Simple Present Diagram

We use the Simple Present when we talk about something which happens
repeatedely.

We use the Simple Present to describe a series of actions in the present.

Simple Present Use

The Simple Present is frequently used in English. It is also called Present Simple.
Have a look at the following examples:

1) repeated actions (every day, always, often, sometimes or never)

My friend often draws nice posters.

I never drink milk.

2) things in general

The sun rises in the East.

3) fixed arrangements, scheduled events (e.g. timetable)

The plane flies to London every Monday.

4) actions in the present - one follows after the other (first - then, after that)

First I get up, then I have breakfast.

5) instructions

Open your books at page 34.

6) after special verbs, which are normally not used with the Present Progressive
(These verbs express states, possessions, feelings etc.)
be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem,
smell, think, understand, want, wish

I understand English.
He doesn't like fish.

Simple Present - Signal words

These words tell you what tense you have to use. For the Simple Present these are
adverbs of frequency:

always
often
usually
sometimes
seldom
never

Other phrases of time can occur, like:

every day on Mondays after school
every week every year

Form of the Simple Present

We use the infinitive of the verb. In the 3rd person Singular (he, she, it - or a name)
we put an -s at the end of the infinitive.

infinitive - 3rd person Singular (he, she, it) infinitive + -s

Affirmative sentences:

I/we/you/they play football.

He/she/it plays football.

NOTE: he, she, it - Do not forget the -s.

Negative sentences:

We use the auxiliary do.

I/we/you/they do not play football.
He/she/it does not play football.

NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the Simple Present:
I/we/you/they don't play football.

He/she/it doesn't play football.

Questions:

Do I/we/you/they play football?

Does he/she/it play football?
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/questions/present_progressive2.htm

Simple Present - Spelling

Be careful with some words when using the 3rd person singular.

1) verbs ending in a sibilant [s] [z] [] [] [] [] or verbs ending in -o preceded

by a consonant

We add -es to the infinitive.

Examples:
I watch - he watches I pass - he passes
I go - he goes I do - he does

2) verbs ending in -y

verbs ending in 'y' preceded by a vowel (a, e, i, o, u): Add -s.

Example:
I play - he plays

verbs ending in 'y' preceded by a consonant: Change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'.

Example:
I hurry - he hurries

Special verbs in the Simple Present

1) have as a full verb

affirmative sentence negative sentence question
I, we, you, they:
I have a book. I do not have a book. Do I have a book?
he, she, it:
He has a book. He does not have a book. Does he have a book?

2) be as a full verb
affirmative sentence
I am from Britain.
he, she, it:
He is from Britain.
we, you, they:
We are from Britain.
negative sentence question
I am not from Britain. Am I from Britain?
He is not from Britain. Is he from Britain?
We are not from Britain. Are we from Britain?

We often use the short forms with this verb.

3) do as a full verb
affirmative sentence negative sentence question
I, we, you, they:
I do an exercise. I do not do an exercise. Do I do an exercise?
he, she, it:
He does an exercise. He does not do an exercise. Does he do an exercise?

4) modal auxiliaries can, could, may, must, need, will etc.

affirmative sentence negative sentence question
every time regardless the subject (I, he, she, it, we, you, they):
I can play tennis. I cannot play tennis. Can I play tennis?

NOTE:
We can subtitute don't (can't) for do not (cannot).

Modals have the same form every time regardless the subject. We do not add an -s
to the infinitive.

Positive statements in the Simple Present - Exercise

Put the correct forms of the verbs into the gaps. Use the Simple Present in the
statements.

Example: I _____ in the lake. (to swim)

Answer: I swim in the lake.

1) We ( ) our dog. (to call)

2) Emma ( ) in the lessons. (to dream)

3) They ( ) at birds. (to look)

4) John ( ) home from school. (to come)

5) I ( ) my friends. (to meet)

6) He ( ) the laptop. (to repair)

7) Walter and Frank ( ) hello. (to say)

8) The cat ( ) under the tree. (to sit)

9) You ( ) water. (to drink)

10) She ( ) the lunchbox. (to forget)

Positive statements in the Simple Present - Exercise (Answer)

Put the correct forms of the verbs into the gaps. Use the Simple Present in the
statements.

Example: I _____ in the lake. (to swim)

Answer: I swim in the lake.

1) We call our dog. (to call)

2) Emma dreams in the lessons. (to dream)

3) They look at birds. (to look)

4) John comes home from school. (to come)

5) I meet my friends. (to meet)

6) He repairs the laptop. (to repair)

7) Walter and Frank say hello. (to say)

8) The cat sits under the tree. (to sit)

9) You drink water. (to drink)

10) She forgets the lunchbox. (to forget)

Present Progressive Diagram

We use the Present Progressive when we talk about something which is happening
at the moment of speaking.
 Present Progressive/Continuous Use

The Present Progressive is used when we talk about something which is happening
now. It is also called Present Continuous. Have a look at the following examples:

1) actions happening at the moment of speaking (now, at the moment)

Peter is reading a book now.

Shes listening to the radio.

2) fixed plan in the near future

She is going to Basel on Saturday.

3) temporary actions

His father is working in Rome this month.

Note:
We do use verbs which express states and are normally not used with the Present
Progressive. Watch the difference in meaning.

They love being together. (They are not together now.)

They are loving being together. (They are together now.)

4) actions happening around the moment of speaking (longer actions)

My friend is preparing for his exams.

5) trends

More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.
6) repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly,
forever)

Andrew is always coming in late. (I don't like it.)

Simple Present:
Andrew always comes late. (Here I don't give a comment.)

Present Progressive - Signal words

Signal words tell you what tense you have to use. In the Present Progressive these
words are used in situations which happen at the time of speaking.

now at the moment Look! Listen!

Form of the Present Progressive/Continuous

We use a form of to be (am, are or is), the infinitive of the verb and the ending ing.

to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing

Affirmative sentences:

I am playing volleyball.
He/she/it is playing volleyball.
We/you/they are playing volleyball.

NOTE: Use am with I - is with he, she, it - and with all other pronouns are.

We often use short forms in affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive.

Negative sentences:

I am not playing volleyball.

He/she/it is not playing volleyball.
We/you/they are not playing volleyball.
NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the Present Progressive.

Questions:

In the Present Progressive we put the auxiliary (am, are or is) before the subject
(Auxiliary - Subject - Verb - Rest).

Am I playing volleyball?
Is he/she/it playing volleyball?
Are we/you/they playing volleyball?

Present Progressive - Spelling

Be careful with some words when adding -ing to the infinitive.

1) consonant after a short, stressed vowel at the end of the word

Double the consonant.

sit he is sitting put - he is putting

If the consonant is not stressed, we do not double it:
benefit - benefiting (Here we stress the first 'e', not the 'i'.)

In British English we double one -l at the end of the word:

travel - travelling

2) one -e at the end of the word

Leave out the -e.

write he is writing
take he is taking

BUT:
double e: add -ing
see he is seeing

3) verbs ending in -ie

Change 'ie' to 'y'.
lie - he is lying

4) verbs ending in -c

Change 'c' to 'ck'.

picnic - he is picnicking

Special verbs in the Present Progressive

There are verbs which are normally not used in the Present Progressive, like:
be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem,
smell, think, understand, want, wish

We sometimes use these words in the Present Progressive in the following

situations:

He's seeing his father tomorrow. (fixed date)

The group is seeing the sights of Paris. (see in connection with tourists)

They are having a great time in Kapstadt. (have as an activity verb)

What's the matter with you? What are you thinking? - (to be worried about sth.)

If you are not sure with these verbs, use a good dictionary.

1) have as a full verb

affirmative sentence negative sentence question
I am having a bath. I am not having a bath. Am I having a bath?
he, she, it:
He is having a bath. He is not having a bath. Is he having a bath?
we, you, they:
We are not having a
We are having a bath. Are we having a bath?
bath.
1) do as a full verb
affirmative sentence negative sentence question
I am not doing an
I am doing an exercise. Am I doing an exercise?
exercise.
he, she, it:
He is not doing an
He is doing an exercise. Is he doing an exercise?
exercise.
we, you, they:
We are doing an We are not doing an
Are we doing an exercise?
exercise. exercise.

We often use the short forms with these verbs.

Questions in the Present Progressive - Exercise

Put in the verbs in the Present Progressive into the gaps.

Example: ___ he ______ the newspaper? (to read)

Answer: Is he reading the newspaper?

1) ( ) Richard ( ) in the garden? (to work)

2) ( ) she ( ) a cup of tea? (to have)

3) ( ) the children ( ) their homework? (to do)

4) ( ) you ( ) the kitchen, Tom? (to clean)

5) ( ) the cat ( ) in the basket? (to sleep)

6) ( ) Cliff and Oliver ( ) friends? (to meet)

7) ( ) your mother ( ) sandwiches? (to make)

8) ( ) the birds ( ) water? (to drink)

9) ( ) Carmen ( ) a pullover? (to wear)

10) ( ) they ( ) a pizza? (to eat)

Questions in the Present Progressive - Exercise (Answer)

Put in the verbs in the Present Progressive into the gaps.

Example: ___ he ______ the newspaper? (to read)

Answer: Is he reading the newspaper?

1) Is Richard working in the garden? (to work)

2) Is she having a cup of tea? (to have)

3) Are the children doing their homework? (to do)

4) Are you cleaning the kitchen, Tom? (to clean)

5) Is the cat sleeping in the basket? (to sleep)

6) Are Cliff and Oliver meeting friends? (to meet)

7) Is your mother making sandwiches? (to make)

8) Are the birds drinking water? (to drink)

9) Is Carmen wearing a pullover? (to wear)

10) Are they eating a pizza? (to eat)

Present Progressive - Questions - Exercise (Answer)

Put in the correct verb forms and the nouns into the gaps. Use Present
Progressive.

Example: ___________ the newspaper? (he/to read)

Answer: Is he reading the newspaper?

1) Is Lisa swimming in the lake? (Lisa/to swim)

2) Are you helping your brother? (you/to help)

3) Is he visiting a museum? (he/to visit)

4) Is Doris washing her T-shirt? (Doris/to wash)

5) Are they running home? (they/to run)

6) Is Henry listening to the radio? (Henry/to listen)

7) Are the boys carrying the buckets? (the boys/to carry)

8) Is she holding the string of the kite? (she/to hold)

9) Are we making breakfast? (we/to make)

10) Are Ron and Fred checking the computer? (Ron and Fred/to check)

Present Progressive (Exercise)

Put in the correct verb forms and the nouns into the gaps. Use Present
Progressive.

Example: ___________ the newspaper? (he/to read)

Answer: Is he reading the newspaper?

1) ( ) in the lake? (Lisa/to swim)

2) ( ) your brother? (you/to help)

3) ( ) a museum? (he/to visit)

4) ( ) her T-shirt? (Doris/to wash)

5) ( ) home? (they/to run)

6) ( ) to the radio? (Henry/to listen)

7) ( ) the buckets? (the boys/to carry)

8) ( ) the string of the kite? (she/to hold)

9) ( ) breakfast? (we/to make)

10) ( ) the computer? (Ron and Fred/to check)

Present Perfect - Use

The Present Perfect is not easy to understand for ESL learners. It is a combination of
past and present. An actions in the past has something to do with the present.
1) Result of an action in the past is important in the present (It is not important
when this action happened. When we use a specific time in the past - e.g. yesterday
- then we use the Simple Past.)

I have cleaned my room. (It is clean now.)

Has Peggy ever been to Tokyo? (Has Peggy been there or not?)

2) Recently completed actions

He has just played handball. (It is over now.)

3) Actions beginning in the past and still continuing - mostly with since (point of
time) or for (period of time)

We have lived in Canada since 1986. (We still live there.)

4) together with lately, recently, yet

I have been to London recently. (no specific point of time)

He has not written the e-mail yet. (He has not done it.)

Present Perfect - Signal words

These words tell you what tense you have to use. For the Present Perfect the
following words are used frequently

Just, yet, never, already, ever, so far, up to, now, recently, since, for

Form of the Present Perfect

We form the Present Perfect with have and the past participle
(regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular
verbs)

have/has + past participle

has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it)

have: all other forms

past participle:
- regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs

Affirmative sentences

regular verbs irregular verbs

I/we/you/they have played football. I/we/you/they have gone to the supermarket.
He/she/it has played football. He/she/it has gone to the supermarket.

NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

Negative sentences

regular verbs irregular verbs

I/we/you/they have not played I/we/you/they have not gone to the
football. supermarket.
He/she/it has not played football. He/she/it has not gone to the supermarket.

NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

Questions

regular verbs irregular verbs

Have I/we/you/they playedfootball? Have I/we/you/they gone to the supermarket?
Has he/she/it played football? Has he/she/it gone to the supermarket?

NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

You have to know all forms of the irregular verbs very well. For the Present Perfect
you need the form of the verb which can be found in the 3rd column of the table of
the irregular verbs.
go - went - gone

Add -ed with regular verbs.

regular verbs
infinitive + -ed

Sometimes the are exceptions in spelling when adding -ed.

1) consonant after a short, stressed vowel at the end of the word

Double the consonant.

stop stopped
swap - swapped

We do not double the consonant if it is not stressed:

benefit - benefited (Here we stress the first 'e', not the 'i'.)

In Britsh English we double one -l at the end of the word:

travel - travelled

2) one -e at the end of the word

Leave out the -e. Add -d.

love loved
save saved

3) verbs ending in -y

verbs ending in 'y' preceded by a vowel (a, e, i, o, u):Add -ed.

play - played

Change 'y' to 'i' after a consonant. Then add -ed.

worry - worried
irregular verbs
3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs

Special verbs in the Present Perfect

1) have as a full verb

affirmative sentence negative sentence question
I, we, you, they:
I have had a book. I have not had a book. Have I had a book?
he, she, it:
He has had a book. He has not had a book. Has he had a book?

2) be as a full verb
affirmative sentence negative sentence question
I, we, you, they:
I have been to Britain. I have not been to Britain. Have I been to Britain?
he, she, it:
He has not been to
He has been to Britain. Has he been to Britain?
Britain.

3) do as a full verb
affirmative sentence negative sentence question
I, we, you, they:
I have not done an
I have done an exercise. Have I done an exercise?
exercise.
he, she, it:
He has not done an
He has done an exercise. Has he done an exercise?
exercise.

NOTE:
We sometimes use short forms for have (has) with affirmative or negative
sentences.
Present Perfect - Statements Exercise

Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps. Use Present Perfect.

Example: I _____________ my father's car. (to wash)

Answer: I have washed my father's car.

1) Karen ( ) me an e-mail. (to send)

2) Dave and Pat ( ) the museum. (to visit)

3) I ( ) at the pet shop. (to be)

4) They ( ) already ( ) their rucksacks. (to pack)

5) Marcus ( ) an accident. (to have)

6) We ( ) the shopping for our grandmother. (to do)

7) I just ( ) my bike. (to clean)

8) Emily ( ) her room. (to paint)

9) Lisa and Colin ( ) to a concert. (to go)

10) My friends ( ) smoking. (to give up)

Present Perfect - Statements Exercise (Answer)

Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps. Use Present Perfect.

Example: I _____________ my father's car. (to wash)

Answer: I have washed my father's car.

1) Karen has sent me an e-mail. (to send)

2) Dave and Pat have visited the museum. (to visit)

3) I have been at the pet shop. (to be)

4) They have already packed their rucksacks. (to pack)

5) Marcus has had an accident. (to have)

6) We have done the shopping for our grandmother. (to do)

7) I have just cleaned my bike. (to clean)

8) Emily has painted her room. (to paint)

9) Lisa and Colin have gone to a concert. (to go)

10) My friends have given up smoking. (to give up)

Present Perfect Progressive Use

1) Actions beginning in the past and still continuing (focus is on the action) -
mostly with since (point of time) or for (period of time)

I have been waiting for you for three hours. (It was a long time.)

2) Recently completed actions (focus is on the action)

She has been watching too many videos. (It was too much time.)
 - Signal words

all day, the whole day, since, for

Questions with how long

- Form

have/has + been + infinitive + -ing

- Examples

Affirmative sentences:

I have been playing handball. You have been playing handball.

I've been playing handball. You've been playing handball.

Negative sentences:

I have not been playing handball. You have not been playing handball.
I've not been playing handball. You've not been playing handball.
I haven't been playing handball. You haven't been playing handball.

Present Perfect Progressive/Continuous - Exercise

Use the verbs in brackts in the Present Perfect Progressive in the sentences.

Example: She _______________ tennis for half an hour now. (to play)

Answer: She has been playing tennis for half an hour now. or She's been playing
tennis for half an hour now.

1) I ( ) this website since 1999. (to run)

2) My parents ( ) for years. (to smoke)

3) He ( ) for his girlfriend since 6 o'clock. (to wait)

4) We ( ) in Greece since last August. (to live)

5) Max and Paul ( ) their bikes all day. (to ride)

6) They ( ) in the sun for hours. (to lie)

7) Emily ( ) on the computer for too long. (to work)

8) It ( ) since I came home. (to rain)

9) You ( ) to music since 12:30. (to listen)

10) Frank ( ) for the last 20 minutes. (to dream)

Present Perfect Progressive/Continuous Exercise (Answer)

Use the verbs in brackts in the Present Perfect Progressive in the sentences.

Example: She _______________ tennis for half an hour now. (to play)

Answer: She has been playing tennis for half an hour now. or She's been playing
tennis for half an hour now.

1) I have been running this website since 1999. (to run)

2) My parents have been smoking for years. (to smoke)

3) He has been waiting for his girlfriend since 6 o'clock. (to wait)

4) We have been living in Greece since last August. (to live)

5) Max and Paul have been riding their bikes all day. (to ride)

6) They have been lying in the sun for hours. (to lie)

7) Emily has been working on the computer for too long. (to work)

8) It has been raining since I came home. (to rain)

9) You have been listening to music since 12:30. (to listen)

10) Frank has been dreaming for the last 20 minutes. (to dream)

Simple Past/Past Simple

Use

1) action finished in the past

I visited Berlin last week.

2) series of completed actions in the past

First I got up, then I had breakfast

3) together with the Past Progressive/Continuous - The Simple Past
interrupted an action which was in progress in the past.

They were playing cards when the telephone rang.

Signal words ( yesterday, last week, a month ago, in 2002 )

Form

- with regular verbs: infinitive + -ed

- with irregular verbs: 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

Examples

Affirmative sentences:

regular verbs irregular verbs

I played football. I went to the cinema.
We visited Alaska last We were in Rome
year. yesterday.

Negative sentences:

You must not negate a full verb in English. Always use the auxiliary did (Simple Past
of to do) for negations.

I played football.
I didn't play football.
He didn't play football.

Questions:

Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of to do).

Did you play football?
Positive statements in the Simple Past - Exercise

Put the correct forms of the verbs into the gaps. Use the Simple Past in the
statements.

Example: She ______ her mother in the kitchen. (to help)

Answer: She helped her mother in the kitchen.

1) They ( ) something to drink. (to order)

2) Last summer I ( ) to Stuttgart. (to go)

3) She ( ) her homework in the afternoon. (to do)

4) He ( ) to 10. (to count)

5) Our cat ( ) a big mouse. (to catch)

6) In 2001 our class ( ) a trip to Norwich. (to make)

7) The weather( ) really nice. (to be)

8) The secretary ( ) the file yesterday. (to delete)

9) Paul ( ) nothing to me. (to say)

10) The people ( ) something to each other. (to whisper)

Positive statements in the Simple Past - Exercise (Answer)

Put the correct forms of the verbs into the gaps. Use the Simple Past in the
statements.

Example: She ______ her mother in the kitchen. (to help)

Answer: She helped her mother in the kitchen.

1) They ordered something to drink. (to order)

2) Last summer I went to Stuttgart. (to go)

3) She did her homework in the afternoon. (to do)

4) He counted to 10. (to count)

5) Our cat caught a big mouse. (to catch)

6) In 2001 our class made a trip to Norwich. (to make)

7) The weather was really nice. (to be)

8) The secretary deleted the file yesterday. (to delete)

9) Paul said nothing to me. (to say)

10) The people whispered something to each other. (to whisper)

Past Progressive - Use

1) actions were in progress at special time in the past

Peter was reading a book yesterday evening.

2) two actions were happening at the same time (the actions do not influence
each other)

Anne was writing a letter while Steve was reading the New York Times.

3) together with the Simple Past

While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang.

4) repeated actions irritating the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)

Andrew was always coming in late.

Past Progressive - Form

to be (was, were) + infinitive + -ing

Past Progressive - Examples

Affirmative sentences:

I was playing football. You were playing football.

Negative sentences:

I was not playing football. You were not playing football.

I was't playing football. You weren't playing football.

Questions:

Was I playing football? Were you playing football?

Questions in the Past Progressive

Write the correct verb form into the gap. Use the Past Progressive.

Example: ___ she ______ a book? (to read)

Answer: Was she reading a book?

1) ( ) Ashley ( ) on the computer? (to work)

2) ( ) they ( ) the bike? (to repair)

3) ( ) Melissa ( ) out a book? (to take)

4) ( ) you ( ) to music? (to listen)

5) ( ) Nicolas ( ) at a picture? (to look)

6) ( ) Emma and Bertha ( ) her friend? (to phone)

7) ( ) the girl ( ) the window? (to open)

8) ( ) he ( ) judo? (to do)

9) ( ) the friends ( ) home from school?(to come)

10) ( ) Tyler ( ) with the cooking? (to help)

Questions in the Past Progressive (Answer)

Write the correct verb form into the gap. Use the Past Progressive.

Example: ___ she ______ a book? (to read)

Answer: Was she reading a book?

1) Was Ashley working on the computer? (to work)

2) Were they repairing the bike? (to repair)

3) Was Melissa taking out a book? (to take)

4) Were you listening to music? (to listen)

5) Was Nicolas looking at a picture? (to look)

6) Were Emma and Bertha phoning her friend? (to phone)

7) Was the girl opening the window? (to open)

8) Was he doing judo? (to do)

9) Were the friends coming home from school?(to come)

10) Was Tyler helping with the cooking? (to help)

Past Perfect Diagram

We use the Past Perfect for an action which was completed before a special point of
time in the past.

We often use the Past Perfect together with the Simple Past. The action which was
completed before the other action began is put into Past Perfect.
 Past Perfect Use

1) Together with the Simple Past

When two past actions are combined - the first action, which was completed before
the second one began, is put into Past Perfect.

Mary had read the book before she watched a film.

After Amy had gone home it started to rain.

2) the past equivalent of the Present Perfect

He had played hockey.

Present Perfect Past Perfect

The bike is new. I've bought it. The bike was new. I had bought it.

Past Perfect - Simple Past Simple Past - Simple Past

The match had started before he
The match started when he arrived.
arrived.

Past Perfect - Signal words

There are no unambiguous "signal words" in the Past Perfect. We often use the Past
Perfect together with the Simple Past. Watch out when two actions in the past are
combined:

first action (completed before the second one began): Past Perfect
second action: Simple Past

Form of the Past Perfect

We form the Past Perfect with had and the past participle (regular verbs: infinitive +
-ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs)

had + past participle

We use the same form of the auxiliary had every time regardless the subject.

past participle:
- regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs

Affirmative sentences

regular verbs irregular verbs

I/you/he/she/it/we/they had played I/you/he/she/it/we/they had gone
hockey. home.

Negative sentences

regular verbs irregular verbs

I/you/he/she/it/we/they had not played I/you/he/she/it/we/they had not gone
hockey. home.

Questions

regular verbs irregular verbs

Had I/you/he/she/it/we/they played Had I/you/he/she/it/we/they gone
hockey? home?

Special verbs in the Past Perfect

1) have as a full verb

affirmative sentence negative sentence question
alle forms (I, you, he, she, it, we, they):
He had had a book. He had not had a book. Had he had a book?

2) be as a full verb
affirmative sentence negative sentence question
all forms (I, you, he, she, it, we, they):
He had been to Britain. He had not been to Had he been to Britain?
 Britain.

3) do as a full verb
affirmative sentence negative sentence question
all forms (I, you, he, she, it, we, they):
He had not done an
He had done an exercise. Had he done an exercise?
exercise.

Past Perfect - Exercise

Put in the words in brackets into the gaps. Use the verbs in the Past Perfect
steht.

Example: _____________________ the summary by the time it was due? (Gerry/to

hand in)

Answer: Had Gerry handed in the summary by the time it was due?

1) ( ) the instructions before they switched on the mobile phone? (they/to read)

2) ( ) the new words before she texted her friend? (the girl/to learn)

3) ( ) the office before they drove away? (they/to ring)

4) What ( ) before she turned on the TV? (Lucy/to do)

5) ( ) the software before he switched off the computer? (Walter/to update)

6) What ( ) before she ran away? (she/to find)

7) ( ) the onions before he hurried to the window? (Tim/to cut)

8) ( ) here before? (you/to surf)

9) ( ) to Lisa before she prepared dinner? (Peggy/to talk)

10) ( ) London before you went there in 2008? (you/ever/to visit)

Past Perfect - Questions Exercise (Answer)

Put in the words in brackets into the gaps. Use the verbs in the Past Perfect
steht.

Example: _____________________ the summary by the time it was due? (Gerry/to

hand in)

Answer: Had Gerry handed in the summary by the time it was due?

1) ( Had they read ) the instructions before they switched on the mobile phone?
(they/to read)

2) ( Had the girl learned ) the new words before she texted her friend? (the girl/to
learn)

3) ( Had they rung ) the office before they drove away? (they/to ring)

4) What ( had Lucy done ) before she turned on the TV? (Lucy/to do)

5) ( Had Walter updated ) the software before he switched off the computer?
(Walter/to update)

6) What ( had she found ) before she ran away? (she/to find)

7) ( Had Tim cut ) the onions before he hurried to the window? (Tim/to cut)
8) ( Had you surfed ) here before? (you/to surf)

9) ( Had Peggy talked ) to Lisa before she prepared dinner? (Peggy/to talk)

10) ( Had you ever visited ) London before you went there in 2008? (you/ever/to
visit)

Past Perfect - Sentences Exercise

Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps and form sentences in the Past
Perfect. Use contracted forms only when there are personal pronouns.

Example: Before Steven did his homework he _____________ at the library. (to
study)

Answer: Before Steven did his homework he had studied at the library.

1) She ( ) in Sweden before she went to Norway. (to live)

2) After we ( ) the cornflakes, Henry came in. (to eat)

3) Before Ken ran to Kerry's house, he ( ) him. (to phone)

4) After they ( ) their rucksacks, they rode away on their bikes. (to pack)

5) Gerry helped his grandma in the house because his father ( ) him so. (to tell)

6) The cat hid under the chair because the children ( ) so loud. (to be)

7) Before the students started to write, the teacher ( ) their mobile phones. (to
collect)

8) After Max ( ) his breakfast, he left the flat. (to finish)

9) Laura repaired her glasses because her brother ( ) them. (to break)

10) By the time the show began, all friends ( ) . (to arrive)

Past Perfect - Exercise (Answer)

Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps and form sentences in the Past
Perfect. Use contracted forms only when there are personal pronouns.

Example: Before Steven did his homework he _____________ at the library. (to
study)

Answer: Before Steven did his homework he had studied at the library.

1) She ( had lived ) in Sweden before she went to Norway. (to live)

2) After we ( had eaten ) the cornflakes, Henry came in. (to eat)

3) Before Ken ran to Kerry's house, he ( had phoned ) him. (to phone)

4) After they ( had packed ) their rucksacks, they rode away on their bikes. (to
pack)

5) Gerry helped his grandma in the house because his father ( had told ) him so. (to
tell)

6) The cat hid under the chair because the children ( had been ) so loud. (to be)

7) Before the students started to write, the teacher ( had collected ) their mobile
phones. (to collect)
8) After Max ( had finished ) his breakfast, he left the flat. (to finish)

9) Laura repaired her glasses because her brother ( had broken ) them. (to break)

10) By the time the show began, all friends ( had arrived ) . (to arrive)

Past Perfect Continuous

FORM

[had been + present participle]

Examples:

You had been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally
arrived.

Had you been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally
arrived?

You had not been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally
arrived.

Complete List of Past Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and
continued up until another time in the past. "For five minutes" and "for two weeks"
are both durations which can be used with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that
this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous; however, the duration does not
continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Examples:

They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.

How long had you been waiting to get on the bus?

Mike wanted to sit down because he had been standing all day at work.

James had been teaching at the university for more than a year before he
left for Asia.

A: How long had you been studying Turkish before you moved to Ankara?
B: I had not been studying Turkish very long.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Past

Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to
show cause and effect.

Examples:

Jason was tired because he had been jogging.

Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.

Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.

Past Continuous vs. Past Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since
Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous rather than the
Past Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the
sentence. Past Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Past Perfect
Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the past. Study the
examples below to understand the difference.

Examples:

He was tired because he was exercising so hard.

THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WAS TIRED BECAUSE HE WAS EXERCISING
AT THAT EXACT MOMENT.

He was tired because he had been exercising so hard.

THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WAS TIRED BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN
EXERCISING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE WAS STILL

EXERCISING AT THAT MOMENT OR THAT HE HAD JUST FINISHED.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot
be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Past Perfect Continuous with these
verbs, you must use Past Perfect.

Examples:

The motorcycle had been belonging to George for years before Tina bought
it. Not Correct

The motorcycle had belonged to George for years before Tina bought it.
Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:
 You had only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived.

Had you only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Chef Jones had been preparing the restaurant's fantastic dinners for two
years before he moved to Paris. ACTIVE

The restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef Jones
for two years before he moved to Paris. PASSIVE

NOTE: Passive forms of the Past Perfect Continuous are not common.

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfectcontinuous.html

Exercise

Past Perfect Progressive

Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect progressive).

1.We (sleep) ( ) for 12 hours when he woke us up.

2.They (wait) ( ) at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally
arrived.

3.We (look for) ( ) her ring for two hours and then we found it in the
bathroom.

4.I (not / walk) ( ) for a long time, when it suddenly began to rain.

5.How long (learn / she) ( ) English before she went to London?

6.Frank Sinatra caught the flu because he (sing) ( ) in the rain too long.

7.He (drive) ( ) less than an hour when he ran out of petrol.

8.They were very tired in the evening because they (help) ( ) on the
farm all day.

9.I (not / work) ( ) all day; so I wasn't tired and went to the disco at
night.

10.They (cycle) ( ) all day so their legs were sore in the evening.

Exercise

(Answer)

Past Perfect Progressive

Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect progressive).

1.We (sleep) had been sleeping for 12 hours when he woke us up.

2.They (wait) had been waiting at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally
arrived.

3.We (look for) had been looking for her ring for two hours and then we found it in
the bathroom.

4.I (not / walk) had not been walking for a long time, when it suddenly began to
rain.
5.How long (learn / she) had she been learning English before she went to
London?

6.Frank Sinatra caught the flu because he (sing) had been singing in the rain too
long.

7.He (drive) had been driving less than an hour when he ran out of petrol.

8.They were very tired in the evening because they (help) had been helping on the
farm all day.

9.I (not / work) had not been working all day; so I wasn't tired and went to the disco
at night.

10.They (cycle) had been cycling all day so their legs were sore in the evening.

Simple Future Tense

I will sing

The simple future tense is often called will, because we make the simple future
tense with the modal auxiliary will.

How do we make the Simple Future Tense?

The structure of the simple future tense is:

subject + auxiliary verb WILL + main verb

invariable base

will V1
For negative sentences in the simple future tense, we insert not between the
auxiliary verb and main verb. For question sentences, we exchange the subject and
auxiliary verb. Look at these example sentences with the simple future tense:

subject auxiliary verb main verb

+ I will open the door.

+ You will finish before me.

- She will not be at school tomorrow.

- We will not leave yet.

? Will you arrive on time?

? Will they want dinner?

When we use the simple future tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and
auxiliary verb:

I will I'll

you will you'll

he will he'll
she will she'll
it will it'll

we will we'll

they will they'll

For negative sentences in the simple future tense, we contract with won't, like this:

I will not I won't

you will not you won't

he will not he won't

she will not she won't
it will not it won't
we will not we won't

they will not they won't

How do we use the Simple Future Tense?

No Plan

We use the simple future tense when there is no plan or decision to do something
before we speak. We make the decision spontaneously at the time of speaking. Look
at these examples:

Hold on. I'll get a pen.

We will see what we can do to help you.

In these examples, we had no firm plan before speaking. The decision is made at
the time of speaking.

We often use the simple future tense with the verb to think before it:

I think I'll go to the gym tomorrow.

I think I will have a holiday next year.

I don't think I'll buy that car.

Prediction

We often use the simple future tense to make a prediction about the future. Again,
there is no firm plan. We are saying what we think will happen. Here are some
examples:

It will rain tomorrow.

People won't go to Jupiter before the 22nd century.

Who do you think will get the job?

Be

When the main verb is be, we can use the simple future tense even if we have a firm
plan or decision before speaking. Examples:

I'll be in London tomorrow.

I'm going shopping. I won't be very long.

Will you be at work tomorrow?

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_future.htm

Future Continuous

Future Continuous has two different forms: "will be doing " and "be going to be
doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually
interchangeable.

FORM Future Continuous with "Will"

[will be + present participle]

Examples:

You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?

You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
FORM Future Continuous with "Be Going To "

[am/is/are + going to be + present participle]

Examples:

You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?

You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

REMEMBER: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future
Continuous with little difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Continuous Forms

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future

Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be
interrupted by a shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real interruption
or just an interruption in time.

Examples:

I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.

I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.

I am going to be staying at the Madison Hotel, if anything happens and you

need to contact me.

He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer when
she arrives.
Notice in the examples above that the interruptions (marked in italics) are in Simple
Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time
clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption in the Future

In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short action in

the future. In addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a
specific time as an interruption.

Examples:

Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.

I WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF EATING DINNER.

At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.

WE WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING THROUGH THE DESERT.

REMEMBER

In the Simple Future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or
end. In the Future Continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.

Examples:

Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner.

I AM GOING TO START EATING AT 6 PM.

Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.

I AM GOING TO START EARLIER AND I WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF EATING DINNER
AT 6 PM.

USE 3 Parallel Actions in the Future

When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it
expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions
are parallel.

Examples:

I am going to be studying and he is going to be making dinner.

Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a
good time.

While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.

NOTICE "IS READING" BECAUSE OF THE TIME CLAUSE CONTAINING "WHILE." (SEE
EXPLANATION BELOW)

USE 4 Atmosphere in the Future

In English, we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere at a

specific point in the future.

Example:

When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will

be dancing. Others are going to be talking. A few people will be eating
pizza, and several people are going to be drinking beer. They always do
the same thing.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future tenses, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning
with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if,
unless, etc. Instead of Future Continuous, Present Continuous is used.

Examples:
 While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make
dinner. Not Correct

While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot
be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Continuous with these verbs,
you must use Simple Future.

Examples:

Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct

Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You will still be waiting for her when her plane arrives.

Will you still be waiting for her when her plane arrives?

You are still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives.

Are you still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dishes. ACTIVE

 At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be being washed by John. PASSIVE

At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going to be washing the dishes. ACTIVE

At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are going to be being washed by John.

PASSIVE

NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Continuous are not common.

Simple Future / Future Continuous (Exercise)

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate
tenses.

1.

Sandra: Where is Tim going to meet us?

Marcus: He (wait) ( ) for us when our train arrives. I am sure he (stand) (

) on the platform when we pull into the station.
Sandra: And then what?

Marcus: We (pick) ( ) Michele up at work and go out to dinner.

2.

Ted: When we get to the party, Jerry (watch) ( ) TV, Sam (make) (
) drinks, Beth (dance) ( ) by herself, and Thad (complain) (
) about his day at work.

Robin: Maybe, this time they won't be doing the same things.

Ted: I am absolutely positive they (do) ( ) the same things; they always do
the same things.

3.

Florence: Oh, look at that mountain of dirty dishes! Who (wash) ( ) all of
those?

Jack: I promise I (do) ( ) them when I get home from work.

Florence: Thanks.

Jack: When you get home this evening, that mountain will be gone and nice stacks
of sparkling clean dishes (sit) ( ) in the cabinets.

4.

Doug: If you need to contact me next week, I (stay) ( ) at the Hoffman Hotel.

Nancy: I (call) ( ) you if there are any problems.

Doug: This is the first time I have ever been away from the kids.

Nancy: Don't worry, they (be) ( ) be fine.

5.

Samantha: Just think, next week at this time, I (lie) ( ) on a tropical beach in
Maui drinking Mai Tais and eating pineapple.

Darren: While you are luxuriating on the beach, I (stress) ( ) out over
this marketing project. How are you going to enjoy yourself knowing that I am
working so hard?

Samantha: I 'll manage somehow.

Darren: You're terrible. Can't you take me with you?

Samantha: No. But I (send) ( ) you a postcard of a beautiful, white sand

beach.

Darren: Great, that (make) ( ) me feel much better.

Simple Future / Future Continuous (Answer)

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate
tenses.

1.

Sandra: Where is Tim going to meet us?

Marcus: He (wait) will be waiting for us when our train arrives. I am sure he (stand)
will be standing on the platform when we pull into the station.

Sandra: And then what?

Marcus: We (pick) are going to pick Michele up at work and go out to dinner.

2.

Ted: When we get to the party, Jerry (watch) is going to be watching TV, Sam
(make) is going to be making drinks, Beth (dance) is going to be dancing by
herself, and Thad (complain) is going to be complaining about his day at work.

Robin: Maybe, this time they won't be doing the same things.

Ted: I am absolutely positive they (do) are going to be doing the same things; they
always do the same things.

3.

Florence: Oh, look at that mountain of dirty dishes! Who (wash) is going to wash
all of those?

Jack: I promise I (do) will do them when I get home from work.

Florence: Thanks.

Jack: When you get home this evening, that mountain will be gone and nice stacks
of sparkling clean dishes (sit) will be sitting in the cabinets.

4.

Doug: If you need to contact me next week, I (stay) will be staying at the Hoffman
Hotel.

Nancy: I (call) will call you if there are any problems.

Doug: This is the first time I have ever been away from the kids.

Nancy: Don't worry, they (be) will be be fine.

5.

Samantha: Just think, next week at this time, I (lie) will be lying on a tropical beach
in Maui drinking Mai Tais and eating pineapple.

Darren: While you are luxuriating on the beach, I (stress) will be stressing out over
this marketing project. How are you going to enjoy yourself knowing that I am
working so hard?

Samantha: I 'll manage somehow.

Darren: You're terrible. Can't you take me with you?

Samantha: No. But I (send) will send you a postcard of a beautiful, white sand
beach.

Darren: Great, that (make) will make me feel much better.

Future Perfect

Future Perfect has two different forms: "will have done" and "be going to have done."
Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect with "Will"

[will have + past participle]

Examples:

You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the
U.S.
 Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the
U.S.?

You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from
the U.S.

FORM Future Perfect with "Be Going To"

[am/is/are + going to have + past participle]

Examples:

You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come back
from the U.S.

Are you going to have perfected your English by the time you come back
from the U.S.?

You are not going to have perfected your English by the time you come
back from the U.S.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect
with little or no difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Perfect Forms

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Future

The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another
action in the future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific
time in the future.

Examples:

By next November, I will have received my promotion.

 By the time he gets home, she is going to have cleaned the entire house.

I am not going to have finished this test by 3 o'clock.

Will she have learned enough Chinese to communicate before she moves to
Beijing?

Sam is probably going to have completed the proposal by the time he

leaves this afternoon.

By the time I finish this course, I will have taken ten tests.

How many countries are you going to have visited by the time you turn 50?

Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in
Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in
time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Future (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use
the Future Perfect to show that something will continue up until another action in the
future.

Examples:

I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.

By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week.

Although the above use of Future Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous

Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and
"study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous
Verbs.
REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with
time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if,
unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect, Present Perfect is used.

Examples:

I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not

Correct

I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You will only have learned a few words.

Will you only have learned a few words?

You are only going to have learned a few words.

Are you only going to have learned a few words?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

They will have completed the project before the deadline. ACTIVE

The project will have been completed before the deadline. PASSIVE

They are going to have completed the project before the deadline. ACTIVE

The project is going to have been completed before the deadline. PASSIVE
Future Perfect Continuous

Future Perfect Continuous has two different forms: "will have been doing " and "be
going to have been doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect Continuous
forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Will"

[will have been + present participle]

Examples:

You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives.

Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives?

You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane
finally arrives.

FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Be Going To"

[am/is/are + going to have been + present participle]

Examples:

You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her
plane finally arrives.

Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her
plane finally arrives?

You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her
plane finally arrives.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect
Continuous with little or no difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Future

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until
a particular event or time in the future. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since
Friday" are all durations which can be used with the Future Perfect Continuous.
Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous and the Past Perfect
Continuous; however, with Future Perfect Continuous, the duration stops at or before
a reference point in the future.

Examples:

They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Thomas arrives.

She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it
finally closes.

James will have been teaching at the university for more than a year by the
time he leaves for Asia.

How long will you have been studying when you graduate?

We are going to have been driving for over three days straight when we
get to Anchorage.

A: When you finish your English course, will you have been living in New
Zealand for over a year?
B: No, I will not have been living here that long.

Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in
Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because these future events are in
time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Future

Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good
way to show cause and effect.

Examples:
 Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging
for over an hour.

Claudia's English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she
is going to have been studying English in the United States for over two
years.

Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since
Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Future Continuous rather than the
Future Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the
sentence. Future Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Future
Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the future.
Study the examples below to understand the difference.

Examples:

He will be tired because he will be exercising so hard.

THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WILL BE TIRED BECAUSE HE WILL BE
EXERCISING AT THAT EXACT MOMENT IN THE FUTURE.

He will be tired because he will have been exercising so hard.

THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WILL BE TIRED BECAUSE HE WILL HAVE
BEEN EXERCISING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE WILL STILL BE

EXERCISING AT THAT MOMENT OR THAT HE WILL JUST HAVE FINISHED.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses
beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as
soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect
Continuous is used.

Examples:
 You won't get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as
Tim. Not Correct

You won't get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim.
Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot
be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Perfect Continuous with these
verbs, you must use Future Perfect .

Examples:

Ned will have been having his driver's license for over two years. Not
Correct

Ned will have had his driver's license for over two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You will only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.

Will you only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?

You are only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane
arrives.

Are you only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane
arrives?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by
the time it is finished. ACTIVE

The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six
months by the time it is finished. PASSIVE

The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six
months by the time it is finished. ACTIVE

The mural is going to have been being painted by the famous artist for
over six months by the time it is finished. PASSIVE

NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Perfect Continuous are not common
Future Perfect / Future Perfect Continuous (Exercise)

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate
tenses.

1. By the time we get to Chicago this evening, we (drive) ( ) more

than four hundred miles. We are going to be exhausted.

2. When Sarah goes on vacation next month, she (study) ( )

German for over two years. She should be able to communicate fairly well while she
is in Austria.

3. I have not traveled much yet; however, I (visit) ( ) the Grand

Canyon and San Francisco by the time I leave the United States.

4. By the time you finish studying the verb tense tutorial, you (master) (
) all twelve tenses including their passive forms.

5. Drive faster! If you don't hurry up, she (have) ( ) the baby by
the time we get to the hospital.

6. I came to England six months ago. I started my economics course three months
ago. When I return to Australia, I (study) ( ) for nine months and I (be)
( ) in England for exactly one year.

7. Margie just called and said she would be here at 8 o'clock. By the time she gets
here, we (wait) ( ) for her for two hours.

8. Frank just changed jobs again. If he keeps this up, he (change) ( )

jobs at least four or five times by the end of the year.

9. Come over to my house around 9 o'clock. By then, I (complete) ( ) my

history essay and we can go see a movie.

10. In June, my grandmother and grandfather (be) ( ) married for fifty

years.
Future Perfect / Future Perfect Continuous (Answer)

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate
tenses.

1. By the time we get to Chicago this evening, we (drive) will have driven more
than four hundred miles. We are going to be exhausted.

2. When Sarah goes on vacation next month, she (study) will have been studying
German for over two years. She should be able to communicate fairly well while she
is in Austria.

3. I have not traveled much yet; however, I (visit) will have visited the Grand
Canyon and San Francisco by the time I leave the United States.

4. By the time you finish studying the verb tense tutorial, you (master) will have
mastered all twelve tenses including their passive forms.

5. Drive faster! If you don't hurry up, she (have) will have had the baby by the time
we get to the hospital.

6. I came to England six months ago. I started my economics course three months
ago. When I return to Australia, I (study) will have been studying for nine months
and I (be) will have been in England for exactly one year.

7. Margie just called and said she would be here at 8 o'clock. By the time she gets
here, we (wait) will have been waiting for her for two hours.

8. Frank just changed jobs again. If he keeps this up, he (change) will have
changed jobs at least four or five times by the end of the year.

9. Come over to my house around 9 o'clock. By then, I (complete) will have

completed my history essay and we can go see a movie.

10. In June, my grandmother and grandfather (be) will have been married for fifty
years.