Contents
Simple Present
The Basics...................................................................................................
More That You Should know.......................................................................
Extra Stuff...................................................................................................
Present Progressive
The Basics...................................................................................................
More That You Should Know.......................................................................
Extra Stuff...................................................................................................
Simple Past
The Basics...................................................................................................
More That You Should Know......................................................................
Past Progressive
The Basics....................................................................................................
More That You Should Know.......................................................................
Extra Stuff....................................................................................................
Future
The Basics..................................................................................................... 67
More That You Should Know........................................................................ 70
Extra Stuff...................................................................................................... 75
Future Progressive
The Basics...................................................................................................... 83
More That You Should Know.......................................................................... 86
Extra Stuff....................................................................................................... 87
Present Perfect
Introduction..................................................................................................... 88
A Brief Survival Guide..................................................................................... 90
3
Present Perfect
Meaning #1
The Basics........................................................................................................ 97
More That You Should Know........................................................................... 98
Extra Stuff....................................................................................................... 102
Meaning #1b
The Basics....................................................................................................... 109
More That You Should Know.......................................................................... 110
Extra Stuff....................................................................................................... 112
Meaning #2
The Basics....................................................................................................... 115
More That You Should Know.......................................................................... 116
Extra Stuff....................................................................................................... 121
Meaning #3
The Basics..................................................................................................... 129
More That You Should Know........................................................................ 130
Past Perfect
The Basics..................................................................................................... 141
More That You Should Know........................................................................ 143
Extra Stuff..................................................................................................... 145
Future Perfect
The Basics...................................................................................................... 155
More That You Should Know......................................................................... 157
Past Tenses
Simple Past
Main Meaning
This action ended in the past.
John did his homework last night.
Note: Simple past is correct for most actions in the past.
There are only a few times when we absolutely need to use other past tenses.
Past Progressive
Main Meaning
This action happened over time in the past.
Most common use: to show this action was happening over time when
something happened.
John was doing his homework when the earthquake started.
Past Perfect
Main Meaning
We use past perfect when we want to make it clear that this action happened
before something in the past.
Norton had eaten breakfast when he left for work.
(This means Norton ate breakfast before he went to work.)
Present Tenses
Simple Present
Main Meanings
Present Progressive
Main Meanings
This action is happening right now.
You are reading this sentence.
This action isnt finished, but might not be happening right now.
John is studying English this semester, but he isnt studying right now; hes
eating dinner.
.
Present Perfect
Main Meanings
With a length of time, present perfect usually means this action started in the
past and has continued until now.
Ralphs a bus driver. He has worked as a bus driver for 10 years.
With no time phrase, present perfect usually means the action ended in the
past, but the time is not clear.
Ralph isnt hungry because he has eaten dinner.
Note: In American English, simple past can usually be used to say the same
thing.
Main Meaning
This action started in the past and has continued until now.
Ralphs a bus driver. He has been working as a bus driver for 10 years.
Future Tenses
Future
Main Meaning
This action will happen in the future.
Ralph and Norton will play cards tomorrow night.
Note: Future is correct for most actions in the future. There are only a few
times when I absolutely need to use other future tenses.
Future Progressive
Main Meaning
This action will happen over time in the future.
Most common use: to show this action will be happening over time when
something happens.
Ill start to study at 7:00, so Ill be studying when you arrive at 7:`10.
Future Perfect
Main Meaning
We use future perfect when we want to make it clear that this action will happen
before something in the future.
Martha will have finished her homework when she comes to class tomorrow.
Note: If its already clear which action will happen first, future is also okay.
Simple Present
The Basics
Examples:
I usually eat lunch at the school cafeteria.
(This is a habit in the present.)
Statements
1. If the subject is I, you, we, or they , use the simple form of the verb.
Examples:
I go to bed at 11:00.
You go to bed at 11:00.
We go to bed at 11:00.
George and Gracie (they) go to bed at 11:00. I usually walk to the store.
2. If the subject is he, she, or it, add -s or - es to the simple form of the verb .
Examples:
Examples:
Americans usually do not eat soup for breakfast. I usually dont buy lunch on
Thursdays.
John does not play tennis.
Ralph often doesnt drive to work.
Questions
(Question word) + do + subject + simple form
Examples:
Does your pet gorilla bite?
Do you buy your groceries at Alberstons?
What do Norton and Trixie usually do on weekends? Where does Alice buy her
groceries?
Why do leave turn brown in the autumn?
When does Ward eat dinner?
1. The verb be
The verb be in English is just plain weird. It almost never follows the same rules as
other verbs. For the verb be,
Simple present statements,
Examples:
I am a teacher.
Im often absent-minded.
I am in class every Wednesday at 10:00.
Examples:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine (from an old song). Were so happy that
you didnt eat our cat!
Fred and Ethyl are in the kitchen with Lucy and Ricky.
Examples:
Arnold Schwarzenegger (he) is the governor of California.
(This sentence was true in 2005, when this guide was written. California may
have a new governor by the time you read this.)
Examples:
I am not a millionaire or a rock star.
Im not rich or famous.
Im probably not in Paris Hiltons address book.
You are not my boss, so stop telling me what to do.
Bats arent birds.
Were not in Kansas anymore.
George W. Bush is not my uncle.
A wet cat isnt very happy.
Its not cold; you dont need to wear a coat.
Future time clauses and future if-clauses do not use future; instead, they use one of
the present tenses, usually simple present.
Examples:
After I will go go to the store tomorrow, Ill give you a call.
Before Trixie will leave leaves for school next Tuesday, shes going to do her
English
homework.
When Mohammed will get gets home tonight, he will cook dinner and then help
his kids with their homework.
If John will find finds a new job, hes going to have a party. Ill be at the library
tonight if you will need need to find me.
If you want to, you can use simple present for future scheduled events
such as plane arrivals & departures, classes, and so on. You cant do this for
most future actions; you can only do it for actions that are scheduled. Its not
necessary to use simple present for scheduled events; the future is also okay.
Examples:
My class will start tomorrow morning at 9:00. My class starts tomorrow morning at
9:00. (Both sentences mean the same thing.)