1. Present tenses 1.

1 Present Simple FORM The present simple is formed with the infinitive of the main verb. The negative and interrogative are formed with the present tense of the verb to do + infinitive. Examples I start work at 8.30 a.m. When do I start work? I dont start work until 9.00 a..m. / He doesnt start work until 9.00 a..m. ( Remember the -s in the third person singular.) USE 1. For habitual and repeated actions. I play tennis. 2. With adverbs of frequency: often usually sometimes seldom rarely always occasionally never He often arrives late. 3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the (present) simple form. verbs of the senses: see- hear- smell notice recognize verbs of emotion: want desire refuse forgive wish care love hate like dislike verbs of thinking: think feel realize understand know mean suppose believe expect remember forget 4. For something that is permanently true. Water boils at 100 C. time diagram I get up at 8.30 a.m. every day.

PAST

NOW

FUTURE

1.2 Present Continuous FORM This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be + present participle of the main verb. Im watching television. What are you doing? He isnt coming. USE 1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking. 2. For a temporary state. 3. For a definite arrangement in the near future. Some verbs are not usually used in the continuous form: Shes reading the newspaper. The company is reorganizing its services. Theyre signing the contract tomorrow.

1. verbs of senses 2. verbs of emotion 3. verbs of thinking 4. verbs of possessing 5. some other verbs time diagram

see hear smell notice - recognize want desire refuse forgive wish care love hate like - dislike think feel realize understand know mean suppose believe expect remember - forget own owe belong - possess seem appear (seem) contain consist keep (continue) - matter

PAST 1.3 Present Perfect Simple

NOW Im adjusting the rotation speed.

FUTURE

FORM This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to have + past participle of the main verb. Ive finished. Where have you been? I havent talked to him. USE We use this tense to connect past and present. We use to talk about 1. Actions in the recent past with just, recently, already, at last, lately He has just immersed the temperature probe into the molten steel. 2. General experience with ever never before so far This is the highest carbon ratio Ive ever seen. 3. The indefinite past: we are interested in what happened, not in when it happened. I ve seen the report. (I know what it is about.) He has sold the company. They ve had lunch. 4. Actions starting in the past and continuing to the present, with for or since. The operation has been suspended for two months. The firm has had a Belgian branch since October last year. time diagrams Ive just arrived.

PAST Have you been to France?

NOW

FUTURE

PAST They have revised their report.

NOW

FUTURE

PAST

NOW

FUTURE

We have conducted experiments on this phenomenon for almost twenty years.

PAST 1.4 Present Perfect Continuous

NOW

FUTURE

FORM This tense is formed with the present perfect of the verb to be + present participle of the main verb. I ve been writing code for our new data-mining program. Has she been trying to contact me? She hasnt been writing at all. USE We use this tense for actions started in the past, continuing to the present and probably continuing into the future. We often use it with for or since. I ve been trying to persuade him for ten years now. We ve been practicingthis routine since last Wednesday. time diagram Ive been driving for twenty years.

1982 PAST

2002 NOW

FUTURE

Ive driven a Volkswagen for twenty years.

1982 PAST

2002 NOW

FUTURE

In the first example, we express a strong possibility that the action will continue into the future. In the second example, we are only interested in the past twenty years.

2. Past tenses 2.1 Past Simple FORM This tense is formed by adding -ed to the infinitive. The negative and interrogative are formed with the past tense of the verb to do + infinitive of the main verb. They arrived at head quarters an hour ago. When did he finalize this deal? I didnt finish until 12 oclock.

USE We use this tense: 1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past. We signed the contract last Friday at 2 oclock. 2. For actions which are already completed in the past: the time is understood but not stated. Did you arrive in time? 3. The unreal past tense is used after the verb to wish and after words and phrases such as if only; its time; suppose etc. The simple past tense implies that the speaker knows that the wish or the idea is impossible. Note that the wish refers to the present time. If I only knew his name. I wish I were at home now. If I were in his shoes, I would fix his wagon without much scruples. Its time I went home. time diagram I arrived at 15.30 sharp.

PAST 2.2 Past Continuous

NOW

FUTURE

FORM This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to be + present participle of the main verb. I was watching TV at 8 oclock yesterday. Where were you looking for my gasses this time? I wasnt eavesdropping at all! USE We use this tense: 1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action. She was playing tennis with a friend. He was discussing production planning for the coming week. 2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the past. At 6 p.m. I was still sleeping. At a quarter past nine I was having breakfast. Prices were going up all the time. 3. To describe an interrupted past action. When he arrived, I was studying the quarterly reports. 4. To express repeated past actions which caused irritation, annoyance. ( with always, forever) He was always trying to influence the presonnel director. She was forever paring her nails during meetings.

time diagram

1. I was working all day yesterday.

PAST

yesterday

NOW

FUTURE

2. I worked all day yesterday.

PAST

yesterday

NOW

FUTURE

While (1) emphasizes the continuity of the action, (2) only indicates that the action took place yesterday. 3. I was watching television at 8.30 last night.

PAST

8.30

NOW

FUTURE

4. I watched television at 8.30 last night.

PAST

8.30

NOW

FUTURE

Whereas 3. indicates that the action started before and continued after a certain point in time, 4.. indicates that the action happened at 8.30. 4. I was browsing through your report

when he knocked at my office door.

2.3 Past Perfect Simple FORM This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to have + past participle of the main verb. I had never seen so many measuring tools. What assistance had he given? He hadnt expected this outcome. USE We use this tense to describe one past action happening before another past action. The customer had left the shop by the time I found his order form. We use it when necessary to indicate the sequence of two actions. He had already cleared the screen when I got behind his desk. We often us it when the second action is understood, but not stated. I hadnt realized! (until you told me.)

time diagram (1) When I had had dinner, I watched television. had dinner watched television

PAST

NOW

FUTURE

(2) I had dinnner before I watched television. had dinner watched television

PAST

NOW

FUTURE

In (1) the sequence of actions is expressed by the past perfect tense; whereas in (2) the sequence of actions is indicated by the use of before. 2.4 Past Perfect Continuous FORM This tense is formed with the past perfect tense of the verb to be + present participle of the main verb. She had been working as a secretary for two years when she was promoted. What had she been writing all day? He hadnt been listening to that tape for that long. USE We use this tense to describe a continuous past action happening before another past action. We often use it with for + time period. We had been waiting for thirty minutes when they arrived. We use this tense to emphasize the continuity or duration of the past action. I had been waiting for my exam results for six weeks. (before I got them.)

time diagram (1) I had been waiting for ten minutes when she arrived.

PAST

ten minutes

NOW

FUTURE

(1) I waited for ten minutes before she arrived.

PAST

I waited

she arrived

NOW

FUTURE

Whereas in (1) the past perfect continuous indicates both the sequence of the actions and the continuity of the first action; in (2) the sequence of the actions is indicated by before.

3. Future tenses 3.1 Future Simple (with will) FORM This tense is formed with will + infinitive of the main verb. Ill see you later When will you be there? They wont like in. USE We use this tensze 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. He will be sixteen years old next Friday. The baby will be born next month. 1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think know believe suppose expect hope to express beleifs, convictions, hope, expectationn, knowledge and opinions about the future. I think Brazil will win. I dont suppose she will be promoted now. 2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably possibly perhaps to express uncertainty about the future. He will probably ask the general manager. This matter will probably not be raised before the commissions first meeting. 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). 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.

3.2 Future with going to

FORM This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be + going to + infinitive of the main verb. 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. USE We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans for future actions. I m going to pass my exams next month. I m going to spend two weeks in Spain this summer. We also use going to in order to express subjective certainty on the part of the speaker. This boat is going to sink. Its going to rain, by the look of it. 3.3 Future with Present Continuous FORM This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be+ present participle of the main verb.

She is getting married next Friday. What are you doing next weekend? Theyre not coming home tonight. USE We use this tense to indicate definite future arrangements, actions planned in the near future. We nearly alwys use a future time expression with it. He s starting his new job next Monday. I m taking the 11 oclock train to Berlin. Note: do not confuse intention ( to be + going to + verb) and arrangement (to be + present participle). Im going to stay in London. = intention Im going to London next weekend = arrangement 3.4 Future with Present Simple 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. 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. USE We use this tense to talk about planned future actions. We usually use it to describe travel plans, time tables, departures, arrivals. 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. 3.5 Future Continuous FORM This tense is formed with the future simple of to be + present participle of the main verb. 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. USE We use this tense for actions that will be in progress at a certain time in the future. At 11.45 next Friday, I ll be doing my chemistry exam. I ll be hiking through the States this time next year.

time diagram This time next week, Ill be taking my driving test.

PAST

NOW

next week

FUTURE

The future continuous is also used to express long-term arrangements, especially for travelling. The band will be travelling through Scandinavia at the end of the month. They will be giving three performances there. 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. Where will you be having dinner, Sir? (secretary to boss) What will you be having, Madam? (waiter to customer) The future continuous is also used to make deductions about what is happening at the moment of speaking. 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. 3.6 Future Perfect Simple FORM This tense is formed with will + have + past participle of the main verb. 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. USE We use this tense to describe actions which we know will (or will not) be completed by a certain time in the future. I ll have finished this book by the end of the week. time diagram By the end of next week, Ill have finished my exams.

PAST 3.7 Future Perfect Continuous

NOW

end of next week

FUTURE

FORM This tense is formed with the future perfect tense of to be + present participle of rthe main verb. By the end of this year, we ll have been experimenting with this for more than three months. How long will you have been living there by the end of this year? I wont have been living living here for five years till the end of this year.

USE We use this tense to describe continuous and repeated actions which begin befor a certain time in the future and will probably continue after that time. By the end of the next academic year, Ill have been teaching for 26 years. time diagram By the end of the next academic year, Ill have been teaching for 26 years

PAST

26 years

NOW end of next academic year

FUTURE

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1. Put the verbs into a suitable present tense. Situation: Martin is worried about his health so he goes to see his doctor. He first meets the doctors receptionist. R: M: R: Dr.: M: Dr.: M: Dr.: M: Dr.: M: Dr.: M: Dr.: M: Dr.: M: Dr.: M: Dr.: Good morning, Sir. You (to make) an appointment? Yes, my name is Martin Jones. Ah yes. Gpo straight in, Mr. Jones. Good morning, Mr. Jones. How are you? Well, doctor, I (to get) a pain in my chest for several days and I (to have) a lot of bad headaches in the last two weeks. I see. How long the headaches (to last)? They usually (to continue) for two to three hours. And when they (to start)? They generally (to begin) when I (to get) home from work at 5.30 p.m. I see, and what you (t take) to ease the pain? I always (to take) two aspirins, but very often they not (to help) at all. And this pain in your chest. Exactly how long it (to trouble) you? I (to have) it since Monday. Mm, two days. Your chest (to hurt) now? No, not at the moment. It generally (to give) me most pain while I (to work). You ever (to feel) this pain before? No. And you ever (to suffer) from regular headaches before? Well, I always (to have) the occasional headache, but I never (to experience) so many in such a short time before. Is it serious, doctor? No, but I would like to have some detailed tests done at the hospital.

2. Put the verbs in the brackets into the past simple, present perfect simple or present perfect continuous. Situation: It is the beginning of the winter holiday period. London Airport is surrounded by thick fog. Two strangers meet in the departure lounge. A B A B A B A B A B A B A Excuse me. Is this seat taken? No, go ahead. Thanks. You (to wait) long? Yes, since the fog (to start) When they (to stop) outgoing flights? At about 4.30 this afternoon. How log you (to wait)? Oh, I only just (to arrive). I (to come) by taxi and it (to be) so foggy on the roads that I nearly not (to get) here at all. Yes, I never (to see) it so foggy and I never (to know) the authorities to close the airport since we (to have) that bad winter ten years ago. When you (to expect) to take off? I (to expect) to take off seven hours ago, but I (to sit) here drinking cups of coffee since they (to announce) there would be no more departures till further notice. You ever (to have) wait so long before? No! I never (to wait) more than two hours since I (to start) travelling by plane when I (to be) twelve years old. Its ridiculous. Mm. I only (to fly) once before, so this waiting is new to me, too.

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3. Put the verb in the brackets into a suitable past tense. Situation: This is part of a spy novel called Modern Spy. Chapter 3 David Lang (to wait) patiently in the shadow of a wall. It (to rain) steadily; in fact, it (to rain) since he (to arrive) two hours earlier. For the hundreth time, he (to check) his watch, (to look) up and down the street and (to complain) to the dark about American agents who (to be) always late. He (to start) thinking about the events of the day and why he (to arrive) in Central Europe with no money and no gun. At ten oclock that morning, his boss (to call) him into his office and (to tell) him about the radio message the Americans (to receive) from their Central European agent. After that, Lang (to have) one hour to reach the airport. His flight (to land) at four oclock in the afternoon and he (to take) a taxi to the corner of the street where he now (to stand). He (to check) his watch again when he suddenly (to hear) a man enter the street. He (to move) slowly back into the shadow when something hard (to hit) him on the neck. He (to remember) nothing more until he (to come) round ten minutes later and (to realize) he (to travel) by car through the streets of the capital with three armed men. 4. Put the verb in brackets into the future simple, future continuous, or future perfect simple Situation: Two passengers, trapped in a crashed Underground train, are talking to each other while waiting for the rescue services to reach them. A B A B How long do you think it (to take) them to reach us? Not long. They probably (to be) here in half-an-hour. In an hours time, we (to sit) up in bed and we (to chat) to the nurses at the hospital. How are your legs? Well, I cant feel anything. Do you think I ever (to be ) able to walk again? Yes, of course. The doctors soon (to get) you well again. In a few days, you (to walk) round the hospital and you (to make) a real nuisance of yourself. By the end of next week, you (to forget) all about this accident. Im not so sure. I think the doctors (to keep) me in hospital for quite a long time; I probably (to have) to have several operations; even after six months in hospital, they problably not (to cure) me completely. Nonsense. They (to let) you leave the hospital by the end of next week. In two weeks time, you (to lead) a normal life again; you (to run) up and down the stairs with no trouble. And you (to be) back at work in no time at all. Well, I hope you are right. Of course I am. You soon (to be) completely fit again. By the end of the month, you (to tell) your friends the story of this accident a hundred times; they (to hear) it so often that they probably (to be ) able to repeat it word for word.

A B

A B

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5. Put the verb in brackets into the present continuous, future simple, future continuous of future perfect simple. Situation: Richard has managed to get a well-paid job abroad. He is talking to Paul, his colleague about his new job. R P R P R P R P R P R So everything is arranged; I (to fly) to New York next Saturday; my new boss (to meet) me at the airport; and I (to start) work at 8.30 on Monday morning. Do you think you (to have) any trouble getting used to a new way of life? Well, I probably (to feel) a bit lost at first, but I think I (adjust) fairly quickly. By the end of the first month, I (to forget) all about England. Or you (to start) wishing you had stayed here! No, Paul. This time next month, I (to think) like an American. I (to live) like an American; and I (to talk) like an American. I dont think you ever (to lose) your English accent. Living in America probably (to make) it even stronger. What time you (to leave) on Saturday? The taxi (to collect) me at 9 oclock. At exactly 12.15, I (to take) my last look at England from one of the aircrafts windows. Do you think you (to come) back for a holiday now and then? Oh, yes. I hope I (to be) able to come back two or three times a year. Where you (to go) for your holidays this year? I havent decided yet. I expect I (to spend) a week in Scotland. Why dont you come and see me in the States?

6. Put the verbs into a suitable present tense. Situation: This is part of a television news programme. And here are the main points of the main news again. The inflation rate (to come) down for the third month in succession; inflation now (to run) at a figure of eight percent. The third anti-nuclear power conference (to begin) in Helsinki; national representatives (to spend) the first day of the conference preparing the agenda for the week. And finally ... Excuse me .... We just (to receive) news of a serious mid-air collision over the Irish Sea. Apparently two planes (to crash) near the Irish coast. Rescue forces already (to leave) Dublin and all ships in the area now (to sail) to the disaster point. Two air-sea rescue helicopters (to take off) from their base in Wales and they now (to search) the area for survivors. 7. Put the verb in brackets into a suitable past tense. Situation: Dan and Robert have just finished their final exam at the university. As soon as they come out of the exam hall, they start discussing the last paper. D Well, I not (to like) that at all. What you (to think) of it, Robert? R I (to think) the questions (to be) not too bad, but after I (to read) them all carefully, I (to realize) I (to revise) the wrong subjects. D Mm. I know what you mean. I (to expect) a question on the First World War and I (to study) it for weeks, but the examiner not (to include) any questions on it at all. When I (to check) the questions twice and I finally (to understand) that there (to be) only two questions I (can) answer, I (to feel) like giving up.

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8. Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous, future simple, future with going to or future perfect simple. Situation: Its Monday morning. The Cooper family are having breakfast. A J A J A J A J A J I (to go) into town this morning, James. Sarah (to meet) me at 10 oclock and we (to do) some shopping. You (to do) anything at 12.30? Perhaps we can have lunch together? Well, I (to see) a client at 12.30, but we probably (to finish) by one oclock. That (to be) too late for you? No, thats fine. Where we (to go)? How about the Steak House, or do you think it (to be) too crowded there? No, there not (to be) many people there at this time of year. You (to go) anywhere near the bank? Yes, I (to call) in there actually. What time do you think you (to get) there? Well, we (to start) in Commercial Street; we probably (to spend) an hour in the shops; then I expect we (to have) a coffee somewhere; so I probably (to reach) the bank at about 11.30. Why? Well, the manager (to expect) to see me this afternoon; and I not (to be) able to keep the appointment if I take lunch with you.

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