CHECKLIST FOR TENSES

PRESENT

Is it happening right now at the YES PRESENT CONTINUOUS

moment? →
I am doing my homework
NO
↓
Is someone annoyed using the word YES PRESENT CONTINOUS
always? →
You are always complaining!
NO
↓
Does the action happen all the time, YES PRESENT SIMPLE
regularly or repeatedly? →
He works as a scientist. / He
drinks one cup of coffee every
day.
NO
↓
Is a stative verb used? YES PRESENT SIMPLE
→
(be, have, know, think, want, hear, This flower smells really good.
love, see, smell, taste…)
NO
↓
Is a timetable mentioned? YES PRESENT SIMPLE
→
The train leaves at 8.30

1
PAST

Is a specific time mentioned? Do we know YES PAST SIMPLE

exactly when the event happened? →
I broke my leg 2 days ago.
NO
↓
Are things happening in chronological order? YES PAST SIMPLE
→
He arrived, took a chair and sat down.
NO
↓
Is the event a background action interrupted YES PAST CONTINUOUS
through another action? →
I was watching TV when I suddenly
heard a noise.
NO
↓
Do these signal words occur: ever, never, YES PRESENT PERFECT
always, already, just, yet? →
I have never been to Greece.
NO
↓
↓
Can the result of the YES Is it emphasised how YES PRESENT
event still be seen? → long the event has been → PERFECT
going on for? CONTINUOUS

I’ve been running

for 2 hours, that’s
why my head is
red.
NO NO
↓ ↓
PRESENT PERFECT

I’ve cut my hair.

Is the event unfinished YES Is it emphasised how YES PRESENT
until today? → long the event has been → PERFECT
going on for? CONTINUOUS

I’ve been working

for 6 hours now.
NO NO
↓ ↓
PRESENT PERFECT

I’ve been to London

twice so far.
Do these signal words YES Is it a stative verb? YES PRESENT
occur: for, since, how → → PERFECT
long?
I’ve known him for
2 years.
NO
↓
PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS

I’ve been working here

since 1998.