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Verb Tenses TENSE Present Simple Present Continuous FORM Infinitive (+s 3rd pers. sing.) Am/is/are + present participle USE Facts (permanent states) EXAMPLE Dogs bark / Water boils at 100°C. Habits/routines Flowers blossom in the spring. We study English every day. With the verb say (used in quoting books, signs, etc.) “What does the recipe say?” “It says cook for 30 minutes”. “What does Jim say in his letter?” With state verbs1 This book belongs to me. I don’t think Chris likes Jane. Action in progress now (temporary activity) I am talking to you. Action generally in progress around now (this week, this year) She’s studying English. Are you enjoying your holiday? Annoying habits You’re always complaining! Changing trends The weather is getting worse. More and more companies are closing down. The cost of living is getting higher and higher. 1 Examples of state verbs: be, believe, belong, consist, contain, depend, doubt, fit, hate, have, know, like, love, matter, mean, need, own, prefer, realize, remember, seem, suppose, suspect, understand, want, wish. -1- Verb Tenses TENSE Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Continuous 2 FORM Have/has + past participle Have/has + been + present participle USE Something happened (or never happened) before now at an unspecified time in the past. The adverbs so far, always, since, often, ever, never, already, yet, still, just are often used. EXAMPLE I have (just) been to the doctor’s. Have you (ever) been to China? “Haven’t you finished your translation yet?” “No, I still haven’t finished it”. I’ve (already) read that book. Repetition of an activity performed so far in my life I have read 4 chapters so far. I’ve been to Paris many times With for and since to describe a situation that began in the past and is still true Peter has lived in London since 2005. We have been here for 2 hours. I have liked mystery books since I was a child. To describe the duration of an activity that began in the past and is still continuing or has just finished2 We have been studying English since 9.30 (and we are still studying). Susan’s been cleaning the house all morning (and she’s still cleaning). It’s been snowing all week, I’m so glad it’s stopped now! I’ve been cleaning the house, can’t you tell? (I’ve finished, the house is clean and I’m all dusty). General activity in progress recently I’ve been thinking about studying French. I’ve been working a lot lately. I’ve been wondering what happened to you! (I haven’t heard from you for ages). Note that as with the present continuous, the present perfect continuous cannot normally be used with state verbs, only action verbs -2- Verb Tenses TENSE Past Simple Past Continuous FORM Past form (infinitive + ed) or irregular form3 Was/were + present participle Past Perfect Simple Had + past participle Past Perfect Continuous Have/has + been + present participle 3 USE Activities completed in the past at a specified time (explicit) EXAMPLE I went to the cinema yesterday. When specific time is asked about When did you go to the cinema? When was Napoleon born? Activities that took place at a definite time, but this time is not mentioned (implicit) Activities in progress in the past (often interrupted by another event) Or Two (or more activities) in progress at the same time. The train was late! Why did you choose to study English? I bought these shoes in the sales. I was having a shower when the phone rang. A gradual development (mostly literary descriptions) It was growing darker and the clouds were closing in. The wind was rising, it was howling through the trees. Changing trends in the past (cf present continuous) Activities completed before another action or time in the past It was getting later and later. Duration of an activity that was in progress before another activity or time in the past For a list of irregular verbs see Table 397 p. 611 in English Grammar Today. (Also Table 397 English Grammar Today CD). -3- I was having a shower while my husband was mowing the lawn. When I arrived, the film had already started. Jane had forgotten to close the door and so the dog ran away. After the guests had left, I went to bed. I had been living in Rome living for four years before I met my husband. Sally finally arrived at 6.30. I had been waiting for her since 5.30! Verb Tenses TENSE FORM Used to + infinitive neg. didn’t use to + infinitive formal: used not to + infinitive USE Past situation (no longer true) EXAMPLE I used to like tennis. (I don’t any more). I used to live in London. Repeated actions or states in the past I used to play tennis every day. Would Would + infinitive Repeated action in the past (descriptions and reminiscences) Every day he would get up and go running in the park. When I was young, I would visit my grandparents every Sunday. Unfulfilled events in the past Was/were going to go to + infinitive Events that were intended to take place but did not happen I was going to (intended to) call you yesterday, but I forgot. Used to Phil and Wendy were thinking of getting married this spring, but they decided to wait until next year. Was/were thinking of + gerund Was/were about to + infinitive Mary was about to email Vera but she started surfing the net instead. Was/were to have taken part Keith was to have taken part in the Olympics, but he broke his leg. -4- Verb Tenses TENSE Future will Future going to FORM Will + infinitive Going to + infinitive USE Predictions Intention at moment of decision The phone is ringing. I’ll answer it. I’ll have a mixed salad please. Making assumptions That will be Mike on the phone. With I think, I don’t think4, I expect, I don’t expect, I’m sure, I’m not sure, will definitely, definitely won’t, perhaps I think Christie will win the race. I don’t expect he’ll see you at such short notice. It definitely won’t rain today. Perhaps I’ll see you at the party? I’m going to take driving lessons next month. (I’ve already decided to do so) I’m going to be an English teacher. Intentions and plans Prediction with “evidence” Future shall5 4 5 Shall + infinitive (used only with I and we) EXAMPLE The economic situation will improve soon. You will all pass your exams. Making suggestions, offer to do something Look at those black clouds, it’s going to rain. Look out! The milk’s going to boil over. Shall we go to the cinema? Shall I open the window? Requests for instructions or suggestions What shall we do about the situation? What shall I do with your mail? Tag question with let’s Let’s play Trivial Pursuit, shall we? Determination I shall not cut my hair! We shall fight for our freedom! We don’t usually say I think he won’t come or I expect she won’t be there, but we say I don’t think he’ll come and I don’t expect she’ll be there. In the past, will was used for intention: I will write to him (I intend to write to him) and shall was used when there was no intention I shall be 30 next birthday; We shall have the exam results tomorrow. Nowadays, will is normally used in both cases. -5- Verb Tenses TENSE Future present continuous FORM Am/is/are + present participle USE Scheduled arrangements in the future (not used with state verbs) Future present simple Infinitive (+s 3rd pers. sing.) Formal arrangements (events established by “authorities) Future continuous Will be + present participle Events which will be happening in the future Future perfect simple Will have + past participle An activity that will be completed before another time or event in the future Future perfect continuous Will have been + present participle Be due to Be due to + infinitive The duration of an activity that will be in progress before another time or event in the future Reference to a scheduled time (meaning: expected to happen, scheduled to happen) -6- EXAMPLE I’m meeting Sam tomorrow afternoon. Tom is playing tennis with Peter on Saturday. I’m having my hair cut next Wednesday. My plane leaves at 9am tomorrow. The course starts on January 21nd. I will be leaving for New York this time next week. Mary will be helping me tomorrow. If you arrive before 8 o’clock, I’ll still be having my breakfast. Will you be having a break at 10.30? If so, I’ll join you. In five years time, you will have finished university and you will be working. By the end of this year I will have saved enough money to buy a car. By the end of May, I will have been teaching you for 8 months. When we finish at 12.30, we will have been studying for 3 hours. The plane is due to arrive in 10 minutes. The lesson is due to start at 9.30.