The document provides a review of various tenses in English including the present simple, present continuous, past simple, past continuous, present perfect simple, and present perfect continuous. It defines each tense and provides examples of their common uses such as for habits, ongoing actions, completed past actions, experiences, and durations of time. The review is intended for students taking an English course and focuses on proper usage of verb forms and structures across different tenses.

1. Western University
School of Arts, Humanities, and
Languages
Core English III, I
Tense Review
1

2. Present Simple
• Positive I/We/You/They + V + obj.
He/She/It + V-s + obj.
V-es
V-ies
E.g. 1. I work in a bank.
2. Sokkheng stays in a flat in Phnom Penh.
3. Dara goes to school everyday.
4. Paint dries quicker in summer.
• Negative I/We/You/They + don’t + inf.V (no to)…
E.g. I don’t go to school today.
He/She/It + doesn’t + inf.V (no to)…
E.g. He doesn’t do homework.
2

3. Present Simple (Cont)
• Question 1. Do/Does + sub + inf. V (without to)…?
Yes, sub+do/does.
No, sub + don’t/doesn’t.
E.g. 1. A: Do you know him?
B: No, I don’t.
2. A: Does Vandy come to school today?
B: Yes, he does.
2. Wh-question + do/does + sub + inf.V (no to)...?
E.g. Where do they stay?
Who does Sophal love?
3

4. The Use of Present Simple
• Present habit/repeated actions and events
E.g. She usually gets up at 6 am.
• Permanent states/situations and fact
E.g. 1. I work in a bank in Phnom Penh.
2. Thida has 3 sisters and 2 brothers.
• Things which always happen
E.g. 1. Water boils at 100°C.
2. The sun rises in the east.
• A fact about future events (timetable/calendar)
E.g. 1. The president arrives at midday tomorrow.
2. Flight 765 leaves at 5pm.
3. Tomorrow is Sunday. 4

5. ‘To be’ in Present Simple
• Positive I am
He/ She/It is +N + obj.
We/ You/They are + Adj
E.g. 1. We are students.
2. Bopha is beautiful.
• Negative I am not/’m not
He/She/It is not/ isn’t + N + obj.
We/You/They are not/aren’t +Adj
E.g. 1. I’m not a doctor.
2. He isn’t handsome. 5

6. ‘To be’ in Present Simple (Cont)
• Question 1. Am/Is/Are + sub + Adj/N?
Yes, sub + am/is/are.
No, sub + am not/is not/are not.
E.g. Are you at home?
Yes, I am.
No, I’m not.
2. Wh-question + am/is/are + sub + N/Adj?
E.g. A: Who is she?
B: Her name is Pam Woods.
6

7. The use of ‘to be’
For any state
• Age: I’m 22. How old are you?
• Description: Jim is tall and dark. How tall is Jim?
• Height: She is 1 meter 60. You are not taller than me.
• Weight: Soklin is 49 Kilos. How heavy is this parcel?
• Feelings: We are tired and hungry.
• Distance: The town is about 5 kilometers away.
• Size: The room is small.
• Price: How much are these shoes?
• Time: What time is it now?
• There is/There are: Is there a post office near here?
There are few girls in this class.
7

8. Present Continuous
• Positive: Sub + am/is/are + V-ing…
E.g. I am learning Core English.
• Negative: Sub + am not/isn’t/aren’t + V-ing…
E.g. He isn’t reading newspaper.
• Question: 1. Am/Is/Are + sub + V-ing…?
Yes, sub + am/is/are.
No, sub + am not/isn’t/aren’t.
E.g. Are you watching TV.
Yes, I am.
No, I’m not.
• Wh-question + am/is/are + sub + V-ing…?
E.g. What are you doing here? 8

9. The Use of Present Continuous
• An activity that is happening now/Progress action
E.g. Don’t turn the TV off. I’m watching it.
• An activity or situation that is true now, but is not
necessarily happening at the moment of speaking
E.g. 1. I am studying at the weekend this semester.
2. I am quite busy these days. I’m doing many
assignments.
• a temporary activity
E.g. Dany is staying with her friends until she finds a
place of her own.
• only with action verbs or short action verbs 9

10. Past Simple
• Positive: Sub + V2 + obj.
E.g. Ann phoned us yesterday.
• Negative: Sub + didn’t + inf. V…
E.g. Susan didn’t like cold weather.
• Question: Did + sub + inf. V…?
Yes, sub + did.
No, sub + didn’t.
E.g. Did Ben go to the beach?
Yes, he did.
No, he didn’t.
Wh-question + did + sub + inf. V …?
E.g. What did you see? 10

11. The Use of Past Simple
• Past situation/habit
E.g. When I was at primary school, I went to school
every morning.
• Action was completely finished in the past.
E.g. 1. Did you see Seiha 1 minute ago?
2. I worked in SiemReap in 2008.
• Sequent event in the story.
E.g. Mary walked into the room and stopped. She
listened carefully. She heard a noise coming from
behind the curtain. She threw the curtain open, and
then she saw… 11

12. ‘To be’ in Past Simple
• Positive I/He/ She/It was +N + obj.
We/ You/They were + Adj
• Negative I/He/She/It wasn’t + N + obj.
We/You/They weren’t +Adj
• Question 1. Was/were + sub + Adj/N?
2. Wh-question + was/were + sub + N/Adj?
Age, Description, Height, Weight, Feelings, Distance,
Size, Price, Time, There was/There were.
E.g. 1. What time was your lesson yesterday?
2. We were sad that you weren’t at the party.
12

13. Past Continuous
• Positive: Sub + was/were + V-ing…
E.g. The baby was crying all night.
• Negative: Sub + wasn’t/weren’t + V-ing...
E.g. They were playing tennis at 10am.
• Question: Was/Were + sub + V-ing …?
Yes, sub + was/were.
No, sub + wasn’t/weren’t.
E.g. Was she reading book?
Yes, she was.
No, she wasn’t.
Wh-question + was/were + sub + V-ing…?
E.g. What was he doing yesterday this time?
13

14. The Use of Past Continuous
• An activity was progressing in the past
E.g. At 7 o’clock this morning, I was having my
breakfast.
• For descriptions
E.g. Jan was very beautiful. She was wearing a green
cotton dress and high heels. While she was
walking, many guys appreciated her…
• An interrupted past activity (both Past Simple
&Past Continuous)
E.g. 1. While we were playing tennis, it started to rain.
2. When the phone rang, I was having a shower.
14

15. The Use of Past Continuous (Cont)
• Incomplete activity in the past in order to contrast
with Past Simple that expresses a completed
activity.
E.g. 1. I was reading a book during the flight.
(I didn’t finish)
2. I read a book during the flight.
(I finished reading the whole book)
15

16. Present Perfect Simple
• Positive: I/We/You/They + have + V3…
He/She/It + has + V3…
• Negative: I/We/You/They + haven’t + V3…
He/She/It + hasn’t + V3…
• Question: 1. Have + sub + V3 …?
Has + sub + V3 …?
Yes, sub + have/has.
No, sub + haven’t/hasn’t.
2.Wh-question have + sub + V3 …?
Wh-question has + sub + V3 …?
16

17. The Use of Present Perfect Simple
• Unfinished action (it began in the past and still
continues)
E.g. 1. I’ve forgotten her name.(= I can’t remember it now)
2. They have been married for 25 years.
• Unfinished action (For: shows how long sth has
continued. Since shows when sth started)
E.g. 1. Karen has been a nurse for 15 years.
2. Karen has been a nurse since 1996.
• Experience
E.g. She has written poetry and biographies.
• Ever & never (things have happened in a period of time
that started in the past and continue to the present)
E.g. 1. Have you ever been to Australia?
2. He has never given me flowers. 17

18. The Use of Present Perfect Simple (Cont)
• With ‘just’ (short time ago)
E.g. 1. We’ve just come back from our holiday.
2. I’ve just had an idea.
• With ‘already’(sth has happened sooner than
expected)
E.g. 1. A: Don’t forget to post the letter for me!
B: I’ve already posted it.
2. A: When is Tom going to start his new job?
B: He has already started.
• With ‘yet’ (Speaker is expecting sth to happen); it is
used only with question and negative forms
E.g. 1. Has it stopped raining yet?
2. I haven’t told them about the accident yet. 18

19. The Use of Present Perfect Simple (Cont)
• Indefinite time
E.g. The new sports shop has opened.
• How much/ How many
E.g.1. A: How many CD has Rachel played?
B: At least 20 CDs.
2. How much money have you had?
• How long (sth has happened up to the present)
E.g. A: How long have Tom and Ann known each
other?
B: They have known each other since they were
at school. 19

20. Present Perfect Continuous
• Positive: I/We/You/They + have been + V-ing…
He/She/It + has been + V-ing…
• Negative: I/We/You/They + haven’t been + V-ing…
He/She/It + hasn’t been + V-ing…
• Question: 1. Have + sub + been + V-ing …?
Has + sub + been + V-ing …?
Yes, sub + have/has.
No, sub + haven’t/hasn’t.
2. Wh-question have + sub+ been + V-ing …?
Wh-question has + sub + been + V-ing …?
20

21. The Use of Present Perfect Continuous
• Unfinished action (similar to Present Perfect Simple)
E.g. I have played tennis since I was young
Or I have been playing tennis since I was young.
• Present result with evidence left recently
E.g.1. I’m covered in mud because I’ve been gardening.
2. Have you been crying? (your eyes are red)
• How long, for, since, all day, all
morning/afternoon/evening/night, all week, recently
and lately, in the last few days/weeks
E.g. Rachel has been playing music all day.
I have been ironing shirts since 6 o’clock.
How long have you been learning to drive?
He hasn’t been feeling very well recently.
What have you been doing lately? 21

22. Past Perfect
• Positive: Sub + had + V3…
• Negative: Sub + hadn’t + V3…
• Question: 1. Had + sub + V3 …?
Yes, sub + had.
No, sub + hadn’t.
2. Wh-question had + sub + V3 …?
Wh-question has + sub + V3 …?
• For a past event before another past event. Use it to
show the time connection between two events.
E.g. 1. The rain had just stopped. So we decided to go
our for a walk.
2. When I got to the party, Peter had gone home.
22

23. Past Perfect (Cont)
3. When I got home, I found that someone had broken
into my house and had stolen my laptop.
• Past Perfect Continuous is used for an action which
happened over a period of time.
E.g. 1. Vicky felt tired because he had been working all
day.
2. When the company went bankrupt, it had been
losing money for months.
3. A young man was struck by lightning, he had
been standing under a tree.
(strike → struck → struck) 23

24. Future ‘Will’
• Positive: Sub + will + inf.V (no to)…
• Negative: Sub + won’t + inf.V (no to)…
• Question: 1. Will + sub + inf.V (no to)…?
2. Wh-question+ will + sub + inf.V (no to)…?
• Decision/intention made at the moment of speaking
Eg.1. I’ve left the window open. I’ll go back and close it.
2. Jeff, there’s someone at the door!’ Ok, I will get it.
• To offer, willingness, promise or threaten to do sth
E.g. 1. That looks heavy. I’ll help you.
2. I promise I won’t be late.
3. Our love will last forever.
4. Marry me; otherwise, I’ll kill you. 24

25. Future ‘Will’ (Cont)
• To ask sb to do sth and to agree or refuse to do it
E.g. 1. Will you shut the door, please?
2. Will you please be quiet? I’m trying to concentrate.
3. A: Will you post this card for me?
B: Yes, I will post it on my way home.
4. I’ve just asked John to help me but he won’t.
• Prediction (base on an opinion than a fact)
1. I believe that the inflation will fall to 3% next year.
2. I think Laura will do very well in her exams.
3. Rachel will probably be late.
25

26. Future ‘going to’
• Positive: I am
We/You/They are + going to + inf.V…
He/She/It is
• Negative: I am not
We/You/They aren’t + going to + inf.V…
He/She/It isn’t
• Question: 1. Am/Is/Are + sub + going to + inf.V…?
Yes, sub + am/is/are.
No, sub + am not/isn’t/aren’t.
2. Wh-question + am/is/are + sub + going to + inf.V…?
 In informal speech ‘gonna’ = ‘going to’ 26

27. The Use of Future ‘going to’
• A future plan/decision/intension made before the
moment of speaking
E.g. 1. When I grow up, I am going to be a doctor.
2. Jane and Peter are going to get married after
they have graduated.
• A prediction, especially when it is based on a
present fact. The evidence now that is certain to
happen.
E.g. 1. She is going to have a baby. (We see she’s pregnant)
2. Liverpool is going to win the match.
(It’s four-nil and there is only 5mns left) 27

28. Present Continuous for the Future
• A future arrangement between people, it usually
refers to the near future
E.g. 1. I’m having my hair cut tomorrow.
2. Are you seeing the doctor next Tuesday?
• Think of the things you put in your diary to remind
you of what you are doing over the next few days
and weeks
E.g. 1. I’m meeting Peter tonight.
2. We’re catching the train next week at 10h00.
3. We’re going to the party on Saturday night.
28

29. Future Continuous
• Positive: Sub + will + be + V-ing…
• Negative: Sub + won’t + be + V-ing…
• Question: 1. Will + sub + be + V-ing…?
Yes, sub + will.
No, sub + won’t.
2. Wh-question + will + sub + be + V-ing…?
• To say that we will be in the middle of doing sth at a
certain time in the future
E.g. 1. Tomorrow at 7 am, Sokkheng will be having
breakfast.
2. This time next week I’ll be on holiday. I’ll
probably be lying on a beautiful beach. 29

30. Future Continuous (Cont)
• For an action which will happen during a process of
events because it is part of a plan or part of a
schedule of future events
E.g. 1. The party will be starting at ten o’clock.
2. The ship will be sailing soon.
• To ask about people’s plans, especially when we
want sth or want sb to do sth.
E.g. 1. A: Will you be using your bicycle this evening?
B: No, you can take it.
2. A: Will you be passing the post office when you
go out?
B: Yes, why? 30

31. Future Continuous (Cont)
• Future Continuous = will = present continuous
E.g. The visitors will be arriving later. are already
= The visitors will arrive later. planned
= The visitors are arriving later. or decided
Compare these sentences
At 10 am yesterday he was working.
It’s 10 am now. He is working.
At 10 am tomorrow he will be working.
31

32. Future Perfect
• Positive: Sub + will + have + V3…
• Negative: Sub + won’t + have + V3…
• Question: 1. Will + sub + have + V3…?
Yes, sub + will.
No, sub + won’t.
2. Wh-question + will + sub + have + V3…?
• To say that sth will already have happened before
a certain time in the future/sth will be over in the
future
E.g. 1. Tom’s football match ends at 9h15. So after this
time, for example at 9h30, the match will have
finished. 32

33. Future Perfect (Cont)
2. Next year is Ted and Amy’s 25th wedding
anniversary. They will have been married for 25 years.
(Now they have been married for 24 years)
3. We’re late. I think the film will already have started
by the time we get to the cinema.
(the film will already have started before we arrive)
• Before/by (positive), not… until/till (negative)
E.g. 1. The new manager will have started work
before/by 1st May.
2. The new manager won’t have met all the staffs
until/till 30th May. 33

34. Future in the Past
• ‘Was/were going to’ for a past intention or
arrangement and Past Continuous for the plan
E.g. 1. Mr. Dudley was going to retire, but then he
found another job.
2. We were going to watch the film, but we forgot
about it.
3. I was in hurry because I was catching a plane that
afternoon.
• ‘Would/wouldn’t’ past form of ‘will/won’t’
E.g.1. At midnight Sarah was still working. She would
be tired the next day.
2. Ann promised that she wouldn’t be late.
3. Vandy said that he would lend me some money. 34

35. Future in the Past (Cont)
• ‘Would’ When you look back on the past and
remember things that often happened
E.g. 1. When we were children, we lived by the sea. In
summer, if the weather was fine, we would get
up early and go for a swim.
2. Whenever Dara was angry, he would walk out
of the room.
• ‘Would not’ for past unwillingness, a refusal
E.g. 1. The spokesman wouldn’t answer any questions.
2. The car wouldn’t start this morning.
35

36. Passive
• Sub + am/is/are + V3… (Present Simple Passive)
E.g. 1. Bopha is loved by a man who is her co-worker.
2. Two people are killed in the house.
• Sub + was/were + V3… (Past Simple Passive)
E.g. 1. The drugs were found by the police.
2. Teav Ek was written by Santhormok.
• Sub + am/is/are +being+V3…(Present Continuous
Passive)
E.g. 1. This room is being cleaned at the moment.
2. Look at those old houses. They are being
knocked down.(are being fallen to the ground)
36

37. Passive (Cont)
• Sub + was/were+being+V3..(Past Continuous
Passive)
E.g. 1. Suddenly I heard foot steps behind me. We
were being followed.
2. A man was being questioned by detectives
last night.
• Sub + have/has + been + V3… (Present Perfect
Simple Passive)
E.g. 1. Have you heard the news? The president has
been shot.
2. I’m not going to the party. I haven’t been
invited.
37

38. Passive (Cont)
• Sub + had + been + V3… (Past Perfect Passive)
E.g. 1. Jim didn’t know about the change of plans. He
hadn’t been told.
2. Vandy’s room looked much better. It had been
cleaned.
• Sub + will + be + V3… (Future ‘will’ Passive)
E.g. 1. The drugs will be destroyed.
2. The bread will be baked next.
Sub + am/is/are + going to + be + V3… (Future ‘going
to’Passive)
E.g. 1. The men are going to be charged with importing
cocaine. 38

39. Passive (Cont)
E.g. 2. The match is going to be played.
• Sub + will + have + been + V3… (Future Perfect
Passive)
E.g. Everything will have been checked before
November.
• Sub + would + be + V3… (Future in the Past Passive)
39

40. References
• Eastwood, J. (1999). Oxford practice grammar
(2nd ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Eastwood, J. (1994). Oxford guide to English
grammar (1st ed). Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
• Macfarlane, M. (2008). English practice grammar.
Britain: Garnet Publishing Ltd.
• Murphy, R. (1985). English grammar in use (1st ed).
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Soars, L. & J. (1998). New headway (2nd ed).
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Soars, L. & J. (2003). New new headway (3rd ed).
Oxford: Oxford University Press.40