THE VERB

I.

PRESENT TENSES

1 Present Simple uses :

General truth
Repeated actions
Permanent stats
To narrate something
Timetables
Sports commentaries

Time expressions : every day/ every week/ every year/ every Sunday/ etc.
always, sometimes, usually, rarely, etc.
E.g. : I wash my car every week.
I always pay attention in the class room.

2 Present Continuous (to be + verb infinitive +ing) uses :

An action happening at the moment of speaking

Temporary situation
Annoying habbits
Fixed arrangements
Developing situations (e.g.: Its growing bigger and bigger)

Time expressions : today, right now, etc.

E.g. : I am watching tv right now.

3 Present Perfect Simple (to have + past participle of the verb) uses :

A recent past action

Indefinite past

Time expressions : yet, just, already, recently, since, for, etc.

E.g. : I havent spoken to the teacher already.

4 Present Perfect Continuous (has/have + been + verb + ing) use :

An action which started in the past and which is still going on

Visible results in the present

Time expressions : for, since, all day, how long?

E.g. : Her hands are dirty. She has been working in the garden all day.

II. PAST TENSES

1. Past Simple use :

Use to express a definite past action

Time expressions : yesterday, last week/month/year, etc.

E.g. : Yesterday I broke my phone.

2. Past Continuous (was/were + vb + ing) use :

A past action in progress (I was reading at this time yesterday)

A past action in progress intrerupted by another past action (I was reading when the
phone rang)
Two simultaneous past actions in progress (I was reading while she was watching
TV)
To set the background of a story (The sun was shining, the birds were singing)

Time expressions : while, when, at this time (yesterday, last year, etc.)

3. Past Perfect Simple (had + past participle) use :

Express a past action which happens before another past action

Time expressions : by the time, before, until, sincer, already, just, etc.
E.g. : I had already done my homework by the time my mom came home.
before

4. Past Perfect Continuous (had + been + vb-ing) use :

Put an emphasis on the duration of an action in the past (I had been reading for 2
hours when my mom came home)
Visible results in the past (Her hands were dirty. She had been working all the day)

Time expressions : for, since, how long?

III.

FUTURE TENSES

1. Future with will use :

Predictions : It will be an earthquake in 2060.

On the spot decisions : I like that car. I will buy it.
Actions which will definetly happen : She will be 16 next month.
Promises and threats : I will buy you a nice bike.
After certain verbs : expect/believe/think/etc. : I think it will rain.

2. To-be-going-to future use :

Plans : Shes going to be a doctor.

Predictions based on evidence : There are some clouds in the sky, it is going to rain.

3. Future Continuous use :

An action in progress at a certain point in the future : She will be flying to Paris next
month.

4. Future Perfect Simple use :

An action completed at a certain moment in the future : She will have finished her
homework by this time tommorow.

5. Future Perfect Continuous use :

Emphasise the duration of an action in the future : At this time tommorow she will
have been living here for two years.

PASSIVE VOICE

Structure :
To be (used in the same tense as the verb in Active Voice) + Past Participle
E.g. : They are building a house. A house is being built by them.
S
V (P.C.)
D.O.
S
V.
C.A.

Complementul Direct (a house) devine subiectul celei de a doua propoziii.

Predicatul propoziiei, la diateza pasiv, devine is being built (is being + built => ne lum
dup timpul de la are building care este la Present Continuous, prin urmare verbul nostru
to be trebuie sa fie la P.C., iar Participiul verbului to build este built). Subiectul primei
propoziii devine aici Complementul de Agent. (De ctre cine este construit casa? De ctre
ei)

The agent is introduced by By (persons performing the action)

With (agent makes refference to an intrument, material,
ingredients, etc.)
E.g. : The house is being built by them.
The table is covered with red material.

CONDITIONALS AND WISHES

Type 0 => used for general truths

If clause (Present Simple)

Main clause (Present Simple)

If you heat water

it boils

Type I => an action which is likely to happen in the present or in the future
If clause (Present Simple)

Main clause (Future Simple)

If the weather is fine

we will go for a walk

Type II => an action which is unlikely to happen in the present or in the future
If clause (Past Simple)

Main clause (Future in the past)

If I were you

I would tell him the truth.

Type III => past regret/past habbits

If clause (Past Perfect Simple)

Main clause (Future Perfect in the past)

If I had studied harder

I would have got a better mark.

Mixed conditionals :
Type II + Type III : If I were you, I would have told him the truth.
Type III + Type II : If I had studied french, I would go to France.

WISHES :
1.
2.
3.
4.

Wish + Past Simple => present (I wish I were at home)

Wish + Past Perfect Simple => past (I wish I had studied harder)
Wish + would + verb =>regret (I wish it would stop raining)
Wish + could + verb => present ability (I wish I could fly)