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continuous tenses
perfect tenses
past
present tenses
present simple
past
present continuous
present perfect
present perfect continuous
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
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
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
Example
I play blues harp and dobro guitar
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
Example
He often arrives late
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
verbs of emotions
verbs of thinking
Example
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
Example
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
now
future
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be +
present participle of the main verb.
Examples
Im watching television.
What are you doing?
He isnt coming.
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
Example
Shes reading the newspaper.
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
Example
The company is reorganizing its services.
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
verbs of emotion
verbs of thinking
verbs of possessing
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
now
future
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to have +
past participle of the main verb.
Examples
Ive finished.
Where have you been?
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
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.
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with just, recently, already, at last,
lately
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with just, recently, already, at last,
lately
Example
I have seen the report. (I know what it is about.)
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with just, recently, already, at last,
lately
The firm has had a Belgian branch since October last year.
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
now
I ve just arrived.
future
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
? ?
now
future
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
now
future
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
now
future
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
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 she been trying to contact me?
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
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
past
now
1984
future
2004
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
now
1984
future
2004
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
past tenses
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
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.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
Example
We signed the contract last Friday at 2 oclock.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
2. 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
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
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; its 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
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
15.30
now
future
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
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 oclock yesterday.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
Examples
She was playing tennis with a friend.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
Examples
At 6 p.m. I was still sleeping.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
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
now
future
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
now
future
yesterday
past
now
I worked all day yesterday.
future
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
now
future
now
2. I worked all day yesterday.
future
While (1) emphasizes the continuity of the action, (2) only indicates
that the action took place yesterday.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
now
8.30 p.m.
I was watching TV at 8.30 last night.
future
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
now
future
now
future
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
now
future
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
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.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
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.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening
before another past action.
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.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening
before another past action.
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 hadnt realized!
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
had
dinner
watched
TV
now
future
past
had
dinner
watched
TV
now
future
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
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?
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
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.
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
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.)
past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past
10 minutes
now
future
past
now
future tenses
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
future perfect continuous
going to
past
present continuous
present simple
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
Examples
I think Brazil will win.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for
future actions.
Examples
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for
future actions.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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 oclock train to Berlin
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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
Im going to stay in London. = intention
Im going to London next weekend = arrangement
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
past
now
future
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
FORM
This tense is formed with will + have + past participle of the main
verb.
Examples
They ll have finalized their business by noon.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
past
Examples
future
now
end of next week
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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 wont have been living here for more than five years by the end of
this year.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
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, Ill have been teaching for 30
years.
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
going to ...
present continuous
present simple
past
now
future
Example
By the end of this academic year, Ill have been teaching for 30
years.