOMENT
• 1990 last year
• (last) June (last) Friday
• yesterday this morning
• nine o’clock this morning
• I moved to Tokyo* (any sentence)

18. • Ever – In the entire time from the minute the speaker was born until the present moment . Middle position: The
adverb goes between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.
This is the most delicious cake I’ve ever eaten.// Have you ever seen a lion?
• Never – This means it has not happened, not even once. Middle position.
She’s never eaten Polish food. // I’ve never seen a lion.
• Just – This means it happened recently, not a long time ago (a short time ago). Middle position.
Is Peter here? No, he’s just gone out.
• Already – This emphasises that something has happened before now, and that it happened / finished sooner than
expected. Middle position.
She’s already made an appointment to see the professor.
Have a sandwich? No thanks, I’ve already eaten. I had lunch at 12.00.
• Yet (not finished – with negatives and questions). End or final position.
I haven’t finished yet. Have you finished your homework yet? No, I’m still doing it.
• Still (not finished – negative sentences. Normally middle position*.
• I still haven’t finished my homework. // I have still not finished my homework.

19. OTHER TIME EXPRESSIONS
There are some time expressions that are commonly used with the present perfect:
recently
since Christmas/New Year
since breakfast/lunch-time
for a long time/ages
so far
in the last few days/months/years

20. PAST PERFECT SIMPLE
• A completed action which took place before another action in the past.
The rain had stopped before I left.
By the time she arrived, he had already gone home.
• A complete past action that had visible results in the past.
We felt relieved after they had arrived safely.

21. (+) Subject + Aux. Vb. + MV (past participle)+ Complements
(HAD)
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + MV + Complements
(HAD) (past participle)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + MV + Complements ?
(HAD) (past participle)
• TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Already, by the time, after, before, until, never, just, not yet, once, until that day

22. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
• Actions started in the past and continuing up to the present.
He’s been writing a letter for two hours. (He started 2 hours ago & is still writing)
• Past actions of certain duration having visible results or effects in the present.
She’s been crying. (Her eyes are red now)
• Actions expressing anger, irritation, annoyance, explanation or criticism.
Who has been using my toothbrush?
• Emphasis on duration (usually with FOR, SINCE or HOW LONG).
She’s been calling on clients since this morning.

23. (+) Subject + Aux. Vb. + BEEN + MV (-ING)+ Complements
(HAS)
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + BEEN + MV + Complements
(HAS) (-ING)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + BEEN + MV + Complements ?
(HAS) (-ING)

24. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
• Action continuing over a period up to a specific time in the past.
She had been working as a clerk for 10 years before she resigned.
• Past action of certain duration which had visible results in the past.
They were wet because they had been walking in the rain.
• The Past Perfect Continuous is the past equivalent of the Present Perfect
Continuous.
(She is going to the doctor. Her leg has been aching for two days)
She went to the doctor. Her leg had been aching for two days.

25. (+) Subject + Aux. Vb. + BEEN + MV (-ING)+ Complements
(HAD)
(-) Subject + Aux. Vb. + NOT + BEEN + MV + Complements
(HAD) (-ING)
(?) [WH] + Aux. Vb. + Subject + BEEN + MV + Complements ?
(HAD) (-ING)