Simple Present

FORM Simple Present EXAMPLE: [to run] I run you run he runs she runs it runs we run they run

USE 1 Repeated

Action

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 o ten happens. It can also be something a person o ten orgets or usually does not do. EXAMPLES: I play tennis. She does not play tennis. The train leaves every morning at ! am. The train does not leave at "am. She always orgets her purse. #e never orgets his wallet. $very twelve months, the $arth circles the sun. The sun does not circle the $arth. USE 2 Facts

or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the spea%er believes that a act was true be ore, is true now, and will be true in the uture. It is not important i the spea%er is correct about the act. It is also used to ma%e generali&ations about people or things. EXAMPLES:

'ats li%e mil%. (irds do not li%e mil%. 'ali ornia is in )merica. 'ali ornia is not in the United *ingdom. +indows are made o glass. +indows are not made o wood. ,ew -or% is a small city. .It is not important that this act is untrue./

USE 3

o! " on#$ontin%o%s &er's(

Sometimes spea%ers use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with ,on0continuous 1erbs and certain 2ixed 1erbs. EXAMPLES: I am here now. She is not here now. #e needs help right now. #e does not need help now. #e has a car.

A$)*&E + PASS*&E Simple Present EXAMPLES: 3nce a wee%, Tom cleans the car. A$)*&E 3nce a wee%, the car is cleaned by Tom. PASS*&E

Present $ontin%o%s

FORM Present $ontin%o%s

AM + *S + ARE , &ER-,in.

EXAMPLES: I am watching T1. #e is 4uic%ly learning the language. O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present 'ontinuous .is learning/, adverbs o ten come between the irst part and the second part .is 4uic%ly learning/.

USE 1

o!

Use the Present 'ontinuous with 'ontinuous 1erbs 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.

EXAMPLES: -ou are learning $nglish now. -ou are not swimming now. I am sitting. I am not standing. They are reading their boo%s. They are not watching television. +hat are you doing5 +hy aren6t you doing your homewor%5

USE 2 Lon.er

Actions in Pro.ress

o!

In $nglish, now can mean 7this second,7 7today,7 7this month,7 7this year,7 7this century7 and so on. Sometimes we use the Present 'ontinuous to say that we are in the process o doing a longer action which is in progress8 however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

EXAMPLES: .)ll o 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 boo% Tom Sawyer. I am not reading any boo%s right now. )re you wor%ing on any special pro9ects at wor%5 )ren6t you teaching at the University now5

USE 3

ear F%t%re

Sometimes, spea%ers use the Present 'ontinuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near uture. EXAMPLES: I am meeting some riends a ter wor%. I am not going to the party tonight. Is he visiting his parents next wee%end5 Isn6t he coming with us tonight5

USE / Repetition

and *rritation !it0 1Al!a2s1

The Present 'ont. with words such as 7always7 or 7constantly7 expresses the idea that something irritating or shoc%ing o ten happens. ,otice that the meaning is li%e Simple Present but with negative emotion. :emember to put the words 7always7 or 7constantly7 between 7be7 and 7verb;ing.7 EXAMPLES: She is always coming to class late.

#e is constantly tal%ing. I wish he would shut up. I don6t li%e them because they are always complaining.

*MPOR)A )

on#$ontin%o%s &er's+ Mi3ed &er's

It is important to remember that ,on0'ontinuous 1erbs cannot be used in any 7continuous7 tenses. )lso, certain 7non0continuous7 meanings or 2ixed 1erbs cannot be used in 7continuous7 tenses. To express the idea o 7happening now7, you must use Simple Present US$ <.

EXAMPLES: She is loving chocolate. ot $orrect She loves chocolate. $orrect

A$)*&E + PASS*&E Present $ontin%o%s EXAMPLES: :ight now, Tom is writing the letter. A$)*&E :ight now, the letter is being written by Tom. PASS*&E

Simple Past

FORM Simple Past

&ER- , ed
EXAMPLES: I visited my riends. I o ten visited my riends. O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with only one part such as Simple Past .visited/, adverbs usually come be ore the verb .o ten visited/. Please remember this is di erent rom verbs with more than one part such as Present 'ontinuous.

USE 1 $ompleted

Action in t0e Past

Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and inished at a speci ic time in the past. Sometimes the spea%er may not actually mention the speci ic time, but they do have one speci ic time in mind. EXAMPLES: I saw a movie yesterday. I didn6t see a movie yesterday. =ast year, I travelled to >apan. =ast year, I didn6t travel to >apan. She washed her car. She didn6t wash her car.

USE 2 A

Series o4 $ompleted Actions

+e use the Simple Past to list a series o completed actions in the past. These actions happen ?st, @nd, <rd, Ath...

EXAMPLES: I inished wor%, wal%ed to the beach, and ound a nice place to swim. #e arrived rom the airport at !BCC, chec%ed into the hotel at "BCC, and met the others at ?CBCC.

USE 3 Sin.le

5%ration

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. ) duration is a long action o ten used with expressions li%e 7 or two years,7 7 or ive minutes,7 7all day7 or 7all year.7 EXAMPLES: I lived in (ra&il or two years. Shauna studied >apanese or ive years. They sat at the beach all day. +e tal%ed on the phone or thirty minutes. #ow long did you wait or them5 +e waited or one hour.

USE / 6a'it

in t0e Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as 7used to7. To ma%e it clear that we are tal%ing about a habit we o ten use expressions such as 7always,7 7o ten,7 7usually,7 7never,7 7...when I was a child7 or 7...when I was younger7 in the sentence. EXAMPLES: I studied Drench when I was a child. #e played the violin. She wor%ed at the movie theatre a ter school. They never went to school, they always s%ipped.

*MPOR)A ) 170en cla%ses1 0appen 4irst 'lauses are groups o words which have meaning but are not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word when such as 7+hen I dropped my pen...7 or 7+hen class began...7 These clauses are called 7when clauses7 and they are very important. The examples below contain 7when clauses.7

EXAMPLES: +hen I paid her one dollar, she answered my 4uestion. She answered my 4uestion, when I paid her one dollar. 7+hen clauses7 are important because they always happen irst when both clauses are in the Simple Past. (oth o the examples above mean the same thing. Dirst, I paid her one dollar, and then, she answered my 4uestion. #owever, the example below has a di erent meaning. Dirst, she answered my 4uestion, and then, I paid her a dollar. EXAMPLE: I paid her a dollar, when she answered my 4uestion.

A$)*&E + PASS*&E Simple Past EXAMPLES: Tom repaired the car. A$)*&E The car was repaired by Tom. PASS*&E

Past $ontin%o%s
FORM Past $ontin%o%s

7AS + 7ERE , &ER-,in.

EXAMPLES: I was studying when she called. I was care ully pic%ing up the sna%e when it bit me. O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past 'ontinuous .was pic%ing/, adverbs o ten come between the irst part and the second part .was care ully pic%ing/.

*MPOR)A ) 'lauses are groups o words which have meaning but are not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word when such as 7...when she called 7 or 7...when it bit me.7 'lauses with the Past 'ontinuous usually start with while. While expresses the idea 7during the time.7 Study the examples below. They have the same meaning. EXAMPLES: I was studying when she called. +hile I was studying, she called.

USE 1 *nterr%pted

Action in t0e Past

Use the Past 'ontinuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually an action in the Simple Past. :emember this can be a real interruption or 9ust an interruption in time. EXAMPLES: I was watching T1 when she called. +hen the phone rang, she was writing a letter. +hile we were having a picnic, it started to rain. Sally was wor%ing when >oe had the car accident. +hile >ohn was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.

USE 2 Speci4ic

)ime as an *nterr%ption

In US$ ?, described above, the Past 'ontinuous is interrupted by an action in the Simple Past. #owever, you can also use a speci ic time as an interruption. EXAMPLES:

=ast night at E p.m., I was eating dinner. )t midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

*MPOR)A ) In the Simple Past a speci ic time is used to show when an action began or inished. In the Past 'ontinuous a speci ic time only interrupts the action. EXAMPLES: =ast night at E p.m., I ate dinner. .I started eating at E p.m./ =ast night at E p.m., I was eating dinner. .I started earlier and at E p.m. I was in the process o eating dinner./

USE 3 Parallel

Actions

+hen you use the Past 'ontinuous 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 ma%ing dinner. +hile $llen was reading, Tim was watching television. They were eating dinner, discussing their plans and having a good time.

USE / Atmosp0ere In $nglish we o ten use a series o Parallel )ctions to describe atmosphere in the past. EXAMPLE: +hen I wal%ed into the o ice, several people were busily typing, some were tal%ing on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. 3ne customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. 3thers were complaining to each other about the bad service.

USE 8 Repetition

and *rritation !it0 1Al!a2s1

The Past 'ontinuous with words such as always or constantly expresses the idea that something irritating or shoc%ing o ten happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression used to but with negative emotion. :emember to put the words always or constantly between 7be7 and 7verb;ing.7 EXAMPLES: She was always coming to class late. #e was constantly tal%ing. #e annoyed everyone. I didn6t li%e them because they were always complaining.

*MPOR)A )

on#$ontin%o%s &er's+ Mi3ed &er's

It is important to remember that ,on0'ontinuous 1erbs cannot be used in any 7continuous7 tenses. )lso, certain 7non0continuous7 meanings or 2ixed 1erbs cannot be used in 7continuous7 tenses. To express the idea o Past 'ontinuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Past. EXAMPLES: >ane was being at my house when you arrived. ot $orrect

>ane was at my house when you arrived. $orrect A$)*&E + PASS*&E Past $ontin%o%s EXAMPLES: The salesman was helping the customer when the thie came into the store. A$)*&E The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thie came into the store. PASS*&E

Simple F%t%re
The Simple Duture has two di erent orms in $nglish, 7will7 and 7be going to.7 )lthough the two orms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they o ten express two very di erent meanings. These di erent meanings might seem too abstract at irst, but with time and practice the di erences will become clear. (oth 7will7 and 7be going to7 re er to a speci ic time in the uture.

FORM 7ill

7*LL , &EREXAMPLES: I will help him later. I will never help him. O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Simple Duture .will help/, adverbs usually come between the irst part and the second part .will never help/.

FORM -e

Goin. )o

AM + *S + ARE , GO* G )O , &EREXAMPLES: #e is going to meet >ane tonight. #e is de initely going to meet >ane tonight. O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Simple Duture .is going to meet/, adverbs usually come between the irst part and the second part .is de initely going to meet/.

*MPOR)A )

o F%t%re in )ime $la%ses

=i%e all uture orms, the Simple Duture cannot be used in clauses beginning with 7when7, 7while7, 7be ore7, 7a ter7, 7by the time,7 7as soon as,7 7i 7 and 7unless.7 In this lesson, all verbs in Time 'lauses are italicized. EXAMPLES: +hen you arrive tonight, we will go out or dinner. $orrect +hen you will arrive tonight, we will go out or dinner. ot $orrect

USE 1 17ill1

to E3press a &ol%ntar2 Action

7+ill7 o ten suggests that a spea%er will do something voluntarily. ) voluntary action is one the spea%er o ers to do or someone else. 3 ten we use 7will7 to respond to someone else6s complaint or re4uest or help. EXAMPLES: )B I6m really hungry. (B I6ll ma%e some sandwiches. )B I6m so tired. I6m about to all asleep. (B I6ll get you some co ee.

)B The phone is ringing. (B I6ll get it.

USE 2 17ill1

to E3press a Promise

7+ill7 is usually used in promises. EXAMPLES: I will call you when I arrive. I I am elected President o the United States, I will ma%e sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance. I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.

USE 3 1-e

.oin. to1 to E3press a Plan

7(e going to7 expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the uture. EXAMPLES: #e is going to spend his vacation in #awaii. +e are going to meet each other tonight at EBCC P2. )B +ho is going to ma%e >ohn6s birthday ca%e. (B Sue is going to ma%e >ohn6s birthday ca%e.

USE / 17ill1

or 1-e Goin. to1 to E3press a Prediction

(oth 7will7 and 7be going to7 can express the idea o a general prediction about the uture. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the uture. In 7prediction7 sentences, the sub9ect usually has little control over the uture and there ore US$S ?0< do not apply. In the ollowing examples there is no di erence in meaning.

EXAMPLES: The year @@@@ will be a very interesting year. The year @@@@ is going to be a very interesting year. >ohn Smith will be the next President. >ohn Smith is going to be the next President. The movie 7Fenith7 will win several )cademy )wards. The movie 7Fenith7 is going to win several )cademy )wards.

*MPOR)A )

In the Simple Duture, it is not always clear which US$ the spea%er has in mind. 3 ten, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence6s meaning.

A$)*&E + PASS*&E FORMS Simple F%t%re EXAMPLES: >ohn will certainly inish the wor% by GBCC P2. A$)*&E The wor% will certainly be inished by GBCC P2. PASS*&E Sally is going to ma%e a beauti ul dinner tonight. A$)*&E ) beauti ul dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. PASS*&E

F%t%re $ontin%o%s
*MPOR)A )

o F%t%re in )ime $la%ses

=i%e all uture orms, the Duture 'ontinuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with 7when7, 7while7, 7be ore7, 7a ter7, 7by the time7, 7as soon as7, 7i 7 and 7unless7. In this lesson, all verbs in Time 'lauses are italicized. EXAMPLES: +hile I am finishing my homewor%, she is going to ma%e dinner. $orrect +hile I will be inishing my homewor%, she is going to ma%e dinner. ot $orrect

FORM F%t%re

$ontin%o%s

7*LL -E , &ER-,in.
EXAMPLE: +hen your plane arrives tonight, I will be waiting or you.

AM + *S + ARE , GO* G )O , &ER-in.

EXAMPLE: +hen your plane arrives tonight, I am going to be waiting or you. O)E: It is possible to use either 7will7 or 7going to7 to create the Duture 'ontinuous with little or no di erence in meaning.

USE 1 *nterr%pted

Action in t0e F%t%re

Use the Duture 'ontinuous to indicate that a longer action in the uture will be interrupted. The interruption is usually an action in the Simple Duture. :emember this can be a real interruption or 9ust an interruption in time.

EXAMPLES: I will be watching T1 when she arrives tonight. I will be waiting or you when your bus arrives. +hile I am working, Steve will ma%e dinner. .,3TI'$ 7am wor%ing7 because o 7while.7/ I am going to be staying at the 2adison #otel, i anything happens and you need to contact me. #e will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see >enni er when she arrives.

O)E: ,o uture tenses can be used in Time 'lauses there ore you must say 7+hile I am wor%ing... .7 See the warning at the top o the page.

USE 2 Speci4ic

)ime as an *nterr%ption

In US$ ?, described above, the Duture 'ontinuous is interrupted by an action in the Simple Duture. #owever, you can also use a speci ic time as an interruption. EXAMPLES: Tonight at E p.m., I am going to be eating dinner.

)t midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.

*MPOR)A ) In the Simple Duture a speci ic time is used to show the time an action will begin. In the Duture 'ontinuous, a speci ic time only interrupts the action. EXAMPLES: Tonight at E p.m., I am going to eat dinner. I am going to start eating at E p.m. Tonight at E p.m., I am going to be eating dinner. I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process o eating dinner at E p.m. .

USE 3 Parallel

Actions

+hen you use the Duture 'ontinuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. These are Parallel )ctions.

EXAMPLES: I am going to be studying while he is making dinner. +hile $llen is reading, Tim will be watching television. Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.

USE / Atmosp0ere In $nglish we o ten use a series o Parallel )ctions to describe atmosphere in the uture.

EXAMPLE: +hen I arrive at the party everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. 3thers are going to be tal%ing. ) ew people will be eating pi&&a and several people are going to be drin%ing beer. They always do the same thing.

*MPOR)A )

on#$ontin%o%s &er's + Mi3ed &er's

It is important to remember that ,on0'ontinuous 1erbs cannot be used in any 7continuous7 tenses. )lso, certain 7non0continuous7 meanings or 2ixed 1erbs cannot be used in 7continuous7 tenses. To express the idea o Duture 'ontinuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Duture. EXAMPLES: >ane will be being at my house when you arrive. ot $orrect

>ane will be at my house when you arrive. $orrect A$)*&E + PASS*&E FORMS F%t%re $ontin%o%s EXAMPLES: )t !BCC P2 tonight, >ohn will be washing the dog. A$)*&E )t !BCC P2 tonight, the dog will be being washed by >ohn. PASS*&E O)E: Passive orms o the Duture 'ontinuous are not common.

Present Per4ect
FORM Present Per4ect

6AS + 6A&E , past participle

EXAMPLES: I have seen that movie many times. I have never seen that movie. O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Per ect .have seen/, adverbs usually come between the irst part and the second part .have never seen/.

USE 1 Unspeci4ied

)ime -e4ore

o!

+e use the Present Per ect to say that an action happened at an unspeci ied time be ore now. The exact time is not important. -ou '),,3T use the Present Per ect with time expressions such as 7yesterday,7 7one year ago,7 7last wee%,7 7when I was a chlid,7 7when I

lived in >apan,7 7at that moment,7 7that day7 or 7one day.7 +e '), use the Present Per ect with expressions li%e 7ever,7 7never,7 7once,7 7many times,7 7several times,7 7be ore,7 7so ar,7 7already7 and 7yet.7 EXAMPLES: I have seen that movie twenty times. I thin% I have met him once be ore. There have been many earth4ua%es in 'ali ornia. #as there ever been a war in the United States5 -es, there has been a war in the United States. People have traveled to the moon.

*MPOR)A ) 6o! do 2o% act%all2 %se t0e Present Per4ect9 The concept o 7unspeci ied time7 can be very con using to $nglish learners. It is best to associate Present Per ect with the ollowing topicsB

)OP*$ 1 E3perience -ou can use the Present Per ect to describe your experience. It is li%e saying, 7I have the experience o ...7 -ou can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Per ect is ,3T used to describe a speci ic event. EXAMPLES: I have been to Drance. .This sentence means that you have the experience o being to Drance. 2aybe you have been once, or several times./ I have been to Drance three times. .-ou can add the number o times at the end o the sentence./ I have never been to Drance. .This sentence means that you have not had the experience o going to Drance./ I thin% I have seen that movie be ore. #e has never travelled by train. >oan has studied two oreign languages. #ave you ever met him5 ,o, I have not met him. )OP*$ 2 $0an.e

O:er )ime

+e o ten use the Present Per ect to tal% about change that has happened over a period o time.

EXAMPLES: -ou have grown since the last time I saw you. The government has become more interested in arts education. >apanese has become one o the most popular courses at the university since the )sian studies program was established. 2y $nglish has really improved since I moved to )ustralia. )OP*$ 3 Accomplis0ments +e o ten use the Present Per ect to list the accomplishments o individuals and humanity. -ou cannot mention a speci ic time. EXAMPLES: 2an has wal%ed on the moon. 3ur son has learned how to read. Hoctors have cured many deadly diseases. Scientists have split the atom. )OP*$ / An

Uncompleted Action ;o% Are E3pectin.

+e o ten use the Present Per ect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Per ect suggests that we are still waiting or the action. EXAMPLES: >ames has not inished his homewor% yet. Susan hasn6t mastered >apanese, but she can communicate. (ill has still not arrived. The rain hasn6t stopped. )OP*$ 8 M%ltiple

Actions at 5i44erent )imes

+e also use the Present Per ect to tal% about several di erent actions which occured in the past at di erent times. Present Per ect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible. EXAMPLES: The army has attac%ed that city ive times. I have had our 4ui&&es and ive tests so ar this semester. +e have had many ma9or problems while wor%ing on this pro9ect. She has tal%ed to several specialists about her problem, but nobody %nows why she is sic%.

*MPOR)A ) +hen we use the Present Per ect it means that something happened at some point in our lives be ore now. :emember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

Sometimes we want to limit the time we are loo%ing in or an experience. $xpressions such as 7in the last wee%,7 7in the last year,7 7this wee%,7 7this month,7 7so ar7 and 7up to now7 can be used to narrow the time we are loo%ing in or an experience.

EXAMPLES: #ave you been to 2exico 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 rom university less than three years ago. She has wor%ed or three di erent companies so far. This week my car has bro%en down three times. O)*$E 7=ast year7 and 7in the last year7 are very di erent in meaning. 7=ast year7 means the year be ore now. 7In the last year7 means rom <EG days ago until now. EXAMPLES: I went to 2exico last year. .I went to 2exico in ?""!./ I have been to 2exico in the last year. .I have been to 2exico at least once at some point between <EG days ago and now. +e do not %now exactly when./

USE 2 5%ration From Past Until o! " on# contin%o%s &er's( +ith ,on0continuous 1erbs and some non0continuous uses o 2ixed 1erbs, we use the Present Per ect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now.

7Dor ive minutes,7 7 or two wee%s7 and 7since Tuesday7 are all durations which can be used with the Present Per ect. EXAMPLES: I have had a cold or two wee%s. She has been in $ngland or six months. 2ary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

A$)*&E + PASS*&E Present Per4ect EXAMPLES: 2any tourists have visited that castle. A$)*&E That castle has been visited by many tourists. PASS*&E

Present Per4ect $ontin%o%s

FORM Present Per4ect $ontin%o%s

6AS + 6A&E , -EE , &ER-,in.

EXAMPLES: I have been waiting here or two hours. She has only been studying $nglish or two years.

O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Per ect 'ontinuous .has been studying/, adverbs o ten come between the irst part and the second part .has only been studying/.

USE 1 5%ration

4rom t0e Past Until

o!

+e use the Present Per ect 'ontinuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. 7Dor ive minutes7, 7 or two wee%s7, and 7since Tuesday7 are all durations which can be used with the Present Per ect 'ontinuous. EXAMPLES: They have been tal%ing or the last hour.

She has been wor%ing at that company or three years. >ames has been teaching at the University since >une.

USE 2 Recentl2<

Latel2

-ou can use the Present Per ect 'ontinuous +IT#3UT a duration such as 7 or ive minutes7, 7 or two wee%s7, and 7since Tuesday7. +ithout the durations, the this tense gives a more general meaning o 7lately7. +e o ten use the words 7lately7 or 7recently7 in the sentence to strengthen this meaning. EXAMPLES: :ecently, I have been eeling really tired. She has been watching too much television lately. 2ary has been eeling a little depressed.

*MPOR)A ) :emember that the Present Per ect 'ontinuous has the meaning o 7lately7 or 7recently.7 I you use the Present Per ect 'ontinuous in a 4uestion such as 7#ave you been eeling alright57, it suggests that the person loo%s sic% or unhealthy. ) 4uestion such as 7#ave you been smo%ing57 suggests that you can smell the smo%e on the person. Using this tense in a 4uestion suggests you can see, smell, hear, or eel the results o the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.

*MPOR)A )

on#$ontin%o%s &er's+ Mi3ed &er's

It is important to remember that ,on0'ontinuous 1erbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. )lso, certain non0continuous meanings or 2ixed 1erbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. To express the idea o Present Per ect 'ontinuous with these exception verbs, you must use Present Per ect. EXAMPLES: Sam has been having his car or two years. Sam has had his car or two years. $orrect ot $orrect

A$)*&E + PASS*&E Present Per4ect $ontin%o%s EXAMPLES:

:ecently, >ohn has been doing the wor%. A$)*&E :ecently, the wor% has been being done by >ohn. PASS*&E O)E: Present Per ect 'ontinuous is rarely used in its passive orm.

Past Per4ect
FORM Past Per4ect

6A5 , PAS) PAR)*$*PLE=

$xamplesB I had studied a little $nglish when I came to the U.S. They had never met an )merican until they met >ohn. O)EB +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past Per ect .had met/, adverbs o ten come between the irst part and the second part .had never met/. USE 1 $ompleted

Action -e4ore Somet0in. in Past

The Past Per ect expresses the idea that something occurred be ore another action in the past. It can also show that something happened be ore a speci ic time in the past. $I)2P=$SB I had never seen such a beauti ul beach be ore I went to *auai. #ad you ever visited the U.S. be ore your trip in ?""@5 -es, I had been to the U.S. once be ore in ?"!!. USE 2 5%ration

-e4ore Somet0in. in t0e Past " on#contin%o%s &er's(

+ith ,on0progressive 1erbs and some non0progressive uses o 2ixed 1erbs, we use the Past Per ect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

$I)2P=$SB +e had had that car or ten years be ore it bro%e down. (y the time )lex inished his studies, he had been in =ondon or over eight years. *MPOR)A ) Speci4ic )imes !it0 t0e Past Per4ect Unli%e the Present Per ect, it is possible to use speci ic time words or phrases with the Past Per ect. )lthough this is possible, it is usually not necessary.

$I)2P=$B She had visited her >apanese relatives once in ?""< be ore she moved in with them in ?""E. I the Past Per ect action did occur at a speci ic time, the Simple Past can be used instead o the Past Per ect when before or after is used in the sentence. The words before and after actually tell you what happens irst so the Past Per ect is optional. (oth sentences below are correct. EXAMPLE: She had visited her >apanese relatives once in ?""< be ore she moved in with them in ?""E. She visited her >apanese relatives once in ?""< be ore she moved in with them in ?""E. 6O7E&ER I the Past Per ect action did not happen at a speci ic time, Past Per ect 2UST be used at all times. 'ompare the two sentences below.

EXAMPLE: She had never seen a bear be ore she moved to )las%a. $orrect She never saw a bear be ore she moved to )las%a. ot $orrect

A$)*&E + PASS*&E FORMS Past Per4ect

EXAMPLES Jeorge had repaired many cars be ore he received his mechanics license. A$)*&E 2any cars had been repaired by Jeorge be ore he received his mechanics license. PASS*&E

Past Per4ect $ontin%o%s

FORM Past Per4ect $ontin%o%s

6A5 -EE , &ER-,in.

EXAMPLES: I had been waiting there or two hours be ore she inally arrived. She had only been studying $nglish or two years be ore she got the 9ob. O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past Per ect 'ontinuous .had been studying/, adverbs o ten come between the irst part and the second part .had only been studying/.

USE 1 5%ration

-e4ore Somet0in. in t0e Past

+e use the Past Per ect 'ontinuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. 7Dor ive minutes7 and 7 or two wee%s7 are both durations which can be used with the Past Per ect 'ontinuous. ,otice that this is related to the Present Per ect 'ontinuous8 however, the duration does not continue until now. EXAMPLES: They had been tal%ing or over an hour be ore Tony arrived. She had been wor%ing at that company or three years when it went out o business. >ames had been teaching at the University or more than a year be ore he le t or )sia.

USE 2 $a%se

o4 Somet0in. in t0e Past

Using the Past Per ect 'ontinuous be ore another action in the past is a good way to show cause and e ect. EXAMPLES:

>ason was tired because he had been 9ogging. Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.

*MPOR)A ) I you do not include a duration such as 7 or ive minutes,7 7 or two wee%s7 or 7since Driday7, many $nglish spea%ers choose to use the Past 'ontinuous. There is also a di erence in meaning. 'ompare the examples below. EXAMPLES: I was reading when my roommate returned. $mphasi&es the interruption o 7reading.7 I had been reading for an hour when my roommate returned. $mphasi&es the amount o time 7 or an hour.7

A$)*&E + PASS*&E FORMS Past Per4ect $ontin%o%s EXAMPLES: 'he >ones had been preparing the restaurant6s antastic dinners or two years, be ore he moved to Paris. A$)*&E The restaurant6s antastic dinners had been being prepared by 'he >ones or two years be ore he moved to Paris. PASS*&E O)E: Passive orms o the Past Per ect 'ontinuous are not common.

F%t%re Per4ect
*MPOR)A ) o F%t%re in )ime $la%ses =i%e all uture orms, the Duture Per ect cannot be used in clauses beginning with 7when,7 7while,7 7be ore,7 7a ter,7 7by the time,7 7as soon as,7 7i 7 and 7unless7. In this lesson, all verbs in Time 'lauses are italicized. EXAMPLES: I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homewor%. $orrect I am going to see a movie when I will have inished my homewor%. ot $orrect

FORM F%t%re Per4ect

7*LL 6A&E , PAS) PAR)*$*PLE

EXAMPLE: I will have per ected my $nglish by the time I come bac% rom the U.S.

AM + *S + ARE , GO* G )O 6A&E , PAS) PAR)*$*PLE

EXAMPLE: I am going to have per ected my $nglish by the time I come bac% rom the US. O)E: It is possible to use either 7will7 or 7going to7 to create the Duture Per ect with little or no di erence in meaning.

USE 1 $ompleted

Action -e4ore Somet0in. in t0e F%t%re

The Duture Per ect expresses the idea that something will occur be ore another action in the uture. It can also show that something will happen be ore a speci ic time in the uture. EXAMPLES: (y next ,ovember, I will have received my promotion.

(y the time he gets home, she is going to have cleaned the entire house.

USE 2 5%ration

-e4ore Somet0in. in t0e F%t%re " on#contin%o%s &er's(

+ith ,on0continuous 1erbs and some non0continuous uses o 2ixed 1erbs, we use the Duture Per ect to show that something will continue up until another action in the uture. EXAMPLES: I will have been in =ondon or six months by the time I leave. (y 2onday, Susan is going to have had my boo% or a wee%.

A$)*&E + PASS*&E Past Per4ect EXAMPLES: The Post 3 ice will have returned my pac%age be ore I can pick it up. A$)*&E 2y pac%age will have been returned by the Post 3 ice be ore I can pick it up. PASS*&E

F%t%re Per4ect $ontin%o%s

*MPOR)A ) o F%t%re in )ime $la%ses =i%e all uture orms, the Duture Per ect 'ontinuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with 7when,7 7while,7 7be ore,7 7a ter,7 7by the time,7 7as soon as,7 7until,7 7i 7 and 7unless7. In this lesson, all verbs in Time 'lauses are italicized. EXAMPLES: I won6t tell the student the answer until he has been working on the math problem or more than an hour. $orrect I won6t tell the student the answer until he will have been working on the math problem or more than an hour. ot $orrect

FORM F%t%re Per4ect $ontin%o%s

7*LL 6A&E -EE , &ER-,in.

EXAMPLE: I will have been waiting or two hours when her plane inally arrives.

AM + *S + ARE , GO* G )O 6A&E -EE , &ER-,in.

EXAMPLE: I am going to have been waiting or two hours when her plane inally arrives.

O)E: It is possible to use either 7will7 or 7going to7 to create the Duture Per ect 'ontinuous with little or no di erence in meaning.

USE 1 5%ration

-e4ore Somet0in. in t0e F%t%re

+e use the Duture Per ect 'ontinuous to show that something will continue up until a particular event or time in the uture. 7Dor ive minutes,7 7 or two wee%s7 and 7since Driday7 are all durations which can be used with the Duture Per ect 'ontinuous. ,otice that this is related to the Present Per ect 'ontinuous and the Past Per ect 'ontinuous, however the duration stops in the uture. EXAMPLES: They will have been tal%ing or over an hour by the time Tony arrives. She is going to have been wor%ing at that company or three years when it inally closes. >ames will have been teaching at the University or more than a year by the time he leaves or )sia.

USE 2 $a%se

o4 Somet0in. in t0e F%t%re

Using the Duture Per ect 'ontinuous be ore another action in the uture is a good way to show cause and e ect.

EXAMPLES: >ason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been 9ogging or over an hour. 'laudia6s $nglish will be per ect when she returns to Jermany because she is going to have been studying $nglish in the United States or over two years.

*MPOR)A ) I you do not include a duration such as 7 or ive minutes,7 7 or two wee%s7 or 7since Driday7, many $nglish spea%ers choose to use the Duture 'ontinuous. There is also a di erence in meaning. 'ompare the examples below.

EXAMPLES: I will be reading when my roommate returns. The reading will be interrupted. I will have been reading or an hour when my roommate returns. The reading will stop 9ust be ore my roommate returns.

A$)*&E + PASS*&E F%t%re Per4ect $ontin%o%s EXAMPLES: The amous artist will have been painting the mural or over six months by the time it is inished. A$)*&E The mural will have been being painted by the amous artist or over six months by the time it is inished. PASS*&E O)E: Passive orms o the Past Per ect 'ontinuous are not common.

F%t%re in t0e Past

=i%e Simple Duture, Duture in the Past has two di erent orms in $nglish, 7+ould7 and 7+as Joing to.7 )lthough the two orms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they o ten express two very di erent meanings. FORM 7o%ld

7OUL5 , :er'
EXAMPLES: I said I would help him later. I said I would never help him.

O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Duture in the Past .would help/, adverbs usually come between the irst part and the second part .would never help/.

FORM 7as Goin. )o

7AS + 7ERE , GO* G )O , :er'

EXAMPLES: I %new >ohn was going to meet >ane a ter the party. I %new >ohn was secretly going to meet >ane a ter the party.

O)E: +hen you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Duture in the Past .was going to meet/, adverbs o ten come between the irst part and the second part .was secretly going to meet/.

USE 1 F%t%re

in Past

Duture in the Past, ollows the same basic rules as the Simple Duture. 7+ould7 ollows the same basic rules as 7+ill,7 and 7+as Joing to7 ollows the same rules as 7(e Joing to.7 Duture in the Past is used to express the idea that in the past you thought something would happen in the uture. It does not matter i you are correct or not. EXAMPLES: I told you he was going to come to the party. I %new >ulie would ma%e dinner. >ane said Sam would bring his sister with him, but he came alone. I had a eeling that the vacation was going to be a disaster. #e promised he would send a postcard rom $gypt.

*MPOR)A )

o F%t%re in )ime $la%ses

=i%e all uture orms, Duture in the Past cannot be used in clauses beginning with 7when,7 7while,7 7be ore,7 7a ter,7 7by the time,7 7as soon as,7 7i 7 and 7unless.7 In this lesson, all verbs in Time 'lauses are italicized. EXAMPLES: I already told 2ar% that when he arrived, we would go out or dinner. $orrect I already told 2ar% that when he would arrive, we would go out or dinner. ot $orrect

A$)*&E + PASS*&E F%t%re in t0e Past EXAMPLES: I %new >ohn would certainly inish the wor% by GBCC P2. A$)*&E

I %new the wor% would certainly be inished by GBCC P2. PASS*&E I thought Sally was going to ma%e a beauti ul dinner tonight. A$)*&E I thought a beauti ul dinner was going to be made by Sally tonight. PASS*&E

Used to
FORM Used to

USE5 )O , :er'
EXAMPLES: I used to go to the beach everyday.

USE 1 6a'it

in t0e Past

7Used to7 expresses the idea that something was an old habit that stopped in the past. It says that something was o ten repeated in the past, but it is not usually done now.

EXAMPLES: >erry used to study $nglish. Sam and 2ary used to go to 2exico in the summer. I used to start wor% at " o6cloc%. 'hristine used to eat meat, but now she is a vegetarian.

USE 2 Past

Fact

7Used to7 can also be used to tal% about past acts or generali&ations which are no longer true.

EXAMPLES: I used to live in Paris. Sarah used to be at, but now she is thin. Jeorge used to be the best student in class, but now =eena is the best. 3ranges used to cost very little in Dlorida, but now they are 4uite expensive.

A$)*&E + PASS*&E Used to EXAMPLES: >erry used to pay the bills. A$)*&E The bills used to be paid by >erry. PASS*&E

7o%ld Al!a2s
FORM 7o%ld Al!a2s

7OUL5 AL7A;S , :er'

EXAMPLE: I would always ta%e my sur board to the beach with me.

USE 1 6a'it

in t0e Past

=i%e 7Used to7 and Simple Past, 7+ould )lways7 expresses the idea that something was an old habit which stopped in the past. It says that something was o ten repeated in the past, but it is not usually done now. This orm suggests that someone willingly acted that way and o ten expresses annoyance or amusement at the habit. It can also suggest the habit was extreme. EXAMPLES:

She would always send me strange birthday gi ts. Sam and 2ary would always choose the most exotic vacation destinations. Sally would always arrive early. 'hristine would always come late to the meetings

*MPOR)A ) 17o%ld Al!a2s1 is 5i44erent 7+ould )lways7 is not exactly the same as 7Used to7 or the Simple Past. 7+ould )lways7 cannot be used to tal% about past acts or generali&ations. It can only be used or repeated actions. EXAMPLES: Sarah was shy, but now she is very outgoing. $ORRE$) Sarah used to be shy, but now she is very outgoing. $ORRE$) Sarah would always be shy, but now she is very outgoing. O) $ORRE$)

*MPOR)A ) Ot0er Forms Are Possi'le This type o repetition in the past is usually expressed by 7+ould )lways78 however, other orms are also possible. $nglish spea%ers o ten use 7would constantly,7 7would orever7 or simply 7would.7 )lthough the last orm 7would7 is correct, it is not suggested because it can easily be con used with other verb orms such as the 'onditional or Duture in the Past. 7+ould never7 can also be used to express the concept that someone always re used to do something in the past. EXAMPLES: >erry would always bring his younger brother to the parties. $ORRE$) >erry would constantly bring his younger brother to the parties. $ORRE$) >erry would bring his younger brother to the parties. $ORRE$) >erry would never bring his younger brother to the parties. $ORRE$) .3pposite meaning K >erry re used to bring his younger brother with him to the parties./

A$)*&E + PASS*&E 7o%ld Al!a2s EXAMPLES: >erry would always pay the bills. A$)*&E The bills would always be paid by >erry. PASS*&E

)2pes o4 &er's
(e ore you begin the verb tense lessons, it is extremely important to understand that ,3T all $nglish verbs are the same. $nglish verbs are divided into three groupsB

Gro%p * $ontin%o%s &er's The irst group, called 7'ontinuous 1erbs7, contains most $nglish verbs. These verbs are usually physical actions which you can see somebody doing. These verbs can be used in all tenses. $ontin%o%s &er's to run, to wal%, to eat, to ly, to go, to say, to touch etc. E3amples: I eat dinner every day. $orrect I am eating dinner now. $orrect

Gro%p **

on#contin%o%s &er's

The second group, called 7,on0continuous 1erbs7, is smaller. These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in 7continuous7 tenses. They includeB A'stract &er's to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist... Possession &er's to possess, to own, to belong... Emotion &er's to li%e, to love, to hate, to disli%e, to ear, to envy, to mind...

E3amples: #e is here now. $orrect #e is being here now. ot $orrect #e wants a drin% now. $orrect #e is wanting a drin% now. ot $orrect

Gro%p *** Mi3ed &er's The third group, called 72ixed 1erbs7, is the smallest group. These verbs have more than one meaning. Some meanings behave li%e 7,on0continuous 1erbs7, while other meanings behave li%e 7'ontinuous 1erbs.7

Mi3ed &er's to have, to appear, to see, to hear, to eel, to weigh, to loo% ... List o4 Mi3ed &er's !it0 E3amples and 5e4initions:

to appearB
Honna appears con used. .Honna seems con used./ on#contin%o%s &er'

2y avourite singer is appearing at the 9a&& club tonight. $ontin%o%s &er' .2y avourite singer is giving a per ormance at the 9a&& club tonight./

to 0a:eB
I have a dollar now. .I possess a dollar./ on#contin%o%s &er'

I am having un now. $ontin%o%s &er' .I am experiencing un now./

to 0earB
She hears the music. on#contin%o%s &er' .She hears the music with her ears./ She is hearing voices. $ontin%o%s &er' .To hear something others cannot hear. She is hearing voices in her mind./

to missB
>ohn misses Sally. on#contin%o%s &er' .#e is sad because she is not there./ Hebbie is missing her avourite T1 program. $ontin%o%s &er' .She is not there to see her avourite program./

to seeB
I see her. on#contin%o%s &er' .I see her with my eyes./ I am seeing the doctor. $ontin%o%s &er' .To visit or consult with a doctor, dentist, or lawyer./ I am seeing her. $ontin%o%s &er' .I am having a relationship with her./ #e is seeing ghosts at night. $ontin%o%s &er' .To see something others cannot see. Dor example ghosts, aura, a vision o the uture etc./

to smellB
The co ee smells good. on#contin%o%s &er' .The co ee has a good smell./ I am smelling the lowers. $ontin%o%s &er' .I am sni ing the lowers./

to tasteB
The co ee tastes good. on#contin%o%s &er' .The co ee has a good taste./ I am tasting the ca%e. $ontin%o%s &er' .I am trying the ca%e to see what it tastes li%e./

to t0in>B
#e thin%s the test is easy. on#contin%o%s &er' .#e considers the test to be easy./ She is thin%ing about the 4uestion. $ontin%o%s &er' .She is pondering the 4uestion, going over it in her mind./

to !ei.0B
The table weighs a lot. on#contin%o%s &er' .The table has a great weight./ She is weighing hersel . $ontin%o%s &er' .She is determining her weight./

Some &er's $an -e Especiall2 $on4%sin.:

to 'eB
>oe is )merican. on#contin%o%s &er' .>oe is an )merican citi&en./ >oe is being very )merican. $ontin%o%s &er' .>oe is behaving li%e a stereotypical )merican./ >oe is being very rude. $ontin%o%s &er' .>oe is behaving very rudely. Usually he is not rude./ >oe is being very ormal. $ontin%o%s &er'

.>oe is behaving very ormally. Usually he is not ormal./ O)*$EB 3nly rarely is 7to be7 used in a continuous orm. This is most commonly done when a person is temporarily behaving badly or stereotypically. It can also be used when someone6s behaviour is noticeably di erent.

to 4eelB
The massage eels great. on#contin%o%s &er' .The massage has a pleasing eeling./ I don6t eel well today. $ontin%o%s or on#contin%o%s &er' I am not eeling well today. .I am a little sic%./ O)*$EB Deel is very lexible and there is no di erence in meaning in the two sentences above./

Acti:e + Passi:e &er' Forms

Sentences can be active or passive. There ore, tenses also have 7)ctive Dorms7 and 7Passive Dorms7. -ou must learn to recogni&e the di erence to success ully spea% $nglish.

A$)*&E FORM In active sentences, the thing doing the action is the sub9ect o the sentence and the thing receiving the action is the ob9ect. 2ost sentences are active.

)0in. doin. action , &ER- , t0in. recei:in. action

EXAMPLES: The pro essor .sub9ect/ .doing action/ >ohn .sub9ect/ .doing action/
PASS*&E FORM In some sentences, spea%ers use the passive orm. In the passive orm, the thing receiving the action is the sub9ect o the sentence and the thing doing the action is optionally included at the end o the sentence. -ou can use the passive orm i you thin% the thing receiving the action is more important or should be emphasi&ed.

teaches .active verb/ washes .active verb/

the students. .ob9ect/ .receiving action/ the dishes. .ob9ect/ .receiving action/

)0in. recei:in. action , -E , past participle o4 :er' , '2 , t0in. doin. action EXAMPLES: The students .sub9ect/ .receiving action/ The dishes .sub9ect/ .receiving action/ are taught .passive verb/ are washed .passive verb/ by the pro essor. .doing action/ by >ohn. .doing action/