TENSES

Of VERBS
 TENSES
• SIMPLE PRESENT
• PRESENT CONTINUOUS
• PRESENT PERFECT
• PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
• SIMPLE PAST
• PAST CONTINUOUS
• PAST PERFECT
• PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
• SIMPLE FUTURE
• FUTURE CONTINUOUS
• FUTURE PERFECT
• FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
PRESENT
TENSE
 SIMPLE PRESENT
FORM
WHEN TO USE:
[VERB] + s/es (he/she/it)
1. To show repeated actions.
Examples: 2. To declare facts or generalizations.

You speak English. 3. To state scheduled events in the near

future.
Do you speak English?
4. To express the idea that an action is
You do not speak English. happening or is not happening now.
He speaks English.
Does he speak English?
•USE 1 Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual.
The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or
something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or
usually does not do

Examples:
• I play tennis.
• She does not play tennis.
• The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
• She always forgets her purse
• He never forgets his wallet.
•USE 2 Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes

that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in
the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct
about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations
about people or things.
•USE 2 Facts or Generalizations
Examples:
• Cats like milk.
• Birds do not like milk.
• Do pigs like milk?
• California is in America.
• California is not in the United Kingdom.
• Windows are made of glass.
• Windows are not made of wood.
• New York is a small city. IT IS NOT IMPORTANT
THAT THIS FACT IS UNTRUE.
•USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future
Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled
events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking
about public transportation, but it can be used with other
scheduled events as well.

Examples:
• The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
• The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
• When do we board the plane?
• The party starts at 8 o'clock.
• When does class begin tomorrow?
• USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present

to express the idea that an action is
happening or is not happening now. This
can only be done with non-continuous
verbs and certain mixed verbs.
• USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
Non-continuous verbs are verbs that we do not normally use with
continuous tenses. These "stative" verbs are about state, not
action, and they cannot express the continuous or progressive
aspect. Here are some of the most common non-continuous
verbs:
feeling: hate, like, love, prefer, want, wish
senses: appear, feel, hear, see, seem, smell, sound, taste
communication: agree, deny, disagree, mean, promise, satisfy,
surprise
thinking: believe, imagine, know, mean, realize, recognize,
remember, understand
other states: be, belong, concern, depend, involve, matter, need,
owe, own, possess
EXAMPLE: I want coffee. NOT I am wanting a coffee.
• USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
Examples:
• I am here now.
• She is not here now.
• He needs help right now.
• He does not need help now.
• He has his passport in his hand.
• Do you have your passport with you?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
FORM
[am/is/are + present participle]
Examples:
You are watching TV.
Are you watching TV?
You are not watching TV.
 Present Continuous/ PRESENT
PROGRESSIVE
WHEN TO USE:
1. To express the idea that something is happening now.
2. To say that we are in the process of doing a longer action
which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at
this exact second.
3. To indicate that something will or will not happen in the near
future.
4. To express the idea that something irritating or shocking
often happens.
•USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Normal

Verbs to express the idea that something is
happening now, at this very moment. It can
also be used to show that something is not
happening now.
•USE 1 Now
Examples:
• You are learning English now.
• You are not swimming now.
• Are you sleeping?
• I am sitting.
• I am not standing.
• Is he sitting or standing?
• They are reading their books.
• They are not watching television.
• What are you doing?
• Why aren't you doing your homework?
•USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second,

today, this month, this year, this century,
and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present
Continuous to say that we are in the
process of doing a longer action which is in
progress; however, we might not be doing it
at this exact second.
•USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

Examples:(All of these sentences can be said while

eating dinner in a restaurant.)
• I am studying to become a doctor.
• I am not studying to become a dentist.
• I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
• I am not reading any books right now.
• Are you working on any special projects at work?
• Aren't you teaching at the university now?
•USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to

indicate that something will or will not happen in the
near future.

Examples:
• I am meeting some friends after work.
• I am not going to the party tonight.
• Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
• Isn't he coming with us tonight?
•USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or

"constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or
shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like 
Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put
the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and
"verb+ing."

Examples:
• She is always coming to class late.
• He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
• I don't like them because they are always complaining.
 PRESENT PERFECT
FORM
[has/have + past participle]

Examples:
You have seen that movie many times.
Have you seen that movie many times?
You have not seen that movie many times.
 PRESENT PERFECT
WHEN TO USE:
1. To say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now
1. To describe your experience
2. To talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
3. To list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity.
4. To state that an action which we expected has not happened.
5. To talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at
different times.

2. To show that something started in the past and has continued up until now
•USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an

unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.
You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time
expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I
was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day,
one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific
expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times,
before, so far, already, yet, etc.
•USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

Examples:
• I have seen that movie twenty times.
• I think I have met him once before.
• There have been many earthquakes in California.
• People have travelled to the Moon.
• People have not travelled to Mars.
• Have you read the book yet?
• Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
• A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.
•USE 1.1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is

like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this
tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The
Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
•USE 1.1 Experience

Examples:
• I have been to France.
This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France.
Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
• I have been to France three times.
You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
• I have never been to France.
This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to
France.
•USE 1. 2 Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has
happened over a period of time.

Examples:
• You have grown since the last time I saw you.
• The government has become more interested in arts
education.
• Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the
university since the Asian studies program was established.
• My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
•USE 1. 3 Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of
individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
•USE 1. 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we

expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that
we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:
• James has not finished his homework yet.
• Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
• Bill has still not arrived.
• The rain hasn't stopped.
•USE 1. 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different

actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present
Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are
possible.

Examples:
• The army has attacked that city five times.
• I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
• We have had many major problems while working on this
project.
• She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but
nobody knows why she is sick.
•Time Expressions with Present Perfect
When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has
happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the
exact time the action happened is not important.
Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an
experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last
week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.
•Time Expressions with Present Perfect

Examples:
• Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
• I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
• They have had three tests in the last week.
• She graduated from university less than three years ago.
She has worked for three different companies so far.
• My car has broken down three times this week.
•NOTICE
"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in
meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is
considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In
the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not
considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.
Examples:
I went to Mexico last year.
I WENT TO MEXICO IN THE CALENDAR YEAR BEFORE THIS ONE.
I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I HAVE BEEN TO MEXICO AT LEAST ONCE AT SOME POINT
BETWEEN 365 DAYS AGO AND NOW.
•USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous
Verbs)
With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of 
Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect to show that something
started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five
minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations
which can be used with the Present Perfect.

Examples:
I have had a cold for two weeks.
She has been in England for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FORM
[has/have + been + present participle]
Examples:
• You have been waiting here for two hours.
• Have you been waiting here for two hours?
• You have not been waiting here for two hours.

Note: Present Perfect Continuous involves time element

 PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
WHEN TO USE:
1. To show that something started in the past and has
continued up until now.
2. To state that something happened recently or lately.
•USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something

started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five
minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations
which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.
•USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

Examples:
• They have been talking for the last hour.
• She has been working at that company for three years.
• What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
• James has been teaching at the university since June.
• We have been waiting here for over two hours!
• Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last
three days?
•USE 2 Recently, Lately
You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such
as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general
meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to
emphasize this meaning.

Examples:
Recently, I have been feeling really tired.
She has been watching too much television lately.
Have you been exercising lately?
Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
Lisa has not been practicing her English.
What have you been doing?
Simple present or present continuous

VERB
TENSE
EXERCISE 1
Simple present or present continuous
1. Every Monday Sally drives/is driving her kids to
football practice
2. Usually, I work/ I am working as a secretary of
ABT, but this summer I am studying French at a
language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris
3. Shhhh! Be quiet! John sleeps/is sleeping.
4. Don’t forget to take your umbrella it rains/it’s
raining.
5. I hate living in Seattle because it always rains/ is
always raining
Simple present or present continuous
6. I’m sorry I can’t hear what you say/are saying
because everybody is talking so loudly.
7. Justin is currently writes/writing a book about his
adventures in Tibet….
8. Denise: Oh I’m sorry, I can’t, I go/am going to a
movie tonight with some friends
 PAST
TENSE
 Simple Past
FORM
[VERB+ed] or irregular verbs
Examples:
• You called Debbie.
• Did you call Debbie?
• You did not call Debbie.
 SIMPLE PAST
WHEN TO USE:
1. To express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in
the past.
2. To show a series of completed actions in the past.
3. To state actions with duration in the past.
4. To describe habits which stopped in the past
5. To illustrate past facts or generalizations which are no longer true
•USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and
finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may
not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one
specific time in mind.
•USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Examples:
I saw a movie yesterday.
I didn't see a play yesterday.
Last year, I travelled to Japan.
Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
Did you have dinner last night?
She washed her car.
He didn't wash his car.
•USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the

past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.

Examples:
I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place
to swim.
He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at
9:00, and met the others at 10:00.
Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?
•USE 3 Duration in the Past
The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops
in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by
expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all
year, etc.
Examples:
I lived in Brazil for two years.
Shauna studied Japanese for five years.
They sat at the beach all day.
They did not stay at the party the entire time.
We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
A: How long did you wait for them?
B: We waited for one hour.
•USE 4 Habits in the Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which

stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To
make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add
expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a
child, when I was younger, etc.
•USE 4 Habits in the Past

Examples:
I studied French when I was a child.
He played the violin.
He didn't play the piano.
Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid?
She worked at the movie theatre after school.
They never went to school, they always skipped class.
•USE 5 Past Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or

generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this
use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to."

Examples:
She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.
He didn't like tomatoes before.
Did you live in Texas when you were a kid?
People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the past.
•IMPORTANT When-Clauses Happen First

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are often not
complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when"
such as "when I dropped my pen..." or "when class began..." These
clauses are called when-clauses, and they are very important. The
examples below contain when-clauses.
•IMPORTANT When-Clauses Happen First
Examples:
When I paid her one dollar, she answered my question.
She answered my question when I paid her one dollar.
Both of the examples above mean the same thing: first, I paid her one dollar, and
then, she answered my question. However, the example below has a different
meaning. First, she answered my question, and then, I paid her one dollar.
Example:

I paid her one dollar when she answered my question.

 Past Continuous
FORM
[was/were + present participle]

Examples:
• You were studying when she called.
• Were you studying when she called?
• You were not studying when she called.
 PAST CONTINUOUS
WHEN TO USE:
1. To indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted.
2. To state the specific time that an action has been interrupted.
3. To show parallel actions.
4. To indicate repetition and irritation with “always.”
•USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past
was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the
Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an
interruption in time.
•USE 1 Completed Action in the Past
Examples:

I was watching TV when she called.

When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
•USE 2 Specific time as an interruption
the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple
Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.
•IMPORTANT
In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action
began or finished. In the Past Continuous, a specific time only
interrupts the action.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.
I STARTED EATING AT 6 PM.
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
I STARTED EARLIER; AND AT 6 PM, I WAS IN THE PROCESS
OF EATING DINNER.
•USE 3 PARALLEL ACTIONS
When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same
sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at
the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
I was studying while he was making dinner.
While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
Were you listening while he was talking?
I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several
mistakes.
What were you doing while you were waiting?
Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
•USE 3 PARALLEL ACTIONS
In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the
atmosphere at a particular time in the past.
Example:
When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing,
some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions,
and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was
yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were
complaining to each other about the bad service.
•USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly"

expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often
happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression
"used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words
"always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She was always coming to class late.
He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
I didn't like them because they were always complaining.
•While vs. When
When you talk about things in the past, "when" is most often
followed by the verb tense Simple Past, whereas "while" is usually
followed by Past Continuous. "While" expresses the idea of
"during that time." Examples:
I was studying when she called.
While I was studying, she called.
 Past Perfect
FORM
[had + past participle]

Examples:
You had studied English before you moved to New York.
Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
You had not studied English before you moved to New York.
 Past Perfect
WHEN TO USE:
1. To show that an action was completed before something in the past.
•USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Past

Examples:
I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.
Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.
A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.
 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.
 Past Perfect Continuous
WHEN TO USE:
1. To show that something started in the past and continued up until another
time in the past
2. To show cause and effect.
•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.
•USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Past

Examples:

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

She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of
business.
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
Simple past or past continuous

VERB
TENSE
EXERCISE
Simple past or past continuous
1. A. What were you doing…?
B. I was trying to….
2. After I found the wallet full of money, I went
immediately to the police and turned it in.
3. said, was too sick, he needed
4. Sebastian arrived,,,, but she was not there, she was
studying
5. She was also watching television
Simple past or past continuous
6. A. I called you last night, but you were not there
B. I was working out….
7. walked, was talking, were working busily, were
quietly discussing
8. Was watching
9. Sharon was…, she was not listening
10. called, was just thinking
FUTURE
TENSE
 Simple FUTURE
FORM FORM Be Going To

[will + verb] [am/is/are + going to + verb]

Examples:
I will call Debbie.
I will meet Jane tonight.
You are going to meet Jane tonight.
Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
You are not going to meet Jane tonight
 Simple FUTURE
Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be
going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used
interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings.
Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.
Use 
• Will to talk facts or things that we believe are true.
• Going to is used with predictions.
 SIMPLE FUTURE
WHEN TO USE:
1. "Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily.
2. “Will” to give promises.
3. “Be going to" expresses a plan.
4. “Be going to” to state a general prediction about the future.
•USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily.

A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone
else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint
or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that
someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we
use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do
something.
•USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

Examples:
I will send you the information when I get it.
I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
Will you help me move this heavy table?
Will you make dinner?
I will not do your homework for you.
•USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:
I will call you when I arrive.
If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure
everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
I won't tell anyone your secret.
•USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the

idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not
matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
•USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan
Examples:
He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
Who are you going to invite to the party?
A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.
•"Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

"be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the
future.
Examples:
The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
John Smith is going to be the next President.
The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.
•IMPORTANT
In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind.
Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.
No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Simple Future 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 Simple Future, Simple Present is used.
Examples:

When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct

When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct
 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.
 FUTURE CONTINUOUS
WHEN TO USE:
1. To indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted by a shorter
action in the future.
2. To show a specific time as an interruption in the near future.
3. To state parallel actions in the future.
•USE 1 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 1 Interrupted 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.
•USE 2 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." 
•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.
 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 with little or no
difference in meaning.
 FUTURE Perfect
FORM will have + past participle
[am/is/are + going to have + past participle]

Examples:
• You will have perfected your English by the time
you come back from the U.S.
• You are going to have perfected your English by
the time you come back from the U.S.
 FUTURE PERFECT
WHEN TO USE:
1. To express the idea that something will occur before another action in the
future.
2. To show that something will continue up until another action in the future.
•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.
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.
•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.
 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.
 FUTURE Perfect continuous
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.
 FUTURE Perfect continuous
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
 FUTURE Perfect continuous
WHEN TO USE:
1. To show that something will continue up until a particular event or time in
the future.
2. To show cause and effect.
•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.
•USE 1 Duration Before Something 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.
•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.
•Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect Continuous

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
• Correct the 20 tense error in this essay

• Paragraph 1
•Corect the 20 tense errors:
Correct the 20 tense errors in this essay.
 
I. The enormous growth in the use of the internet
over the last decade has led to radical changes to
the way that people consume and share
information. Although serious problems have
arisen as a result of this, there are solutions.

One of the first problems of the internet is the

ease with which children can access potentially
dangerous sites.
•Correct the 20 tense errors:
For example, pornography sites are easily
accessible to them because they can register with
a site and claim to be an adult. There is no doubt
that this affects their thoughts and development,
which is a negative impact for the children and
for society. Another major problem is the growth
of online fraud and hacking. These days, there
are constant news stories about government and
company websites that have been hacked,
resulting in sensitive information falling into the
hands of criminals.
•Correct the 20 tense errors:
It is important that action is taken to combat
these problems. Governments should ensure that
adequate legislation and controls are in place
that will prevent young people from accessing
dangerous sites, such as requiring more than
simply confirming that you are an adult to view a
site. Parents also have a part to play. They need
to closely monitor the activities of their children
and restrict their access to certain sites, which
can now be done through various computer
programs.
•Correct the 20 tense errors:
Companies must also improve their onsite IT
security systems to make fraud and hacking much
more difficult by undertaking thorough reviews of
their current systems for weaknesses.
To conclude, the internet is an amazing
technological innovation that has transformed
people’s lives, but not without negative impacts.
However, with the right action by individuals,
governments and businesses, it can be made a
safe place for everyone.
• Correct the 20 tense error in this essay

• Paragraph 2
•Correct the 20 tense errors:
It is probably true to say that most people believe
that a university degree is the only way to get a
good job. I think this is true in certain areas, while
in other areas, a degree is not as useful.
 
To begin with, many people have ambitions to
become a qualified professional and there is no
doubt that becoming a doctor or a lawyer, for
example, is only possible with a degree. Another
advantage of graduating from university is that it
gives you more choices when it comes to
•Correct the 20 tense errors:
choosing a job. Most employers will be more
impressed by a candidate who has a degree than
they would be by one who only has high school
qualifications because it shows a certain level of
intelligence and education, as well as the
commitment and self-discipline that is needed In
order to study a degree course for three or four
years.
 
On the other hand, there might be some benefit
to starting your career early, especially if your
•Correct the 20 tense errors:
chosen field is one which does not typically
require a university education. This would apply
to somebody who wants to be a car mechanic, or
a fashion designer, for instance, who would not
necessarily gain anything from going to
university. The hands-on experience you gain in
your job while others are studying for a degree
can give you a distinct advantage. I once read
about a man who left school at sixteen and went
on to become a wealthy and successful
investment broker.
•Correct the 20 tense errors:
He claimed that he had learned all he needed to
know by working in his chosen field and that he
could not have done any better by getting a
degree.
 
So, to conclude, it is possible to get a good job
without going to university. Having said that,
some professions, such as the law, require you to
have a degree and as stated above a University
degree could potentially open more doors when
looking for a job.
•Write a positive and negative sentence
Present continuous 
I am teaching French and Latin at the University. 
I am not teaching French and Latin at the
University.

Present perfect
I have taught French and Latin at the University.
I have not taught French and Latin at the
University .
•Write a positive and negative sentence
Present perfect continuous

I have been teaching French and Latin at the

University .
 
I have not been teaching French and Latin at the
University .
•Write a positive and negative sentence
Simple past

I taught French and Latin at the University.

 
I did not teach French and Latin at the University.

Past continuous
I was teaching French and Latin at the University.
 
I was not teaching French and Latin at the
University .
•Write a positive and negative sentence
Past perfect
I had taught French and Latin at the University.
 
I had not taught French and Latin at the
University.

past perfect continuous

I had been teaching French and Latin at the
University.
I had not been teaching French and Latin at the
University.
•Write a positive and negative sentence
Past perfect
I had taught French and Latin at the University.
 
I had not taught French and Latin at the
University.

Past perfect continuous

I had been teaching French and Latin at the
University.
I had not been teaching French and Latin at the
University.
•Write a positive and negative sentence
Simple future
I will/am going to teach French and Latin at the
University.
I will not/ am not going to teach French and Latin
at the University.

Future continuous
I will be teaching French and Latin at the
University.
I will not be teaching French and Latin at the
University.
•Write a positive and negative sentence
Future perfect
I will have taught French and Latin at the
University. 
I will not have taught French and Latin at the
University.

Future perfect continuous

I will have been teaching French and Latin at the
University.
I will not have been teaching French and Latin at
the University.
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