ENGLISH TENSES
PAST
PAST PERFECT
USES
The past perfect refers to a time earlier than before now.
It is used to make it clear that one event happened before another in the past.
It does not matter which event is mentioned first - the tense makes it clear which one happened first.
KEY WORDS
-PP+When+PS
John had gone out when I arrived in the office.
-PP+Before+PS
I had saved my document before the computer crashed.
-PS+PP(Already)
When they arrived we had already started cooking.
-PS+because+PP
He was very tired because he hadn't slept well.
-PP + Just: 'Just' is used with the past perfect to refer to an event that was only a short time earlier than before now
Ex. The train had just left when I arrived at the station.
STRUCTURE
Subject+had+past participle
Ex. I had arrived.
Subject+hadn't+past participle
Ex. I hadn't run.
Had+Subject+past participle+?
Had you gone?
PAST SIMPLE
USES
-When we did an action in the
past and it is finished.
Ex.: I played football last year.
-An indefinite point in time.
Ex.: A long time ago People lived in caves.
Frecency:
Ex.: I often brought my lunch to school.
KEY WORDS
-Last (year, Monday...), yesterday,
days, years ago
-Adverbs of frequency
STRUCTURE
Subject+ verb(-ed)/irregular
Ex. I went to her house and I played with her.
Subject+ did not+ infinitive
Ex. I did not go to her house.
Did+ subject+ infinitive+?
Ex. Did she arrive?
PAST CONTINUOUS
USES
-To describe the background in a story written in the past tense.
Ex. "The sun was shining and the birds were singing".
-To describe an unfinished action that was interrupted by another event or action,
Ex. "I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang."
-To express a change of mind:
Ex. "I was going to spend the day at the beach but I've decided to get my homework done instead."
-With 'wonder', to make a very polite request:
Ex. "I was wondering if you could baby-sit for me tonight."
-To say what were you doing in the past in a exactly moment.
Ex. Yesterday at 5 I was reading.
KEY WORDS
While, as, when,
yesterday at (exactly hour).
STRUCTURE
Subject+was/were+verb(-ing)
Ex. I was running.
Subject+wasn't/weren't+verb(-ing)
I wasn´t swimming.
Was/Were+subject+verb(-ing)
What were you doing?
PRESENT
PRESENT PERFECT
USES
-Indicated in the past and continuing in the present.
Ex. : I have lived in Madrid since 2008.
-Taken over a period of the time not yet completed.
Ex: It has rained a lot this year.
-A repeatedd action between past and present.
Ex.: We have visited France several times.
-An action that has concluded in a very recent past by JUST.
Ex.: I have just finished my homework.
-The precise moment is not important (only the action)
Ex.: She has read War and Peace.
-To talk about life experiencies.
Ex.: I have been to Amsterdam.
KEY WORDS
Still, just, since/for,
ever/never, already, yet...
SINCE: A point in the past
Ex.: I have lived here since 2015
FOR: A period of time
Ex. : I have lived here for 2 years.
STRUCTURE
Subject+has/have+past participle.
Ex. I have been to Australia.
WORDS
Never,already (middle)
Subject+hasn't/haven't+past participle
WORDS
Ever (middle), yet (end), still (after subject)
Has/have+subject+past participle
WORDS
Ever, yet
PRESENT SIMPLE
USES
-Frequent actions Ex. I usually go running.
-Timetables Ex. The train arrives at 5.
-Descriptions/statements Ex. She is pretty.
-Instructions: Ex. Do it!
KEY WORDS
Adverbs of frequenty: Always, every day, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, hardly ever, seldom, never… Once a (month, week...), twice, (three) times...
STRUCTURE
Subject+infinitive(s) Ex. I sometimes read.
NOTES ON THE SIMPLE PRESENT, THIRD PERSON SINGULAR
1.In the third person singular the verb always ends in -s:
Ex. he wants, she needs, he gives, she thinks.
2.Verbs ending in -y : the third person changes the -y to -ies:
fly --> flies, cry --> cries
Exception: if there is a vowel before the -y:
play --> plays, pray --> prays
3.Add -es to verbs ending in:-ss, -x, -sh, -ch:
Ex.:he passes, she catches, he fixes, it pushes
Subject+don't/doesn't+infinitive Ex. I don't read everyday.
Do/does+subject+infinitive+? Ex. Do you read everyday?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
USES
-To describe an action that is going on at this moment: Ex.:You are using the Internet.
-To describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend: Ex.: More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
-To describe a temporary event or situation Ex.:He usually plays the drums, but he's playing the piano tonight.
-With "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasise a continuing series of repeated actions: Ex.: My sister is always complaining!
VERBS THAT ARE NOT USUALLY USED IN THE CONTINUOUS FORM
Senses, perception
Ex.: to smell
Opinion
Ex.: to consider
Desires
Ex.: to love
Measurement
Ex.: To weight
Others
-to look (=resemble)
-to seem
-to be (in most cases)
-to have(when it means "to possess")
Mental states
Ex.: To imagine
KEY WORDS
Now, at the moment, tonight, this (...), always, forever, constantly...
STRUCTURE
Subject+to be (am/are/is)+vb(-ing) Ex. I´m shouting.
To be+subject+vb(-ing)+? Ex. Is he playing tennis?
FUTURE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
USE
-To describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or prepared (personal arrangements):
Ex. We're going on holiday tomorrow.
Ex. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight.
PRESENT SIMPLE
USE
-Timetables:
Ex. The plane arrives at 7pm.
Subtopic
GOING TO
USES
-Predictions (you can see the evidence)
Ex. I haven't studied for my exam. I am going to fail.
-General future intentions (not arrenged)
Ex. I am going to study at university.
-Decisions already made
Ex. I am going to leave my studies.
KEY WORDS
Tomorrow, next week, next month, etc
STRUCTURE
Subject+am/is/are+going to+infinitive
Ex. I am going to see it.
Subject+am/is/are+not+going to+infinitive
Ex. She is not going to play.
Am/Are/Is+Subject+going to+infinitive
Ex. Is it going to rain?
WILL/SHALL
USES
-General predictions (based on no evidence)
Ex: I think it will rain next week.
-Decisions made at the time of speaking
Ex. I'll take a tea please.
-Promises
Ex. I will love you forever.
-Offers/refusals:
Ex. Shall I open the door?
KEY WORDS
Never (again), in (a lot of) years...
Tomorrow, next (month)...
Ex. I will never smoke again.
STRUCTURE
Subject+will+infinitive
I will go.
Subject+won't+infinitive
Ex. I won't go.
Will/Shall+subject+infinitive
Ex. Will you go?
Shall is only used for future time reference with I and we, and is more formal than will.
FUTURE PERFECT SIMPLE
USES
The future perfect tense refers to a completed action in the future. When we use this tense we are projecting ourselves forward into the future and looking back at an action that will be completed some time later than now. It is most often used with a time expression.
EXAMPLES:
-I will have been here for six months on June 23rd.
-By the time you read this I will have left.
-You will have finished your report by this time next week.
-Won't they have arrived by 5:00?
-Will you have eaten when I pick you up?
KEY WORDS
TIME EXPRESSIONS
For, by the time, by this time, by (an hour)...
STRUCTURE
Subject+ will have+ past participle of the main verb
Ex.: You will have arrived.
Subject+ won't have+ past participle
Ex.: He won't have arrived
Will+Subject+have+past participle?
Ex.: Will we have arrived?
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
USES
The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. The future continuous is used for quite a few different purposes.
1) The future continuous can be used to project ourselves into the future.
EXAMPLES
-This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.
-By Christmas I will be skiing like a pro.
-Just think, next Monday you will be working in your new job.
2)The future continuous can be used for predicting or guessing about future events.
EXAMPLES
-He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.
-I guess you'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.
-You'll be missing the sunshine once you're back in England.
3)In the interrogative form, the future continuous can be used to ask politely for information about the future.
EXAMPLES
-Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
-Will Jim be coming with us?
-Will she be going to the party tonight?
-Will I be sleeping in this room?
4)The future continuous can be used to refer to continuous events that we expect to happen in the future.
EXAMPLES
-I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
-When he is in Australia he will be staying with friends.
-I'll be eating with Jane this evening so I can tell her.
5)When combined with still, the future continuous refers to events that are already happening now and that we expect to continue some time into the future.
EXAMPLES
-In an hour I'll still be ironing my clothes.
-Tomorrow he'll still be suffering from his cold.
-Next year will she still be wearing a size six?
-Won't stock prices still be falling in the morning?
-Unfortunately, sea levels will still be rising in 20 years.
KEY WORDS
-Time expressions of future: This time, next week...
-Prediction expressions: I expect, I guess...
-Still
STRUCTURE
Subject+simple future of the verb 'to be'++present participle
Ex. I will be staying.
Subject+won't be+present participle
Ex.: She won't be staying.
Will/Won't+subject+be+present participle
Ex.: Will they be staying?