1 Examples of State Verbs: Be, Believe, Belong, Consist, Contain, Depend, Doubt, Fit

Verb Tenses

TENSE FORM USE EXAMPLE Present Simple Infinitive (+s 3rd pers. sing.) Facts (permanent states) Dogs bark / Water boils at 100°C. Habits/routines Flowers blossom in the spring. We study English every day. With the verb say (used in “What does the recipe say?” “It says quoting books, signs, etc.) cook for 30 minutes”. “What does Jim say in his letter?” With state verbs1 This book belongs to me. I don’t think Chris likes Jane. Present Continuous Am/is/are + present participle Action in progress now I am talking to you. (temporary activity) Action generally in progress She’s studying English. around now (this week, this Are you enjoying your holiday? year) Annoying habits You’re always complaining! Changing trends The weather is getting worse. More and more companies are closing down. The cost of living is getting higher and higher.

1 Examples of state verbs: be, believe, belong, consist, contain, depend, doubt, fit, hate, have, know, like, love, matter, mean, need, own, prefer, realize, remember, seem, suppose, suspect, understand, want, wish.

- 1 - Verb Tenses

TENSE FORM USE EXAMPLE Present Perfect Simple1 Have/has + past participle Something happened (or never I have (just) been to the doctor’s. happened) before now at an Have you (ever) been to China? unspecified time in the past. The “Haven’t you finished your translation adverbs so far, always, since, yet?” “No, I still haven’t finished it”. often, ever, never, already, yet, I’ve (already) read that book. still, just are often used. Repetition of an activity I have read 4 chapters so far. performed so far in my life I’ve been to Paris many times

With for and since to describe a Peter has lived in London since 2005. situation that began in the past We have been here for 2 hours. and is still true I have liked mystery books since I was a child. Present Perfect Continuous Have/has + been + present To describe the duration of an We have been studying English since 9.30 participle activity that began in the past (and we are still studying). and is still continuing or has just Susan’s been cleaning the house all finished2 morning (and she’s still cleaning). It’s been snowing all week, I’m so glad it’s stopped now! I’ve been cleaning the house, can’t you tell? (I’ve finished, the house is clean and I’m all dusty). General activity in progress I’ve been thinking about studying French. recently I’ve been working a lot lately.

2 1 The adverbs ever, never, already, yet, still, just, always, often, so far, lately, recently are typically used with the present perfect. Note that as with the present continuous, the present perfect continuous cannot normally be used with state verbs, only action verbs - 2 - Verb Tenses I’ve been wondering what happened to you! (I haven’t heard from you for ages). TENSE FORM USE EXAMPLE Past Simple Past form (infinitive + ed) or Activities completed in the past I went to the cinema yesterday. irregular form3 at a specified time (explicit) When specific time is asked When did you go to the cinema? about When was Napoleon born? Activities that took place at a The train was late! definite time, but this time is not Why did you choose to study English? mentioned (implicit) I bought these shoes in the sales. Past Continuous Was/were + present participle Activities in progress in the past I was having a shower when the phone rang. (often interrupted by another event) Or I was having a shower while my husband Two (or more activities) in was mowing the lawn. progress at the same time. It was growing darker and the clouds were A gradual development (mostly closing in. literary descriptions) It was getting later and later. Changing trends in the past (cf present continuous) Past Perfect Simple Had + past participle Activities completed before When I arrived, the film had already another action or time in the past started. Jane had forgotten to close the door and so the dog ran away. After the guests had left, I went to bed. Past Perfect Continuous Have/has + been + present Duration of an activity that was I had been living in Rome living for four participle in progress before another years before I met my husband. activity or time in the past Sally finally arrived at 6.30. I had been waiting for her since 5.30!

- 3 - Verb Tenses

TENSE FORM USE EXAMPLE Used to Used to + infinitive Past situation (no longer true) I used to like tennis. (I don’t any more). neg. didn’t use to + infinitive I used to live in London. formal: used not to + Repeated actions or states in the I used to play tennis every day. infinitive past

Would Would + infinitive Repeated action in the past Every day he would get up and go running in (descriptions and reminiscences) the park. When I was young, I would visit my grandparents every Sunday. Unfulfilled events in the past Was/were going to go to + Events that were intended to I was going to (intended to) call you infinitive take place but did not happen yesterday, but I forgot. Was/were thinking of + gerund Phil and Wendy were thinking of getting married this spring, but they decided to wait until next year. Was/were about to + infinitive Mary was about to email Vera but she started surfing the net instead. Was/were to have taken part Keith was to have taken part in the Olympics, but he broke his leg.

- 4 - Verb Tenses

TENSE FORM USE EXAMPLE Future will Will + infinitive Predictions The economic situation will improve soon. You will all pass your exams. Intention at moment of decision The phone is ringing. I’ll answer it. I’ll have a mixed salad please. Making assumptions That will be Mike on the phone. With I think, I don’t think4, I I think Christie will win the race. expect, I don’t expect, I’m sure, I don’t expect he’ll see you at such short I’m not sure, will definitely, notice. definitely won’t, perhaps It definitely won’t rain today. Perhaps I’ll see you at the party? Future going to Going to + infinitive Intentions and plans I’m going to take driving lessons next month. (I’ve already decided to do so) I’m going to be an English teacher. Prediction with “evidence” Look at those black clouds, it’s going to rain. Look out! The milk’s going to boil over. Future shall5 Shall + infinitive (used only Making suggestions, offer to do Shall we go to the cinema? with I and we) something Shall I open the window? Requests for instructions or What shall we do about the situation? suggestions What shall I do with your mail? Tag question with let’s Let’s play Trivial Pursuit, shall we? Determination I shall not cut my hair! We shall fight for our freedom!

4 We don’t usually say I think he won’t come or I expect she won’t be there, but we say I don’t think he’ll come and I don’t expect she’ll be there. 5 In the past, will was used for intention: I will write to him (I intend to write to him) and shall was used when there was no intention I shall be 30 next birthday; We shall have the exam results tomorrow. Nowadays, will is normally used in both cases. - 5 - Verb Tenses

TENSE FORM USE EXAMPLE Future present continuous Am/is/are + present participle Scheduled arrangements in the I’m meeting Sam tomorrow afternoon. future (not used with state Tom is playing tennis with Peter on verbs) Saturday. I’m having my hair cut next Wednesday. Future present simple Infinitive (+s 3rd pers. sing.) Formal arrangements (events My plane leaves at 9am tomorrow. established by “authorities) The course starts on January 21nd. Future continuous Will be + present participle Events which will be happening in I will be leaving for New York this time the future next week. Mary will be helping me tomorrow. If you arrive before 8 o’clock, I’ll still be having my breakfast. Will you be having a break at 10.30? If so, I’ll join you. Future perfect simple Will have + past participle An activity that will be completed In five years time, you will have finished before another time or event in university and you will be working. the future By the end of this year I will have saved enough money to buy a car. Future perfect continuous Will have been + present The duration of an activity that By the end of May, I will have been participle will be in progress before teaching you for 8 months. another time or event in the When we finish at 12.30, we will have been future studying for 3 hours. Be due to Be due to + infinitive Reference to a scheduled time The plane is due to arrive in 10 minutes. (meaning: expected to happen, The lesson is due to start at 9.30. scheduled to happen)