Verb Tense Past Present Future
- completed past actions (yesterday, ago, last, in) -habits & routines -predictions based on guesswork or judgement
We visited the museum last week. I go to the gym every Friday. Tom will probably arrive.
- sequence of past actions -facts & general truths -instant decisions
I tried to ask the man for directions in French. He Water freezes at 0°C. Give me your bag, I’ll carry it for you.
smiled at me and answered me in English. -states -expressing thoughts, hopes and expectations
- past habit He usually seems very friendly. I hope the virus will disappear soon.
Simple
Before he bought a car, he travelled everywhere by -timetable
bike. The train leaves at 9 o’clock.
Subject (+ didn’t) + past simple form of verb. Subj (+ don’t/doesn’t) + base form of verb. Subj + will/won’t + verb.
Did + subject + verb? Do/Does + subj + verb? Will + subj + verb?
- background descriptions -actions that are happening now, or around now -event that has been arranged
The sun was shining and everyone was smiling. I’m looking for a vintage dress. I’ll be travelling to Africa this time next week.
- actions in progress at a specific time in the past -temporary situations
I was talking to a nice person this morning. I’m staying with my aunt at the moment.
Continuous - longer actions interrupted by shorter actions -changing or developing situations
I was putting my bag away when I dropped my phone. More and more people are overweight.
-irritating habits, often with ‘always’
He’s always playing that awful music.
Subj + was/were or wasn’t/weren’t + verb. Subj + is/are or isn’t/aren’t + -ing form. Subj + will/won’t be + -ing form.
Was/were + subj + -ing form? Is/are + subj + -ing form? Will + subj + be -ing form?
-action/event happened before another action in -started in the past, continues in the present (for, -action that will be completed before specific
Perfect the past since, just, already, recently, so far, yet) time in the future
She hadn’t been ill until last Monday. Jim has worked here for 10 years. Will you have eaten breakfast before 10 o’clock?
-refers to the 2 completed actions -experience up to the present
After we had checked into the hotel, we found our I haven’t seen Fred this morning. (It’s still morning)
room and went to bed. -happened in the past but important at time of
speaking
I’ve seen that film before.
-with time adverbials refer to recent past
Tom has broken his leg.
Subj + had/hadn’t past participle. Subj + have/has (+ not) + past participle. Subj + will/won’t + have/has + past participle.
Had + subj + past participle? Have/has + subj + past participle? Will + subj + have/has + past participle?
- completed past actions (yesterday, ago, last, in) -habits & routines -predictions based on guesswork or judgement
We visited the museum last week. I go to the gym every Friday. Tom will probably arrive.
- sequence of past actions -facts & general truths -instant decisions
I tried to ask the man for directions in French. He Water freezes at 0°C. Give me your bag, I’ll carry it for you.
smiled at me and answered me in English. -states -expressing thoughts, hopes and expectations
- past habit He usually seems very friendly. I hope the virus will disappear soon.
Simple
Before he bought a car, he travelled everywhere by -timetable
bike. The train leaves at 9 o’clock.
Subject (+ didn’t) + past simple form of verb. Subj (+ don’t/doesn’t) + base form of verb. Subj + will/won’t + verb.
Did + subject + verb? Do/Does + subj + verb? Will + subj + verb?
- background descriptions -actions that are happening now, or around now -event that has been arranged
The sun was shining and everyone was smiling. I’m looking for a vintage dress. I’ll be travelling to Africa this time next week.
- actions in progress at a specific time in the past -temporary situations
I was talking to a nice person this morning. I’m staying with my aunt at the moment.
Continuous - longer actions interrupted by shorter actions -changing or developing situations
I was putting my bag away when I dropped my phone. More and more people are overweight.
-irritating habits, often with ‘always’
He’s always playing that awful music.
Subj + was/were or wasn’t/weren’t + verb. Subj + is/are or isn’t/aren’t + -ing form. Subj + will/won’t be + -ing form.
Was/were + subj + -ing form? Is/are + subj + -ing form? Will + subj + be -ing form?
-action/event happened before another action in -started in the past, continues in the present (for, -action that will be completed before specific
Perfect the past since, just, already, recently, so far, yet) time in the future
She hadn’t been ill until last Monday. Jim has worked here for 10 years. Will you have eaten breakfast before 10 o’clock?
-refers to the 2 completed actions -experience up to the present
After we had checked into the hotel, we found our I haven’t seen Fred this morning. (It’s still morning)
room and went to bed. -happened in the past but important at time of
speaking
I’ve seen that film before.
-with time adverbials refer to recent past
Tom has broken his leg.
Subj + had/hadn’t past participle. Subj + have/has (+ not) + past participle. Subj + will/won’t + have/has + past participle.
Had + subj + past participle? Have/has + subj + past participle? Will + subj + have/has + past participle?
