FUTURE CONTINUOUS

Future continuous, form

The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the
verb 'to be' + the present participle (base+ing)
Subject simple future, 'to be' base+ing
You will be watching
Affirmatie
I will be asking
Ne!atie
She won't be leaving
Interro!atie
ill the! be retiring"
Interro!atie ne!atie
on't we be sta!ing"
#$ample: to stay, future continuous
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I will be sta!ing I won't be sta!ing ill I be sta!ing"
"ou will be sta!ing You won't be sta!ing ill !ou be sta!ing"
#e, s$e, it will be sta!ing %e won't be sta!ing ill she be sta!ing"
%e will be sta!ing e won't be sta!ing ill we be sta!ing"
"ou will be sta!ing You won't be sta!ing ill !ou be sta!ing"
T$e& will be sta!ing The! won't be sta!ing ill the! be sta!ing"
Future continuous, function
The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in
progress at a time later than now& It is used:
a& to pro'ect ourselves into the future and see something happening: This time
ne$t week I will be sun-bathing in (ali&
b& to refer to actions)events that will happen in the normal course of events:
I'll be seeing Jim at the conference ne$t week&
c& in the interrogative form* especiall! with '!ou'* to distinguish between a
simple re+uest for information and an invitation: Will you be coming to the
part! tonight" (, re+uest for information) ill !ou come to the part!" (,
invitation)
d& to predict or guess about someone's actions or feelings* now or in the future:
You'll be feeling tired after that long walk* I e$pect&
-ore e$amples:
a& events in progress in the future:
hen !ou are in .ustralia will you be staying with friends"
This time ne$t week you will be working in !our new 'ob&
.t four thirt! on Tuesda! afternoon I will be signing the
contract&
b& events)actions in normal course of events:
I'll be going into town this afternoon* is there an!thing !ou
want from the shops"
Will you be using the car tomorrow" / 0o* !ou can take it&
I'll be seeing 1ane this evening / I'll give her the message&
c& asking for information:
Will you be bringing !our friend to the pub tonight"
Will Jim be coming with us"
d& predicting or guessing:
You'll be feeling thirst! after working in the sun&
He'll be coming to the meeting* I e$pect&
You'll be missing the sunshine now !ou're back in #ngland&
FUTURE FOR'S
Intro(uction
There are a number of different wa!s of referring to the future in #nglish& It is
important to remember that we are e$pressing more than simpl! the time of
the action or event& 2bviousl!* an! 'future' tense will alwa!s refer to a time
'later than now'* but it ma! also e$press our attitu(e to the future event&
.ll of the following ideas can be e$pressed using different tenses:
a& Simple prediction
b& .rrangements
c& 3lans and intentions
d& Time/tabled events
e& 3rediction based on present evidence
f& illingness
g& .n action in progress in the future
h& .n action or event that is a matter of routine
i& 2bligation
'& .n action or event that will take place immediatel! or ver!
soon
k& 3ro'ecting ourselves into the future and looking back at a
completed action&
The e$ample sentences below correspond to the ideas above:
a& There will be snow in man! areas tomorrow&
b& I'm meeting 1im at the airport&
c& We're going to spend the summer abroad&
d& The plane takes off at 4 a&m&
e& I think it's going to rain5
f& We'll give !ou a lift to the cinema&
g& This time ne$t week I'll be sun-bathing&
h& You'll be seeing 1ohn in the office tomorrow* won't !ou"
i& You are to travel directl! to 6ondon&
'& The train is about to leave&
k& . month from now he will have finished all his e$ams&
It is clear from these e$amples that several tenses are used to e$press the
future& The sections that follow show the form and function of each of these
tenses&
Simple future, form
The 'simple' future is composed of two parts: will / shall + the infinitive
without 'to'
Subject )ill infinitie )it$out to
%e will leave&&&
Affirmatie

I will go
I shall go
Ne!atie

The! will not see
The! won't see
Interro!atie

ill she ask"
Interro!atie ne!atie

on't she take"
Contractions*

I will I'll e will we'll
You will you'll You will you'll
%e*she* will he'll* she'll The! will they'll
02T#* The form 'it will' is not normall! shortened&
#$ample: to see, simple future
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I'll see I won't see) ill I see")
+I will)shall see I shan't see Shall I see"
"ou'll see You won't see ill !ou see"
#e, s$e, it will see %e won't see ill she see"
%e'll see e won't see) ill we see")
+%e will)shall see e shan't see Shall we see"
"ou will see You won't see ill !ou see"
T$e&'ll see The! won't see ill the! see"
702T#* shall is slightl! dated but can be used instead of will with I we!
Simple future, function
The simple future refers to a time later than now* and e$presses facts or
certaint!& In this case there is no 'attitude'&
The simple future is used:
a& to predict a future event: It will rain tomorrow&
b& (with Iwe) to e$press a spontaneous decision: I'll pay for the tickets b!
credit card&
c& to e$press willingness: I'll do the washing/up& He'll carry !our bag for !ou&
d& (in the negative form) to e$press unwillingness: The bab! won't eat his
soup& I won't leave until I've seen the manager5
e& (with I in the interrogative form) to make an offer: "hall I open the window"
f& (with we in the interrogative form) to make a suggestion: "hall we go to the
cinema tonight"
g& (with I in the interrogative form) to ask for advice or instructions: hat
shall I tell the boss about this mone!"
h& (with you) to give orders: You will do e$actl! as I sa!&
i& (with you) to give an invitation: Will you come to the dance with me"
Will you marry me"
02T#: In modern #nglish will is preferred to shall,
"hall is mainl! used with I and we to make an offer or suggestion (see
e$amples (e) and (f) above* or to ask for advice (e$ample (g) above)&
ith the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is onl! used in literar! or
poetic situations* e&g&
8With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, "he shall have music
wherever she goes."
FUTURE -ERFECT
Future perfect, form
The future perfect is composed of two elements: the simple future of the verb
to have (will have) + the past participle of the main verb:
Subject )ill $ae past participle
%e will have finished
Affirmatie
I will have left
Ne!atie
The! won't have gone
Interro!atie
ill we have seen"
Interro!atie ne!atie
on't he have arrived"
#$ample: to arrive, future perfect
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I'll have arrived I won't have arrived ill I have arrived"
"ou'll have arrived You won't have arrived ill !ou have arrived"
#e'll have arrived She won't have arrived ill it have arrived"
%e'll have arrived e won't have arrived ill we have arrived"
"ou'll have arrived You won't have arrived ill !ou have arrived"
T$e&'ll have arrived The! won't have arrived ill the! have arrived"
Future perfect, function
The future perfect refers to a completed action in the future& hen we use
this tense we are pro'ecting ourselves forward into the future and looking back
at an action that will be completed some time later than now&
It is often used with a time e$pression using by + a point in future time&
#$amples:
a& I'll have been here for si$ months on 1une 94rd&
b& (! the time !ou read this I'll have left&
c& You will have finished !our work b! this time ne$t week&
FUTURE -ERFECT CONTINUOUS
Future perfect continuous, form
This form is composed of two elements: the future perfect of the verb to be
(will have been) + the present participle of the main verb (base+ing):
Subject )ill $ae been base+in!
e will have been living
Affirmatie

I will have been working
Ne!atie

I won't have been working
Interro!atie

ill I have been working"
Interro!atie ne!atie
on't I have been working"
#$ample: to live, :uture 3erfect continuous
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I'll have been living I won't have been living ill I have been living"
"ou'll have been living You won't have been living ill !ou have been living"
#e'll have been living %e won't have been living ill she have been living"
%e'll have been living e won't have been living ill we have been living"
"ou'll have been living You won't have been living ill !ou have been living"
T$e&'ll have been living The! won't have been living ill the! have been living"
Future perfect continuous, function
6ike the future perfect simple* this form is used to pro'ect ourselves forward in
time and to look back& It refers to events or actions in a time between now
and some future time* that ma! be unfinished&
#$amples:
a& I will have been waiting here for three hours b! si$ o'clock&
b& (! 9;;< I will have been living here for si$teen !ears&
c& (! the time I finish this course* I will have been learning #nglish for twent! !ears&
d& 0e$t !ear I will have been working here for four !ears&
FUTURE %IT# .OIN. TO
/, Future )it$ .oin! to 0 form
This form is composed of three elements: the appropriate form of the verb 'to
be' + going to + the infinitive of the main verb:
Subject 'to be' !oin! to infinitie
She is going to leave
1, Future )it$ .oin! to 0 function
The use of 'going to' to refer to future events suggests a ver! strong association
with the present& The time is not important / it is later than now* but the
attitude is that the event depends on a present situation, that we know
about& So it is used:
a) to refer to our plans and intentions:
We're going to move to London net year. (, the plan is in our minds now&)
b) to make predictions based on present evidence:
Loo! at those clouds " it's going to #our with rain$ (, It's clear from what I can
see now&)
Note* In ever!da! speech* 'going to' is often shortened to 'gonna'* especiall! in
.merican #nglish&
-ore e$amples:
-lans an( intentions*
a& Is #reddy going to buy a new car soon"
b& $re John and %am going to visit -ilan when the! are in Ital!"
c& I think 0igel and -ar! are going to have a part! ne$t week&
-re(ictions base( on present ei(ence*
a& &here's going to be a terrible accident5
b& He's going to be a brilliant politician&
c& I'm going to have terrible indigestion&
02T#: It is unusual to sa! 'I'm going to go to&&&'
Instead* we use 'going to' ' a place or event%
#$amples:
e are going to the beach tomorrow&
She is going to the ballet tonight&
$re you going to the party tomorrow night?
-ERFECT CON2ITIONA3, CONTINUOUS
/, -erfect con(itional, continuous 0 Form
This tense is composed of two elements: the perfect condtional of the verb 'to
be' (would have been) + the present participle (base+ing).
Subject )oul( $ae been base+in!
I
e
would have been
would have been
sitting
swimming
Affirmatie

I would have been stud!ing&
Ne!atie

You wouldn't have been living&
Interro!atie

ould we have been travelling"
Interro!atie ne!atie
ouldn't it have been working"
#$amples: to work, -ast continuous con(itional
Affirmatie Ne!atie
I would have been working I wouldn't have been working
"ou would have been working You wouldn't have been working&
#e would have been working S$e wouldn't have been working
%e would have been working e wouldn't have been working
"ou would have been working You wouldn't have been working
T$e& would have been working The! wouldn't have been working
Interro!atie Interro!atie ne!atie
ould I have been working" ouldn't I have been working"
ould !ou have been working" ouldn't !ou have been working"
ould he have been working" ouldn't she have been working"
ould we have been working" ouldn't we have been working"
ould !ou have been working" ouldn't !ou have been working"
ould the! have been working" ouldn't the! have been working"
1, Function
This tense can be used in T!pe 4 conditional sentences& It refers to the
unfulfille( result of the action in the if/clause* and e$presses this result as an
unfinis$e( or continuous action& .gain* there is alwa!s an unspoken 8but&&8
phrase:
1 If the weather had been better (but it wasn't)* I'd have been sitting in
the garden when he arrived (but I wasn't and so I didn't see him)&
2 If she hadn't got a 'ob in 6ondon (but she did)* she would have been
working in 3aris (but she wasn't)&
#$amples:
3 If I'd had a ball I would have been playing football&
4 If I'd had an! mone! I'd have been drinking with m! friends in the pub
that night&
5 If I had known it was dangerous I wouldn't have been climbing that
cliff&
6 She wouldn't have been wearing a seat/belt if her father hadn't told
her to&
T"-E 1 CON2ITIONA3 SENTENCES
/, Form
In a &y#e ' conditional sentence* the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past*
and the tense in the main clause is the present con(itional:
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + simple past
If it rained
If !ou went to bed earlier
-resent con(itional
!ou would get wet
!ou wouldn't be so tired&
-resent con(itional, form
The present conditional of an! verb is composed of two parts / the modal
au$iliar! would + the infinitive of the main verb (without 'to'&)
Subject )oul( infinitie )it$out to
She would learn
Affirmatie

I would go
Ne!atie

I wouldn't ask
Interro!atie

ould she come"
Interro!atie ne!atie

ouldn't the! accept"
%oul(* Contractions of )oul(
In spoken #nglish* )oul( is contracted to '(!
I'd e'd
!ou'd !ou'd
he'd* she'd the!'d
The negative contraction , wouldn't&
#$ample: to accept, -resent con(itional
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I would accept I wouldn't accept ould I accept"
"ou would accept You wouldn't accept ould !ou accept"
#e would accept S$e wouldn't accept ould he accept"
%e would accept e wouldn't accept ould we accept"
"ou would accept You wouldn't accept ould !ou accept"
T$e& would accept The! wouldn't accept ould the! accept"
1, Function
In these sentences* the time is no) or an& time* and the situation is unreal&
The! are not based on fact* and the! refer to an unli4el& or $&pot$etical
con(ition and its probable result! The use of the past tense after 'if' indicates
unrealit&! e can nearl! alwa!s add a phrase starting with 8but8* that
e$presses the real situation:
7 (f the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the #ar! (...but it is
bad* so we can't go)
8 (f ( was the )ueen of *ngland, ( would give everyone +,--. (..&but I'm
not* so I won't)
#$amples of use:
/, To make a statement about something that is not real at present* but is
possible:
( would visit her if ( had time. (. ( haven't got time but ( might have some
time)
1, To make a statement about a situation that is not real now and never could
be real:
(f ( were you, I'd give up smo!ing (but ( could never be you)
#$amples:
a& If I was a plant* I would love the rain&
b& If !ou reall! loved me* !ou would buy me a diamond ring&
c& If I knew where she lived* I would go and see her&
d& You wouldn't need to read this if !ou understood #nglish grammar&
e& Would he go to the concert if I gave him a ticket"
f& The! wouldn't invite her if the! didn't like her
g& e would be able to bu! a larger house if we had more mone!
02T#* It is correct* and ver! common* to sa! 8If I )ere8 instead of 8If I )as8&
'IF' SENTENCES AN2 T#E 'UNREA3' -AST
In this section !ou will find information on sentences containing the word 'if'*
the use of conditional tenses* and the 'unreal past'* that is* when we use a
past tense but we are not actuall! referring to past time&
IF AN2 T#E CON2ITIONA3
There are four main t!pes of 'if' sentences in #nglish:
<& T$e '5ero' con(itional* where the tense in bot$ parts of the sentence is the
simple present*
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + simple present
If !ou heat ice
If it rains
simple present
it melts&
!ou get wet
In these sentences* the time is no) or al)a&s and the situation is real an(
possible& The! are often used to refer to general truths&
9& T$e T&pe / con(itional* where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple
present* and the tense in the main clause is the simple future
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + simple present
If it rains
If !ou don't hurr!
Simple future
!ou will get wet
we will miss the train&
In these sentences* the time is the present or future and the situation is real&
The! refer to a possible con(ition and its probable result&
4& T$e T&pe 1 con(itional* where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple
past* and the tense in the main clause is the present con(itional:
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + simple past
If it rained
If !ou went to bed earlier
-resent con(itional
!ou would get wet
!ou wouldn't be so tired&
In these sentences* the time is no) or an& time* and the situation is unreal&
The! are not based on fact* and the! refer to an unli4el& or $&pot$etical
con(ition and its probable result!
=& T$e T&pe 6 con(itional* where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past
perfect* and the tense in the main clause is the perfect con(itional:
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + past perfect
If it had rained
If !ou had worked harder
-erfect con(itional
!ou would have got wet
!ou would have passed the e$am&
In these sentences* the time is past* and the situation is contrar& to realit&&
The facts the! are based on are the opposite of what is e$pressed* and the!
refer to an unreal past con(ition and its probable past result&
. further t!pe if 'if' sentence e$ists* where T!pe 9 and T!pe 4 are mi$ed& The
tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect* and the tense in the main clause is
the present conditional:
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + past perfect
If I had worked harder at school
If we had looked at the map
-resent con(itional
I would have a better 'ob now&
we wouldn't be lost&
In these sentences* the time is past in the 'if' clause* and present in the main
clause& The! refer to an unreal past con(ition and its probable result in the
present!
UN3ESS
>nless means the same as if&&&not& 6ike if* it is followed b! a present tense* a
past tense or a past perfect (neer b! 'would')& It is used instead of if + not in
conditional sentences of all t!pes:
T&pe /* 7Unless + present8
a, You'll be sick unless !ou stop eating& (, You will be sick if !ou don't stop eating)
b, I won't pa! unless !ou provide the goods immediatel!& (, If !ou don't provide them I
won't pa!)
c, You'll never understand #nglish unless !ou study this grammar carefull!& (, You'll never
understand if !ou don't stud!&&&)
T&pe 1* 7Unless + past8
a, >nless he was ver! ill* he would be at work&
b, I wouldn't eat that food unless I was reall! hungr!&
c, She would be here b! now unless she was stuck in the traffic&
T&pe 6* 7Unless + past perfect8
a, The elephant wouldn't have seen the mouse unless she'd had perfect e!esight&
b, I wouldn't have phoned him unless you'd suggested it&
c, The! would have shot her unless she'd given them the mone!&
'I9E2 CON2ITIONA3 SENTENCES
It is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different
times* and the resulting sentence is a 8mi$ed conditional8 sentence& There are
two t!pes of mi$ed conditional sentence:
A, -resent result of past con(ition*
/, Form
The tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect* and the tense in the main clause
is the present conditional:
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + past perfect
If I had worked harder at school
If we had looked at the map
-resent con(itional
I would have a better 'ob now&
we wouldn't be lost&
1, Function
In these sentences* the time is past in the 'if' clause* and present in the main
clause& The! refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the
present! The! e$press a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past
and in the present:
'(f ( had wor!ed harder at school' is contrar! to past fact / I didn't work hard at
school* and '( would have a better /ob now' is contrar! to present fact / I
haven't got a good 'ob&
(f we had loo!ed at the ma# (we didn't)* we wouldn't be lost (we are lost)&
#$amples:
9 I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that 'ob&
10 If you'd caught that plane you'd be dead now&
11 If you hadn't spent all !our mone! on ?@s* !ou wouldn't be broke&
:, -ast result of present or continuin! con(ition,
/, Form
The tense in the If-clause is the simple past* and the tense in the main clause
is the perfect conditional:
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + simple past
If I wasn't afraid of spiders
If we didn't trust him
-erfect con(itional
I would have picked it up&
we would have sacked him months ago&



1, Function
In these sentences the time in the If-clause is now or always* and the time in
the main clause is before now& The! refer to an unreal present situation and
its probable (but unreal) past result:
12 '(f ( wasn't afraid of s#iders' is contrar! to present realit! / I am afraid of spiders* and '(
would have #ic!ed it u#' is contrar! to past realit! / I (i(n't pick it up&
13 '(f we didn't trust him' is contrar! to present realit! / we (o trust him* and 'we would
have sac!ed him' is contrar! to past realit! / we $aen't sacked him&
#$amples:
a& If she wasn't afraid of fl!ing she wouldn't have travelled b! boat&
b& I'd have been able to translate the letter if m! Italian was better&
c& If I was a good cook* I'd have invited them to lunch&
d& If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse* she'd have trodden on him
b! now& T"-E 6 CON2ITIONA3 SENTENCES
/, Form
In a T!pe 4 conditional sentence* the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect*
and the tense in the main clause is the perfect con(itional:
'IF' C3AUSE 'AIN C3AUSE
If + past perfect
If it had rained
If !ou had worked harder
-erfect con(itional
!ou would have got wet
!ou would have passed the e$am&
-erfect con(itional 0 form
The perfect conditional of an! verb is composed of two elements: would + the
perfect infinitive of the main verb (,have + #ast #artici#le)%
Subject )oul( perfect infinitie
%e
The!
would
would
have gone&&&
have sta!ed&&&
Affirmatie
I would have believed &&&
Ne!atie
She wouldn't have given&&&
Interro!atie
ould !ou have left&&&"
Interro!atie ne!atie
ouldn't he have been&&&"
#$ample: to go, 3ast conditional
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I would have gone I wouldn't have gone ould I have gone"
"ou would have gone You wouldn't have gone ould !ou have gone"
#e would have gone S$e wouldn't have gone ould it have gone"
%e would have gone e wouldn't have gone ould we have gone"
"ou would have gone You wouldn't have gone ould !ou have gone"
T$e& would have gone The! wouldn't have gone ould the! have gone"
In these sentences* the time is past* and the situation is contrary to reality&
The facts the! are based on are the opposite of what is e$pressed&
T!pe 4 conditional sentences* are trul! hypothetical or unreal* because it is
now too late for the condition or its result to e$ist& There is alwa!s an
unspoken 8but..." phrase:
14 If I had worked harder I would have passed the e$am
(but I didn't work hard* and I didn't pass the e$am)&
15 If I'd known !ou were coming I'd have baked a cake
(but I didn't know* and I haven't baked a cake)&
NOTE* (oth would and had can be contracted to 'd* which can be confusing&
Aemember that !ou NE;ER use would in the I#-clause* so in the e$ample
above* 8If I'd known8 must be "If I had known", and "I'd have baked8 must be "I
would have baked&&8
#$amples:
a& If I'd known !ou were in hospital* I would have visited !ou&
b& I would have bought !ou a present if I'd known it was !our birthda!&
c& If they'd had a better goalkeeper the! wouldn't have lost the game&
d& If !ou had told me !ou were on the Internet* I'd have sent !ou an e/mail&
e& Would you have bought an elephant if you'd known how much the! eat"
UNREA3 -AST
The past tense is sometimes used in #nglish to refer to an 'unreal' situation& So*
although the tense is the past* we are usuall! talking about the present* e&g& in
a T!pe 9 conditional sentence:
(f an ele#hant and a mouse fell in love, they would have many #roblems.
.lthough fell is in the past tense* we are talking about a h!pothetical situation
that might e$ist now or at an! time* but we are not referring to the past& e
call this use the unreal past,
2ther situations where this occurs are:
16 after other words and e$pressions like 'if' (su##osing, if only, what if)0
17 after the verb 'to wish'0
18 after the e$pression 'I'd rather!!'
E<pressions li4e 'if'
The following e$pressions can be used to introduce h!pothetical situations:
/ supposing, if only, what if& The! are followed b! a past tense to indicate
that the condition the! introduce is unreal:
19 Supposing an elephant and a mouse fell in love" (, but we know this is unlikel! or
impossible)
20 hat if we painted the room purple" (, that would be ver! surprising)
21 If onl! I had more mone!& (, but I haven't)&
These e$pressions can also introduce h!pothetical situations in the past and
then the! are followed b! the past perfect!
#$amples:
22 If onl! I hadn't kissed the frog (, I did and it was a mistake because he
turned into a horrible prince* but I can't change it now&)
23 hat if the elephant had trodden on the mouse" (She didn't* but we
can imagine the result5)
24 Supposing I had given that man m! mone!5 (I didn't* so I've still got m!
mone! now&)
T$e erb to wish
The verb to wish is followed b! an 'unreal' past tense when we want to talk
about situations in the present that we are not happ! about but cannot change:
25 I wish I had more mone! (,but I haven't)
26 She wishes she was beautiful (, but she's not)
27 e wish we could come to !our part! (but we can't)
hen we want to talk about situations in the past that we are not happ! about
or actions that we regret* we use the verb to wish followed b! the past
perfect:
28 I wish I hadn't said that (, but I did)
29 %e wishes he hadn't bought the car (, but he did bu! it&)
30 I wish I had taken that 'ob in 0ew York (, but I didn't* so I'm stuck in
(ristol)
NOTE: hen we want to talk about situations we are not happ! about and
where we want someone else to change them* we use to wish followed b!
would ' infinitive(
31 I wish he would stop smoking& (, I don't like it* I want $im to change
it)
32 I wish !ou would go awa!& (, I don't want !ou here* I want &ou to take
some action)
33 I wish !ou wouldn't s)uee*e the toothpaste from the middle5 (, I want
!ou to change !our habits&)
I'd rather and it's time!!!
These two e$pressions are also followed b! an unreal past& The verb is in the
past tense* but the situation is in the present&
hen we want to talk about a course of action we would prefer someone else
to take* we use I'd rather ' past tense:
34 I'd rather !ou went
35 %e'd rather !ou called the police
36 I'd rather !ou didn't hunt elephants&
02T#: the stress can be important in these sentences* to show what our
preference is:
37 ('d rather you went , not me*
38 ('d rather you went . don't sta!
39 1e'd rather you called the #olice , he doesn't want to
40 1e'd rather you called the police , not the ambulance service
Similarl!* when we want to sa! that now is a suitable moment to do something*
either for ourselves or for someone else* we use it's time ' past tense:
41 It's (high) time I went&
42 It's time !ou paid that bill&
@on't !-RESENT CONTINUOUS CON2ITIONA3
In ty#e ' conditional sentences* the continuous form of the present conditional
ma! be used:
(f ( were a millionaire, ( wouldn't be doing this /ob$
/, -resent continuous con(itional 0 form,
This form is composed of two elements: the present conditional of the verb 'to
be' (would be) + the present participle of the main verb (base+in!)&
Subject )oul( be base+in!
%e
The!
would be
would be
going
living
Affirmatie
e would be coming
Ne!atie
You wouldn't be working
Interro!atie
ould !ou be sharing"
Interro!atie ne!atie
ouldn't the! be pla!ing"
#$ample: to live, -resent continuous con(itional,
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I would be living I wouldn't be living ould I be living"
"ou would be living You wouldn't be living ould !ou be living"
#e would be living S$e wouldn't be living ould he be living"
%e would be living e wouldn't be living ould we be living"
"ou would be living You wouldn't be living ould !ou be living"
T$e& would be living The! wouldn't be living ould the! be living"
1, -resent continuous con(itional 0 function
This form is common in T!pe 9 conditional sentences& It e$presses an unfinished
or continuin! action or situation* which is the probable result of an unreal
con(ition:
43 I would be working in Ital! if I spoke Italian&
(but I don't speak Italian* so I am not working in Ital!&
44 She would be living with 1ack if she wasn't living with her parents&
(but she is living with her parents so she's not living with 1ack)&
-ore e$amples:
45 I wouldn't be eating this if I wasn't e$tremel! hungr!&
46 If I had an e$am tomorrow* I'd be revising now&
47 You wouldn't be smiling if !ou knew the truth&
02T#: This form is also found in: mi$ed conditional sentences (See section on
-i$ed ?onditional Sentences)B in indirect speech:
2he said "('ll be wor!ing in the garden." 2he said she would be working in the
garden. (See section on Indirect Speech)
48 ou think it's time !ou had a haircut"
TENSES
Intro(uction
It is important to understand the meaning and use of tenses in #nglish& The
form ma! be like that of a tense in !our own language* but the meaning ma! be
different* so be er& careful=
Summar! of Cerb Tenses
-resent tenses
Simple present
3resent continuous
-ast tenses
Simple past
3ast continuous
-erfect tenses
3resent 3erfect
3resent perfect continuous
3ast perfect
3ast perfect continuous
:uture perfect
:uture perfect continuous
Future tenses
Simple future
:uture continuous
Con(itional tenses
3resent conditional
3resent continuous conditional
3erfect conditional
3erfect continuous conditional
TENSES
OT#ER %A"S OF TA3>IN. A:OUT T#E FUTURE
/, IS TO + INFINITI;E
Form*
This form is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of the verb to be
+ to (am to, are to, is to), and the infinitive of the main verb without 'to'&&
Subject to be to infinitie )it$out to
e are to leave
Affirmatie
She is to travel
Ne!atie
You are not (aren't) to travel
Interro!atie
.m I to travel"
Interro!atie ne!atie
.ren't
the! to travel"
Function*
This form refers to an obligation to do something at a time later than now& It is
similar to 'must'* but there is a suggestion that something has been arranged or
organised for us& It is not normall! used in spoken #nglish* but might be found
in sp! stories* e&g&
8You are to leave this room at once* and !ou are to travel b!
train to 6ondon& In 6ondon !ou are to pick up !our ticket from
-r Smith* and !ou are to fly to !our destination alone& hen
!ou arrive* !ou are to meet our agent* -r D* who will give !ou
further information& You are to destroy this message now&8
1, :E + A:OUT TO + INFINITI;E
Form:
This form is composed of three elements : the appropriate form of the verb to
be* present tense* + 'about to' + the infinitive of the main verb without 'to':
Subject be about to infinitie )it$out to
I am about to leave
She is about to arrive
Function:
This form refers to a time immediately after the moment of speaking* and
emphasises that the event or action will happen ver! soon:
#$amples:
a& She is about to leave&
b& You are about to see something ver! unusual&
c& I am about to go to a meeting / can I talk to !ou later"
It is often used with the word '/ust'* which emphasises the immediac! of the
action:
e are +ust about to go to sleep&
Sall! is +ust about to take an e$am&
This form can also be used in the simple past tense to refer to an action that
was imminent* but was interrupted& In such cases it is often followed b! a
'when - clause'(
She was about to leave when he arrived&
I was +ust about to telephone her when she walked into the house&
TENSES
-AST CONTINUOUS
/, -ast continuous 0 form&
The past continuous of an! verb is composed of two parts : the past tense of
the verb to be (was/were)* and the base of the main verb +ing.
Subject
)as?)ere base0in!
The! were watching
Affirmatie
She was reading
Ne!atie
She wasn't reading
Interro!atie
as she reading"
Interro!atie ne!atie
asn't she reading"
#$ample: to play, past continuous
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I was pla!ing I was not pla!ing as I pla!ing"
"ou were pla!ing You were not pla!ing ere !ou pla!ing"
#e, s$e, it was pla!ing She wasn't pla!ing as she pla!ing"
%e were pla!ing e weren't pla!ing ere we pla!ing"
"ou were pla!ing You weren't pla!ing ere !ou pla!ing"
T$e& were pla!ing The! weren't pla!ing ere the! pla!ing"
1, -ast continuous, function
The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now* which
began in the past and was still going on at the time of speaking& In other
words* it e$presses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past&
It is used:
49 often* to describe the background in a stor! written in the past tense*
e&g& 8The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant
came out of the 'ungle& The other animals were rela,ing in the shade
of the trees* but the elephant moved ver! +uickl!& She was looking for
her bab!* and she didn't notice the hunter who was watching her
through his binoculars& hen the shot rang out* she was running
towards the river&&&8
50 to describe an unfinished action that was interrupted b! another event
or action: 8I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang&8
51 to e$press a change of mind: e&g& 8I was going to spend the da! at the
beach but I've decided to go on an e$cursion instead&8
52 with 'wonder'* to make a ver! polite re+uest: e&g& 8I was wondering if
!ou could bab!/sit for me tonight&8
-ore e$amples:
a& The! were waiting for the bus when the accident happened&
b& ?aroline was skiing when she broke her leg&
c& hen we arrived he was having a bath&
d& hen the fire started I was watching television&
Note: with verbs not normall! used in the continuous form* the simple past is
used& See list in 3resent continuous
TENSES
-AST -ERFECT
-ast perfect, form
The 3ast 3erfect tense in #nglish is composed of two parts: the past tense of
the verb to have (had) + the past participle of the main verb&
Subject $a(
past participle
e had decided&&&
Affirmatie
She had given&
Ne!atie

e hadn't asked&
Interro!atie

%ad the! arrived"
Interro!atie ne!atie
%adn't !ou finished"
#$ample: to decide, -ast perfect
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I had decided I hadn't decided %ad I decided"
"ou had decided You hadn't decided %ad !ou decided"
#e, s$e, it had decided %e hadn't decided %ad she decided"
%e had decided e hadn't decided %ad we decided"
"ou had decided You hadn't decided %ad !ou decided"
T$e& had decided The! hadn't decided %ad the! decided"
-ast perfect, function
The past perfect refers to a time earlier than before now& It is used to make it
clear that one event happened before another in the past& It does not matter
which event is mentioned first / the tense makes it clear which one happened
first&
In these e$amples* #vent . is the first or earliest event* #vent ( is the second
or latest event:
1ohn had gone out when I arrived in the office&
Eent A Eent :
I had saved m! document before the computer crashed&
Eent A Eent :
hen the! arrived we had already started cooking
Eent : Eent A
%e was ver! tired because he hadn't slept well&
Eent : Eent A
-ast perfect + +ust
'Just' is used with the past perfect to refer to an event that was onl! a short
time earlier than before now* e&g&
a& The train had +ust left when I arrived at the station&
b& She had +ust left the room when the police arrived&
c& I had +ust put the washing out when it started to rain&
TENSES
-AST -ERFECT CONTINUOUS
-ast perfect continuous, form
The past perfect continuous is composed of two elements / the past perfect of
the verb to be (.had been) + the present participle (base+ing)&
#$amples:
Subject $a( been erb0in!
I had been walking
Affirmatie
She had been tr!ing
Ne!atie
e hadn't been sleeping
Interro!atie
%ad !ou been eating
Interro!atie ne!atie
%adn't the! been living
#$ample: to buy, past perfect continuous
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I had been bu!ing I hadn't been bu!ing %ad I been bu!ing"
"ou had been bu!ing You hadn't been bu!ing %ad !ou been bu!ing
#e,s$e,it had been bu!ing %e hadn't been bu!ing %ad she been bu!ing"
%e had been bu!ing e hadn't been bu!ing %ad we been bu!ing"
"ou had been bu!ing You hadn't been bu!ing %ad !ou been bu!ing
T$e& had been bu!ing The! hadn't been bu!ing %ad the! been bu!ing
-ast perfect continuous, function
The past perfect continuous corresponds to the present perfect continuous* but
with reference to a time earlier than 'before now'& .gain* we are more
interested in the process!
#$amples:
a& Had you been waiting long before the ta$i arrived"
b& We had been trying to open the door for five minutes when 1ane found her
ke!&
c& It had been raining hard for several hours and the streets were ver! wet&
d& %er friends had been thinking of calling the police when she walked in&
This form is also used in reporte( speec$& It is the e+uivalent of the past
continuous and the present perfect continuous in direct speech:
1ane said 8I have been gardening all afternoon&8 1ane said she had been
gardening all afternoon&
hen the police +uestioned him* 1ohn said 8I was working late in the office
that night&8 hen the police +uestioned him* 1ohn told them he had been
working late in the office that night&
TENSES
-RESENT CONTINUOUS
/, -resent continuous, form
The present continuous of an! verb is composed of two parts / the #resent
tense of the verb to be + the #resent #artici#le of the main verb.
(The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. tal!ing, #laying, moving,
smiling)
Affirmatie
Subject + to be + base+ing
she is talking

Ne!atie
Subject + to be ' not + base+ing
she is not (isn't) talking

Interro!atie
to be ' sub+ect + base+ing
is she talking"
#$ample: to go, present continuous
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I am going I am not going .m I going"
"ou are going You aren't going& .re !ou going"
#e, s$e, it is going %e* she* it isn't going Is he* she* it going"
%e are going e aren't going .re we going"
"ou are going You aren't going .re !ou going"
T$e& are going The! aren't going .re the! going"
Note: alternative negative contractions: ('m not going, you're not going, he's
not going etc.
1, -resent continuous, function
.s with all tenses in #nglish* the speaker's attitude is as important as the time
of the action or event& hen someone uses the present continuous* the! are
thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete&
The present continuous is used:
53 to describe an action that is going on at this moment e&g& You are using the (nternet&
You are studying *nglish grammar.
54 to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend* e&g&
$re you still working for the same com#any3 4ore and more #eo#le are becoming
vegetarian.
55 to describe an action or event in the future* which has alread! been planned or
prepared (See also 'a!s of e$pressing the future) e&g& We're going on holiday
tomorrow& I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight& $re they visiting !ou ne$t winter"
56 to describe a temporar! event or situation* e&g& 1e usually #lays the drums, but he's
playing bass guitar tonight& &he weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the
moment.
57 with 'alwa!s* forever* constantl!'* to describe and emphasise a continuing series of
repeated actions* e&g& 1arry and 2ally are always arguing$ You're forever
complaining about your mother"in"law$
:E CAREFU3= Some verbs are not used in the continuous form / see below&
6, ;erbs t$at are not normall& use( in t$e continuous form
The verbs in the list below are normall! used in the simple form* because the!
refer to states* rather than actions or processes:
6ist of common verbs normall! used in simple form:
Senses ? -erception
feel+* hear* see+, smell* taste
Opinion
assume* believe* consider* doubt* feel (, think)* find (, consider)* suppose* think+
'ental states
forget* imagine* know* mean* notice* recognise* remember* understand
Emotions ? (esires
env!* fear* dislike* hate* hope* like* love* mind* prefer* regret* want* wish
'easurement
contain* cost* hold* measure* weigh
Ot$ers
look (,resemble)* seem* be (in most cases), have (when it means to #ossess)+
0otes:
<& '3erception' verbs (see* hear* feel* taste* smell) are often used with 'can'%
e&g& ( can see...
9& + These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different
meaning* compare:
a& &his coat feels nice and warm. (. your #erce#tion of the coat's 5ualities)
b& John's feeling much better now (. his health is im#roving)
a& 2he has three dogs and a cat. (.#ossession)
b& "he's having su##er. (. 2he's eating)
a& ( can see 6nthony in the garden (. #erce#tion)
b& I'm seeing 6nthony later (. We are #lanning to meet)
#$amples:
58 I wish I was in Ereece now&
59 She wants to see him now&
60 I don't understand wh! he is shouting&
61 I feel we are making a mistake&
62 This glass holds half a litre&
TENSES
-RESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE E;ENTS
/, -resent continuous for t$e future, form
See notes on form in section on 3resent ?ontinuous&
Subject + to be + base/ing
She is meeting
1, Future* -resent continuous for t$e future, function
The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for events at a
time later than now&
There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event* and
that some preparation has alread! happened& e&g&
a& ('m meeting 7im at the air#ort . and both 1im and I have discussed this&
b& ( am leaving tomorrow. . and I've alread! bought m! train ticket&
c& We're having a staff meeting net 4onday . and all members of staff have
been told about it&
-ore e$amples:
a& Is she seeing him tomorrow"
b& He isn't working ne$t week&
c& &hey aren't leaving until the end of ne$t !ear&
d& We are staying with friends when we get to (oston&
Note* in e$ample (a)* seeing is used in a continuous form because it means
meeting.
:E CAREFU3= The simple present is used when a future event is part of a
programme or time/table& 0otice the difference between:
a& We're having a staff meeting net 4onday.
b& We have a staff meeting net 4onday.(. we have a meeting ever! -onda!*
it's on the time/table&)
TENSES
-RESENT -ERFECT
/, -resent perfect 0 form
The present perfect of an! verb is composed of two elements : the appropriate
form of the au$iliar! verb to have (present tense)* plus the past participle of
the main verb& The past participle of a regular verb is base+e(* e&g& #layed,
arrived, loo!ed& :or irregular verbs* see the Table of irre!ular erbs in the
section called ';erbs'&
Affirmatie
Sub'ect to have past participle
2he has visited
Ne!atie
Sub'ect to have + not past participle
2he hasn't visited
Interro!atie
to have sub'ect past participle
1as she visited..3
Interro!atie ne!atie
to have + not sub'ect past participle
1asn't she visited...3
#$ample: to wal!, present perfect
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I have walked I haven't walked %ave I walked"
"ou have walked You haven't walked %ave !ou walked"
#e, s$e, it has walked %e* she* it hasn't walked %as he*she*it walked
%e have walked e haven't walked %ave we walked"
"ou have walked You haven't walked %ave !ou walked"
T$e& have walked The! haven't walked %ave the! walked"
1, -resent perfect, function
The 3resent 3erfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the
past& The time of the action is before no) but not specifie(* and we are often
more interested in the result than in the action itself&
:E CAREFU3= There ma! be a verb tense in !our language with a similar form*
but the meaning is probabl! 02T the same&
The present perfect is used to describe:
<&.n action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present&
#$ample: ( have lived in 8ristol since ,9:; (, and I still do&)
9& .n action performed during a period that has not !et finished& #$ample: She
has been to the cinema twice this week (, and the week isn't over !et&)
4& . repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now&
#$ample: e have visited 3ortugal several times&
=& .n action that was completed in the er& recent past* (e$pressed b! 'just')&
#$ample: I have +ust finished m! work&
F& .n action when the time is not important& #$ample: %e has read 'ar and
3eace'. (the result of his reading is important)
Note* hen we want to give or ask details about when, where, who* we use
the simple past, #$ample: %e read 'ar and 3eace' last week.
#$amples:
/, Actions starte( in t$e past an( continuin! in t$e present,
a& The! haven't lived here for !ears&
b& She has worked in the bank for five !ears&
c& e have had the same car for ten !ears&
d& Have you played the piano since !ou were a child"
1, %$en t$e time perio( referre( to $as not finis$e(,
a& I have worked hard this week&
b& It has rained a lot this year&
c& e haven't seen her today&
6, Actions repeate( in an unspecifie( perio( bet)een t$e past an( no),
a& The! have seen that film si$ times&
b& It has happened several times alread!&
c& She has visited them fre+uentl!&
d& e have eaten at that restaurant man! times&
@, Actions complete( in t$e er& recent past 7++ust8&
a& Have you +ust finished work"
b& I have +ust eaten&
c& e have +ust seen her&
d. Has he +ust left"
A, %$en t$e precise time of t$e action is not important or not 4no)n,
a& Someone has eaten my sou#5
b& Have you seen 'Eone with the ind'"
c& "he's studied 1apanese* Aussian and #nglish&
TENSES
-RESENT -ERFECT + ever, never, already, yet
The adverbs ever and never e$press the idea of an unidentified time before
now e&g& 1ave you ever visited 8erlin3
'Eer' is used
a& in Buestions, e&g&
1ave you ever been to *ngland3
1as she ever met the <rime 4inister3
b& in ne!atie Buestions e&g&
1aven't they ever been to *uro#e3
1aven't you ever eaten =hinese food3
c& an( in ne!atie statements usin! t$e pattern
nothing!!!!!!!ever, nobody!!!!!!!ever e&g&
-obody has ever said that to me before.
-othing li!e this has ever ha##ened to us.
d& '.ver' is also use( )it$ '&he first time!!!! e&g&
(t's the first time (that) ('ve ever eaten snails.
&his is the first time ('ve ever been to *ngland.
'-ever' means at no time before now* and is the same as not ..... ever:
( have never visited 8erlin
:E CAREFU3=
You must not use never and not together:
( haven't never been to (taly.
I have neer been to Ital!&
-osition: '.ver' and 'never' are alwa!s placed before t$e main
erb 7past participle8&
$lready and yet(
$lready refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before
now& It suggests that there is no need for repetition* e&g&
a& ('ve already drun! three coffees this morning& (and !ou're offering me
another one5)
b& >on't write to 7ohn, ('ve already done it.
It is also used in +uestions:
a& 1ave you already written to 7ohn3
b& 1as she finished her homewor! already3
-osition* already can be placed before the main verb (past
participle) or at the end of the sentence:
a& ( have already been to &o!yo.
b. ( have been to &o!yo already.
yet is used in negative statements and +uestions* to mean (not) in the #eriod
of time between before now and now, (not) u# to and including the #resent.
e&g&
a& %ave !ou met 1ud! yet/
b& I haven't visited the Tate Ealler! yet&
c& %as he arrived yet/
d& The! haven't eaten yet&
-osition* Yet is usuall! placed at the end of the sentence&
TENSES
-RESENT -ERFECT OR SI'-3E -ASTC
.lwa!s use the present perfect when the time is not important* or not
specified&
.lwa!s use the simple past when details about the time or place are specified
or asked for&
Compare*
-resent perfect Simple past
I have lived in 6!on& I lived in 6!on in ,9:9.
The! have eaten Thai food& The! ate Thai food last night&
Have you seen '2thello'"& here did you see '2thello'"
e have been to Ireland& hen did you go to Ireland"
There is also a difference of attitu(e that is often more important than the
time factor&
"What did you do at school today3" is a +uestion about actiities* and considers
the school da! as finis$e(&
"What have you done at school today3" is a +uestion about results / 8show me8*
and regards the time of speaking as a continuation of the school da!&
TENSES
-RESENT -ERFECT + for, since
>sing the present perfect* we can define a period of time before now b!
considering its (uration, with for ' a perio( of time, or b! considering its
startin! point* with since ' a point in time!
#or + a perio( of time*
for si$ !ears* for a week* for a month* for hours* for two
hours&
I have worked here for five !ears&
"ince + a point in time*
since this morning* since last week* since !esterda!*
since I was a child* since ednesda!* since 9 o'clock&
I have worked here since <GG;&

-ore e$amples:
present perfect )it$ for:
a& She has lived here for twent! !ears&
b& e have taught at this school for a long time&
c& .lice has been married for three months&
d& The! have been at the hotel for a week&
present perfect )it$ since(
a& She has lived here since <GH;&
b& e have taught at this school since <GIF&
c& .lice has been married since -arch 9nd&
d& The! have been at the hotel since last Tuesda!&
Note*
<& #or and since can both be used with the past perfect&
9& "ince can onl! be used with perfect tenses* for can also be used with the
simple past&
TENSES
-RESENT -ERFECT CONTINUOUS
-resent perfect continuous, form
The present perfect continuous is made up of two elements: (a) the present
perfect of the verb 'to be' (have)has been)* and (b) the present participle of
the main verb (base+ing)&
Subject
$as?$ae been base+in!
She
has been swimming
Affirmatie

She has been ) She's been running
Ne!atie

She hasn't been running
Interro!atie

%as she been running"
Interro!atie ne!atie

%asn't she been running"
#$ample: to live, present perfect continuous
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I have been living I haven't been living %ave I been living"
"ou have been living You haven't been living %ave !ou been living"
#e, s$e, it has been living %e hasn't been living %as she been living"
%e have been living e haven't been living %ave we been living"
"ou have been living You haven't been living %ave !ou been living"
T$e& have been living The! haven't been living %ave the! been living"
-resent perfect continuous, function
The present perfect continuous refers to an unspecifie( time between 'before
now' and 'now'& The speaker is thinking about something that started but
perhaps did not finish in that period of time& %e)she is interested in the
process as )ell as t$e result, and this process ma! still be going on* or ma!
have 'ust finished&
#$amples:
/, Actions t$at starte( in t$e past an( continue in t$e present,
a& She has been waiting for !ou all da! (,and she's still waiting now)&
b& I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (,and I still
haven't finished it)&
c& &hey have been travelling since last 2ctober (,and the!'re not home !et)&
1, Actions t$at $ae just finis$e(, but )e are intereste( in t$e results*
a& "he has been cooking since last night (,and the food on the table looks
delicious)&
b& It's been raining (, and the streets are still wet)&
c. "omeone's been eating m! chips (, half of them have gone)&
0ote:
;erbs )it$out continuous forms
ith verbs not normall! used in the continuous form* use the present perfect
simple& See list of these verbs under '3resent ?ontinuous':
63 I've wanted to visit ?hina for !ears&
64 "he's known Aobert since she was a child&
65 I've hated that music since I first heard it&
66 I've heard a lot about !ou recentl!&
67 We've understood ever!thing we've heard this morning&
TENSES
SI'-3E -AST
:E CAREFU3= The simple past in #nglish ma! look like a tense in !our own
language* but the meaning ma! be different&
/, Simple past, form
Re!ular erbs: base'ed
e&g& wal!ed, showed, watched, #layed, smiled, sto##ed
Irre!ular erbs: see list in verbs
Simple past, be, have, do*
;erb
:e #ae 2o
I was had did
"ou were had did
#e, s$e, it was had did
%e were had did
"ou were had did
T$e& were had did
Affirmatie
a& I was in 1apan last !ear
b& She had a headache !esterda!&
c& e did our homework last night&
Ne!atie an( interro!atie
0ote: :or the negative and interrogative simple past form of "do" as an ordinar!
verb* use the au$iliar! "do", e&g& e didn't do our homework last night& The
negative of "have" in the simple past is usuall! formed using the au$iliar! "do"*
but sometimes b! simpl! adding not or the contraction "n't"&
The interrogative form of "have" in the simple past normall! uses the au$iliar!
"do".
68 The! weren't in Aio last summer&
69 e hadn't an! mone!&
70 e didn't have time to visit the #iffel Tower&
71 e didn't do our e$ercises this morning&
72 Were they in Iceland last 1anuar!"
73 0id you have a bic!cle when !ou were a bo!"
74 0id you do much climbing in SwitJerland"
Simple past, re!ular erbs
Affirmatie
Subject erb + e(

I washed

Ne!atie
Subject (i( not infinitie )it$out to
The! didn't visit &&&
Interro!atie
2i( subject infinitie )it$out to
@id she arrive&&&"
Interro!atie ne!atie
2i( not subject infinitie )it$out to
@idn't !ou like&&"
#$ample: to walk, simple past!
Affirmatie Ne!atie Interro!atie
I walked I didn't walk @id I walk"
"ou walked You didn't walk @id !ou walk"
#e,s$e,it walked %e didn't walk @id he walk"
%e walked e didn't walk @id we walk"
"ou walked You didn't walk @id !ou walk"
T$e& walked The! didn't walk @id the! walk"
Note* :or the negative and interrogative form of all verbs in the simple past*
alwa!s use the au$iliar! 'did'',
#$amples: Simple past, irre!ular erbs
to go
a& %e went to a club last night&
b& 0id he go to the cinema last night"
c& %e didn't go to bed earl! last night&
to give
d& e gave her a doll for her birthda!&
e& &hey didn't give 1ohn their new address&
f& 0id 1arry give !ou m! passport"
to come
g& -! parents came to visit me last 1ul!&
h& We didn't come because it was raining&
i& 0id he come to !our part! last week"
1, Simple past, function
The simple past is used to talk about a completed action in a time before
now& @uration is not important& The time of the action can be in the recent
past or the distant past&
75 1ohn ?abot sailed to .merica in <=GH&
76 -! father died last !ear&
77 %e lived in :i'i in <GKI&
78 e crossed the ?hannel !esterda!&
You alwa!s use the simple past when !ou sa! when something happened* so it
is associated with certain past time e$pressions
#$amples:
79 freBuenc&:
often, sometimes, always0
80 a (efinite point in time:
last wee!, when ( was a child, yesterday, si wee!s ago.
81 an in(efinite point in time:
the other day, ages ago, a long time ago etc.
Note* the word ago is a useful wa! of e$pressing the distance into the past& It
is placed after the period of time e&g& a wee! ago, three years ago, a minute
ago&
#$amples:
a& ?esterday* I arrived in Eeneva&
b& She finished her work at seven o'cloc!&
c& e saw a good film last wee!&
d& I went to the theatre last night&
e& She played the piano when she was a child&
f& %e sent me a letter si months ago.
g& 3eter left five minutes ago&
TENSES
SI'-3E -RESENT
(See also Cerbs /'Aegular verbs in the simple present')
Simple present, t$ir( person sin!ular
0ote:
82 $e, s$e, it* in the third person singular the verb al)a&s en(s in 0s:
he wants, she needs, he gives, she thin!s!
83 0egative and +uestion forms use @2#S (,the third person of the
au$iliar!'@2') + the infinitive of the verb&
1e wants. 0oes he want3 1e does not want.
84 Cerbs ending in 0& : the third person changes the 0& to 0ies:
fly flies, cry cries
E<ception: if there is a vowel before the /&:
#lay #lays, #ray #rays
85 .dd 0es to verbs ending in:0ss, 0<, 0s$, 0c$:
he #asses, she catches, he fies, it #ushes
See also Cerbs /'Aegular verbs in the simple present'* and '(e* do L have'
#$amples:
/, T$ir( person sin!ular )it$ s or 0es
a& He goes to school ever! morning&
b& "he understands #nglish&
c& It mi,es the sand and the water&
d& He tries ver! hard&
e& "he en+oys pla!ing the piano&
1, Simple present, form
#$ample: to think, present simple
Affirmatie Interro!atie Ne!atie
I think @o I think " I do not think&
"ou think @o !ou think" You don't think&
$e, s$e, it thinks @oes he* she* it think" %e* she* it doesn't think&
)e think @o we think" e don't think&
&ou think @o !ou think" You don't think&
The simple present is used:
86 to e$press habits* general truths* repeated actions or unchanging
situations* emotions and wishes:
( smo!e (habit)0 ( wor! in London (unchanging situation)0 London is a
large city (general truth)
87 to give instructions or directions:
You walk for two hundred metres, then you turn left.
88 to e$press fi$ed arrangements* present or future:
?our eam starts at -9.--
89 to e$press future time* after some con'unctions: after, when, before,
as soon as, until:
1e'll give it to you when you come net 2aturday.
:E CAREFU3= The simple present is not use( to e<press actions $appenin!
no)& See 3resent ?ontinuous&
#$amples:
90 For $abits
%e drinks tea at breakfast&
She onl! eats fish&
The! watch television regularl!&
91 For repeate( actions or eents
e catch the bus ever! morning&
It rains ever! afternoon in the hot season&
The! drive to -onaco ever! summer&
92 For !eneral trut$s
ater free*es at Jero degrees&
The #arth revolves around the Sun&
%er mother is 3eruvian&
93 For instructions or (irections
2pen the packet and pour the contents into hot water&
You take the 0o&I bus to atne! and then the 0o&<; to (edford&
94 For fi<e( arran!ements
%is mother arrives tomorrow&
2ur holida! starts on the 9Ith -arch
95 %it$ future constructions
She'll see !ou before she leaves&
e'll give it to her when she arrives&
TENSES
SI'-3E -RESENT FOR FUTURE E;ENTS
/, Form / see Simple 3resent section&
1, Simple present for future eents 0 function
The simple present is used to make statements about events at a time later
than now* when the statements are based on present facts* and when these
facts are something fi$ed like a time-table, schedule, calendar&
#$amples:
a& The plane arrives at <H&;; tomorrow&
b& She has a !oga class tomorrow morning&
c& The restaurant opens at <G&4; tonight&
d& 0e$t Thursda! at <=&;; there is an #nglish e$am&
0ote the difference between:
a& The plane leaves in ten minutes (, statement of fact)
b& The plane's going to leave in ten minutes (, prediction based on present
situation* meaning 8&&&and if !ou don't hurr! up !ou're goTENSES
SU''AR" OF ;ER: TENSES
-resent tenses
Simple present: 2he wants a drin!&
3resent continuous: &hey are walking home&
-ast tenses
Simple past: <eter lived in =hina in ,9@A.
3ast continuous: ( was reading when she arrived.
-erfect tenses
3resent 3erfect: ( have lived here since ,9:B.
3resent perfect continuous: ( have been living here for years.
3ast perfect: We had been to see her several times before she visited us.
3ast perfect continuous: 1e had been watching her for some time when she
turned and smiled.
:uture perfect: We will have arrived in the 2tates by the time you get this
letter.
:uture perfect continuous: 8y the end of your course, you will have been
studying for five years.
Future tenses
Simple future: &hey will go to (taly net wee!.
:uture continuous: ( will be travelling by train&
Con(itional tenses
3resent conditional: (f he had the money he would go
3resent continuous conditional: 1e would be getting up now if he was in
6ustralia.
3erfect conditional: 2he would have visited me if she had had time.
3erfect continuous conditional: ( would have been playing tennis if ( hadn't
bro!en my arm.
ing to miss it58)
T"-E / CON2ITIONA3
/, Form
In a &y#e , conditional sentence* the tense in the 'if clause is the simple
present* and the tense in the main clause is the simple future
'IF' C3AUSE 7CON2ITION8 'AIN C3AUSE 7RESU3T8
If + simple present
If it rains
If !ou don't hurr!
Simple future
!ou will get wet
we will miss the train&
1, Function
In these sentences* the time is the present or future and the situation is real&
The! refer to a possible con(ition and its probable result& The! are based on
facts* and the! are used to make statements about the real world* and about
particular situations& e often use such sentences to give warnings:
96 (f you don't leave, ('ll call the #olice.
97 (f you don't dro# the gun, ('ll shoot$
#$amples:
98 If !ou drop that glass* it will break&
99 0obod! will notice if !ou make a mistake&
100 If I have time* I'll finish that letter&
101 hat will you do if !ou miss the plane"
02T#: e can use modals to e$press the degree of certaint! of the result:
102 (f you drop that glass, it might break.
103 ( may finish that letter if ( have time.
T#E 'DERO' CON2ITIONA3
/, Form
In 'Jero' conditional sentences* the tense in bot$ parts of the sentence is the
simple present*
'IF' C3AUSE 7CON2ITION8 'AIN C3AUSE 7RESU3T8
If + simple present
If !ou heat ice
If it rains
simple present
it melts&
!ou get wet
NOTE: The order of the clauses is not fi$ed / the 'if' clause can be first or
second:
104 (ce melts if you heat it.
105 ?ou get wet if it rains.
1, Function
In these sentences* the time is now or always and the situation is real and
possible& The! are used to make statements about the real world* and often
refer to general truths* such as scientific facts&
#$amples:
a& If !ou free*e water* it becomes a solid&
b& 3lants die if the! don't get enough water&
c& If m! husband has a cold* I usuall! catch it&
d& If public transport is efficient* people stop using their cars&
e& If !ou mi, red and blue* !ou get purple&
This structure is often used to give instructions* using the imperative in the
main clause:
106 If (ill phones* tell him to meet me at the cinema&
107 $sk 3ete if you're not sure what to do&