We use tenses of verbs to refer to actions or situations in the present, in the past and in the future

past

There are different sorts of tenses: simple tenses continuous tenses perfect tenses

perfect continuous tenses

past

future tenses
future simple
future continuous future perfect

future perfect continuous

going to present continuous past present simple

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE We use this tense to express a pure future. Actions expressed in the simple future are bound to happen because of the course of time. This means that the speaker has no power over the events, that he cannot control what will happen. For this reason this tense is also called the uncertain future.. Examples He will be sixteen years old next Friday.

The baby will be born next month

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think know believe suppose expect hope to express beliefs, convictions, hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions about the future.

Examples I think Brazil will win.

I dont suppose she will be promoted now

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think know believe suppose expect hope to express beliefs, convictions, hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions about the future. 2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably possibly perhaps to express uncertainty about the future. Examples He will probably ask the general manager.

This matter will probably not be raised before the commissions first meeting

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think know believe suppose expect hope to express beliefs, convictions, hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions about the future. 2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably possibly perhaps to express uncertainty about the future. 3. The simple present is used in conditional clauses and time clauses. The simple future is used in the main clause (not in the if-clause). Examples He ll help you if you ask him. I ll tell him the news as soon as I see him. He ll be arrested the moment he sets foot on Schengen soil.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

FORM This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be + going to + infinitive of the main verb.

Examples I m going to watch this football match on TV tonight. What are you going to do about this ? She isnt going to give this party next week

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for future actions.

Examples I m going to pass my exams next month. I m going to spend two weeks in Spain this summer.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for future actions. 2. We also use going to in order to express subjective certainty on the part of the speaker. Examples This boat is going to sink. Its going to rain, by the look

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. We use this tense to indicate definite future arrangements, actions planned in the near future. We nearly always use a future time expression with it.

Examples He s starting his new job next Monday.

I m taking the 11 oclock train to Berlin

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. We use this tense to indicate definite future arrangements, actions planned in the near future. We nearly always use a future time expression with it. Note: do not confuse intention ( to be + going to + verb) and arrangement (to be + present participle). Examples Im going to stay in London. = intention

Im going to London next weekend = arrangement

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

FORM This tense is formed with the infinitive of the main verb. The negative and interrogative are formed with the present tense of to do + infinitive Examples The plane takes off at 7.30 local time. The match begins at 14.00 hours. You leave from Kennedy airport at noon, and arrive in Paris at 15.00 hours GMT.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE We use this tense to talk about planned future actions. We usually use it to describe travel plans, time tables, departures, arrivals. Examples The bus leaves at 15.30. The reception starts at 19.00 hours. The ferry leaves Dover at 12.30 tomorrow and we arrive at Calais at 13.15.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

FORM This tense is formed with the future simple of to be + present participle of the main verb.

Examples We ll be flying to Rome this time next week. What will you be doing this time next week? They wont be sitting in the classroom at 6 oclock tomorrow.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE We use this tense for actions that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.

Examples At 11.45 next Friday, I ll be doing my chemistry exam. I ll be hiking through the States this time next year.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

on the time diagram

past

now

future

This time next week Ill be taking my driving test.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term arrangements, especially for travelling.

Examples The band will be travelling through Scandinavia at the end of the month. They will be giving three performances there.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term arrangements, especially for travelling. 2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite questions about future activities. By using the future continuous tense, the speaker asking the questions shows that he does not want to influence the other persons decision in any way at all. Examples Where will you be having dinner, Sir? (secretary to boss)

What will you be having, Madam? (waiter to customer)

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE 1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term arrangements, especially for travelling. 2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite questions about future activities. By using the future continuous tense, the speaker asking the questions shows that he does not want to influence the other persons decision in any way at all. 3. The future continuous is also used to make deductions about what is happening at the moment of speaking. Examples He will be working in his garden now. Otherwise, he would have heard the phone. She hasnt begun making up the beds. She will still be doing the washing up.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

FORM This tense is formed with will + have + past participle of the main verb.

Examples They ll have finalized their business by noon. Will they have copied all that material by Friday morning? They wont have organized this course by the end of this year.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE We use this tense to describe actions which we know will (or will not) be completed by a certain time in the future.

Examples I ll have finished this book by the end of the week.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

on the time diagram

past

now end of next week

future

Examples

By the end of next week, Ill have finished my exams.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

FORM This tense is formed with the future perfect tense of to be + present participle of rthe main verb.

Examples By the end of this year, we ll have been experimenting with this polymer for more than three months. How long will you have been living in that shack by the end of this year? I wont have been living here for more than five years by the end of this year.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

USE We use this tense to describe continuous and repeated actions which begin before a certain time in the future and will probably continue after that time. Examples By the end of this academic year, Ill have been teaching for 30 years.

future simple going to ...

future continuous present continuous

future perfect present simple

future perfect continuous

on the time diagram

past
now
end of this academic year

future

Example By the end of this academic year, Ill have been teaching for 30 years.