| F A C T S | |||||
| General Statement of fact | Present Simple | The word is round | |||
| N E V E R -- E V E R -- A L W A Y S | |||||
| Something have ever (always) happened or have never happened before now | Present Perfect | Have you ever visited Kiev? I have already seen that movie. I have never seen snow | Ever Already Never | ||
| S P E C I F I E D T I M E I N T H E P A S T | |||
| An activity or situation began and ended at a particular time in the past | Past Simple | I walked to school yesterday. He lived in Paris for ten years, but now he is living in Edison. I bought a new car two days ago | Yesterday For...but now N days ago |
| In some cases, Past Progressive gives almost the same meaning as Past Simple | Past Progressive = Past Simple | It rained (was raining) this morning | |
| One action or event began earlier then other and perhaps, caused it | Past Simple in both sentences + "when" for event occurred earlier | I stood under a tree when it began to rain. When I dropped my cup, the coffee spilled on my lap | Past Simple in "when" clause. |
| One action began earlier and was in progress when the other action occurred | Past Progressive + Past Simple | I was standing under a tree when it began to rain. While I was walking down the street, it began to rain. | When While |
| Two action are in progress simultaneously | Past Progressive in both sentences | While I was studying in one room, my roommate was having a party in the other room | While Past Progr + Past Prog |
| One activity was completed before beginning of another activity or time in the past | Past Perfect | My parents had already eaten by the time I got home. Until yesterday, I had never heard about it The thief simply walked in. Someone had forgotten to lock the door | Already,by Until |
| If either before or after is used | Past Simple may be used instead Past Perfect | Sam had already left when we got there. Sam had left (left) before we got there. After the guests had left (left), I went to bed | Before After |
| Activity was in progress (How long?) immediately before, up to, until another time or event in the past [not before right now]. Emphasis is on duration of an activity | Past Perfect Progressive | I had been studying for two hours before my friend came. He finally came at six o'clock. I had been waiting for him since four-thirty | For Before Since |
| An activity in progress recent to another time or activity in the past [not before right now] | Past Perfect Progressive | When Judy got home, her hair was still wet because she had been swimming. Her eyes were red because she had been crying | Still Recently Lately |
| UNSPECIFIED TIME IN THE PAST | |||
| Something happened or not happened before now, at an unspecified time in the past. The exact time when it happened is not important | Present Perfect | They have moved into a new apartment. (means before now) | Without time words |
| Repetition of an activity before now. The exact time when it happened is not important | Present Perfect | We have had four tests so far this semester. I have flown on a jet many times. I have met many people since I came here in June. I have written she a letter every other day for the last year | So far Many times Since For |
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| TIME IMMEDIATELY BEFORE RIGHT NOW | |||
| General activity in progress recently, lately | Present Perfect Progressive | I have been thinking about changing my major. My back hurts, so I have been sleeping on the floor lately | Without time words or with Recently Lately |
| Activity is in progress immediately before, up to, until now | Present Perfect Progressive | I have been studying English. (means: before now) | Without time words |
| Activity is in progress (How long?) immediately before, up to, until another time or event that have been recently | Present Perfect Progressive | I have been studying English for two hours until noon | For |
| Duration of an activity that began in the past and continues to the present | Present Perfect Progressive | I have been sitting here since four o'clock/ for two hours. It has been raining all day long. (means: up to now) | Time words:Since / For All morning, day. week |
| Activity began in the recent past, is continuing in present, and will probably end at some point in the future | Present Perfect Progressive | John is sleeping right now. I need an umbrella because it is raining | Right now |
| With verbs: to Live, to Work, to Teach | Present Perfect may be used instead of Present Perfect Progressive | I have lived (have been living) here since 1991. He has worked (has been working) at the same firm for thirty years | Since or For + to Live, to Work, to Teach |
| P R E S E N T T I M E | |||
| Habitual or Everyday activities | Present Simple | I study for two hours every night. My classes begin at nine. He always eats a sandwich for lunch | Every day, week Always |
| General activity in progress this week, month, year | Present Progressive | I am taking five courses this semester. She is writing another book this year | This week, month |
| Situation exists right now and needs No progressive Verbs | Present Simple instead of using of No progressive verbs | I have only a dollar right now. I don't recognize that man | Right now |
| A speaker expresses annoyance or anger | Present Progressive instead of Present Simple | Mary is always leaving her dirty socks on the floor for me to pick up! | Pres.Progr. + "Always" |
| A speaker expresses annoyance | Present Progressive instead of Present Simple | I am always picking up Mary's dirty socks | Pres.Progr. + "Always" |
| F U T U R E T I M E | |||
| Prediction | Future Simple | According to the weather report, it will (is going to) be raining tomorrow | Will or Be going to |
| Prior plan | Future Simple | I am going to fly to Paris tomorrow | Be going to |
| Prior plan in progress | Progressive form of be going to | Don't call me at nine because I won't be home. I am going to be studying at the library | Be going to + be + ing |
| Planned event or definite intension | Present Progressive = Future Simple | My wife has an appointment with a doctor. She is seeing Dr. Who next Monday | Future time words |
| Events that are definite schedule or timetable | Present Simple instead of Future Simple | Classes begin next week. Plane arrives at 6:09 P.M. tomorrow morning | Future Time words + Open,Close Begin, End, Start,Finish Arrive,Leave Come,Return |
| Present Simple or, occasionally, Present Perfect, are used in the Time clauses. Present Perfect emphasizes on the completion of the act in the time clause | Present Simple instead of Future Simple. Present Perfect = Future Simple | Bob will come soon. When Bob comes, we will see him. I will go to bed after I finish (have finished) my work | Time words: When, After, Before, Until, As soon as |
| Willingness | Future Simple | A: The phone's ringing. B: I'll get it | Will |
| An activity that will be in progress at a definite time in the future | Future Progressive | I will be studying when you come. Right now I am sitting in class. At this same time tomorrow, I will be sitting in class | Will +When |
| The future event will occur at an indefinite time in the future | Future Simple = Future Progressive | Don't get impatient.. She will be coming (will come) soon | Will +Indefinite time words |
| Activity completed before another time or event in the future | Future Perfect | I will have finished my homework by the time. I go out on a date tonight | Will + By the time |
| Activity will be in progress (How long?) immediately. before, up to, until another time or event in the future. Emphasis the duration of an activity | Future Perfect Progressive | I will have been studying for two hours by the time you arrive | For + By the time |
| Sometimes the Future Perfect and the Future Perfect Progressive give the same meaning | Future Perfect = Future Perfect Progressive | When Professor Jones retires next month, he will have taught (will have been teaching) for 45 years | For |
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