Practice Your Grammar

Using Verb Tenses

Quick Tense Review

Tense Example When to use itpresent progressive The are going out

together.For something that is true right now,

They are coming to the party tonight

or is in the immediate future.

simple present They go to Mexico every year.

Repeated action

They have a house in Mexico.

(Stative verbs are not used in progressive.)

Simple past He got laid off. Action that happened in the past.

Quick Tense Review

Tense Example When to use it

Present perfect He has been out of work for six months.

Action that began in the past, continues in the present or is connected to present or future.

Present perfect progressive

He has been looking for a job.

Action began in the past, continues in the present.

Past perfect He had worked there for 10 years when he got laid off.

Continued action, ended at a definite time in the past, or happened recently

Present perfect He has been out of work for six months.

Action that began in the past, continues in the present or is connected to present or future.

Sample ConversationA: Are Sarah and her boyfriend coming to the party tonight?

(present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, just Sarah. They’ve broken up.

A: I’m so sorry to hear that. Why did they break up?

(simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B. I don’t know. They seemed very happy together.

A: How long had they been going together? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. They’d been together for three years.

Sample ConversationA: …. Sarah and her boyfriend … tonight? (present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, just Sarah. They …

A: I’m …. Why …? (simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B. I …. They … happy together.

A: How long …. together? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. They … for three years.

Sample Conversation

A: Are you going to Mexico for your vacation?

(present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, we’ve canceled our vacation.

A: I’m so sorry to hear that. Why did you do that?

(simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B I am, too. My husband couldn’t get time off from work.

A: How long had you been planning to go? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. We had been planning on it all year.

Sample Conversation

A: … Mexico for your vacation? (present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, we ….

A: I’m . Why … ? (simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B I’m … too. My …. work.

A: How long …? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. We … all year.

Sample Conversation

A: Is your brother still working for Intel? (present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, he’s been laid off.

A: I’m so sorry to hear that. When did that happen?

(simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B He’s unemployed now. He was laid off two months ago.

A: How long had he been working there? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. He’d been working there for six years.

Sample Conversation

A: … brother … Intel? (present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, … laid off.

A: I’m ... When …? (simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B: … unemployed ... He … ago.

A: How long …? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. … six years.

Sample Conversation

A: Do your grandparents still live in Oakland?

(present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, they’ve sold their house.

A: I’m so sorry to hear that. When did they do that?

(simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B: They’re happy about it. They moved to a retirement community in Arizona.

A: How long had they been living here? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. They’d lived here for forty years.

Sample Conversation

A: … your grandparents … Oakland? (present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, … house.

A: I’m so sorry …. When …? (simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B: … happy ... They … Arizona.

A: How long …? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. … forty years.

Sample Conversation

A: Is your daughter competing in the marathon this weekend?

(present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, she’s injured her ankle

A: I’m so sorry to hear that. When did that happen?

(simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B: She’s really disappointed, also. She injured it in training a few days ago.

A: How long had she been training for the race?

(past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. She’d trained for weeks.

Sample Conversation

A: … daughter … this weekend? (present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, she’s …

A: I’m ... When …? (simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B: … disappointed, also. She … a few days ago.

A: How long … race? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. … for weeks.

Sample Conversation

A: Are you taking your driver’s test tomorrow?

(present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, I’ve come down with flu.

A: I’m so sorry to hear that. When did you get sick?

(simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B: I feel awful. I got sick last night.

A: How long had you preparing for the test? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. I’d prepared for weeks.

Sample Conversation

A: … you … tomorrow? (present progressive)

(present perfect) B: No, … flu.

A: I’m … . When … sick? (simple present, simple past)

(simple present, simple past) B: I feel .... I … last night.

A: How long … ? (past perfect progressive)

(past perfect) B. … weeks.