THE VERBAL TENSES

THE VERBAL TENSESTHE SIMPLE TENSES

SIMPLE PRESENT

Expresses events or situations that exist always, usually, habiatually; they exist now, in the past and future.It snows in Alaska

I watch Tv every day

SIMPLE PAST

This happened at one particular time in the past. It began and ended in the past.It snowed yesterday

I watched Tv last night

SIMPLE FUTURE

This will happen at one particular time in the future.It will snow tomorrow

I will watch Tv tonight

THE CONTINUOUS TENSES (be + ing.)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

The action is in progress at the present timeHe s sleeping right now

PAST CONTINUOUS

The action was in progress at a particular time in the past.He was sleeping when I arrived.

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

The action will be in progress at a particular time in the futureHe will be sleeping when we arrive.

THE PERFECT TENSES

PRESENT PERFECT

I have already eatenOne thing happens before another time or event

PAST PERFECTI had already eaten when they arrived

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have eaten when they arrive

THE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSES (have + been +ing)Future: will + have + bare + been + ing

Past: had + been + ing

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been studying for 3 hoursOne event is in progress immediatelly before, up to, until another time or event. The tenses are used to express the duration of the first event.

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUSI had been studying for 2 hours before mi friend came

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been studying for 2 hours by the time you arrive

THE SIMPLE TENSES

SIMPLE PRESENT

Expresses events or situations that exist always, usually, habiatually; they exist now, in the past and future.It snows in AlaskaI watch Tv every day

SIMPLE PAST

This happened at one particular time in the past. It began and ended in the past.It snowed yesterdayI watched Tv last night

SIMPLE FUTURE

This will happen at one particular time in the future.It will snow tomorrowI will watch Tv tonight

A. SIMPLE PRESENT (always, never, often, seldom, on Mondays)Verb: same form as the base but adds an S for the 3rd s. Ex.: obeyobeys

-o (go)

-s (miss)

-x (mix) ES

-ch (watch)

-sh (push)UsesTo express routines/habits

They go to the beach every summer

Tom always drinks heavily

To express timeless statements

Two and two make four Honesty is the best policy

In sports commentaries Robertson passes the ball to Smith...

In recepies First mix the butter and sugar...

To describe the past as if it is happening now

Last week Im in the sitting room with my wifeFor an event fixed in advance

The plane leaves at 10 am

For statements about the calendar

Tomorrow is Sunday

B. SIMPLE PAST (yesterday, three days ago, last week, on January)Verb: Regular EDIrregular CHANGEUsesFor actions that occurred in the past

He was in Canada in 1976For habitual actions in the past

When I was young, I enjoyed playing tennis.

For indirect speech

I have no money; Mary said

C. SIMPLE FUTURE (tomorrow, tonight, next week, in a year)

Verb Will + infinitive

will arrive

Be going to + infinitive

is going to arrive

Present continuous

is arriving

Simple present

arrives

Will + continuous inf.

will be arrivingUses

For predictions Tomorrows weather will be cold

To express intention at the moment of decision

I ll do it right now WILL In newspapers

The reception will be at the Hilton HotelTo express intention Im going to leave tomorrow

GOING TOWhen the future is already present

Shes going to have another babyTHE CONTINUOUS TENSES (be + ing.)PRESENT CONTINUOUS

The action is in progress at the present timeHe s sleeping right now

PAST CONTINUOUS

The action was in progress at a particular time in the past.He was sleeping when I arrived.

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

The action will be in progress at a particular time in the futureHe will be sleeping when we arrive.

A. PRESENT CONTINUOUS (now, right now, at that moment, nowadays)UsesFor actions that are going on now

She is beaking a cake now

For actions happening about this time but no at the moment of speaking

Im taking dancing lessons

B. PAST CONTINUOUS (when, whil, all morning / day / evening)UsesFor an action which was in progress in the past At 7 pm yesterday they were having dinner

For an action which was in progress when another action interrupted it

He was walking when he ran into an old friend.

C. FUTURE CONTINUOUS Verb: will + be + ing

UsesFor an action which will be in progress Next week we will be cruising round the islands

For polite questions

Will you be using this for long?THE PERFECT TENSES

PRESENT PERFECT

I have already eatenOne thing happens before another time or event

PAST PERFECTI had already eaten when they arrived

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have eaten when they arrive

A. PRESENT PERFECTUsesFor an action which started in the past and continues up to the present Rachel has had the dog for three years

For an action which has recently finished

She has just washed her hairFor an action which is not over at the moment of speacking

He has taken 15 pictures today.

B. PAST PERFECTUses

For an action which happened before another past action

She had finished work when she met her friendsC. FUTURE PERFECTUsesFor an action which will be finished before future time She will have delivered all the newspaper by 8 o clockTHE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSES (have + been +ing)Future: will + have + bare + been + ing

Past: had + been + ing

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been studying for 3 hoursOne event is in progress immediatelly before, up to, until another time or event. The tenses are used to express the duration of the first event.

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUSI had been studying for 2 hours before mi friend came

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been studying for 2 hours by the time you arrive

A. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUSUsesTo put emphasis on the duration of an action which started in the past and continues up to the present.

Sam has been talking on the phone for half an hour.To express anger, irritation

Somebody has been giving away our plans!

B. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUSUsesTo put emphasis on the duration of an action which started and finished in the past before another past action.

They had been looking for a house for six months before they found one they liked.

C. FUTURE PERFCET CONTINUOUSUsesTo emphasise the duration of an action up to a certain time in the future

By the end of next month, she will have been teaching English for twenty years.PAGE 4