You are on page 1of 52

Tense

s
The following chart shows the positive,
negative and interrogative (question)
forms of all the principle tenses in English
with a brief description of the principle
usage.
Tenses

Simple Present
Habitual activities - States

POSITIVE
I play tennis on Mondays.

NEGATIVE
They don't (do not) work in New York.

QUESTION
Does she know him?
Tenses – Simple Present

STRUCTURE
In the positive form add an 's' to the base form of the
3rd person singular. If the verb ends in -y preceded by
a consonant, change the -y to -ies.

I
You
We
eat lunch at noon.
They

He eats lunch
She tries to have at noon.
It fun.
Tenses – Simple Present

STRUCTURES Contd…
Conjugate the helping verb 'do' not (don't
and doesn't) the base form of the verb to
make negatives.

I
You
We
don't leave at noon.
They

He
doesn't
She at noon.
It leave
Tenses – Simple Present

STRUCTURES Contd…
Conjugate the helping verb 'do' (do or does)
the base form of the verb in question forms.

I
You
Do leave at noon?
We
They
He
Does She leave at noon?
It
Tenses – Simple Present

Common present time


expressions include

usually, always, often, sometimes, on


Saturdays, at weekends (on weekends
US English), rarely, on occasion, never,
seldom
Tenses – Simple Present

EXAMPLES
Usage : Permanent or long-lasting situations
Where do you work?
The store opens at 9 o'clock.
She lives in New York.

Usage : Regular habits and daily routines


I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
She doesn't often go to the cinema.
When do they usually have lunch?

Usage : Facts
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
What does 'strange' mean?
Water doesn't boil at 20°.
Tenses – Simple Present

EXAMPLES
Usage : Feelings
I love walking around late at night during the summer.
She hates flying!
What do you like?
I don't want to live in Texas.

Usage : Opinions and states of mind


He doesn't agree with you.
I think he is a wonderful student.
What do you consider your best accomplishment?

Usage : Timetables and schedules


The plane leaves at 4 p.m.
When do courses begin this semester?
The train doesn't arrive until 10.35.
Tenses
Simple Past
Actions happening at a defined
moment in the past.

POSITIVE
She went to Paris last week.

NEGATIVE
They didn't (did not) drive to work.

QUESTION
Where did she get that hat?
Tenses – Simple Past

STRUCTURE
In the positive form, for regular verbs, add an
-ed to the base form of the verb. If the verb
ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change
the -y to -ied.

I
You arrived late last night.
He (regular verb)
She
It
We came back late last
You night. (irregular verb)
They
Tenses – Simple Past

STRUCTURE Contd…

Use the conjugated helping verb 'did'


not (didn't) the base form of the verb
to make negatives.

I
You
He
She didn't go to New York
It last week.
We
You
They
Tenses – Simple Past

STRUCTURE Contd…

Use the conjugated helping verb 'did'


subject the base form of the verb in
question forms.
I
You
He
When Did She leave yesterday?
It
We
You
They
Tenses – Simple Past

Common past time


expressions include

last (week, year, night), yesterday,


ago, in 1987, when I was a child.
Tenses – Simple Past

EXAMPLES
Usage : Finished past actions, definite
past
Where did you go yesterday?
The flight left at 8 o'clock.
They didn't come last night.
Tenses
Simple Future
Decisions made at the moment
about the future, future predictions,
future promises
POSITIVE
I'll (will) meet you at the airport tomorrow.

NEGATIVE
He won't (will not) be able to come.

QUESTION
Will they visit us soon?
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE
Future with Will
S will verb (base form) positve
S will not (won't) verb (base form) negative
will S verb (base form) question
I
You
He will ('ll) help you immediately.
She
It won't leave soon.
We
You
They
Will it rain tomorrow?
Tenses – Simple Future

EXAMPLES
Usage : Used for predictions
It will snow tomorrow.
She won't win the election.

Usage : Used for scheduled events


Will Verb (base form) The concert will begin at 8 o'clock.
When will the train leave?

Usage : Used for promises


Will Verb (base form) Will you marry me?
I'll help you with your homework after class
Tenses – Simple Future

EXAMPLES
Usage : Used for offers
I'll make you a sandwich.
They'll help you if you want.

Usage : Used in combination with time


clauses (as soon as,
when, before, after)
He will telephone as soon as he arrives.
Will you visit me when you come next week?
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with 'going to'
Conjugate the helping verb "be" 'going to'
verb (base form).

I'm going to (I am)


You're going to (You are)
He's going to (He is)
She's going to (She is)
work this evening.
It's going to (It is)
We're going to (We are)
You're going to (You are)
They're going to (They are)
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with ‘not going to'
Conjugate the helping verb "be" not going to
verb (base form)

I'm not going to (I am not)


You aren't going to (You are not)
He isn't going to (He is not)
She isn't going to (She is not)
come this evening
It isn't going to (It is not)
We aren't going to (We are not)
You aren't going to (You are not)
They aren't going to (They are not)
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with ‘going to?'
Question word conjugate the helping verb
'be' subject going to verb (base form)

am I going to
are you going to
is he going to
is she going to
What is it going to do tomorrow?
are we going to
are you going to
are they going to
Tenses – Simple Future

EXAMPLES
Usage : The future with 'going to' is used to
express planned events or intentions. These
events or intentions are decided on before the
moment of speaking. NOTE
'Going to' or '-ing' are often both correct for planed
events. 'Going to' should be used for distant future
intentions (example: He's going to study Law)

Frank is going to study Medicine.


Where are they going to stay when they come?
She isn't going to buy the new house afterall.
Tenses – Simple Future

EXAMPLES
Usage : Used for future predictions
based on physical (usually visual)
evidence.
Oh no! Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.
Be careful! You're going to drop those dishes!
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with '-ing' (present continuous)
Conjugate the helping verb "be" and verb
-ing.

I'm (I am)
You're (You are)
He's (He is)
She's (She is)
working next week.
It's (It is)
We're (We are)
You're (You are)
They're (They are)
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with '-ing' (present continuous)
Conjugate the helping verb "be" not verb
-ing.

I'm not (I am not)


You aren't (You are not)
He isn't (He is not)
She isn't (She is not)
coming this evening
It isn't (It is not)
We aren't (We are not)
You aren't (You are not)
They aren't (They are not)
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with '-ing' (present continuous)
Question word conjugate the helping verb
'be' subject verb -ing

am I
are you
is he
What is she doing this afternoon?
is itare we
are you
are they
Tenses – Simple Future

EXAMPLES
Usage : Used for planned or personally
scheduled events. Usually used with principle
verbs such as: come, go, begin, start, finish, have,
etc. NOTE 'Going to' or '-ing' are often both correct
for planed events. 'Going to' should be used for
distant future intentions (example: He's going to
study Law)

He's coming tomorrow afternoon.


What are we having for dinner?
I'm not seeing the doctor until Friday.
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with Simple Present
In the positive form add an 's' to the base form of
the 3rd person singular. If the verb ends in -y
preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -ies.

I
You
arrive at noon.
We
They

He
She arrives at noon.
It
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with Simple Present
Conjugate the helping verb 'do' not (don't and
doesn't) the base form of the verb to make
negatives.
I
You
don't leave at noon.
We
They
He
She doesn't leave at noon.
It
Tenses – Simple Future

STRUCTURE Contd…
Future with Simple Present
Conjugate the helping verb 'do' (do or does) the
base form of the verb in question forms.

I
You
Do We
leave at noon?
They

He
Does She leave at noon?
It
Tenses – Simple Future

EXAMPLES
Usage : Used for scheduled public
events such as train and plane
schedules, course schedules, etc.

The class begins at 11.30.


The plane leaves at 6 o'clock.
Tenses – Simple Future

Common future time


expressions include

next (week, month, year), tomorrow,


in X's time (amount of time, i.e. two
week's time), in year, time clauses
(when, as soon as, before, after)
simple present (example: I will
telephone as soon as I arrive.) soon,
later
Tenses – Present Continuous

Present Continuous
Actions happening at the present
moment. Near future intention and
scheduling.
POSITIVE
He's (is) working at the moment.

NEGATIVE
They aren't (are not) coming this evening.

QUESTION
What are you doing?
Tenses – Present Continuous

STRUCTURE
Conjugate the helping verb "be" and verb -ing.

I'm (I am)
You're (You are)
He's (He is)
She's (She is)
working today.
It's (It is)
We're (We are)
You're (You are)
They're (They are)
Tenses – Present Continuous

STRUCTURE Contd…
Conjugate the helping verb "be" not verb -ing.

I'm not (I am not)


You aren't (You are not)
He isn't (He is not)
She isn't (She is not)
coming this evening
It isn't (It is not)
We aren't (We are not)
You aren't (You are not)
They aren't (They are not)
Tenses – Present Continuous

STRUCTURE Contd…
Question word conjugate the helping verb 'be'
subject verb -ing

am I
are you
is he
is she
What doing this afternoon?
is it
are we
are you
are they
Tenses – Present Continuous

Common present continuous


expressions include

at the moment, now, today, this week,


this month, tomorrow, next week (for
future arrangements ), currently
Tenses – Present Continuous
EXAMPLES
Usage : Things that are happening now, at
the moment.
What are you doing?
She's reading in the garden.
They're not standing in the rain.

Usage : Actions happening in a period around


the present moment in time.
I'm reading "The Surgeon's Mate" by Patrick O'Brian.
Whose account are you working on?
She's studying hard for her final exam.

Usage : Future plans and arrangements.


We're having leftovers this evening.
What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?
She isn't coming on Friday.
Past Continuous
Interrupted past action, action
happening at a specific moment in
time in the past.
POSITIVE
I was watching TV when you called.

NEGATIVE
He wasn't (was not) working when she arrived.

QUESTION
What were you doing when I called?
Future Continuous
Future action at a specific moment
in the future.
POSITIVE
I'll (will) be cooking dinner when you arrive.

NEGATIVE
They won't (will not) be living in Paris this time
next year.

QUESTION
What will you be doing next week at this time?
Future with Going to
Future intent or planned action
POSITIVE
He's (is) going to fly to Boston next week.

NEGATIVE
They're (are) not going to invite the Browns.

QUESTION
Where are you going to stay?
Tenses – Present Perfect

Present Perfect
1)To express an action that was
begun in the past and continues
into the present.

2) To express an action that


happened in the unspecified past.

3) To express a recent action that


has a present effect.
Tenses – Present Perfect

POSITIVE
I've (have) seen Mick three times this
week.

NEGATIVE
She hasn't (has not) been to New York.

QUESTION
How long have you worked at Smith's?
Tenses – Present Perfect

STRUCTURE
Conjugate the verb 'have' (have or has) past
participle. Regular verbs end in -ed. If the verb
ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change the
-y to -ied. Irregular verbs must be studied. .

I
You
have lived in Seattle since 1978.
We
They

He
She has worked for many years.
It
Tenses – Present Perfect

STRUCTURE
Conjugate the verb 'have' (have or has) not
past participle. Regular verbs end in -ed. If the
verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant,
change the -y to -ied. Irregular verbs must be
studied.
I
You
We
haven't seen Tom.
They
He
She hasn't left yet.
It
Tenses – Present Perfect

STRUCTURE
Conjugate the verb 'have' (have or has)
Subject past participle. Regular verbs end in
-ed. If the verb ends in -y preceded by a
consonant, change the -y to -ied. Irregular
verbs must be studied.

I
You
Have We
been to Paris?
They
He
Has She finished yet?
It
Tenses – Present Perfect

Common present perfect


expressions include

for (with a period of time), since (with


an exact point in time), ever, never,
yet, already, this week (month, year)
Tenses – Present Perfect

EXAMPLES
Usage : Giving or asking for news or recent
events.
Fred Meyers has had excellent profits this quarter.
The class's understanding has increased greatly this
semester.
Have they finished the report yet?

Usage : Past actions with results in the


present.
The study of irregular verbs has improved test scores.
They have bought a new car.
I've already eaten lunch.
US/English exception: It is also accepted in US English to ask
"Did you phone her yet?" as opposed to the more common
"Have you phoned her yet?"
Tenses – Present Perfect

EXAMPLES
Usage : Life experience
She's traveled in many parts of the world.
Have you ever been to France?
They've never seen a mountain.

Usage : Unfinished actions (action still in


progress). In this respect the present perfect
and present perfect continuous are very
similar.
He's lived in San Francisco for 10 years.
How long have you worked for this company?
They've studied English for 3 years. I don't want to live in
Texas.
Past Perfect
To express an action that happens
before another action in the past.
POSITIVE
I'd (had) already eaten before they came.

NEGATIVE
She hadn't (had not) been to Rome before that
trip.

QUESTION
Had you ever seen such a crazy lady before that?
Future Perfect
To express what will have happened or
how long something will have happened up
to a certain point in the future.
POSITIVE
We'll (will) have lived here for twenty years by 2005.

NEGATIVE
She won't (will not) have finished her homework by the
time we arrive.

QUESTION
How long will you have lived in France by the end of next
year?
I Appreciate your patience…..
danx a lot…chow

You might also like