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by nuhru_1098 Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:14 pmPresent Tenses:
• The Present Simple states that a constant, unchanging, or repeated action, state, or habit exists in the present. Adding s to verbs in the third person singular is one of the most basic English grammar rules that must always be followed. For all other persons, simply use the base form of the verb.
The sun always rises in the east.
• The Present Progressive describes an incomplete ongoing present action that is in the middle of happening, but will finish at some point. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb be (am/is/are) with the present participle verb form ending in ing
Dona is studying hard for her test right now.
• The Present Perfect Simple is a tricky grammar topic as it can be regarded as both a present and past tense. As a present tense, it signifies that an action started in the past and continues up to present time, in which it is completed. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (have/has) with the past participle form of the verb.
Ron has worked in the same company for 20 years.
• The Present Perfect Progressive also describes an action that began in the past and continues up to present time, in which it is (or most of it) is completed. Moreover, it stresses that the action has been going on incessantly and may also continue into the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (have/has) together with the auxiliary verb been and the present participle form of the verb ending with ing.
Ron has been working on the same document without a break for hours.
Past Tenses:
• The Past Simple states that an action or situation was finished in the absolute past and bears no connection with the present. The point of time in the past in which the action occurred is well defined. Most Past Simple verbs end in ed (regular verbs). Others very useful verbs have different Past Simple forms and must be learned (irregular verbs).
I visited my uncle in Paris last summer.
• The Present Perfect Simple has quite a few grammar rules you need to follow, as it can be regarded as both a present and past tense. As a past tense, it states that an action has been completed in the past, but without reference to the time of occurrence. The action may have an influence on the current state of affairs in the present. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (have/has) with the past participle form of the verb.
I have already done my homework (so now I am free to go out).
• The Past Progressive describes an action which went on during a stretch of time in the past and finished. Other actions may have happened at the same time (short and immediate or ongoing). This tense is formed by using the verb be (was/were) with the present participle form of the verb ending in ing.
While I was walking down the street yesterday, I suddenly met my boss.
• The Past Perfect Simple states that an action was completed in the past before another point in time or action in the past (the latter expressed in the Past Simple), or that the action happened in the very distant past. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (had) with the past participle form of the verb.
By the time Dona had saved enough money, she bought a new car.
• The Past Perfect Progressive describes an ongoing action that began in the past, continued incessantly, and was completed before another point in time in the past or before another more recent past action. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (had) together with the auxiliary verb been and the present participle form of the verb ending with ing.
We had been walking the streets of Paris for hours until we finally took a break.
Future Tenses:
• The Future Simple states or predicts that an action or situation will take place in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will with the base form of the verb. Under “Future Simple”, we can put three more future forms that convey different nuances in meaning, as the following examples show:
1. I think we will eat out tomorrow evening
[unsure future prediction, future with will]
2. We are going to eat out tomorrow evening.
[sure and intended future plans, future with be going to]
3. We are eating out tonight.
[arrangement for the near future, using the Present Progressive]
4. Our dinner at Chez Paul starts at 20:00 tomorrow evening, so be there on time!
[preset future schedule, using the Present Simple]
• The Future Progressive describes an ongoing action that will be in process around a point of time in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will together with the auxiliary verb be and the present participle form of the verb ending in ing.
Tomorrow at 12 o’clock I will be giving a lecture at the university so I will not be answering any calls.
• The Future Perfect Simple states that a future action will be completed before a point in time or before another action in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will together with the auxiliary verb have (have) and the past participle form of the verb.
Dona will have graduated from university by the end of June.
• The Future Perfect Progressive describes an ongoing future action that will continue incessantly and be completed before a point in time or before another action in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will, the auxiliary verb have (have), and the auxiliary verb been together with the present participle form of the verb ending in ing.
By 14:00 the cake will have been baking for 90 minutes (so don’t forget to take it out of the oven).
• The Present Simple states that a constant, unchanging, or repeated action, state, or habit exists in the present. Adding s to verbs in the third person singular is one of the most basic English grammar rules that must always be followed. For all other persons, simply use the base form of the verb.
The sun always rises in the east.
• The Present Progressive describes an incomplete ongoing present action that is in the middle of happening, but will finish at some point. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb be (am/is/are) with the present participle verb form ending in ing
Dona is studying hard for her test right now.
• The Present Perfect Simple is a tricky grammar topic as it can be regarded as both a present and past tense. As a present tense, it signifies that an action started in the past and continues up to present time, in which it is completed. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (have/has) with the past participle form of the verb.
Ron has worked in the same company for 20 years.
• The Present Perfect Progressive also describes an action that began in the past and continues up to present time, in which it is (or most of it) is completed. Moreover, it stresses that the action has been going on incessantly and may also continue into the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (have/has) together with the auxiliary verb been and the present participle form of the verb ending with ing.
Ron has been working on the same document without a break for hours.
Past Tenses:
• The Past Simple states that an action or situation was finished in the absolute past and bears no connection with the present. The point of time in the past in which the action occurred is well defined. Most Past Simple verbs end in ed (regular verbs). Others very useful verbs have different Past Simple forms and must be learned (irregular verbs).
I visited my uncle in Paris last summer.
• The Present Perfect Simple has quite a few grammar rules you need to follow, as it can be regarded as both a present and past tense. As a past tense, it states that an action has been completed in the past, but without reference to the time of occurrence. The action may have an influence on the current state of affairs in the present. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (have/has) with the past participle form of the verb.
I have already done my homework (so now I am free to go out).
• The Past Progressive describes an action which went on during a stretch of time in the past and finished. Other actions may have happened at the same time (short and immediate or ongoing). This tense is formed by using the verb be (was/were) with the present participle form of the verb ending in ing.
While I was walking down the street yesterday, I suddenly met my boss.
• The Past Perfect Simple states that an action was completed in the past before another point in time or action in the past (the latter expressed in the Past Simple), or that the action happened in the very distant past. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (had) with the past participle form of the verb.
By the time Dona had saved enough money, she bought a new car.
• The Past Perfect Progressive describes an ongoing action that began in the past, continued incessantly, and was completed before another point in time in the past or before another more recent past action. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb have (had) together with the auxiliary verb been and the present participle form of the verb ending with ing.
We had been walking the streets of Paris for hours until we finally took a break.
Future Tenses:
• The Future Simple states or predicts that an action or situation will take place in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will with the base form of the verb. Under “Future Simple”, we can put three more future forms that convey different nuances in meaning, as the following examples show:
1. I think we will eat out tomorrow evening
[unsure future prediction, future with will]
2. We are going to eat out tomorrow evening.
[sure and intended future plans, future with be going to]
3. We are eating out tonight.
[arrangement for the near future, using the Present Progressive]
4. Our dinner at Chez Paul starts at 20:00 tomorrow evening, so be there on time!
[preset future schedule, using the Present Simple]
• The Future Progressive describes an ongoing action that will be in process around a point of time in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will together with the auxiliary verb be and the present participle form of the verb ending in ing.
Tomorrow at 12 o’clock I will be giving a lecture at the university so I will not be answering any calls.
• The Future Perfect Simple states that a future action will be completed before a point in time or before another action in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will together with the auxiliary verb have (have) and the past participle form of the verb.
Dona will have graduated from university by the end of June.
• The Future Perfect Progressive describes an ongoing future action that will continue incessantly and be completed before a point in time or before another action in the future. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb will, the auxiliary verb have (have), and the auxiliary verb been together with the present participle form of the verb ending in ing.
By 14:00 the cake will have been baking for 90 minutes (so don’t forget to take it out of the oven).
