Revision of Tenses

Simple Present

USE:
for habits i / YOU / WE / THEY + INFINITIVE VERB
to show how often things HE / SHE / IT + VERB + S / ES / IES
happen or don't happen
for permanent situations I / YOU / WE / THEY + DON'T + INFINITIVE
for general rules, facts and HE / SHE / IT + DOESN'T + INFINITIVE
abilities
for states DO + I / YOU / WE / THEY + INFINITIVE VERB
for the future (in timetables) DOES + HE / SHE / IT + INFINITIVE VERB

EXAMPLES:
My dad talks in his sleep. adverbs of frequency: always, often,
I don't see my cousins very often. usually, hardly ever, never, sometimes.
She lives in Switzerland. generally
Anne is married. occassionally
Does Rod have a girlfriend at the moment? once in a while

Simple Past

USE:
for habits in the past
REGULAR VERBS --> ED / IED
to show how often things
IRREGULAR VERBS ---> CHANGE THEIR FORM
happened or didn't happen
for single completed actions
for permanent situations in the
SUBJECT + DIDN'T + INFINITIVE VERB
past
for general truths and facts
about the past
DID + SUBJECT + INFINITIVE VERB
for past events

EXAMPLES:
I talked in my sleep when I was a child. Yesterday
I didn't see my cousins very often when I was growing up. last month, last week, last year
I bought my dad's birthday present yesterday. in 2020
They were maried for seventy years. when I was a child
I went downstairs and made the kids their breakfast. when I was 15
Revision of Tenses
Present Continuous

USE:
for events happening at a
particular moment SUBJECT + VERB TO BE + VERB + ING
for temporary situations or
events
for changing and developing SUBJECT + NEGATIVE VERB TO BE + VERB + ING
situations
for future arrangements
to refer to annoying habits VERB TO BE + SUBJECT + VERB + ING

EXAMPLES:
I am working at the moment, please can you make silence? at the moment
We're living with my grandparents until our house is finished. now
The traffic in this town is getting worse.
We are having a test next Monday
You are always interrumpting me! Stop it!

Past Continuous

USE:
for events happening at a
particular moment in the past SUBJECT + WAS / WERE + VERB + ING
for temporary situations or
events.
for changing and developing SUBJECT + WASN'T / WEREN'T + VERB + ING
situations in the past
for future arrangements in the
past WAS / WERE + SUBJECT + VERB + ING
for two actions in progress at
the same time

EXAMPLES:
What were you doing at nine o'clock last night?
My brother was working as a waiter last summer until he found a better job.
The situation at work was becoming very stressful, so I left.
I was very excited because we were going to the zoo the next day.
While I was studying, my brother was playing his trumpet.
Revision of Tenses
Present Perfect

USE:
for actions and situations
continuing up to now. SUBJECT + HAVE / HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE
for a series of actions continuing
up to now.
for completed actions at a time in SUBJECT + HAVEN'T / HASN'T + PAST
the past which is not mentioned. PARTICIPLE
for completed actions with a
present result.
HAVE / HAS + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE
EXAMPLES:
We've been engaged for the last six months.
just, yet, already, still
We've had an argument every day this week!
this is the first time
Has he ever told you that he loves you? ever, never, for, since
Have you ever climbed a tree? so far, up to now, recently, lately, before
I've finished my homework, so I'm free now.

Past Perfect

USE:
for actions and situations
SUBJECT + HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE
continuing up to a moment in the
past.
for completed actions before a
SUBJECT + HADN'T + PAST PARTICIPLE
moment in the past.
for completed actions with a
past result.
HAD + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE
for wishes about the past

EXAMPLES: Past continuous and

Simple Past can be used
They've been engaged for three years before they got married. together to show that one
I'd asked Sam to go out with me several times before he finally said action interrupts another:
yes. "I was watching TV when
We'd just had some bad news so we decided not to go to the party. suddenly a face appeared
I wish I hadn't split up with Jenny. at the window"
Revision of Tenses
Future Simple

USE:
for decisions made at the moment of speaking
SUBJECT + WILL + INFINITIVE
predictions about the future, based on what
we think, believe or imagine.
promises, threats, warnings, requests, hopes
SUBJECT + WON'T + INFINITIVE
and offers.
actions, events situations which will definitely
happen in the future and which we can't
WILL + SUBJECT + INFINITIVE
control.

EXAMPLES:
with verbs: think, believe, expect
It's cold. I'll close the window. the expressions: be sure, be afraid
He will probably tell you later. adverbs: probably, certainly, perhaps.
Will you help me tidy my room? tomorrow, the day after tomorrow,
Bob will be thirty years old in May. tonight
next week, month, year

Be going to

USE:
For plans, intentions or SUBJECT + AM / IS / ARE + GOING TO +
ambitions for the future. INFINITIVE
actions we have already decided
to do in the near future. SUBJECT + AM NOT / ISN'T / AREN'T + GOING TO +
predictions based on what we INFINITIVE
can see or what we know,
especially when there is evidence AM / IS / ARE + SUBJECT +GOING TO +
that something will happen. INFINITIVE

EXAMPLES:
tomorrow, the day after
He's going to be a lawyer when he finishes university. tomorrow
tonight, soon
Steve is going to spend his holidays in Spain.
next week / month / year
Look at the dark clouds, It's going to rain.
Revision of Tenses
Future Continuous

USE:

for actions which will be in progress at SUBJECT + WILL BE + VERB + ING

a stated future time.
for actions which will definitely
happen in the future as the result of a SUBJECT + WON'T BE + VERB + ING
routine or arrangement.
when we ask politely about someone's
plans for the near future. WILL + SUBJECT + BE + VERB + ING

EXAMPLES:

This time next month, I will be lying on the beach

We will be visiting the Smiths at the weekend.
Will you be finishing the report soon?

Future Perfect

USE:
For actions that will have
finished before a stated time in SUBJECT + WILL + HAVE + PARTICIPLE
the future

Continuous: SUBJECT + WON'T + HAVE + PARTICIPLE

To emphasise the duration of an
action up to a certain time in the
future. It's used with "by... for" WILL + SUBJECT + HAVE + PARTICIPLE

EXAMPLES:
before, by, by then
We will have moved house by the end of June.
by the time
By the end of May, John will have been working here for ten years.
until / till (only in negative
I'd prefer to visit you in August, because I will have finished my sentences)
exams then