Past Tenses

Tenses Form Examples Use

Subj.+ Inf. +_ed (or irregular - To talk about finished/completed actions in the
+ - Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces
verb II form) past, once or several times (past habits), often
of music
Past - Subj. + didnt + Inf. mentioned the time, e.g. Yesterday, last week,
- I didnt see you yesterday
Simple ago, in 1970, etc.
- Where did you go for your
? Did/didnt + Subj. + Inf.? - Sth. that was true for some time in the past.
holidays?
- States (She looked a bit upset).
+ Subj. + was/were + Inf. + ing - To talk about an action which was in progress at
Subj. + wasnt/werent + Inf. - I was watching Tv. yesterday at 5 specific time in the past.
Past -
+ ing pm. - When one event is more important than another
Contin
uous
- Lisa was cycling to school when in the past, we can use the past continuous for
Was/were (or negative form)
? she saw the accident. the background event (the less important event)
+ subj. + Inf. + ing?
and the past simple for the main event.
+ Subj. + had (d) + pp. - The policeman said Mr Hammond
- Subj. + hadnt + pp. had driven through a red light. - Reported clauses (reporting/perception verb in
- We had had dinner when plane hit ps. i.e. Felt, heard, saw)
turbulence. - To talk about an action that happened before
Past - Im very happy working as an another past action.
Perfect engineer but Id wanted to be an - To refer to situations which have changed.
? Had/hadnt + subj. + pp.?
actor when I was younger. - The past perfect in conditional clauses. We must
- If we had seen you walking, we use the past perfect when we imagine a different
would have stopped to give you a past in a clause with if.
lift.
+ Subj. + had +been+ inf. + ing - To talk about actions or events which started
- We had been flying for 20 minutes
Subj. + hadnt +been+ inf. + before a particular time in the past and were still
- when the plane hit the turbulence.
ing in progress up to that time in the past.
Past - It was so difficult to get up last
(Emphasis is on duration or particular time in
Perfect Monday for school. I had been
the past).
Contin working on my essays the night.
uous Had/hadnt + subj. +been+ - to talk about events which started before a time
? before and I was very tired.
inf. + ing? in the past and which finished, but where the
- It had been raining and the ground
effects or results were still important at a point
was still wet.
in the past:

Subj. = Subject (I, she, he, it, you, we, they)

Inf. = Infinitive

E.g. = for example

I.e. = that is (in another words)

Sth. = Something

Pp. = Past participle (III verb form)

Present Tenses

Tenses Form Examples Use

+ Subj. + inf. (+s third person) - Spiders dont frighten me. - General truths and facts.
- Subj. + dont/doesnt + inf. - I read every night before I go to - Regular and habitual events
sleep. - Instructions and directions
- I will pay you back, I promise, - Stories and commentaries
Present
when I get paid. - Immediate reactions
Simple Do/does (or negative form) +
? - The lesson starts at 9.30 tomorrow - I promise, I swear, I agree (speech act verbs)
subj. + inf.?
instead of 10.30. - Timetables and plans
- Ill call you when I get there. - Present simple after when, before, etc.
- Man rescues child from lake. - Newspaper headlines
+ Subj. + am/are/is + inf. + ing - To talk about events which are in progress at the
- Im cooking now so itll be ready
Subj. + m not/arent/isnt + moment of speaking.
- in about half an hour.
inf. + ing - To talk about temporary states which are true
- Whos looking after the children
around the moment of speaking.
while youre here?
- To describe actions which are repeated or
- Im not drinking much coffee these
regular, but which we believe to be temporary.
Present days. Im trying to cut down.
- To talk about a gradual change.
Contin - Theyre building a new stand at the
uous
- We often use the present continuous with words
Am/are/is (or negative form) football ground.
? like always, constantly, continually and forever
+ subj.+ inf. + ing? - My wife, shes always throwing
(adverbs of indefinite frequency) to describe
things out. I like to keep
events which are regular but not planned, and
everything.
often not wanted.
- Were moving to Cambridge in
- To refer to the future when we talk about plans
July.
and arrangements that have already been made:
Subj. + have/has (ve/s) + - Theyve sold 110 so far. - To refer to events/actions in the past but which
+
pp. - Shes broken her arm in two connect to the present.
- Subj. + havent/hasnt + pp. places. - To talk about our experiences up to now. The
- We havent met before, have we? time of the experiences is not important.
- The dome of the Blue Mosque at - Often use general time expressions like ever,
Present
Isfahan is the most beautiful never, before, in my life, so far, up until now.
Perfect
Have/has (or negative form) + building I have ever seen. - For a unique experience when we are using a
? - Thats the first time Ive seen you superlative.
subj. + pp.?
get angry. - With the first time when were talking about an
- Whats this? Whats just immediate, continuing or recent event.
happened? - use words like just or recently
Subj. + have/has + been + inf. - To talk about a finished activity in the recent
+
+ing past. Using the present perfect continuous
Subj. + havent/hasnt + been focuses on the activity. We dont give a specific
- - Ive just been cleaning the car.
+ inf. +ing time. Even though the activity is finished, we
- Ive been reading your book its
Present can see the result in the present.
great. (Im still reading it)
Perfect - For a single activity that began at a point in the
- Ive been going to Spain on
Contin past and is still continuing.
uous holiday every year since 1987.
Have/has (or negative form) + - To talk about repeated activities which started at
? - How long have you been waiting
subj. + been + inf. + ing a particular time in the past and are still
for me?
continuing up until now.
- To ask and answer questions about the duration
of an activity. We use the question How long.

Present simple: spelling

- For most verbs we add -s to the base form to make the third person singular form:
- When the verb ends in -ch, -ss, -sh, -x or -zz, we add es (watchwatches)
- When the verb ends in a consonant + -y we change y to i and add -es. (Studystudies)
- But when the verb ends in a vowel + -y we just add -s. (paypays)
- Have, go, do and be are irregular. I.e.; gogoes, dodoes, beis.
- When the verb ends in -s or -z we double the -s or -z and add -es, e.g. quiz, quizzes.
Present Continuous: spelling
- When the verb ends in -e, we take off the -e and add -ing. (movemoving)
- When the verb ends in a vowel followed by a single consonant and if the last syllable is stressed, then the consonant is doubled.
(commitcommitting)
- When the verb ends in a vowel + l, we double the consonant. (traveltravelling)

Going to: present continuous

We use the present continuous form of the verb go + preposition to + noun phrase to talk about movement in relation to a place or a
person in the present:

- Are you going to Maggies party tonight?

- Im going to the shops. Do you want anything?

Another uses of Present Perfect

Time + for and since

We use the present perfect simple with for and since to talk about a present situation that began at a specific point in the past and is
still going on in the present. We are looking back from the present to a point in the past.

- That house on the corner has been empty for three years. (For refers to periods of time, e.g. three years, four hours, ages, a long
time, months, years).
- That house on the corner has been empty since 2006. (Since refers to a previous point in time, e.g. last Monday, last year, 1987,
yesterday).

How long ?

We often use expressions with for and since to answer the question How long + present perfect simple. We use the How long ?
question to ask about the duration of a state or activity:

- How long have you worked there?

Yet

We use yet + the present perfect simple, mainly in questions and negative statements, to refer to things we intend to do in the future
but which are not done:

- Dont wash up that cup. I havent finished my coffee yet. (I intend to finish it).

Already

We use already + the present perfect simple when we want to emphasise that something is done or achieved, often before the expected
time:

- Ive already booked my flight home.

Still

We use still + the present perfect simple when we want to emphasise that something we expected to happen continues not to happen:

- She still hasnt said sorry to me.

- I feel really tired. I still havent recovered from the jet lag.

Introducing past time events

The present perfect simple is often used in newspaper headlines or TV news programmes to report a recent past event. It is then
followed by a series of verbs in the past simple (underlined):

- Charlton Heston has died aged 84, a spokesman for his family has said. Heston died on Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills. His
wife Lydia, whom he married in 1944, was at his side. Heston won a best actor Oscar for his starring role in the epic Ben Hur.

We can also use the present perfect simple to introduce an open general point about something. We can then use the past simple
(underlined) to give more detailed specific information:

- Have you seen any Arthur Miller plays? I saw a fantastic production of The Crucible.
Future Tenses

Tenses Form Examples Use

- It will rain tomorrow
+ Subj. + will/shall + inf. - To predict a future event (without evidence)
- I'll pay for the tickets by credit
- Promise
Subj. + will not (wont)/ shall card
Future - - Offers
not (shant) + inf. - Shall I open the window?
Simple - With I or We, to express a spontaneous decision
- Shall we go the cinema?
Will/shall (or negative form)+ - Using "shall", to make a suggestion, to make an
? - What shall I tell the boss about this
Subj. + inf. offer or to ask for advice or instructions
money?
+ Subj. + will + be + inf. + ing - This time next week, Ill be taking
- To refer to temporary actions and events that
Future Subj. + wont + be + inf. + photographs with my new camera
- will be in progress at a particular time in the
Contin ing - Next week they will be flying to
future
uous Will /wont + subj. + be + Australia from Saudi Arabia
? - For planned/ arranged action
inf. + ing - She wont be working on Tuesday
Subj. + will/shall + have +
+ - I think theyll have got there by six
pp.
oclock - Events finished by/befoe a certain time in the
Subj. + wont/shant + have + - Do you think shell have seen the future.
-
pp. doctor by four oclock? - Use when we look back to the past from a point
Future
Perfect - Next month I will have worked for in the future.
Will/ wont + Subj. + have + the company for six years - We usually use a time phrase, e.g. by tomorrow
?
pp. - Next month my parents will have /day/year/etc., for three years
been together for thirty years
- I will have been waiting here for
Subj. + will/shall + have +
+ three hours by six o'clock.
been + inf. + ing
- By 2001, I will have been living in
- Like the future perfect simple, this form is used
London for sixteen years.
Future to project ourselves forward in time and to look
Subj. + wont/shant + have + - When I finish this course, I will
back
Perfect - have been learning English for
Contin been + inf. + ing - It refers to events or actions in a time between
uous twenty years.
now and some future time are unfinished. It is
- Next year I will have been working
most often used with a time expression
Will/ wont + Subj. + have + here for four years.
? - When I come at 6:00, will you
been + inf. + ing
have been practicing long?

ll: short forms of shall and will.

Use of Shall
We use shall only for future time reference with I and we. Shall is more formal and less common than will.

- Shall I, shall we and shant I, shant we in future perfect questions are rare.

Going to: future

We can use a present form of be + going to + the base form of a main verb to talk about the future. We use it for plans and intentions,
predictions and commands:

- Im going to buy a new car next week. (plan or intention)

- Youre not going to do all this in an hour. Theres just too much to do. (prediction: the speaker can see how much there is to do /
with evidence)
- Im telling you, youre going to do it. You dont have a choice. (command)

Gonna (informal contexts)

Spoken English:

We use gonna instead of going to in informal contexts, especially in speaking and in song lyrics.

- Are you gonna try and get stuff sorted as soon as you can then?
- One day Im gonna be a star.
Future: typical errors
When we make an immediate decision, we use ll not will or shall or the simple present tense:

- Wait a minute, Ill lend you my car.

Not: I shall lend you my car. or I lend you my car.

Future: other expressions to talk about the future

We use a number of expressions with main verb be when we refer to the future, especially the immediate future.

Be about to

We use be about to + base form of the verb to refer to things that we expect to happen very soon. We often use it with just, for
emphasis:

- The ferry is about to leave.

- The driver is about to collect them. Shall I phone to stop him?
- Were just about to set off for a walk. Do you want to come?

Warning:

With time expressions, we dont use be about to, we use the present simple:

- Hurry up, please! The coach is about to leave!

- Hurry up, please! The coach leaves in five minutes!

Not: The coach is about to leave in five minutes!

Be on the point of

We can also use be on the point of + -ing form to refer to things that we expect to happen very soon. Be on the point of is similar to be
just about to:

- I was on the point of leaving my job but then I got promoted so I changed my mind.

Be due to

We use be due to + base form of the verb to talk about things that are scheduled:

- The visitors are due to arrive at the factory at 10:30.

Be to

Be to + base form of the verb has a number of meanings. It is rather formal.

Obligations

Be to refers to what someone is obliged or required to do. We also use it to refer to formal decisions:

Referring to an obligation

- If I am not to tell anyone, then thats simply not fair.

Making decisions at a business meeting

- So, George is to contact the Stockholm office, and Patricia is to speak to the Elsico representative. Agreed?

Commands and instructions

We can also use be to when we give someone commands or instructions:

- You are to report to the head office by 8.30 am.

- Shes not to be late. OK?
Headlines

Be to is common in newspaper headlines to refer to events which have been fixed or decided. We dont always use the verb:

- Prime Minister to announce emergency plan on climate change. (a headline used without a verb) (Full form: The Prime Minister is
to announce an emergency plan on climate change.)

Passive voice
Use the passive when you want to talk about an action but you are not so interested in saying who or what does /did the action. If you
want to mention the person or thing that did the action, use By.

Tenses Form Example

Present simple Is/are + pp. New houses are built every year

Present continuous Is/are + being + pp. New houses are being built at the moment

Present perfect /present perfect continuous Has/have + been + pp. Tree new houses have been built this year

Past simple Was/were + pp. New houses were built last year

Past continuous Was/were + being + pp. New houses were being built

Past perfect Had + been + pp. New houses had been built when I moved here

Future simple Will + be + pp. New houses will be built next year

Modal verb Modal verb + be + pp. New houses should be built

Active and Passive (headlines, news, etc.)

This formal structure is used especially in news reports and TV with the verbs know, tell, understand, report, expect, say and think. It
makes the information sound more impersonal.

Active Pasive Form Use

They say that the It is said that the
It is + Thought/Believed/Said/etc. + that + a clause Headlines /news papers
company may close company may close
People say the man is The man is said to be Use it in Present simple /
Sb. /Sth. Is + Thought/Believed/Said/etc. + to + inf.
in his 40s in his 40s Future clauses
The police believe he He is believed to Sb. /Sth. Is + Thought/Believed/Said/etc. + to have + Use it in Past / Present
has left the country have left the country pp. perfect

Adverbs and Adverbial phrases

- I dont understand when you
Adverbs of manner After the verb /phrase
speak quikly
How sb. does sth. Passive: between the aux and the main verb
- The driver was seriously injured
Before the main verb, But after the verb to be .
- I never have breakfast
Adverbs of frequency - Sometimes /usually/normally can go at the
- Hes always late
beginning of a sentence too
- Theyll be here soon
Adverbs of time At the end of the sentence or clause
- It rained all day yesterday
-
Adverbs of dregree - Ive nearly finished - Use Extremely / incredibly / very Before the
Which describe how much sth. - Were incredibly tired adjective or adverbs
is done or to modify an - He works a lot - Use much / a lot after the verb or phrase
adjective - Im a bit tired - Use a bit /a little with adj or verbs.
- Unfortunately we arrived half an At the beginning of a sentence /clause
Comment adverbs
hour late - Luckily, clearly, obviously, apparently
Which give the speakers
- Ideally we should leave at 10:00 - Other adverbs go in mid position like: just
opinion
- she didnt even say goodbye /even
Conditionals and future time clauses
Tenses Form Examples Use
- If you want to be fit, you have to
- To talk about facts, sth that is always
Zero If + present tenses , Present tenses do exercise every day
true, always happens
Conditional (clause) (main clause) - If you mix red and yellow, you
- Use When to talk about facts
get green
- If the photos are good, Ill send
them to you
- If youre not going. Im not
First If + present tenses ; Future or Imperative going to go either - To talk about real /likely situations in
(clause) (Will / going to /
conditional
Will have + pp.) - If I havent come back by 9:00, the future
start dinner without me
- Ill have finished in an hour if
you dont disturb me
- Ill be ready as soon as Ive had
Use any present tenses after these
a shower
expressions:
Time - Were not going to go out until
As soon as / until / unless / in case / - To talk about the future
clauses the rain has stopped
when / before /after /
- Im not going to work overtime
unless I get paid
- To talk about hypothetical or
Second
If + past simple; would/wouldnt + inf - improbable situations in the
conditional
present/future
Third If + past perfect; would/wouldnt + have - To talk about a hypothetical past
-
conditional + past participle situation and its consequence
- If I had studied more, Id in a
- To talk about hypothetical situation in
Mix good University now
If + past perfect; would/wouldnt + inf the past and has a present/ future
Conditional - He wouldnt be so relaxed if he
consequence
hadnt finished his exams

Words

Noun adjective Verb adverb