Verb tenses

Verb tenses

Present simple, I study

things that are always true

permanent situations

describe opinions ad ideas

describe likes and dislikes

things that are often repeated or happen regularly

describe what happens in a film, play or book

Present continuous I am studying

actions happening while we are speaking or around the time of speaking

temporary situations

with expressions like now, at the moment, today, this week

things that are changing while we speak

describe what's happening in pictures

There's a distinciton between:

1) action verbs, which describe an action and can usually be used in both simple and continuous form

2) state verbs, which describe states, feelings, ways of thinking. These verbs are not usually used in the continuous form. The verbs cost, agree, promise, thank are also rarely used in the continuous tense.

We can use state verbs in the continuous form when we want to emphasise that the state is unusual or unexpected, usually temporary.

It is becoming more common to use like, love ad hate in the contunous form.

Past simple I studied

a single completed action in the past

repeated actions in the past

a series of actions

an action completed in the past

adverbs of time: ago, for, last week

Past continuous I was studying

describe an action or situation happening at or around a time in the past; so the action is unfinished

temporary past situations

for two actions/situations happening at the same time

- we use the past continuous and the past simple together to show that one aciton (past simple) interrupts another action (past continuous)

The past continuous form of verbs like plan, hope, intend shows that the action did not happen

We don't usually use continuous forms of state verbs

Used to

Talk about regular past actions that do not happen now

past situations that are no longer true

When we start descriptions of past actions with used to, we usually continue with would

emphasise the difference between past and present

Would

+ infinitive

talk about regular past actions that do not happen now

Past perfect simple She had met him before

show which action happened first; if one action happens immediately after the other, we use the past simple for both

show a series of events in the sentence

give a reason for an action or situation, often with because

with superlative adjectives

Past perfect continuous I had been watching them

talk about an action or situation that was happening in the past before

it emphasises a period of time

give a reason for an action or feeling in the past

with a number or amount

Present perfect I have finished

talk about actions and experiences that have happened in our lives up to now

talk about a past action that has a result in the present

talk about actions in a time period that is still continuing with time expressions and so far

talk about repeated acitons

Present perfect continuous I have been waiting

talk about actions or situations that started in the past and are still continuing now

if the action or situation finishes at the time of speaking

talk about an activity in the recent past

to explain a present situation or result; it gives the cause

be going to

to talk about future plans or arrangements, but we haven't made all the arrangements yet

to talk about future plans and arrangements

We are going to meet Joe's mother next week, but we haven't arranged a time yet.

when we plan to do something in the immediate future

to talk about things we expect to happen, so for prediction based on something we can see now, or what everybody knows

We're going to get soaked (because it's raining now)

Will

for predictions based on our personal opinion or knowledge

The rain'll stop in a minute

we DON'T use will to talk about personal arrangements

We're sitting/going. to sit in the front now.

to talk about events that are certain to happen.

when we decide to do something at the same time as speaking, something we didn't plan

to make offers, promises and warnings.

Future continuous He will be waiting

to talk about an action that will be in progress at or around a time in the future

Come to the main door when you arrive, we'll be waiting for you inside

to talk about future actions which may have a result

I'll be meeting my friends after work so I may be home late.

to talk about a future action which may make another action possible or necessary

I'll be seeing the doctor tomorrow, do you want me to ask her about your prescription?

to ask polite questions about personal plans and arrangements

Excuse me, will we be stopping for a break during the journey?

Future perfect simple I will have worked

to talk about actions which we expect to be completed by a particular time in the future

It gives emphasis on a completed action

We'll have got back and had a shower by seven

Future perfect continuous We'll have been working

to talk about an action which is happening up to a particular time in the future; the action may stop at that time or it may continue after it

Bt next friday I will be waiting for my exam results for over two months.

It gives emphasis on "how long" (actions in progress)

Present simple with future meaning

to talk about future events on a timetable or fixed programme (we can use will in the same way)

to talk about definite arrangements or things we can't change

we DON'T use it when we are talking bout personal arrangements; we use the present continuous instead

to talk about future events with when, as soon as, before, after, once, until

when we're talking about a completed action

Other ways to talk about the future

was/were going to to talk about something that was expected or planned for the future but didn't happen or to excuse about something we failed to do

am/is/are to + infinitive in formal situation to talk about future events

The president is to talk to the nation tomorrow

am/is/are about to + infinitive to talk about an action that will happen in the immediate future

Hurry up! The train is about to leave