Mai quc thng

Cch dng

Cc th Trong ting anh

(How to use tenses in English)
C phn bi tp p dng

km theo li gii p

Ph chu 10/2003

English Tenses
(Cc th trong ting Anh)

Tense indicates the time and the state of the action or event expressed by the verb.(Th biu th thi gian v trng thi ca hnh ng

hoc ca s vic c din t bng ng t).

There are twelve tenses in the active voice of English verbs . (C 12 th

dng ch ng ca ng t ting Anh).

1. The simple present tense

A. Form: Subject + Verb(s; es) + ...

B: Usage: The Simple Present tense is used:

1.

To express repeated actions, customs and ability (Din t hnh

ng lp i lp li theo thi quen, phong tc v kh nng ).

e.g. He goes to town every Saturday. (eg =e.g. for example, for instance
(Latin: exempli gratia)

I often come to see my grandmother on Sundays. Men precede women when going downstairs. He speaks English very well.

Cch dng ny thng kt hp vi cc ph t nh: Always, often, usually, sometimes, seldom, rarely, hardly ever (cha tng thy), never, every day/week etc. 2. To express a general truth or a natural phenomenon (Din t mt s tht hin nhin hoc mt hin tng thin nhin)

e.g. Two plus (and) two makes four.

(Plus (+)/and); (minus (-) / take away) tr, ly i; (is) multiplied witth (times) nhn vi, ln;( is) divided by

The earth goes (revolves) round the sun. Most rivers flow into the sea.
3.

To express a permanent situation in the present ( Din t mt

tnh hung c tnh cht lu di hin ti)

e.g.: James lives in Bangkok. To express a future action related to the timetable or programme. (Mt hnh ng s xy ra trong tng lai lin quan n thi gian biu hoc chng trnh. e.g. The train leaves at six o'clock.
4.

For headlines, sports commentaries, directions and instructions (Cc u , mc bo, bnh lun th thao, hng

dn v ch dn)
e.g. Three women rob bank. Martin takes the ball and scores. You turn left at this junction and you'll find it. 5. In vivid narrative as a substitute for the Simple Past (Trong th vn tng thut sinh ng thay th cho th qu kh n).
2

e.g. Jack rushes forward and deals Tom a hard blow on the chin. (Jack xng ln v ging mt c m mnh vo cm). In this episode Bob marries Julia. 6. In exclamatory sentences beginning with Here.... ! There ....! (Trong cu cm thn c bt u bng Here v There) e.g. Here comes the bride! (C du ti ri!) There they go! (Ka h i). There goes the last bus. (Chuyn xe but cui i ka) Here comes the bus. (Xe but n ka) Note: There (here) c dng nhn mnh trc mt vi ng t nh: go, come, stand, lie ch v tr ca ngi hay vt c ni ti. 7. In subordinate clauses of time or condition expressing a future action (Trong mnh ph ch thi gian hay iu kin din t mt hnh ng tng lai) e.g. When you see Jack tomorrow, remember me to him. Khi bn gp Jack, nh cho ti gi li hi thm anh y. If he works hard he will succeed. Time expressions often, usually, always, never, sometimes, seldom, rarely, hardly, every day/week etc. and

2. The present continuous tense

A. Form: Subject + be +Verb+ing + ...

B: Usage: The Present continuous tense is used:

1. To Express an action happening at or around the time of speaking (Din t mt hnh ng ang xy ra ti hoc xung

quanh thi im ni)

e.g. We are doing an English exercise now. ( By gi chng ti ang mt bi tp ting Anh) It is raining at this moment. (Lc ny tri ang ma) They are working in the garden at present. ( Hin gi h ang lm vic trong vn) The birds are singing (twitter: ht lu lo) I am studying French this term. (Hc k ny ti ang hc ting Php) 2. To express a temporary action (Din t mt hnh ng c tnh cht tm thi) e.g. David is doing his military service.
3

We usually start work at 7 o'clock, but for this week we are starting at 8:30. 3. With adverbs of frequency (always, constantly etc.) for emphasis or to express annoying habits. (Vi cc trng t ch tn
sut (Always, constantly) nhm nhn mnh hoc din t cc thi quen gy kh chu).

e.g. Susan is very kind. She is always helping the poor. He is always leaving his clothes on the floor! 4. For a planed future action related to personal arrangement.
(Mt hnh ng c d nh s xy ra trong tng lai lin quan n s sp t c tnh cht c nhn)

e.g. Im travelling to Moscow tomorrow. He is leaving London for Paris tomorrow. What are you doing next week? - I'm going to Hanoi. 5. For a situation which is changing or developing around the present. (Mt tnh hung ang thay i hoc ang pht trin xung
quanh thi im hin ti)

e.g. The problem of pollution is getting more and more serious. Time expressions now, right now, at present, at the moment etc. * Common nonprogressive verbs: (cc ng t thng khng dng th tip din) 1. Mental state: Trng thi ngh know believe imagine realise feel* doubt understand suppose remember recognise think* forget 2. Emotional state: Trng thi xc cm love hate fear like dislike envy appreciate 3. Possession: S hu possess have* 4. Sense perception: Gic quan taste* smell* hear feel* see* own want need prefer mean mind care

belong

5. Other existing states: Cc trng thi hin ti khc: seem cost be* consist of look* owe exist contain appear* weigh* include

Note: Some stative verbs can be used in the progressive form as well, but they then indicate an action rather than a state: ( Lu : Mt s ng t ch trng thi cng c th c s dng th tip din nhng lc chng biu th hnh ng hn l trng thi). Feel: When followed by an adjective indicating the subject's emotions or physical or mental condition (tnh trng v c th hoc tinh thn) e.g. angry/pleased, happy/sad, cold/hot, tense/relaxed, nervous/confident is normally used in the simple tenses but can also be used in the continuous: e.g. How do you feel? - I feel better. How are you feeling? - I'm feeling better. - Feel meaning ''touch'' (usually in order to learn something) can be used in the continuous: e.g. The doctor was feeling her pulse. (Bc s ang bt mch cho c y) - But Feel is not used in the continuous when it means ''sense''. e.g. Don't you feel the house shaking? (Bn khng cm thy ngi nh ang rung hay sao?) , it means ''think'': e.g. I feel you are wrong. and when it is used as a link verb (v khi n c s dng nh mt ng t lin h): e.g. The water feels cold. (nc s thy lnh; nc c v lnh) Look: The continuous is not used with look used as a link verb (verb +
adjective)

e.g. That cake looks good. (delicious, tasty ) appetite (n) Or with look on: consider cho rng, coi l (look on sb/smth with smth) e.g. How do people in general look on her? ( Ni chung mi ngi xem c ta nh th no?) But look (at), look for/in/into/out and look on (watch) are deliberate (voluntary) actions and can be used in the continuous tenses. e.g. He is looking at the mirror. Smell: ngi (c mi) The continuous is not used with smell meaning ''perceive a scent/an odour (cm nhn mi/mi thm). e.g. I smell gas. or with smell used as a link verb e.g. This cake smells good. Your breath smells of brandy. (ming anh c mi ru) breathe (v): th But it can be used with smell meaning ''sniff at'': ngi e.g. Why are you smelling the food? - Do you think it has gone off?
5

Why are you smelling the milk? - Does it smell sour? Ti sao bn li ngi sa? - N c mi chua phi khng? Taste: nm (c v)
Taste as a link verb is not used in the continuous:

e.g. This coffee tastes bitter. (C ph ny c v ng hn) But taste meaning 'to test the flavour of' can be used in the continuous. e.g. She was tasting the pudding to see if it was sweet enough. (C y ang nm bnh ...) See: See can be used in the continuous when it means 'meet by appointment' (usually for business), 'interview' and 'visit' (usually as a tourist). See c th c s dng th tip din n c ngha 'gp g do c hn' (thng cho mc ch cng vic), ' phng vn' v 'thm' (thng nh l mt khch du lch). e.g. The director is seeing the applicants this morning. I am seeing my solicitor/ lawyer tomorrow. (judge) Tom is seeing the town/the sights. (thng cnh) It can also be used in the continuous in the following combinations: see somebody out = escort him/her to the door. see somebody home = escort him/her home see somebody to + place = escort him/her to + place.
see somebody off = say good by to a departing traveller at the starting point of his journey

e.g. We are leaving tomorrow. Bill is seeing us off at the airport. But see: (nhn thy, trng thy, bt gp) e.g. I see a fly (butterfly/dragonfly). Do you see it? Think: Can be used in the continuous when no opinion is given or asked for: (Khng a ra kin hoc yu cu) e.g. What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about the play that we saw last night. But: What do you think about John? (opinion asked for- Hi kin) I think he is very brave. (opinion given- a ra kin) think about sth/doing sth: xem xt, cn nhc think about sb/sth: suy ngh, nh v, nh ti ngi no think of sth/doing sth: xem xt, suy tnh Appear (=seem) cannot be used in the continuous (dng nh) e.g. It appears/seems that he's resigned. She appeared/seemed very confident. Are they reliable? - It appears/seems not. Appear (Xut hin) can be used in the continuous.
6

e.g. The actor is appearing on the stage. Weigh: (Cn nng) cannot be used in the continuous. e.g. She weighs 60 kilos. How much do you weigh? Weigh: (cn) can be used in the continuous. e.g. The grocer is weighing the bananas. Be (+ an adjective) is used in the continuous to describe a temporary characteristic. Very few adjectives are used with the continuous; some of most common are: foolish, nice, kind, lazy, careful, patient, silly, rude, polite, impolite. e.g. (a) Bob is foolish. = Foolishness is one of Bob's usual characteristics. (b) Bob is being foolish. = Right now, at the moment of speaking, Bob is doing something that the speaker considers foolish. Have (possession) cannot be used in the continuous: e.g. I have (got) a car. She has (got) a parrot. But Have (action) can be used in the continuous: e.g. What is Kate doing? - She is having coffee.

3. The simple past tense

A. Form: Subject + Verb
(past)

+ ...

B: Usage: The simple past tense is used to express:

1. A completed action that took place at a definite time in the past. The time is either mentioned or implied. (mt hnh ng

xy ra ti mt thi im c xc nh r rng trong qu kh. Thi gian ca hnh ng c th c cp n hoc c ng ).

e.g. I met her yesterday. They built this house in 1990. Peter won first prize in the competition. A permanent situation in the past (mt tnh hung c tnh cht

lu di trong qu kh)
e.g. John lived in England for 15 years.

2. A completed action that took place one after the other in the past (mt hnh ng xy ra sau mt hnh ng khc trong

qu kh).
e.g. She woke up, washed her face and had breakfast. 3. A past habit or repeated action in the past; frequency adverb: always, often seldom, never, etc. (refer used to) e.g. When Peter was younger, he often went fishing with his father. 4. The simple past is used in the conditional sentences, type 2. e.g. If he worked hard he would pass the examination. Time expressions yesterday, then, ago, last month/week etc.

4. The past continuous tense

A. Form: Subject + be (past) +Verb
ing

+ ...

B: Usage: The past continuous tense is used to express:

1. An action that was in progress at a definite time in the past (we emphasise its duration) e.g. This time last Friday, I was flying to London. My father was working all day yesterday. We were watching a football match on television at nine o'clock last night. 2. A lengthy action that was in progress when a shorter or sudden one interrupted it. The longer action is in the past continuous and the shorter is in the simple past. (mt hnh ng c tnh cht ko di ang xy ra th c mt hnh ng ngn hn hoc t nhin ct ngang n. Hnh ng di hn s th qu kh tip din cn hnh ng ngn hn th qu kh n.) e.g. When Mark came home, Martha was watching television. Martha was watching television when Mark came home. 3. Two (or more) actions occurring at the same time in the past : hai (hoc ba) hnh ng xy ra cng mt lc trong qu kh.

e.g. Kate was watching television while John was sleeping. While John was sleeping, Kate was watching television. 4. A temporary action in the past (mt hnh ng c tnh cht tm
thi trong qu kh).

e.g. He was writing a play in those days.

5.

An annoying habit (with always, continually etc.). (mt thi quen gy kh chu trong qu kh).
8

e.g. My brother was always getting into trouble in the past. ( c chuyn khng hay, b ch/ h) (get someone into trouble: gy chuyn khng hay cho ai, lm cho ai ...) Note: Continual & Continuous
Continual (lin tc, lin min) thng m t tnh cht ca mt hnh ng lp i lp li

Please stop your continual question (xin chm dt cc cu hi lin tc ca anh). He was continually late for work. (Anh ta thng xuyn i lm mun).
Continuous (lin tc) ch s din tin khng ngng, khng gin on

They chattered continuously for an hour. (chng ni huyn thuyn lin tc trong 1 h) Time expressions While, when, as etc.

5. The present perfect (simple) tense

A. Form: Subject + have/has +past participle + ...

B: Usage: The present perfect is used to express:

1. An action that began in the past and is still occurring in the present. (Mt hnh ng bt u trong qu kh v hin ti vn cn xy ra) e.g. I have taught history for three years. (I am still teaching history). 2. A past action whose result is connected to the present. (Mt hnh ng trong qu kh m kt qu ca n cn lin quan n hin ti) An action that happened and finished at some time in the past with no interest in the time when it was finished. (Mt hnh ng xy ra v kt thc ti mt thi im no trong qu kh m khng quan tm ti thi im hon thnh). An action that has just been completed. (Mt hnh ng va mi hon thnh) With today, this morning/week etc., if these periods of time are not finished at the time of speaking. ( Vi hm nay/ bui sng / tun ny) nu nh ti thi im ni nhng khong thi gian ny cha kt thc).
9

e.g. The dog has spilt the milk. (The floor is dirty). 3.

e.g. He has travelled to India. (We don't know when). 4.

e.g. He has just finished his homework. 5.

e.g. He has written two letters this afternoon. (It is still afternoon) 6. An action to be completed in the future; before that clause is usually: if, when, as soon as, until, before, after etc . ( Mt hnh ng s c hon tt trong tng lai; trc mnh thng l if, as soon as, until, before, after ...). e.g. I will repair your bicycle when I have finished this exercise. She will return you the magazine as soon as she has read it. 7. With adjectives in the superlative degree or expression like: the only/first/ second... etc. . ( Vi cc tnh t cp so snh bc nht hoc cc thnh ng nh: the only, first/second ... vv)

e.g. This is the most interesting book I've ever read. This is the third time Tim has visited Vietnam. Time expressions Since, for, just, yet (not yet), already, recently, up to now, how long, how many, ever, never etc.

6. The present perfect continuous tense

A. Form: Subject + have/has +been + Verb+ing ...

B: Usage: The Present perfect continuous tense is used:

1. To emphasise the duration of an action which started in the past and is still happening. The action may or may not be completed. ( nhn mnh khong thi gian ca mt hnh ng bt u trong qu kh v vn cn xy ra. Hnh ng cng c th kt thc hoc cha kt thc). e.g. They have been studying English for five years. 2. Sometimes it is used to emphasise the fact that an action has been uninterrupted, even though it is not continuing now. ( i khi n cn c s dng nhn mnh mt hnh ng khng b ngt qung, mc d hnh ng khng cn tip tc na.).

e.g. I'm cold because I've been swimming for an hour. I'm very tired. I've been running round the town all day. 3. For a temporary action. (i vi mt hnh ng c tnh cht tm thi.). e.g. He has been working overtime this week as there is a lot of work in the office. Time expressions How long, for, since, all day/morning etc.
10

Differences:
The present perfect simple is used: For a permanent action She has lived in London all her life. To emphasise the result of an action How many glasses of beer have you drunk? I've drunk three glasses of beer. For an action that are already finished. Look at the car, Sam has washed it. The present perfect simple is used: For past events which have a connection to the present. The time is indefinite. I have found a new job. For events that began in the past but are still happening in the present. I have lived in Athens for ten years.
(I still live in Athens)

The present perfect continuous is used: For a temporary action He has been staying with friends for two months, but now he wants to get his own place. To emphasise the duration of an action How long have you been staying here? I have been staying here for 8 years. For an action that may or may not be finished. Sam has been washing the car for an hour. The past simple is used: For completed past events which are not connected to the present. The time is definite I found a new job three months ago.

(The morning is not over yet)

For events that took place for a certain period of time in the past but are over at the time of speaking.

With today, this morning/week etc., if these periods of time are not finished at the time of speaking Helen has called me twice this morning.

Susan lived in Manchester for three years but now she lives in Liverpool. With today, this morning/week etc., if these periods of time are finished. Helen called me twice this morning
(The morning is over)

Note: They've been to Italy. (They are back now)

They've gone to Italy. (They are still there) Feel, learn, live, sleep, study, teach, wait, work etc. can be used in the Present Perfect simple or the Present Perfect Continuous with no difference in meaning. e.g. He has worked in that factory for three years. He has been working in that factory for three years. Time expressions A. For - since

For is used when we want to indicate the length of a period of time. Sine is used when we want to indicate the starting point of a period of time. two hours 2 o'clock a week July
11

for

six months twelve years

since

1973 I was a child

e.g. She's been talking on the phone for two hours. She's been talking on the phone since seven o'clock. B. Yet - already - still Yet is used only in interrogative and negative sentences and is placed at the end of the sentence. e.g. Have you finished yet ? He hasn't arrived yet. Already is used in affirmative and interrogative sentences; it is usually placed between the auxiliary and the main verb, but can also appear at the end of the sentence for emphasis. e.g. I have already been to the Science Museum. Have you already seen this film? You've finished your homework already! Still: suggests that the action continues up to now. is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb in the affirmative and interrogative sentences, but before the auxiliary in negations. e.g. He is still reading. Do you still love me? She still doesn't know what happened. is not used with perfect sentences.

7. The past perfect (simple) tense

A. Form: Subject + had +past participle + ...

B: Usage: The Past Perfect (simple) Tense is used:

1. To express a past event that was completed before another past event. ( din t mt s vic c hon tt trc mt s vic khc trong qu kh) . e.g. By the time we arrived, the film had started. John had gone to the store before he went home. 2. To express a past event that was completed before a definite time in the past. ( din t mt s vic trong qu kh c hon tt trc mt thi im r rng trong qu kh. ). With adjectives in the superlative degree and expressions such as: the first/second... the only ... etc. (vi cc tnh t cp so snh bc nht v cc thnh ng nh: ln u tin/th hai... duy nht ... vv).
12

e.g. Angela had finished cooking by 11:30 a.m.. 3.

e.g. That was the first time I had been in Paris. It was the worst time I had ever had. 4. For unfulfilled hopes and wishes: We can use the past perfect (or the past simple or progressive) with verbs like expect, hope, mean, suppose, mean to describe things we hoped or wished but didn't. (i vi nhng nim hy vng v c ao nhng khng th thc hin c: Chng ta s dng th qu kh hon thnh (hoc qu kh n hoc qu kh tip din) vi cc ng t nh: expect, hope, mean, suppose, mean din t nhng nhng iu m chng ta hy vng hoc ao c nhng khng thc hin c). e.g. I had hoped to send him a telegram to congratulate him on his marriage, but I didn't manage it. ( Ti hy vng gi mt bc in chc mng m ci ca anh y nhng ti khng th thc hin c.) Note: Past and past perfect tenses in time clauses Time clauses with When When one past action follows another, we can combine them by using when and two simple past tenses (there is usually the idea that the first action led to the second action and the second followed the first very closely).

Khi mt hnh ng trong qu kh theo sau mt hnh ng khc , ta c th kt hp chng bng cch s dng when v hai th qu kh n (thng c kin rng hnh ng th hai l kt qu ca hnh ng th nht v n theo rt st hnh ng th nht). e.g.: He called her a liar. She slapped his face.

When he called her a liar she slapped his face. When he opened the window the bird flew out. When he died he was given a state funeral. The past perfect is used after 'when' when we wish to emphasise that the first action was completed before the second one started.
Th QKHT cng c s dng sau 'When' khi chng ta mun nhn mnh rng hnh ng th nht c hon tt trc khi hnh ng th hai bt u. e.g.: When I had read the newspaper I threw it away. When he had written the letter he went to the post-office.

Time clause with till, until, as soon as, before, after: Similar to 'When' two simple past tenses can be used Cng tng t nh 'when' hai th qu kh n c th c s dng Cng tng t nh 'when' hai th qu kh n c th c s dng e.g. I sat outside until the sun went down. As soon as she saw the mouse, she jumped on a chair. Unless it is necessary in order to point out that the first action was completed before the second one started Tr khi thy cn thit cho thy rnghnh ng th nht c hon tt trc khi hnh ng th hai bt u.
13

e.g. He didn't leave the house until he had checked that all the windows were close. We left as soon as we had finished dinner.

8. The past perfect continuous tense

A. Form: Subject + had +been + present participle ...

B: Usage: The Past Perfect Continuous Tense is used:

1. To emphasise the duration of an action that had been in progress up to a moment in the past or before another past event. ( nhn mnh khong thi gian ca mt hnh ng ang xy ra v tip tc cho n mt thi im trong qu kh hoc trc mt s vic khc trong qu kh) . e.g. By 1987, he had been working in New York for 5 years. (Cho n 1987, anh y lm vic New york c 5 nm.) He had been teaching for 35 years when he retired. (Khi ng ta v hu ng ta ging dy trong 30 nm.) 2. To express an action whose duration caused visible results later on in the past. ( din t mt hnh ng m kt qu ca n to ra cc kt qu r rng trong qu kh).

e.g. When they came back from the beach, their skin was red. They had been lying in the sun for five hours.

9. The simple future tense

A. Form: Subject + will/(shall) + bare infinitive +...

B: Usage: The simple future tense is used to express:

1. A decision which is made at the time of speaking (mt quyt nh c hnh thnh ti thi im ni) e.g. It's getting cold; I'll close the windows. 2. Predictions or personal opinions about the future (we can use verbs, expressions and adverbs of probability such as : expect, think, be sure, be afraid, perhaps, probably) (nhng li d on hoc kin c nhn v tng lai.) Chng ta c th s dng cc ng t, thnh ng v cc trng t ch s c th chng hn nh : expect, think, be sure, be afraid, perhaps, probably). e.g. According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow. I think Arsenal will lose this match. I'm sure John will be very happy to meet you. 3. Requests and offers (nhng li yu cu v ngh) e.g. Will you do the ironing for me, please? I'll take you to the airport tomorrow.
14

4. Promises, threats, warnings, hopes, fears, invitation, refusal, willingness, determination. (nhng li ha, e do, cnh bo, hy vng, lo s, li mi, t chi, bng lng, quyt tm) e.g. I will try to do better the next time. (promise) I will punish you if you don't behave yourself. (behave one's self: c x cho
phi o; ngoan )

Stop making so noise or the neighbours will get angry. (warning) I hope that our home team will win. I'm afraid the doctor will not be able to see you this afternoon. Will you have some more wine? (invitation) This window won't open. (refusal) I will lend you my motorcycle. (willingness) We will go, although there is danger (chng ti quyt tm s i mc d nguy him) Note: Today ''will'' is used for every person. When '' shall'' and ''will'' are contracted into ''ll'' there will be no deference between them. Shall is only used with ''I'' and ''we'' in formal English or for suggestions and offers (Shall ch c s dng vi ''I' v ''We'' trong li hnh vn trang trng hoc li ngh v yu cu.) e.g. We shall answer all your questions. Shall we eat out? (Chng mnh i n nh hng nh?) Shall I open it now? (Ti m ngay by gi nh?) However, sometimes ''Shall'' can be also used in the third person to express a command (in written English): Nhng thnh thong ''Shall'' cng c th c s dng vi ngi th ba din t mt mnh lnh (trong vn vit) e.g. The Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected annually . (elect: bu) This document shall be kept in the office. (Ti liu ny phi c lu ti vn phng)

Going to: is used to express:

predictions based on evidence (nhng d on da trn cc bng chng c th) e.g. The sun is shining; it is going to be a lovely day. Look at those black clouds. It is going to rain. According to the weather forecast, it is going to be cloudy tomorrow. a plan or a decision has been made before the time of speaking (mt k hoch hay mt quyt nh c hnh thnh trc thi im ni) e.g. I'm going to learn French this year. She doesn't like Alan, so she isn't going to invite him to her party.

10. The future continuous tense

15

A. Form:

Subject + will/(shall) + be + present participle +...

B: Usage: The future continuous tense is used to express:

1. Future events which are already planed or arranged. (Nhng s vic trong tng lai c lp k hoch hoc c chun b). e.g. She will be spending her summer at the seaside this year. The president will be visiting Egypt next month. 2 An action that will be in progress at a point of time in the future.(Mt hnh ng s ang xy ra ti mt thi im trong tng lai). e.g. This time tomorrow I shall/will be flying to India.
Thi gian ny vo ngy mai ti s (ang) p my bay i n .

The doctor will be seeing Nam at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

Vo lc 3 gi chiu mai ng bc s s (ang) khm bnh cho Nam.

At 10 oclock tomorrow evening Ill be watching a film on TV.

Vo lc 10 gi m mai, ti s xem mt b phim trn TV.

3. An action that will be in progress at a point of time in the future when another action takes place. (Mt hnh ng s ang xy ra ti mt thi im trong tng lai th mt hnh ng khc xy ti). e.g. Susan will be getting breakfast ready when you wake up. If you come at eight, she will be practising the piano.
Susan s chun b xong ba sng khi bn ng dy (tnh gic). Nu anh n vo lc 8 gi th c y s ang tp piano.

4. An action that will extend over a given period of time in the future. (Hnh ng s xy ra ko di trong mt qung thi gian qui nh trong tng lai). e.g. I shall be swimming all day tomorrow. Ti s (ang) bi sut c ngy mai.
He will be studying for his oral examination next month. Anh y s (ang) hc tp cho k thi ni sut c thng ti .
Note: Sometime there is little or no difference between the future continuous

and the simple future, especially when the future event will occur at an indefinite time in the future.. (Thnh thong rt t hoc khng c s khc nhau gia th tng lai tip din v th tng lai n, c bit khi mt s vic s xy ra ti mt thi im khng r rng trong tng lai.) e.g. Don't get impatient. She will be coming soon. Don't get impatient. She will come soon.

Deferent ways of expressing futurity

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Simple present: Present continuous Simple future Future Continuous Be going to Be to I leave next week. I am leaving next week. I'll leave next week. I'll be leaving next week. I'm going to leave next week. I'm to leave next week.
16

7. Be due to I'm due to leave next week. (due to do sth) 8. Be about to I'm about to leave next week. 9. Be on the point of I'm on the point of leaving next week. 10. Be on the verge of I'm on the verge of leaving next week.

11. The future perfect tense

A. Form: Subject + will/(shall) +have + past participle +... B: Usage: The future perfect tense is used to express:
1. An action that will be completed before ( by) a certain point of time in the future. (Mt hnh ng s c hon thnh trc mt thi im nht nh tng lai). e.g. By dinner time I will have typed all the letters. (Trc gi n ti ti s nh
xong nhng bc th ny).

We will have arrived in Japan by next Monday.

khong th Hai tun ti).

(Chng ti s ti Nht Bn vo

Tom will have taken his university degree by this time next year.
(Tom s tt nghip i hc vo khong thi gian ny sang nm).
(Ti s tiu ht

I shall have spent all my money by the end of this month.

tin trc cui thng ny).

2. An action that will be completed before another action in the future. (Mt hnh ng s c hon thnh trc mt hnh ng khc trong tng lai ). e.g. When you return here, they will have built this hospital.
(Khi anh tr li y th h s xy xong bnh vin ny ri.)

3. Duration up to a time in the future. (mt s vic ko di ti mt thi im trong tng lai ). e.g. I shall have lived in this house for ten years by the end of this year.

12. The future perfect continuous tense

(Vo khong cui nm nay ti s trong cn nh ny c mi nm. )

A. Form: Subject + will/(shall) +have been participle +...

+present

B: Usage: The future perfect continuous tense is used:

1. To emphasise the continuation of an action that will be in progress before a certain point of time or another action in the future. (Nhn mnh tnh lin tc ca mt hnh ng s ang xy ra trc mt thi im nht nh hoc mt hnh ng trong tng lai). {The same (3) of the future perfect tense} e.g. On April 12,2001 we shall have been living in this house for ten years.
Vo ngy 12/4/20001 chng ti s trong ngi nh ny c mi nm.

We will have been studying for an hour when he comes.

Lc anh y n chng ta s hc c 1 ting ng h.
17

By midnight we will have been flying for seven hours.

n na m chng ta s bay c 7 gi.

Exercises
1. Put the verbs in brackets into the Simple Present or the Present Continuous tense

12345678-

He always (sleep) with his windows open. I (read) a play by Shaw. Actions (speak) louder than words. Listen! Someone (knock) at the door. The River Nile (rise) in Central Africa. They (dance) now, the master (play) the piano. I (go) to bed early and (get up) early. John often (stay) in a hotel when he (come) to town, but tonight he (stay) with us. 9- I usually (wear) a coat but I (not wear) one today as it isnt cold.
18

10- My neighbour (practise) the violin; she usually (practise) at about this time. 11- Smith (smoke) a great deal. In fact wherever I (see) him, he (smoke). 12- The teacher (point) at the blackboard when he (want) to explain something. 13Whenever I (call) at the Browns home, they (play) cards. I really think they (play) every night. 14- The sun (rise) in the east; now it (set) and night (fall). 15- That man in the white hat who (walk) past the window (live) next the door. 16- Architects (make) the plans of buildings.
17-I (spend) this weekend in Alexandria, I (go) there nearly every week.

18- Where are you? I (sit) in the kitchen. What you (do) there? I (help) my mother. 19- Why you (wash) those clothes this morning? Because the sun (shine), I (never wash) clothes when there are clouds in the sky. 20- Where you (go) now? I (go) to the theatre - I (go) tonight also, but I (not go) very often I (go) every week, but tonight I (go) for the second time in three days.
2. Supply the correct present tense for the verbs in brackets (Simple Present or Present Continuous)

1- Ships (travel) from Southampton to New York in four or five days 2- John (travel) to England tomorrow. 3- On my way to work I generally (meet) many children who (go) to school. 4- Look, a man (run) after the train. He (want) to catch it. 5- It (be) very cold now? You (think) it (freeze)? 6- The sun (warm) the air and (give) us light. 7- What you (read) when you are on holiday? I (read) detective stories. Now I (read) The Shut Door by Ivor Lock. 8- You (hear) anything? I (listen) hard but I cant hear here anything. 9- I (see) that you (wear) your best clothes? You (go) to a party? No, I (go) to a wedding And who is the man who (throw) away his freedom? You must tell him I (feel) sorry for him He (speak) to you 10- You (speak) French? I only (use) a foreign language when I (travel) abroad. 11- My children (work) very hard. John (study) for an examination now. 12- Joan (swim) very well, but she (not dive). 13- What music you (play) next? Sheila (sing) a song by Chopin; she (sing) it very well. 14- Wood (float) on water, but iron (not float). 15- You (understand) the present tense now? I (do) an exercise on it at this moment and I (think) that I (know) how to use it now. 3. Cross out the wrong answer.
19

now.

1. In this story, a girl finds/is finding a time machine and travels/is travelling

through the time. 2. Dont brother me now. I write/am writing an important letter. 3. I am thinking/think about grandmother. We hardly ever visit/are visiting her. Lets visit her tomorrow. 4. The minibus, which is taking/takes people to the other side of island, leaves/is leaving at 11: 00 am.. And is returning/returns at 6: 00 p.m.. 5. Arthur is cleaning/cleans our swimming pool twice a month.
6. I sleep/am sleeping at my mothers house this week because I am

having/have my house painted. 7. When are you leaving/do you leave for Rome? Tomorrow at 8: 00 a.m.. 8. I think/am thinking you should buy him a tie. He is liking/likes to dress formally. 9. Flowers bloom/are blooming in spring. 10. You are turning/turn left at the traffic lights and go/are going up Oxford Street. 11. Here comes/is coming Kelly. Lets her news.
12. I listen/am listening to the weather report now. I am wanting/want to know

tomorrows weather.

4. Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Progressive or Present simple. The messenger Your letters I (write) 1 in response to your article on recycling. Yes, I (agree) 2 that our society has become a through away society and that we (need) 3 to take recycling more seriously, but the government (not do) 4 anything about it at the moment. It (seem) 5 that the problem (get)6 worse and worse all the time. Even though they (continually encourage) 7 us to recycle our rubbish, government-controlled companies (not recycle) 8 theirs. For instance, the telephone directory. Every year, we (receive) 9 the new telephone directory which (consist) 10 of over 1000 pages. The following year, when we (receive) 11 the new telephone directory we (throw) 12 the old one away. What a waste! At the moment, in other countries, governments (constantly introduce) 13 new measures to protect the environment and they (try) 14 to make people more aware of how important recycling (be) 15. What they (do )16 with their old telephone directories? Well, people (take)17 their old telephone directories to a local post office for recycling in order to get a new one. It (be) 5. 1. 2. 3. 4.
18

a good time the government acted more responsibility.

Read the sentences and correct if necessary. Im usually having a cup of coffee at the office. Dont wait for me because I dont come with you. Youre always complaining about my cooking. Many drivers are smoking while driving.
20

5. The little boy is knowing the alphabet. 6. She gives a party next week. 7. Gary rarely uses his car at the weekend. 8. Im not eating sweet these days as Im on a diet. 9. Im sometimes watching TV in the morning. 10. I water the plants for my neighbours this week. 11. There is going James in his new car! 12. Your French is approving. 6. Transformation Using the words given and other words, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Do not change the word given. (Use 2 5 words in total.) 1. John never stops criticising my friend. always John . my friends. 2. Weve arranged to meet at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow. are We at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow. 3. Helen rarely goes to the theatre. not Helen the theatre very often. 4. I am considering visiting my cousins in Canada next summer. thinking I my cousins in Canada next summer. 5. What time is your plane scheduled to arrive at Heathrow? land What time ..at Heathrow? 6. I have arranged to have dinner with Jerry tonight. am I . with Jerry tonight. Key to the exercise (from 1 to 6) 1. (1) always sleeps. (2) am reading. (3) speaks. (4) is knocking. (5) rises. (6) are dancing now. (7) go/get up. (8) stays/comes/is staying. (9) wear/ am not wearing. (10) is practising/practises. (11) smokes/see/is smoking. (12) is pointing/wants. (13) call/are playing/play. (14) rises/is setting/ is falling. (15) is walking/lives. (16) make. (17) am spending/go. (18) am sitting/are you doing/am helping. (19) are you washing/is shining/never wash. (20) are you going/am going/ am going, dont go/go/am going.

2. (1) travel. (2) is travelling. (3) meet/are going. (4) is running/wants.

(5) is/ Do you think / is freezing. (6) warms/gives. (7) do you read/read/ am reading. (8) Do you hear/am listening. (9) see/are wearing/Are you going/ am going/is throwing /fell/is speaking. 10 Do you speak (Are you speaking)/use/travel. (11) work (are working)/is studying. (12) swims/does not dive. (13) are you playing/ is singing/sings. (14) floats/ dose not float. (15) Do you understand/ am doing/ think/know.

21

3. (1) is finding/ is travelling

(2) write (3) think/ are visiting; (4) is taking/is leaving/returning; (5) is cleaning; (6) sleep/have; (7) do you leave; (8) am thinking/ is liking. (9) are blooming; (10) are returning/are going; (11) is coming; (12) listen/wanting.

4. (1) am writing; (2) agree; (3) need; (4) is not doing; (5) seems; (6) is

getting; (7) are continually encouraging/ continually encourage; (8) are not recycling/do not recycle. (9) receive; (10) consists; (11) receive; (12) throw; (13) are constantly introducing; (14) are trying; (15) is; (16) do they do; (17) take; (18) is.

5. (1) I usually have; (2) Im not coming with you. (3) correct; (4)
drivers smoke ; (5) know the alphabet; (6) is giving a ; (7) correct; (8) correct; (9) I sometimes watch TV ; (10) I am watering . ; (11) There goes James ; (12) correct.

6. (1) John is always criticising my friends; (2) We are meeting at 8:00

p.m. tomorrow; (3) Helen does not go to the theatre very often; (4) I am thinking about/of visiting my cousins in Canada next summer; (5) What time your plane land at Heathrow?; (6) I am having dinner with Jerry tonight.

22

23

24