english tenses printable

8/13/2019 English Tenses Printable

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Simple Present

FORM

[VERB] + s/es in third person

Examples:

You speakEnglish.

Doyou speakEnglish?

You do not speakEnglish.

USE 1 Repeated Actions

Use the imple !resent to express the idea that an a"tion is repeated or usual. #he

a"tion "an $e a ha$it% a ho$$y% a daily e&ent% a s"heduled e&ent or something that

o'ten happens. (t "an also $e something a person o'ten 'orgets or usually does not do.

Examples:

( playtennis.

he does not playtennis.

Doeshe playtennis?

he al)ays forgetsher purse.

*e ne&er forgetshis )allet.

E&ery t)el&e months% the Earth circlesthe un.

USE 2 Facts or Generaliations

#he imple !resent "an also indi"ate the speaer $elie&es that a 'a"t )as true $e'ore%

is true no)% and )ill $e true in the 'uture. (t is not important i' the speaer is "orre"t

a$out the 'a"t. (t is also used to mae generali,ations a$out people or things.

Examples:

-ats likemil.

-ali'ornia isin meri"a.

indo)s aremade o' glass.


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USE ! Sc"ed#led E$ents in t"e %ear F#t#re

peaers o""asionally use imple !resent to tal a$out s"heduled e&ents in the near

'uture. #his is most "ommonly done )hen taling a$out pu$li" transportation% $ut it

"an $e used )ith other s"heduled e&ents as )ell.

Examples:

#he train lea$estonight at 0 !1.

#he party startsat 2 o3"lo".

USE & %o' (%on)*ontin#o#s +er,s-

peaers sometimes use the imple !resent to express the idea that an a"tion is

happening or is not happening no). #his "an only $e done )ith4on5-ontinuous

Ver$sand "ertain1ixed Ver$s.

Examples:

( amhere no).

*e does not needhelp no).

*e "ashis passport in his hand.

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Simple Past

FORM

[VERB+ed] or irregular &er$s

Examples:

You called7e$$ie.

Didyou call7e$$ie?

You did not call7e$$ie.

USE 1 *ompleted Action in t"e Past
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Use the imple !ast to express the idea that an a"tion started and 'inished at a spe"i'i"

time in the past. ometimes% the speaer may not a"tually mention the spe"i'i" time%$ut they do ha&e one spe"i'i" time in mind.

Examples:

( sa'a mo&ie yesterday.

8ast year% ( didn.t tra$elto 9orea.

Didyou "a$edinner last night?

he 'as"edher "ar.

USE 2 A Series of *ompleted Actions

e use the imple !ast to list a series o' "ompleted a"tions in the past. #hese a"tions

happen st% ;nd% apanese 'or 'i&e years.

#hey satat the $ea"h all day.

e talkedon the phone 'or thirty minutes.

USE & /a,its in t"e Past


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#he imple !ast "an also $e used to des"ri$e a ha$it )hi"h stopped in the past. (t "an

ha&e the same meaning as used to. #o mae it "lear that )e are taling a$out aha$it% )e o'ten add expressions su"h as: al)ays% o'ten% usually% ne&er% )hen ( )as a

"hild% )hen ( )as younger% et".

Examples:

( st#died@ren"h )hen ( )as a "hild.

*e didn.t playthe piano.

Didyou playa musi"al instrument )hen you )ere a id?

he 'orkedat the mo&ie theater a'ter s"hool.

USE 0 Past Facts or Generaliations

#he imple !ast "an also $e used to des"ri$e past 'a"ts or generali,ations )hi"h are

no longer true. s in UE = a$o&e% this use o' the imple !ast is Auite similar to the

expression used to.

Examples:

he 'asshy as a "hild% $ut no) she is &ery outgoing.

Didyou li$ein #exas )hen you 'erea id?

!eople paidmu"h more to mae "ell phone "alls in the past.

MPORA% 3"en)*la#ses /appen First

-lauses are groups o' )ords )hi"h ha&e meaning $ut are o'ten not "omplete

senten"es. ome "lauses $egin )ith the )ord )hen su"h as )hen ( dropped my

pen... or )hen "lass $egan... #hese "lauses are "alled )hen5"lauses% and they are&ery important. #he examples $elo) "ontain )hen5"lauses.

Examples:

3"en paid "er one dollar% she ans)ered my Auestion.

he ans)ered my Auestion '"en paid "er one dollar.

hen5"lauses are important $e"ause they al)ays happen 'irst )hen $oth "lauses are

in the imple !ast. Both o' the examples a$o&e mean the same thing: 'irst% ( paid her

one dollar% and then% she ans)ered my Auestion. (t is not important )hether )hen (paid her one dollar is at the $eginning o' the senten"e or at the end o' the senten"e.
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*o)e&er% the example $elo) has a di''erent meaning. @irst% she ans)ered my

Auestion% and then% ( paid her one dollar.

Example:

( paid her one dollar '"en s"e ans'ered my 4#estion.

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Present *ontin#o#s

FORM

[am/is/are + present parti"iple]

Examples:

You are 'atc"ing#V.

Areyou 'atc"ing#V?

You are not 'atc"ing#V.

USE 1 %o'

Use the !resent -ontinuous )ith4ormal Ver$sto express the idea that something is

happening no)% at this &ery moment. (t "an also $e used to sho) that something is not

happening no).

Examples:

You are learningEnglish no).

( am not standing.

she sittingor standing?

#hey are readingtheir $oos.

hat areyou doing?

USE 2 5onger Actions in Progress %o'

(n English% no) "an mean: this se"ond% today% this month% this year% this "entury%

and so on. ometimes% )e use the !resent -ontinuous to say that )e are in the pro"ess
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o' doing a longer a"tion )hi"h is in progress ho)e&er% )e might not $e doing it at

this exa"t se"ond.

Examples: Cll o' these senten"es "an $e said )hile eating dinner in a restaurant.D

( am st#dyingto $e"ome a do"tor.

( am readingthe $oo Tom Sawyer.

( am not readingany $oos right no).

USE ! %ear F#t#re

ometimes% speaers use the !resent -ontinuous to indi"ate that something )ill or)ill not happen in the near 'uture.

Examples:

( am meetingsome 'riends a'ter )or.

( am not goingto the party tonight.

sn.the coming)ith us tonight?

USE & Repetition and rritation 'it" 6Al'ays6

#he !resent -ontinuous )ith )ords su"h as al)ays or "onstantly expresses the

idea that something irritating or sho"ing o'ten happens. 4oti"e that the meaning is

lie imple !resent% $ut )ith negati&e emotion. Remem$er to put the )ords al)ays

or "onstantly $et)een $e and &er$+ing.

Examples:

he is al'ays comingto "lass late.

*e is constantly talking. ( )ish he )ould shut up.

REMEM7ER %on)*ontin#o#s +er,s8 Mi9ed +er,s

(t is important to remem$er that4on5-ontinuous Ver$s"annot $e used in any

"ontinuous tenses. lso% "ertain non5"ontinuous meanings 'or 1ixed Ver$s"annot $e

used in "ontinuous tenses. (nstead o' using !resent -ontinuous )ith these &er$s% you

must use imple !resent.

Examples:
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he is lo$ingthis "ho"olate i"e "ream.Not Correct

he lo$esthis "ho"olate i"e "ream. Correct

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Past *ontin#o#s

FORM

[)as/)ere + present parti"iple]

Examples:

You 'ere st#dying)hen she "alled.

3ereyou st#dying)hen she "alled?

You 'ere not st#dying)hen she "alled.

USE 1 nterr#pted Action in t"e Past

Use the !ast -ontinuous to indi"ate that a longer a"tion in the past )as interrupted.

#he interruption is usually a shorter a"tion in the imple !ast. Remem$er this "an $e areal interruption or ust an interruption in time.

Examples:

( 'as 'atc"ing#V )hen she "alled.

hen the phone rang% she 'as 'ritinga letter.

hile )e 'ere "a$ingthe pi"ni"% it started to rain.

hile >ohn 'as sleepinglast night% someone stole his "ar.

hile ( 'as 'ritingthe email% the "omputer suddenly )ent o''.

: hat 'ereyou doing)hen you $roe your leg?

B: ( 'as sno',oarding.

USE 2 Specific ime as an nterr#ption

(n UE % des"ri$ed a$o&e% the !ast -ontinuous is interrupted $y a shorter a"tion in

the imple !ast. *o)e&er% you "an also use a spe"i'i" time as an interruption.


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Examples:

8ast night at 0 !1% ( 'as eatingdinner.

t midnight% )e 'erestill dri$ingthrough the desert.

Yesterday at this time% ( 'as sittingat my des at )or.

MPORA%

(n the imple !ast% a spe"i'i" time is used to sho) )hen an a"tion $egan or 'inished.

(n the !ast -ontinuous% a spe"i'i" time only interrupts the a"tion.

Examples:

8ast night at 0 !1% ( atedinner.I STARTEDEATINGAT6 PM.

8ast night at 0 !1% ( 'as eatingdinner.I STARTEDEARLIER; ANDAT6 PM, I WASINTHEPROCESSOFEATINGDINNER.

USE ! Parallel Actions

hen you use the !ast -ontinuous )ith t)o a"tions in the same senten"e% it expresses

the idea that $oth a"tions )ere happening at the same time. #he a"tions are parallel.

Examples:

( 'as st#dying)hile he 'as makingdinner.

3ereyou listening)hile he 'as talking?

#homas 'asn.t 'orking% and ( 'asn.t 'orkingeither.

#hey 'ere eatingdinner% disc#ssingtheir plans% and "a$inga good time.

USE & Atmosp"ere

(n English% )e o'ten use a series o' parallel a"tions to des"ri$e the atmosphere at a

parti"ular time in the past.

Example:

hen ( )aled into the o''i"e% se&eral people 'ere$usily typing% some 'ere

talkingon the phones% the $oss 'as yellingdire"tions% and "ustomers 'ere

'aitingto $e helped. Fne "ustomer 'as yellingat a se"retary and 'a$ing

his hands. Fthers 'ere complainingto ea"h other a$out the $ad ser&i"e.

USE 0 Repetition and rritation 'it" 6Al'ays6


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#he !ast -ontinuous )ith )ords su"h as al)ays or "onstantly expresses the idea

that something irritating or sho"ing o'ten happened in the past. #he "on"ept is &erysimilar to the expression used to $ut )ith negati&e emotion. Remem$er to put the

)ords al)ays or "onstantly $et)een $e and &er$+ing.

Examples:

he 'as al'ays comingto "lass late.

*e 'as constantly talking. *e annoyed e&eryone.

( didn3t lie them $e"ause they 'ere al'ays complaining.

3"ile $s: 3"en

-lauses are groups o' )ords )hi"h ha&e meaning% $ut are o'ten not "omplete

senten"es. ome "lauses $egin )ith the )ord )hen su"h as )hen she "alled or

)hen it $it me. Fther "lauses $egin )ith )hile su"h as )hile she )as sleeping

and )hile he )as sur'ing. hen you tal a$out things in the past% )hen is most

o'ten 'ollo)ed $y the &er$ tense imple !ast% )hereas )hile is usually 'ollo)ed $y

!ast -ontinuous. hile expresses the idea o' during that time. tudy the

examples $elo). #hey ha&e similar meanings% $ut they emphasi,e di''erent parts o'

the senten"e.

Examples:

( )as studying '"en s"e called.

3"ile 'as st#dying% she "alled.

REMEM7ER %on)*ontin#o#s +er,s 8 Mi9ed +er,s



used in "ontinuous tenses. (nstead o' using !ast -ontinuous )ith these &er$s% you

must use imple !ast.

Examples:

>ane 'as ,eingat my house )hen you arri&ed.Not Correct

>ane 'asat my house )hen you arri&ed. Correct

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Present Perfect
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FORM

[has/ha&e + past parti"iple]

Examples:

You "a$e seenthat mo&ie many times.

/a$eyou seenthat mo&ie many times?

You "a$e not seenthat mo&ie many times.

USE 1 Unspecified ime 7efore %o'

e use the !resent !er'e"t to say that an a"tion happened at an unspe"i'ied time

$e'ore no). #he exa"t time is not important. You -44F# use the !resent !er'e"t

)ith spe"i'i" time expressions su"h as: yesterday% one year ago% last )ee% )hen ( )as

a "hild% )hen ( li&ed in >apan% at that moment% that day% one day% et". e -4 use the

!resent !er'e"t )ith unspe"i'i" expressions su"h as: e&er% ne&er% on"e% many times%

se&eral times% $e'ore% so 'ar% already% yet% et".

Examples:

( "a$e seenthat mo&ie t)enty times.

( thin ( "a$e methim on"e $e'ore.

#here "a$e ,eenmany earthAuaes in -ali'ornia.

!eople "a$e tra$eledto the 1oon.

/a$eyou readthe $oo yet?

4o$ody "ase&er clim,edthat mountain.

/o' Do ;o# Act#ally Use t"e Present Perfectapanese relati&es on"e in HH< $e'ore she mo&ed in )iththem in HH0.

MOREO+ER

(' the !ast !er'e"t a"tion did o""ur at a spe"i'i" time% the imple !ast "an $e used

instead o' the !ast !er'e"t )hen $e'ore or a'ter is used in the senten"e. #he )ords

$e'ore and a'ter a"tually tell you )hat happens 'irst% so the !ast !er'e"t is

optional. @or this reason% $oth senten"es $elo) are "orre"t.

Examples:
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he "ad $isitedher >apanese relati&es on"e in HH< $e'ore she mo&ed in )ith

them in HH0.

he $isitedher >apanese relati&es on"e in HH< $e'ore she mo&ed in )ith

them in HH0.

/O3E+ER

(' the !ast !er'e"t is not re'erring to an a"tion at a spe"i'i" time% !ast !er'e"t is not

optional. -ompare the examples $elo). *ere !ast !er'e"t is re'erring to a la" o'

experien"e rather than an a"tion at a spe"i'i" time. @or this reason% imple !ast "annot

$e used.

Examples:

he ne&er sa'a $ear $e'ore she mo&ed to lasa.Not Correct

he "adne&er seena $ear $e'ore she mo&ed to lasa. Correct

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Present Perfect *ontin#o#s

FORM

[has/ha&e + $een + present parti"iple]

Examples:

You "a$e ,een 'aitinghere 'or t)o hours.

/a$eyou ,een 'aitinghere 'or t)o hours?

You "a$e not ,een 'aitinghere 'or t)o hours.

USE 1 D#ration from t"e Past Until %o'

e use the !resent !er'e"t -ontinuous to sho) that something started in the past and

has "ontinued up until no). @or 'i&e minutes% 'or t)o )ees% and sin"e #uesday

are all durations )hi"h "an $e used )ith the !resent !er'e"t -ontinuous.

Examples:


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17/28

Past Perfect *ontin#o#s

FORM

[had $een + present parti"iple]

Examples:

You "ad ,een 'aitingthere 'or more than t)o hours )hen she 'inally

arri&ed.

/adyou ,een 'aitingthere 'or more than t)o hours )hen she 'inally

arri&ed?

You "ad not ,een 'aitingthere 'or more than t)o hours )hen she 'inally

arri&ed.

USE 1 D#ration 7efore Somet"ing in t"e Past

e use the !ast !er'e"t -ontinuous to sho) that something started in the past and

"ontinued up until another time in the past. @or 'i&e minutes and 'or t)o )ees

are $oth durations )hi"h "an $e used )ith the !ast !er'e"t -ontinuous. 4oti"e that

this is related to the !resent !er'e"t -ontinuous ho)e&er% the duration does not

"ontinue until no)% it stops $e'ore something else in the past.

Examples:

#hey "ad ,een talking'or o&er an hour $e'ore #ony arri&ed.

*o) long "adyou ,een 'aitingto get on the $us?

1ie )anted to sit do)n $e"ause he "ad ,een standingall day at )or.

>ames "ad ,een teac"ingat the uni&ersity 'or more than a year $e'ore he le't

'or sia.

USE 2 *a#se of Somet"ing in t"e Past

Using the !ast !er'e"t -ontinuous $e'ore another a"tion in the past is a good )ay to

sho) "ause and e''e"t.

Examples:

>ason )as tired $e"ause he "ad ,een >ogging.
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am gained )eight $e"ause he "ad ,een o$ereating.

Betty 'ailed the 'inal test $e"ause she "ad not ,een attending"lass.

Past *ontin#o#s $s: Past Perfect *ontin#o#s

(' you do not in"lude a duration su"h as 'or 'i&e minutes% 'or t)o )ees or sin"e

@riday% many English speaers "hoose to use the !ast -ontinuous rather than the !ast

!er'e"t -ontinuous. Be "are'ul $e"ause this "an "hange the meaning o' the senten"e.

!ast -ontinuous emphasi,es interrupted a"tions% )hereas !ast !er'e"t -ontinuous

emphasi,es a duration o' time $e'ore something in the past. tudy the examples $elo)

to understand the di''eren"e.

Examples:

*e )as tired $e"ause he 'as e9ercisingso hard.

THISSENTENCEEMPHASI%ESTHATHEWASTIRED"ECAUSEHEWASE!ERCISINGATTHATE!ACTMOMENT.

*e )as tired $e"ause he "ad ,een e9ercisingso hard.THISSENTENCEEMPHASI%ESTHATHEWASTIRED"ECAUSEHEHAD"EENE!ERCISINGOERA

PERIODOFTIME. ITISPOSSI"LETHATHEWASSTILLE!ERCISINGATTHATMOMENTOR THATHE

HAD&USTFINISHED.

REMEM7ER %on)*ontin#o#s +er,s 8 Mi9ed +er,s



used in "ontinuous tenses. (nstead o' using !ast !er'e"t -ontinuous )ith these &er$s%you must use !ast !er'e"t.

Examples:

#he motor"y"le "ad ,een ,elongingto Jeorge 'or years $e'ore #ina $ought

it.Not Correct

#he motor"y"le "ad ,elongedto Jeorge 'or years $e'ore #ina $ought it.

Correct

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Simple F#t#re

imple @uture has t)o di''erent 'orms in English: )ill and $e going to. lthough

the t)o 'orms "an sometimes $e used inter"hangea$ly% they o'ten express t)o &ery

di''erent meanings. #hese di''erent meanings might seem too a$stra"t at 'irst% $ut )ith

time and pra"ti"e% the di''eren"es )ill $e"ome "lear. Both )ill and $e going to

re'er to a spe"i'i" time in the 'uture.
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FORM 3ill

[)ill + &er$]

Examples:

You 'ill "elphim later.

3illyou "elphim later?

You 'ill not "elphim later.

FORM 7e Going o

[am/is/are + going to + &er$]

Examples:

You are going to meet>ane tonight.

Areyou going to meet>ane tonight?

You are not going to meet>ane tonight.

USE 1 63ill6 to E9press a +ol#ntary Action

ill o'ten suggests that a speaer )ill do something &oluntarily. &oluntary a"tion

is one the speaer o''ers to do 'or someone else. F'ten% )e use )ill to respond to

someone else3s "omplaint or reAuest 'or help. e also use )ill )hen )e reAuest that

someone help us or &olunteer to do something 'or us. imilarly% )e use )ill not or

)on3t )hen )e re'use to &oluntarily do something.

Examples:

( 'ill send you the in'ormation )hen ( get it.

( 'ill translatethe email% so 1r. mith "an read it.

3illyou makedinner?

( 'ill not doyour home)or 'or you.

: (3m really hungry.

B: (.ll makesome sand)i"hes.

: #he phone is ringing.

B: (.ll getit.

USE 2 63ill6 to E9press a Promise

ill is usually used in promises.


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Examples:

( 'ill callyou )hen ( arri&e.

( promise ( 'ill not tellhim a$out the surprise party.

7on3t )orry% (.ll ,e"are'ul.

USE ! 67e going to6 to E9press a Plan

Be going to expresses that something is a plan. (t expresses the idea that a person

intends to do something in the 'uture. (t does not matter )hether the plan is realisti" or

not.

Examples:

*e is going to spendhis &a"ation in *a)aii.

: hen are)e going to meetea"h other tonight?

B: e are going to meetat 0 !1.

(.m going to ,ean a"tor )hen ( gro) up.

1i"helle is going to ,eginmedi"al s"hool next year.

: ho is going to make>ohn3s $irthday "ae?

B: ue is going to make>ohn3s $irthday "ae.

USE & 63ill6 or 67e Going to6 to E9press a Prediction

Both )ill and $e going to "an express the idea o' a general predi"tion a$out the'uture. !redi"tions are guesses a$out )hat might happen in the 'uture. (n predi"tion

senten"es% the su$e"t usually has little "ontrol o&er the 'uture and there'ore UE 5ohn mith 'ill ,ethe next !resident.

>ohn mith is going to ,ethe next !resident.

MPORA%

(n the imple @uture% it is not al)ays "lear )hi"h UE the speaer has in mind. F'ten%

there is more than one )ay to interpret a senten"e3s meaning.

%o F#t#re in ime *la#ses

8ie all 'uture 'orms% the imple @uture "annot $e used in "lauses $eginning )ith

time expressions su"h as: )hen% )hile% $e'ore% a'ter% $y the time% as soon as% i'% unless%

et". (nstead o' imple @uture% imple !resentis used.
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Examples:

hen you 'ill arri$etonight% )e )ill go out 'or dinner.Not Correct

hen you arri$etonight% )e )ill go out 'or dinner. Correct

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F#t#re *ontin#o#s

@uture -ontinuous has t)o di''erent 'orms: )ill $e doing and $e going to $e

doing. Unlie imple @uture'orms% @uture -ontinuous 'orms are usually

inter"hangea$le.

FORM F#t#re *ontin#o#s 'it" 63ill6

[)ill $e + present parti"iple]

Examples:

You 'ill ,e 'aiting'or her )hen her plane arri&es tonight.

3illyou ,e 'aiting'or her )hen her plane arri&es tonight?

You 'ill not ,e 'aiting'or her )hen her plane arri&es tonight.

FORM F#t#re *ontin#o#s 'it" 67e Going o 6

[am/is/are + going to $e + present parti"iple]

Examples:

You are going to ,e 'aiting'or her )hen her plane arri&es tonight.

Areyou going to ,e 'aiting'or her )hen her plane arri&es tonight?

You are not going to ,e 'aiting'or her )hen her plane arri&es tonight.

RE1E1BER: (t is possi$le to use either )ill or $e going to to "reate the @uture

-ontinuous )ith little di''eren"e in meaning.

USE 1 nterr#pted Action in t"e F#t#re

Use the @uture -ontinuous to indi"ate that a longer a"tion in the 'uture )ill $e

interrupted $y a shorter a"tion in the 'uture. Remem$er this "an $e a real interruption

or ust an interruption in time.

Examples:
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( 'ill ,e 'atc"ing#V )hen she arr'(e)tonight.

( 'ill ,e 'aiting'or you )hen your $us arr'(e).

*e 'ill ,e st#dyingat the li$rary tonight% so he )ill not see >enni'er )hen

she arr'(e).

4oti"e in the examples a$o&e that the interruptions Cmar*e+ ' '-a'/)D are inimple

!resentrather than imple @uture. #his is $e"ause the interruptions are intime

"lauses% and you "annot use 'uture tenses in time "lauses.

USE 2 Specific ime as an nterr#ption in t"e F#t#re

(n UE % des"ri$ed a$o&e% the @uture -ontinuous is interrupted $y a short a"tion inthe 'uture. (n addition to using short a"tions as interruptions% you "an also use a

spe"i'i" time as an interruption.

Examples:

#onight at 0 !1% ( am going to ,e eatingdinner.I WILL"EINTHEPROCESSOFEATINGDINNER.

t midnight tonight% )e 'illstill ,e dri$ingthrough the desert.WEWILL"EINTHEPROCESSOFDRIINGTHROUGHTHEDESERT.

REMEM7ER

(n the imple @uture% a spe"i'i" time is used to sho) the time an a"tion )ill $egin or

end. (n the @uture -ontinuous% a spe"i'i" time interrupts the a"tion.

Examples:

#onight at 0 !1% ( am going to eatdinner.IAMGOINGTOSTARTEATINGAT6 PM.

#onight at 0 !1% ( am going to ,e eatingdinner.IAMGOINGTOSTARTEARLIERANDI WILL"EINTHEPROCESSOFEATINGDINNERAT6 PM.

USE ! Parallel Actions in t"e F#t#re

hen you use the @uture -ontinuous )ith t)o a"tions in the same senten"e% it

expresses the idea that $oth a"tions )ill $e happening at the same time. #he a"tions

are parallel.

Examples:
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tc


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( am going to ,e st#dyingand he is going to ,e makingdinner.

#onight% they 'ill ,e eatingdinner% disc#ssingtheir plans% and "a$inga

good time.

hile Ellen ') rea+'0% #im 'ill ,e 'atc"ingtele&ision.NOTICE1ISREADING1"ECAUSEOFTHETIMECLAUSECONTAINING1WHILE.1 2SEEE!PLANATION

"ELOW3

USE & Atmosp"ere in t"e F#t#re

(n English% )e o'ten use a series o' !arallel "tions to des"ri$e atmosphere at a

spe"i'i" point in the 'uture.

Example:

hen ( arri&e at the party% e&ery$ody is going to ,e cele,rating. ome 'ill,e dancing. Fthers are going to ,e talking. 'e) people 'ill ,e eating

pi,,a% and se&eral people are going to ,e drinking$eer. #hey al)ays do the

same thing.

REMEM7ER %o F#t#re in ime *la#ses

8ie all 'uture tenses% the @uture -ontinuous "annot $e used in "lauses $eginning )ith

time expressions su"h as: )hen% )hile% $e'ore% a'ter% $y the time% as soon as% i'% unless%

et". (nstead o' @uture -ontinuous% !resent -ontinuousis used.

Examples:

hile ( am going to ,e finis"ingmy home)or% she is going to mae

dinner.Not Correct

hile ( am finis"ingmy home)or% she is going to mae dinner. Correct

A%D REMEM7ER %on)*ontin#o#s +er,s 8 Mi9ed +er,s



used in "ontinuous tenses. (nstead o' using @uture -ontinuous )ith these &er$s% youmust use imple @uture.

Examples:

>ane 'ill ,e ,eingat my house )hen you arri&e.Not Correct

>ane 'ill ,eat my house )hen you arri&e. Correct

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F#t#re Perfect
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/types.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/types.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futurecontinuous.html#tc2http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/types.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/types.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html


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@uture !er'e"t has t)o di''erent 'orms: )ill ha&e done and $e going to ha&e done.

Unlie imple @uture'orms% @uture !er'e"t 'orms are usually inter"hangea$le.

FORM F#t#re Perfect 'it" 63ill6

[)ill ha&e + past parti"iple]

Examples:

You 'ill "a$e perfectedyour English $y the time you "ome $a" 'rom the

U..

3illyou "a$e perfectedyour English $y the time you "ome $a" 'rom the

U..?

You 'ill not "a$e perfectedyour English $y the time you "ome $a" 'rom

the U..

FORM F#t#re Perfect 'it" 67e Going o6

[am/is/are + going to ha&e + past parti"iple]

Examples:

You are going to "a$e perfectedyour English $y the time you "ome $a"

'rom the U..

4F#E: (t is possi$le to use either )ill or $e going to to "reate the @uture !er'e"t

)ith little or no di''eren"e in meaning.

USE 1 *ompleted Action 7efore Somet"ing in t"e F#t#re

#he @uture !er'e"t expresses the idea that something )ill o""ur $e'ore another a"tion

in the 'uture. (t "an also sho) that something )ill happen $e'ore a spe"i'i" time in the

'uture.

Examples:

By next 4o&em$er% ( 'ill "a$e recei$edmy promotion.

By the time he0e-)home% she is going to "a$e cleanedthe entire house.

( am not going to "a$e finis"edthis test $y < o3"lo".

*o) many "ountries areyou going to "a$e $isited$y the time you -4rGI?

4oti"e in the examples a$o&e that the re'eren"e points Cmar*e+ ' '-a'/)D are in

imple !resentrather than imple @uture. #his is $e"ause the interruptions are intime"lauses% and you "annot use 'uture tenses in time "lauses.
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tc


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You 'ill "a$e ,een 'aiting'or more than t)o hours )hen her plane 'inally

arri&es.

3illyou "a$e ,een 'aiting'or more than t)o hours )hen her plane 'inally

arri&es?

You 'ill not "a$e ,een 'aiting'or more than t)o hours )hen her plane'inally arri&es.

FORM F#t#re Perfect *ontin#o#s 'it" 67e Going o6

[am/is/are + going to ha&e $een + present parti"iple]

Examples:

You are going to "a$e ,een 'aiting'or more than t)o hours )hen her plane

'inally arri&es.

4F#E: (t is possi$le to use either )ill or $e going to to "reate the @uture !er'e"t

-ontinuous )ith little or no di''eren"e in meaning.

USE 1 D#ration 7efore Somet"ing in t"e F#t#re

e use the @uture !er'e"t -ontinuous to sho) that something )ill "ontinue up until a

parti"ular e&ent or time in the 'uture. @or 'i&e minutes% 'or t)o )ees% and sin"e@riday are all durations )hi"h "an $e used )ith the @uture !er'e"t -ontinuous.

4oti"e that this is related to the !resent !er'e"t -ontinuousand the!ast !er'e"t

-ontinuous ho)e&er% )ith @uture !er'e"t -ontinuous% the duration stops at or $e'ore

a re'eren"e point in the 'uture.

Examples:

#hey 'ill "a$e ,een talking'or o&er an hour $y the time #homas arr'(e).

he is going to "a$e ,een 'orkingat that "ompany 'or three years )hen it

'inally /o)e). *o) long 'illyou "a$e ,een st#dying)hen you0ra+4a-e?

e are going to "a$e ,een dri$ing'or o&er three days straight )hen )e0e-

to n"horage.

4oti"e in the examples a$o&e that the re'eren"e points Cmar*e+ ' '-a'/)D are in

imple !resentrather than imple @uture. #his is $e"ause these 'uture e&ents are in

time "lauses% and you "annot use 'uture tenses in time "lauses.

USE 2 *a#se of Somet"ing in t"e F#t#re
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tchttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html#tc


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Using the @uture !er'e"t -ontinuous $e'ore another a"tion in the 'uture is a good )ay

to sho) "ause and e''e"t.

Examples:

>ason )ill $e tired )hen he gets home $e"ause he 'ill "a$e ,een >ogging'or

o&er an hour.

-laudia3s English )ill $e per'e"t )hen she returns to Jermany $e"ause she is

going to "a$e ,een st#dyingEnglish in the United tates 'or o&er t)o

years.

F#t#re *ontin#o#s $s: F#t#re Perfect *ontin#o#s

(' you do not in"lude a duration su"h as 'or 'i&e minutes% 'or t)o )ees or sin"e

@riday% many English speaers "hoose to use the @uture -ontinuous rather than the

@uture !er'e"t -ontinuous. Be "are'ul $e"ause this "an "hange the meaning o' the

senten"e. @uture -ontinuous emphasi,es interrupted a"tions% )hereas @uture !er'e"t

-ontinuous emphasi,es a duration o' time $e'ore something in the 'uture. tudy the

examples $elo) to understand the di''eren"e.

Examples:

*e )ill $e tired $e"ause he 'ill ,e e9ercisingso hard.THISSENTENCEEMPHASI%ESTHATHEWILL"ETIRED"ECAUSEHEWILL"EE!ERCISINGATTHATE!ACTMOMENTINTHEFUTURE.

*e )ill $e tired $e"ause he 'ill "a$e ,een e9ercisingso hard.THISSENTENCEEMPHASI%ESTHATHEWILL"ETIRED"ECAUSEHEWILLHAE"EENE!ERCISING

FORAPERIODOFTIME. ITISPOSSI"LETHATHEWILLSTILL"EE!ERCISINGATTHATMOMENT

OR THATHEWILL&USTHAEFINISHED.

REMEM7ER %o F#t#re in ime *la#ses

8ie all 'uture 'orms% the @uture !er'e"t -ontinuous "annot $e used in "lauses

$eginning )ith time expressions su"h as: )hen% )hile% $e'ore% a'ter% $y the time% assoon as% i'% unless% et". (nstead o' @uture !er'e"t -ontinuous% !resent !er'e"t

-ontinuousis used.

Examples:

You )on3t get a promotion until you 'ill "a$e ,een 'orkinghere as long as

#im.Not Correct

You )on3t get a promotion until you "a$e ,een 'orkinghere as long as #im.

Correct

A%D REMEM7ER %on)*ontin#o#s +er,s 8 Mi9ed +er,s
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.htmlhttp://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.html


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used in "ontinuous tenses. (nstead o' using @uture !er'e"t -ontinuous )ith these

&er$s% you must use @uture !er'e"t .

Examples:

4ed 'ill "a$e ,een "a$ing his dri&er3s li"ense 'or o&er t)o years.Not

Correct

4ed 'ill "a$e "ad his dri&er3s li"ense 'or o&er t)o years. Correct
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