The Present Tense Simple

I. Formation rules
1. Affirmative
I/You/We/They+bare infinitive
He/She/It infinitive+s
1.2 Irregular verbs
I am, He/She/It is, We/You/They are
I/You/We/They have, He/She/It has
2. Interrogative
Do/Does + bare infinitive
3. Negative
do not (dont)/does not (doesnt) + bare infinitive
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I work Do I work? I do not (dont) work.
You work. Do you work? You do not (dont) work.
He works. Does he work? He does not (doesnt) work.
She works. Does she work? She does not (doesnt) work.
It works. Does it work? It does not (doesnt) work.
We work. Do we work? We do not (dont) work.
You work. Do you work? You do not (dont) work.
They work. Do they work? They do not (dont) work.
rd
4. Spelling peculiarities of the 3 person singular
4.1 verbs ending in -s, x, z, sh, ch, o add es: pass-he passes, mix-he mixes, buzz-it buzzes,
push-he pushes, catch-he catches, do-he does.
4.2 when there is a consonant before y, it changes to i followed by -es.
e.g. cry-he cries, study-he studies, BUT buy-he buys, say-he says
5. Pronunciation of the 3rd person singular
5.1 [s] after [f], [p], [k], [t] []. puffs, shops, thinks, lets, baths
5.2 [z] after vowels and after the following sounds [b], [d], [g], [l], [m], [n], [], [v],
vowel+[r]/[w]. e.g. pays, robs, adds, digs, fills, dreams, runs, rings, loves draws, stirs.
5.3 [iz] after [z], [], [s], [], [], [ks]. e.g. loses, manages, passes, pushes, stitches,
mixes.
II. Uses
1. Permanent truths
Summer follows spring. Water boils at 100 centigrade.
2. Habitual actions with adverbs and adverbial phrases like in summer, on Mondays,
every day, often, usually, frequently, seldom, rarely, occasionally, sometimes, always,
never, once a week/month/year, every six days
I go to school every day.
I usually watch TV in the evening.
I go to the dentist every six months.
3. Future reference (timetable future)
The exhibition opens on January 1st.
The train leaves the station at 9 oclock.

The Present Tense Continuous

I. Formation rules
present tense of to be + verb-ing
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I am working. Am I working? I am not working.
You are working. Are you working? You are not (arent) working.
He is working. Is he working? He is not (isnt) working.
She is working. Is she working? She is not (isnt) working.
It is working. Is it working? It is not (isnt) working.
We are working. Are we working? We are not (arent) working.
You are working. Are you working? You are not (arent) working.
They are working. Are they working? They are not (arent) working.
Spelling peculiarities of the-ing form of the verb
1. verbs ending in -e omit the e before adding the -ing
move-moving, write-writing, come-coming
2. one syllable verbs ending in consonant double the final consonant before adding the
-ing
run-running, put-putting, sit-sitting
3. two syllable verbs double the final consonant when the last syllable is stressed
pre`fer-preferring, be`gin-beginning, up`set-upsetting
BUT
`benefit-benefiting, `differ-differing, `profit-profiting,
EXCEPTIONS
`labelling, `quarrelling, `signalling, `travelling
4. -ic at the end changes to -ick
panic-panicking, picnik-picnicking, trafic-traficking
5. verbs ending in -ie change it to -y
die-dying, tie-tying, lie-lying
II. Uses
1. An action in progress at the moment of speaking
He is working at the moment, so he cant come to the telephone.
2. Temporary and exceptional actions/situations with the following adverbs or
adverbial phrases today, this week, these days, this month, this year
My father usually teaches English, but he is teaching
3. Irritating repeated actions with the following adverbs or adverbial phrases
My neighbour is always starting his car when I want to have a rest.
4. Future reference (arrangements)
We are spending next winter in Australia.
Observations
The following verbs are not normally used in the continuous aspect:
1. verbs of perception see, hear, smell, feel, taste
2. verbs of thinking think, consider, feel, understand, know, realize, suppose, believe,
remember, forget, recollect, recall, expect
3. verbs of feeling want, wish, desire, like, hate, dislike, care, refuse, forgive, adore,
hope, intend, agree
4. verbs indicating states or permanent qualities of people or objects
be, belong, own, have, contain, include, comprise, weigh, measure,
cost, resemble, consist of, require, need
5. miscellaneous concern, matter, mean, seem, signify, appear (=seem), keep
(=continue)
Verb Simple Aspect Continuous Aspect
see I see someone in front of the Im seeing John tomorrow.
house. Im seeing the town.
think I think he is right. Im thinking about my holidays.
expect I expect youll understand his She is expecting a baby.
 explanation.
have They have a new car. He is heaving breakfast/a shower/a bath/fun/a good
time.
be He is at home. Why are you being so silly today.
smell Flowers smell nice. Shes smelling a rose.
taste The cake tastes delicious. The cook is tasting the cake.
feel The silk feels soft. Im feeling this material to see whether it is silk or not.
hear I hear a noise. Theres nobody in the house but us. You are hearing
things.

The Past Tense Simple

I. Formation rules
1. Affirmative
1.1 Regular verbs: bare infinitive + ed
1.2 Irregular verbs 2nd form
be was/were been
become became become
begin began begun
catch caught caught
2. Interrogative
Did + bare infinitive
3. Negative
did not (didnt) + bare infinitive
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I worked Did I work? I did not (didnt) work.
You worked. Did you work? You did not (didnt) work
He worked. Did he work? He did not (didnt) work.
She worked. Did she work? She did not (didnt) work.
It worked. Did it work? It did not (didnt) work.
We worked. Did we work? We did not (didnt) work.
You worked. Did you work? You did not (didnt) work.
They worked. Did they work? They did not (didnt) work.
4. Spelling peculiarities
4.1 verbs ending in -e add -d: phone-phoned, move-moved, lie-lied, die-died, agree-
agreed.
4.2. one-syllable verbs spelt with a single vowel letter followed by a single consonant
letter double the consonant: stop-stopped, shop-shopped, beg-begged
4.3. two-syllable verbs double the final consonant when the last syllable contains a single
vowel letter followed by a single consonant letter and is stressed.
pre'fer-preferred benefit-'benefited
re'fer-referred differ-'differed
profit-'profited
4.4. verbs ending in -y
vowel + y y play-played, obey-obeyed
consonant + y i cry-cried, deny-denied
II. Uses
1. An action that happened and was completed in the past. It is often used with
adverbs and adverbial phrases and other time expressions referring to the past:
yesterday, last week, last year, last evening, two days ago, in 1970.
I saw John yesterday.
2. Habitual actions or states in the past
I played football a lot when I was young.
As a child, I lived in London.
3. Polite inquiries (asking for favours) with verbs like hope, think, wonder.
I wondered if you could help me with my homework.
4. used + to-infinitive
4.1. Habitual actions in the past
I used to play football a lot when I was young.
4.2. Habitual states in the past
I used to own a sports car when I was young.
5. would + bare infinitive
Habitual actions in the past
I would spend hours studying when I was a student.

The Past Tense Continuous

I. Formation rules
past tense of to be + verb-ing
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I was working. Was I working? I was not (wasnt) working.
You were working. Were you working? You were not (werent) working.
He was working. Was he working? He was not (wasnt) working.
She was working. Was she working? She was not (wasnt) working.
It was working. Was it working? It was not (wasnt) working.
We were working. Were we working? We were not (werent) working.
You were working. Were you working? You were not (werent) working.
They were working. Were they working? They were not (werent) working.
II. Uses
1. An action in progress at a certain moment in the past
I was watching TV at 9 0clock/when you phoned me last night.
2. Two actions in progress at the same time in the past
While I was reading, my sister was watching TV.
3. Irritating repeated actions in the past
When he was a teenager, Mathew was always picking on younger children.
4. Polite inquiries (asking for favours). This use is even more polite than the simple
past.
I was wondering if you could help me with my homework.

The Past Perfect Simple

I. Formation rules
1. Affirmative
1.1 Regular verbs: had+verb+ed
1.2 Irregular verbs 3rd form
be was/were been
become became become
begin began begun
catch caught caught
2. Interrogative
Had + subject +verb+ed/3rd form
3. Negative
had not (hadnt) + verb+ed/3rd form
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I had worked. Had I worked? I had not (hadnt) worked.
You had worked. Had you worked? You had not (hadnt) worked.
He had worked. Had he worked? He had not (hadnt) worked.
She had worked. Had she worked? She had not (hadnt) worked.
It had worked. Had it worked? It had not (hadnt) worked.
We had worked. Had we worked? We had not (hadnt) worked.
You had worked. Had you worked? You had not (hadnt) worked.
They had worked. Had they worked? They had not (hadnt) worked.
II. Uses
An event in the past which happened before a moment in the past or another event
in the past
John left at 8.00. Jane arrived at 9.00. When Jane arrived, John had already left.
Mark had finished reading the book by 5.00 yesterday.
With before and after it is not necessary to use past perfect to make clear that an
event happened before another one.
Both variants are correct.
John left before Jane arrived. John had left before Jane arrived.
Jane arrived after John left. Jane arrived after John had left.
The Past Perfect Continuous
I. Formation rules
1. Affirmative
had+been+verb-ing
2. Interrogative
Had + subject +been+verb-ing
3. Negative
had not (hadnt) +been+verb-ing
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I had been working. Had I been working? I had not (hadnt) been working.
You had been working. Had you been working? You had not (hadnt) been working.
He had been working. Had he been working? He had not (hadnt) been working.
She had been working. Had she been working? She had not (hadnt) been working.
It had been working. Had it been working? It had not (hadnt) been working.
We had been working. Had we been working? We had not (hadnt) been working.
You had been working. Had you been working? You had not (hadnt) been working.
They had been working. Had they been working? They had not (hadnt) been working.
II. Uses
An event that started in the past and continued until another event in the past happened.

I started reading at 9.00 yesterday. John arrived at 11.00. I had been reading since 9.00
when John arrived.
I had been reading for two
hours when John arrived.

The Present Perfect Simple

I. Formation rules
Subject+has/have+Past Participle (the 3rd form)
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I have seen Have I seen? I have not (havent) seen
You have seen Have you seen? You have not (havent) seen
We have seen Have we seen? We have not (havent) seen
They have seen Have they seen? They have not (havent) seen
He has seen Has he seen? He has not (hasnt) seen
She has seen Has she seen? She has not (hasnt) seen
It has seen Has it seen? It has not (hasnt) seen
II. Uses
Generally, it describes past actions that are connected to the present:
1. An action that happened recently.
e.g. I have just arrived at the seaside.
2. An action that happened in the past and explains a present situation.
e.g. Mary: Whats the matter? Why are you walking like that?
Jane: I have hurt my foot. (explanation)
3. Experiences in life. (with always, ever, never)
e.g. Have you ever visited France?
I have never eaten Spanish food.
This is the most interesting book I have ever read.
4. With adverbs or adverbial phrases that clearly connect the past to the present.
(today, this week, this month, so far, up till now, up to the present)
e.g. I havent seen him this morning.
He has written five letters so far.
5. A state lasting from a moment in the past up to the moment of speaking (the
present).
e.g. I have lived here for five years. FOR = period
I have lived here since I was a boy. SINCE = beginning of the action

The Present Perfect Continuous

I. Formation rules
Subject+has/have+been+verb-ing
Affirmative
I have been working
You have been working
We have been working
They have been working
He has been working
She has been working
It has been working
Interrogative Negative
Have I been working? I have not (havent) been
working
Have you been working? You have not (havent) been
working
Have we been working? We have not (havent) been
working
Have they been working? They have not (havent) been
working
Has he been working? He has not (hasnt) been
working
Has she been working? She has not (hasnt) been
working
Has it been working? It has not (hasnt) been
working

II Uses
1. An action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. The
action is still in progress at the moment of speaking.
e.g. I have been working for five hours.
I have been working since three o clock.
2. Explaining recent activities.
e.g. Nick: You are very dirty! What have you been doing?
Paul: I have been fixing my bike.
3. Repeated actions.
e.g. Jim has been phoning Jane every night for the past week.
 I have been trying to get in touch with her for days, but she is never at home.

Present Perfect/Past Tense

PRESENT PERFECT PAST TENSE
I have visited Spain. (indefinite time) I visited Spain last year. (specific time)
Have you been busy this morning. (it is still Were you busy this morning? (the morning is
morning) over)
He has been in the army for 20 years. (He is He was in the army for 20 years. (He is no
still in the army) longer in the army)

Means of expressing future

I. The Future Tense Simple (FTS)
1 Formation rules
shall/will + infinitive
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I shall work. Shall I work? I shall not (shant) work.
You will work. Will you work? You will not (wont) work.
He will work. Will he work? He will not (wont) work.
She will work. Will she work? She will not (wont) work.
It will work. Will it work? It will not (wont) work.
We shall work. Shall we work? We shall not (shant) work.
You will work. Will you work? You will not (wont) work.
They will work. Will they work? They will not (wont) work.
2 Uses
2.1 It usually describes a prediction or what the speaker thinks will happen in the
future. FTS can also be used to invite a prediction. There is usually a time
expression. Adverbs such as maybe, perhaps (uncertain), possibly, probably (almost
certain), surely, definitely (certain) may be used in combination with FTS.
e. g. Ask him again. Perhaps hell change his mind.
Tottenham will definitely win tonight.
Will house prices rise again next year?
2.2 FTS is often used after verbs and verb phrases such as assume, be afraid, be sure,
believe, doubt, expect, hope, suppose, think to express hopes and expectations.
e. g. I hope shell get the job shes applied for.
I dont know if I shall see him tomorrow.
 Im sure youll feel better tomorrow.
2.3 Will can be used to express an assumption.
e. g. A: Theres someone at the door.
B: That will be Jim.
2.4 Will is also used to express an immediate decision.
e. g. A: Its hot in here.
B: Ill open a window.
2.5 Will can be used to express a habitual, repeated action.
e. g. Every Sunday they will go to the seaside.
Boys will be boys.
2.6 Will can be used to express a promise, a refuse or a threat.
e. g .Ill try as hard as I can.
I wont do that.
Stop doing that, or Ill tell my dad.
2.6 Will can be used in questions to express a request.
e. g. Will you carry the bag for me?
2.7 Shall can be used in questions to express an offer.
e. g. Shall I open the door for you?
2.8 Shall can be used in questions to make a suggestion.
e. g. Shall we play tennis?
II. The Future Tense Continuous (FTC)
1 Formation rules
shall/will + be + verb - ing
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I shall be working. Shall I be working? I shall not (shant) be working.
You will be working. Will you be working? You will not (wont) be working.
He will be working. Will he be working? He will not (wont) be working.
She will be working. Will she be working? She will not (wont) be working.
It will be working. Will it be working? It will not (wont) be working.
We shall be working. Shall we be working? We shall not (shant) be working.
You will be working. Will you be working? You will not (wont) be working.
They will be working. Will they be working? They will not (wont) be working.
2 Uses
2.1 Actions in progress at a moment in the future
e. g. This time tomorrow Ill be eating lunch on the plane.
What will you be doing in ten years time?
2.2 Arrangements and plans
e. g. Well be spending the winter in Australia.
Professor Craig will be giving a lecture in English poetry.
2.3 Polite questions
e. g. When will you finish these letters? (boss to assistant)
When will you be seeing Mr. White? (assistant to boss)
2.4 Describing what the speaker assumes someone else is doing at the moment
e. g. Dont phone her now. Its 4 oclock and shell be collecting the children from
school.

III. The Future Perfect Simple

1 Formation rules
shall/will + have + Past Participle (3rd form)
Affirmative
I shall have written.
You will have written.
He will have written.
She will have written.
It will have written.
We shall have written.
You will have written.
They will have written.
Interrogative Negative
Shall I have written? I shall not have written.
Will you have written? You will not have written.
Will he have written? He will not have written.
Will she have written? She will not have written.
Will it have written? It will not have written.
Shall we have written? We shall not have written.
Will you have written? You will not have written.
Will they have written? They will not have written.

2. Uses
It expresses a future action completed before another future action.
e. g. I will have retired by the year 2010.
Mary will have already finished cooking dinner by the time you get home.
IV. The Future Perfect Continuous
1. Formation rules
shall/will + have + been + verb-ing
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I shall have been writing. Shall I have been writing? I shall not have been writing.
You will have been writing. Will you have been writing? You will not have been writing.
He will have been writing. Will he have been writing? He will not have been writing.
She will have been writing. Will she have been writing? She will not have been writing.
It will have been writing. Will it have been writing? It will not have been writing.
We shall have been writing. Shall we have been writing? We shall not have been writing.
You will have been writing. Will you have been writing? You will not have been writing.
They will have been Will they have been They will not have been writing.
writing. writing?
2. Uses
An action/state that started at a certain moment and continues up to another
action/moment in the future
e. g. By this time next week, I will have been working for this company for 24 years.
!!! Do not use future tense and future perfect in Adverbial Clauses of Time, but present
tense and present perfect!
e. g. The Owens will move to a new flat when the baby is/has been born.
e. g. Once/When we have decorated the house, we shall move in.

V. The going to - future

1. Formation rules: present of be + going + to inf.
2. Uses
2.1 It expresses future events whose causes are present or evident.
e. g. Look! The clouds are gathering in the sky. It is going to rain.
2.2 It can also express intentions.
e. g. Im going to buy a new camera.
VI. Present Continuous
Use - expresses fixed arrangements, especially social and travelling.
e. g. Im having dinner with Janet tomorrow evening.
VII. Present Simple - timetable future
e. g. Our plane takes off at 9 oclock and lands at 11 oclock.
VIII. is/are + to infinitive - formal arrangements/public duties
e. g. All students are to assemble in the hall at 9 oclock.
IX. be about to, be on the point of - refer to the immediate future
e. g. I think the play is about to start now.
 Mary is on the point of resigning.
X. be due +to infinitive - scheduled times.
e. g. The play is due to start in five minutes.