Verb Tenses Key Concepts

1) TENSE X TIME > DIFFERENT CONCEPTS

2) Time = Tense + adverb (context); without adverbs, tenses focus on the

present.
Ex: a) Im going to the shops. (Im on my way there.)
Im going to the shops later. (later>adverb; time: future)

b) He was married. (now hes divorced/widower etc)

He was married on Saturday. (on Saturday>adverb; time: past)

c) Its been raining. (Its dry now.)

Its been raining for two hours. (for two hours>adverb; focus on the
duration)

3) Each tense has a meaning, and I have a choice of verb tenses to express
myself.
Ex: He looks as if he was drunk. (= he looks like it, but I know he is not)
He looks as if he is drunk. (= he is drunk, I know)

4) Aspects:

a) Simple
b) Continuous

c) Perfect

a) Simple: fact; info; static; permanent; finished/complete; unchangeable;

product.
Exs:
* a hotel cleaner to her boss: I finished the rooms. (stating a fact. Thats
her job Her boss is not impressed.)
* My mother has three daughters. (She is 62 now, she wont have any
more.)
* He has cancer. (= hes terminally ill/ theres no more hope/cure)

b) Continuous: action in process/progress; temporary; dynamic; incomplete;

change in progress, planned or desired.
Exs: Hes always borrowing money. I wish he didnt do it. (= desire)
My friend is staying at her boyfriends flat. (temporary)
Im baking a cake. (incomplete)

c) Perfect: FOCUS ON EFFECT/RESULT; is the connecting of 2 times,

creating a time period, whereby the action/event etc is seen as significant
in the 2nd of the 2 times (for example, with the Present Perfect: it started in
the past, with the result/effect in the present. > present is more significant)
Exs:
* a hotel cleaner to her boss: Ive finished the rooms. (now the boss is
happy. Result: the rooms are clean )
* My sister has got one son. (shes only 29, so she may have more
children)
* the present perfect makes the past alive
* The older one gets, the less they use perfect tenses (theres
not so much time ahead anymore)

5) Past: distant/remote
a) Distant in time:
* without adverb = not now
* with adverb = historical/past fact

b) Distant in relationship
* politeness (Could you tell me what time it is, please?)

c) Distant in reality
* not real/ hypothetical (for example, 2 nd conditional: If I won the lottery, Id
travel.)

6) Future: theres no specific tense for the future

a) Present simple: unchangeable; timetables
Ex:

A: Can you help me move next Tuesday?

B: Sorry, I cant. I have a meeting. (unchangeable)
The plane leaves at 9:30.
The class starts at 1:30.

b) Present continuous: arrangements (NOTICE: verbs not used in the

continuous aspect can not be arranged); usually involve other people;
usually has a set time/place.
Exs: Im seeing the dentist at 10:15.
Xenia is travelling to Spain on Saturday.

c) (be) going to (+ infinitive):

-

Intention; will (plan): Im going to look for a job.

Determination; desire: Im not going to fall in love with another jerk.

Prediction based on fact/information/evidence:

Its going to rain tonight. (the sky is dark)
He is going to fail because he didnt study.

d) Will:
-

Prediction based on opinion/experience: The bus will be late. (I know

because I always catch this bus and its always late.)

Contract; promise; threat:

Ill do the dishes if you cook. (contract)
Ill protect you. Dont worry. (promise)
If you dont keep your mouth shut, Ill kill you and your family. (threat)