Tenses Summary

present past 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 perfect tenses perfect continuous tenses

present past future present tenses present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous

present simple present continuous present perfect present 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 start s ) work at 8.30 a.m. When do I start work? I don’t start work until 9.00 a..m. / He do es n’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 for habitual and repeated actions 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 for habitual and repeated actions with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form Example Do you see what I mean? She likes my brother very much. I suppose he realizes that now. think – feel – realize – understand – know – mean – suppose – believe – expect – remember – forget verbs of thinking want – desire – refuse – forgive – wish – care – love – hate – like – dislike verbs of emotions see- hear- smell – notice – recognize verbs of the senses

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous USE for habitual and repeated actions with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form for something that is permanently true Example Water boils at 100° C.

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future I get up at 7.30 a.m. every day.

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 For actions happening at the moment of speaking. For a temporary state. Example The company is reorganizing its services.

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

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous on the time diagram now I’m adjusting the rotating speed past future

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous 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 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 Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at last, lately’ General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’ Example This is the highest carbon ratio I ’ve ever seen .

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous USE Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at last, lately’ General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’ 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 Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at last, lately’ General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’ The indefinite past : we are interested in what happened, not in when it happened. 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 on the time diagram now past future I ‘ve just arrived. relationship with the present moment

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future Have you been to France? ? ? ?

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future They have revised their report.

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future We have conducted experiments on this phenomenon for almost two years.

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 s he 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 on the time diagram now 2004 past future I ‘ve been driving driving lorries for twenty years..... 1984 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.

present simple present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous on the time diagram now 2004 past future I ‘ve driven a Volkswagen for twenty years..... 1984 In this sentence, the duration is indicated, but the car brand is emphasized. Clearly I have confidence in this car.

present past future past tenses past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous

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 For actions completed at a definite time in the past. 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 For actions completed at a definite time in the past. For actions which are already completed in the past: the time is understood but not stated. 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 on the time diagram now past future I arrived at 15.30 sharp. 15.30

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 To emphasize the continuity of the past action. 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 To emphasize the continuity of the past action. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the past . 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 To emphasize the continuity of the past action. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the past. To describe an interrupted past action . 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 on the time diagram now past future I was working all day yesterday.

past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future I was working all day yesterday. past now future I worked all day yesterday. yesterday

past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future 1. I was working all day yesterday. past now future 2. I worked all day 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 on the time diagram now past future I was watching TV at 8.30 last night. 8.30 p.m.

past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future 3. I was watching TV at 8.30 last night. 8.30 p.m. 8.30 p.m. now future past 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

past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous on the time diagram now past future I was browsing through your report ... when he knocked at my office door.

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. W e 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 W e use this tense to describe one past action happening before another past action. 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 W e use this tense to describe one past action happening before another past action. We use it when necessary to indicate the sequence of two actions. 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 on the time diagram now past future had dinner watched TV 1. When I had had dinner, I watched TV. had dinner watched TV past now future 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

past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous 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 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 We use this tense to describe a continuous past action happening before another past action. We often use it with for + time period. 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 on the time diagram now past future 10 minutes 1. I had been waiting for 10 minutes when she arrived. now past 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.

present past future future tenses future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous going to present continuous present simple

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

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

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

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

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

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

future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous USE We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for future actions . 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 going to ... present continuous present simple

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

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

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

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

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

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

future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous on the time diagram This time next week I’ll be taking my driving test. going to ... present continuous present simple now past future

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

future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous USE The future continuous is also used to express long-term arrangements, especially for travelling. 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) going to ... present continuous present simple

future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous USE The future continuous is also used to express long-term arrangements, especially for travelling. 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. 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. going to ... present continuous present simple

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

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

future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous on the time diagram Examples By the end of next week, I’ll have finished my exams. going to ... present continuous present simple now past future end of next week

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

future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect 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. Example s By the end of this academic year, I’ ll have been teaching for 30 years. going to ... present continuous present simple

future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous on the time diagram Example By the end of this academic year, I’ ll have been teaching for 30 years. going to ... present continuous present simple past future now end of this academic year

Tenses Summary

Tenses Summary

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Tenses Summary