Tense Signal words Use Form Examples affirmative Ex ne Simple Present or Present Simple every day sometimes always often usually seldom never first ... then something happens repeatedly how often something happens one action follows another things in general after the following verbs (to love, to hate, to think, etc.) future meaning: timetables, programmes infinitive he/she/it + -s I work. I He works. He I go. I He goes. He Present Progressi ve or Present Continuou s now at the moment Look! Listen! something is happening at the same time of speaking or around it future meaning: when you have already decide d and arranged to do it (a fixed plan, date) to be (am/are/is) +infinitive + - ing I'm working. I' He's working. He I'm going. I' He's going. He Simple Past or Past Simple last ... ... ago in 1990 yesterday action took place in the past, mostly connected with an expression of time (no connection to the present) regular: infinitive + -edirregular: 2nd column of table of irregular verbs I worked. I He worked. He I went. I He went. He
Transcript
TenseSignal words
Use FormExamplesaffirmative
Examplesnegative
SimplePresentorPresent Simple
every day
sometimes
always
often
usually
seldom
never
first ... then
something happens repeatedly
how often something happens
one action follows another
things in general
after the following verbs (to love, to hate, to think, etc.)
future meaning: timetables, programmes
infinitive he/she/it + -s
I work. I don't
He works. He
I go. I don't
He goes. He
PresentProgressive or Present Continuous
now
at the moment
Look!
Listen!
something is happening at the same time of speaking or around it
future meaning: when you have already decided and arranged to do it (a fixed plan, date)
to be (am/are/is) +infinitive + -ing
I'm working. I'm
He's working. He
I'm going. I'm
He's going. He
SimplePastor Past Simple
last ...
... ago
in 1990
yesterday
action took place in the past, mostly connected with an expression of time (no connection to the present)
regular: infinitive + -edirregular:2nd column of table of irregular verbs
I worked. I didn't
He worked. He
I went. I didn't
He went. He
PastProgressive orPast Continuous
while
an action happened in the middle of another action
someone was doing sth. at a certain time (in the past) - you do not know whether it was finished or not
mostly when two actions in a story are related to each other: the action which had already happened is put into Past Perfect, the other action into Simple Past
the past of the Present Perfect
had + past participle*
*(infinitive + -ed) or (3rd column of table of irregular verbs)
I had worked. I hadn't
He had worked. He
I had gone. I hadn't
He had gone. He
Past Perfect Progressive orPast Perfect Continuous
how long
since
for
how long something had been happening before something else happened
had + been +infinitive + ing
I had beenworking. I hadn't been
He had beenworking.Hebeen
I had beengoing. I hadn't been
He had beengoing. He
will - future predictions about the future (you think that sth. will happen)
Present ContinuousFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.Quick example:
He is sleeping. I am visiting grandpa in the afternoon. You are always coming late for the meetings!
The Present Continuous is mainly used to express the idea that something is happening at the moment of speaking. Another use of the tense is to talk about what we are planning to do. There are also other uses, listed below.
5. Irritation over something or somebody in the present
USE 1: Present Actions
Use the Present Continuous tense to talk about actions happening at the moment of speaking.
Examples:
He is eating a dinner. Mary is talking with her friend. They are swimming.
To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:
[ Johny: I'm having a shower now ]
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a man in the shower who says: "I'm taking a shower now".
Why is this in Present Continuous? Because the Johny is taking shower at this precise moment.
USE 2: Temporary Actions
This tense is also used for activities continuing for only a limited period of time.
Examples:
I'm riding a bike to get to work because my car is broken. (It will soon be repaired)
They are not talking with each other after the last argument. (They will soon make up)
USE 3: Longer Actions in Progress
We also use the Present Continuous when we are in a middle of doing something time-consuming (i.e. something that takes time to complete). An example of such an activity is writing a book, saving money or studying for an exam.
Examples:
They are working hard to earn money.
I am training to become a professional footballer. Mike is studying hard to become a doctor. Elizabeth is currently writing a children's book titled I am the World.
To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:
[ Alex: I'm writing an adventure book ]
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can a man who says: "I'm writing an adventure book".
Why is this in Present Continuous? Click on the buttons located on the Timeline to see the other scenes. You will find out that Alex (the writer) was writing a book a month ago, two months ago and three months ago. Clearly, it's a longer action in progress.
USE 4: Future (Personal) Arrangements and Plans
Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to show that something will be done in the near future.
Examples:
I'm meeting Katie in the evening. He's flying to Rome in September. We're not going anywhere tomorrow.
USE 5: Irritation or Anger
And the last use of this tense is to express irritation or anger over somebody or something in the present.
Examples:
She's always complaining about everything! Johny is always asking me stupid questions! They are always coming late to meetings!
FORM
To form a sentence in the Present Continuous, you have to:
know the proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to be".
e.g. I/a dogetc. is not / are not e.g.work/go/make
Examples Use
He is not joking Use 1)
We aren't waiting for my uncle Use 1)
He is not going to school tomorrow Use 2)
Present SimpleFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.Quick example:
I live in New York. We play football every day. The meeting starts at 3 p.m.
The Present Simple is the most basic and common tense in the English language. It is also an interesting tense because it can express both the present and the future.
USE1. Facts and generalization
2. Habits and routines
3. Permanent situations
4. State verbs (e.g. be, have, think, know)
5. Fixed / official arrangement that we can't change
6. Narrations (e.g. telling a story or a joke)
NoteApart from the above uses, this tense is also used in:
o Zero Conditional - If it rains, I go play football.o First Conditional - We won't get our pocket money, if we don't pass this
exam.o In sentences after "when", "before", "till", "after", "as soon as" ("Before
you leave, please take the keys").
USE 1: Facts and Generalizations
The first and most important use of the Present Simple is to talk about things we believe are (or are not) true. It's also used to generalize about somebody or something.
Examples:
It is a big house. He talks a lot. Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Buenos Aires is a large city. The Elephant doesn't fly. Dogs don't smoke cigarettes. A dog is not large than an elephant London is the capital city of France. (Remember: the sentence doesn't have
to be true)
To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:
[ Scientist: The Earth goes around the Sun (Use 1) ]
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a scientist who says: "The Earth goes around the Sun".
Why is this in Present Simple? Because the scientist expresses a fact, something that he believes is true (in this case, he is right: the Earth really goes around the Sun).
USE 2: Habits and Routines
We also use this tense to indicate that an activity is a habit or a routine.
Examples:
We leave for work at 7.30 every morning. Susan often meets with her friends after school. They usually play football on Sunday. Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother.
You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.
Examples:
I like swimming. We know this man. Margaret drives a Porshe. Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.
Speaker 1: Ronaldinho, do you like football? (Use 4)
Ronaldinho: Yes, I do.
USE 5: Fixed / Official arrangements
Use the Present Simple to talk about events that we can't change (for example, an official meeting or a train departure).
Examples:
The meeting starts at 4 pm. The train leaves at the noon. When does the plane take off? Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.
USE 6: Narrations
The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke).
Examples:
A man goes to visit a friend and is amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. He watches the game in astonishment for a while [...]
(read more)
Good to know...
Some of the verbs used in the simple form can also appear in the continuous form. This is typically when they have an active meaning or exphasize change.
Forming a sentence in the Present Simple is easy. To form a declarative sentence, all you need is the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog) and the verb (e.g. be, talk, swim). Questions and negative sentences are only a little more difficult, because they require an auxiliary verb.
Declarative Sentences
Subject+
Verb
e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. work/go/make
Sharks have sharp teeth (Use 1)
Examples Use
A dog is an animal (Use 1)
I learn English twice a week (Use 2)
I have two eggs (Use 4)
The course starts in April (Use 5)
I come from Basil (Use 3)
Questions
Auxiliary Verb+
Subject+
Verb
do or does e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. work/go/make
Questions require the auxiliary verb to do or, in the third person singular, does.
Present PerfectFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.Quick example:
I have read this book. The man has gone away. John has worked as a teacher for over 25 years.
The Present Perfect is used to express actions that happened at an indefinite time or that began in the past and continue in the present. This tense is also used when an activity has an effect on the present moment.
USE1. Actions which happened at an indefinite (unknown) time before now
2. Actions in the past which have an effect on the present moment
3. Actions which began in the past and continue in the present
USE 1: Indefinite (unknown) time before now
Use the Present Perfect to talk about actions that happened at some point in the past. It does not matter when exactly they happened.
Examples:
I have already had a breakfast. He has been to England.
You should not use this tense with time expressions like "yesterday", "a week ago", "last year", etc.
We also use this tense to when an activity has an effect on the present moment.
Examples:
He has finished his work. (so he can now rest) I have already eaten the dinner. (so I'm not hungry) He has had a car accident. (that's why he is in the hospital)
To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:
[ Marcus: I have been struck by a bolt of lightning! ]
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a mother asking her son: "Markus, what's happened". Marcus replies: "I have been struck by a bolt of lightning".
Why is this in Present Perfect? Click on the button labled as "event 1". You can see that Marcus was struck lightning bolt. Now click on the other button. The use of Present Continuous is correct here because the action has an effect on the present moment (it explains why he looks this way).
USE 3: Continuation in the present
We often use the Present Perfect when we want to emphasize that an event continues in the present.
Examples:
Mary has worked as a teacher for over 25 years. Patrick has achieved a lot in his life.
To understand this use better, click on the buttons and read the message:
"For" and "Since"..."Since" and "for" are very common time expressions used with the Present Perfect.
We use "for" with a period of time, for example:o I have lived here for 20 years.
When talking about a starting point, we use "since", for example:
He has been our most serious partner for so long that I can assure you he's a very decent man
(Use 3)
Questions
Auxiliary verb+
Subject+
Past participle
has/have e.g. I/a dogetc. e.g. slept/taken/goneetc.
Examples Use
Have you ever seen this program? (Use 1)
Where has she lived for the past 21 years? (Use 3)
Have you found the telephone number? (Use 1,2)
Have you ever been to France? (Use 1)
Has anyone taken my bag? (Use 1,2)
TriviaIn sentences with adverbials such as ever, already or yet, American-English speakers may use thePast Simple rather than the Present Perfect. So, an American would say:
o Did you go to the post office yet? (Past Simple)
rather than:
o Have you gone to the post office yet? (Present Perfect)
In this cartoon, you can see a mother asking her son: "What have you been doing?". The boy replies: "Nothing, mum".
Why is this in Present Perfect Continuous? Click on the button labled "event 1". You can see that the boy is playing a computer game. Now click on the button labeled "event 2". In this scene, someone knocks at the door. It's his mother. In the next scene, she asks him "what have you been doing?". The use of Present Perfect Continuous is correct here because in this last scene Marcus no longer is playing a computer game (he stopped the moment he heard someone knocking at the door). This is exactly use 2 described above.
For and Since..."Since" and "for" are very common time expressions used with the Present Perfect Continuous.
We use "for" with a period of time, for example:o I have been living here for 20 years.
When talking about a starting point, we use "since", for example:
o I have been living here since 1960.
More about time expressions.
FORM
To form a sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous, what you need is:
1. The proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to have".2. The auxiliary verb "to be" in the Past Participle form: "been".3. The Present Participle of your verb (verb + ing)
1. Auxiliary Verb "to have"
We conjugate the auxiliary verb "to have" the same way we would conjugate the normal verb "to have".
Quick example: What were you doing then? I was eating the dinner when someone knocked at the door. When he was sleeping, I was working hard I was wondering if you could help me.
We usually use The Past Continuous (Progressive) to talk about longer actions in progress in the past. The actions can be interruped by something ("He was reading when she arrived") or can be happening at the same some ("She was learning English when he was watching TV"). There are also two other uses.
USE1. Actions in progress (in the past)
2. Interrupted actions in progress (in the past)
3. Actions in progress at the same time (in the past).
4. Irritation over something or somebody (in the past)
5. Timid / polite question
USE 1: Actions in progress
We use the Past Continuous to express the idea that an action was in progress in the past.
Examples:
I was watching TV yesterday in the evening. She was not crying.
USE 2: Interrupted actions in progress
The Past Continuous is often used when one actions in progress is interruped by another action in the past. We usually use "when" to link these two actions. Sentences usually have this form:
[ Sentence in Past Continuous ] + WHEN + [Sentence in Past Simple ]
WHEN + [ Sentence in Past Continuous ] + [Sentence in Past Simple ]
or:
[ Sentence in Past Simple ] + WHEN + [ Sentence in Past Continuous ]
Examples:
I was talking with James when the telephone rang. The plane crashed when Angelica was playing tennis.
To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:
[ Peter: When I was jogging, someone stopped me and asked what time it was ]
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a man who says: "When I was jogging someone stopped me and asked what time it was.".
Why is this in Past Continuous? Click on the button labled "event 1". You can see that the man is jogging. This is a continuous action. Suddenly, another man stops him and asks what time it is. This is "event 2". Notice that the action of jogging is interrupted by event 2. This is why the use of Past Continuous is correct here.
USE 3: Actions in progress at the same time
We also use this tense to show that two actions are taking place at the same.
Examples:
I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a book. The family was eating the dinner and talking.
USE 4: Timid / polite questions
If we want to ask a polite question, we can use the Past Continuous.
Examples:
I was wondering if you could open the window. I was thinking you might help me with this problem.
Even though the sentences have a Past Continuous form, they refer to the present moment. Their meaning is similar to the "could you" sentences, but they are more polite.
USE 5: Irritation
Remember that you can also express irritation over somebody or something in the past.
Examples:
She was always coming late for dinner!
FORM
To form a sentence in the Past Continuous, what you need is:
1. The proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to be" in the past form2. The Present Participle of your verb (verb + ing)
1. Auxiliary verb "to be"
The past form of the auxiliary verb "to be" is:
1. For the first and third person singular: "was"2. For all others: "were"
Examples: She was always coming late for dinner! You were always coming late for dinner!
2. The Present Participle
The present participle is of a verb is a verb form that appears with the present tenses. The present participle is formed by adding -ing to the verb.
talk + ing = talking be + ing = being
There are exceptions.
Positive Sentences
Subject
+
Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
e.g. I/a dogetc.
was / were e.g. swimming/talkingetc.
A rhinoceros was swatting flies with his tail when suddenly a fly bit him (Use 2)
Examples Use
Have you been running? (Use 2)
Has Tom been walking the dog? (Use 2)
How long have you been learning English? (Use 1)
Q: What have you been doing there? A: I've been eating
Where has she lived for the past 21 years? (Use 3)
Have you found the telephone number? (Use 1,2)
Have you ever been to France? (Use 1)
Has anyone taken my bag? (Use 1,2)
Negative Sentences
Subject
+
Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
e.g. I/a dogetc.
was not /were not
e.g. swimming/talkingetc.
Examples Use
He hasn't taken any drug for two years (Use 3)
I haven't met my perfect partner yet (Use 3)
They haven't contacted you, have they? (Use 1)
]
Past PerfectFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.Quick example:
I had written the letter before you came home. If she had studied hard, she would have passed the English language exam. I wish I had been brave enough. Mary looked as if she had not slept for 48 hours.
We use the Past Perfect tense to emphasize that an action in the past finished before another action in the past started. This tense is also used in reported speech, third conditional sentences, or to show dissatisfaction with the past.
USE1. A completed action before another action in the past
2. Third conditional sentences
3. Reported speech
4. Dissatisfaction with the past
USE 1: A completed action before another action in the past
The first use of this tense is to emphasize that one action in the past happened before another action in the past.
Examples:
I had finished my homework before I went playing football. John had never been to London before we went there last year.
Good to knowPeople (especially native speakers) do not use the Past Perfect in such sentences very often. For example, they will say:
o After I washed my car, I went to fill up.
Rather than:
o After I had washed my car, I went to fill up.
This is because "after" or "before" tell the listener which action happened first. Still, keep in mind that it is better to use the Past Perfect, especially in written English or when writing exams.
To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:
[ Father: My son Julius had never seen a camel before we went together to the zoo in summer 1990. ]
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a man who says: "My son, Julius, had never seen a camel, before we went together to the Zoo in summer 1990 ".
Why is this in Past Perfect? Click on the button labled "event 1". The father asks his son, Julius, the following question: "Have you ever seen a camel?". Julis replies that he has never seen it. In the next scene, they are in the Zoo, watching the animal. Notice that the event 1 occured before event 2. It means that the use of Past Perfect is correct here.
Use the Past Perfect with third conditional sentences.
Examples:
If we had gone by taxi, we wouldn't have been late. If Mary had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.
The Use 2 is the so-called hypothetical past: we are talking about things that never happened.
o I wish I had fixed my umberella. (but I didn't)o If only I had known the answer to that question. (but I didn't)
USE 3: Reported speech
Use the Past Perfect with reposted speech.
Examples:
Mary said she had already seen this film. He asked if I had read Harry Potter.
USE 4: Dissatisfaction with the past
We often use the Past Perfect to show our dissatisfaction with the past. Such sentences typically start with "I wish ..." or "If only ...".
Examples:
I wish I had taken more food. I'm hungry now. If only I had taken more food. I'm hungry now.
The Past Perfect is also used with expressions such as: "as if/though":o John looked as if he had done something terrible.o She looked as though she hadn't slept all night.
FORM
To form a sentence in the Past Perfect, what you need is:
1. The proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to have" in the past form.2. The Past Participle of your verb.
1. Auxiliary verb "to have"
The past form of the auxiliary verb "to have" is "had":
Mary had finished her homework before Mike came home.
2. The Past Participle
The past participle of a verb is a verb form that appears with the perfect tenses. The past participle can be either regular or irregular.
The regular verbs are formed by adding -ed to the verb:
Verb Past Participle
talk talked
explain explained
use used
deliver delivered
include included
achieve achieved
The formation of the irregular verbs does not follow one rule. Therefore, they
Had she eaten the dinner before she went to the cinema?
(Use 1)
Negative Sentences
Subject
+
Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
e.g. I/a dogetc.
had note.g.eaten/given/
goneetc.
Examples Use
I had not seen this movie , before we went to the cinema yesterday to see it.
(Use 1)
If he hadn't made the mistake, he would be happy now.
(Use 2)
Mary said she had not visited for a long time. (Use 3)
I wish I hadn't done it! (Use 4)
Past Perfect ContinuousFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.
The Past Perfect Continuous (Past Perfect Progressive) is used to talk about actions that began in the past and lasted up until another action in the past.
USE1. Duration of a past action up to a certain point in the past
2. Third conditional sentences
3. Reported speech*
Note:Use 1 contains Use 3. This means that Use 1 is also valid in the sentences marked with Use 3.
The PPC is involved when the original tense is the Present Perfect Continuous or the Past Continuous.
"she has been crying" - she said she had been crying
"she was crying" - she said she had been crying
Reported SpeechFORMDeclarative sentences:
Subject
+Auxiliary verb
+Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
I/a dog etc.
had been eating/swimming, etc.
[ Father: When I looked at our daughter Kathy I knew she had been crying ]
I had been running for an hour when it started raining. (Use 1) Mary said she had never been swimming so much in one day. (Use 3) Kathy put on weight because she had been eating too much sugar. (Use 1) Everything had been going well in my life until my world fell apart several
months ago. (Use 1)
He said he had been training. (Use 3)
Questions:What is inversion?
Auxiliary verb
+Subject
+Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
Had I/a dog etc. beeneating/swimming,
etc. For how many hours had Fred been painting the house when the ladder fell?
(Use 1) How long had the player been playing before he scored? (Use 1)
The difference between the Present Perfect Continuous and Past Perfect ContinuousNegative sentences:
Subject
+
Auxiliary verb + not
+Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
I/a dog /Mary, etc.
hadn't been going/swimming, etc.
He said he wasn't tired because he hadn't been working that day. (Use 3) If it hadn't been raining, we would have played football. (Use 2) Had I not been studying all night, I would have problems with this test now.
Past SimpleFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.a Quick example:
I was sleepy. He didn't learn any Italian when he was in Italy two year ago. I went to the cinema, bought popcorn and watched a movie.
We use the Past Simple to talk about actions that happened at a specific time in the past. The actions can be short or long. There can be a few actions happening one ofter another.
USE1. Events in the past that are now finished
2. Situation in the past
3. A series of actions in the past
USE 1: Past actions that are now finished
The first use of the Past Simple to express actions that happened at a specific time in the past. The actions can be short [1] or long [2].
Examples:
John cut his finger last week. [1] I went to college 3 years ago. [2] He ate the dinner 1 hour ago. [1] I slept well last night. [2]
USE 2: Situation in the past
Another use of this tense is talk about situations in the past.
Examples:
I lived in New York for 10 years (I don't live there anymore).
The Past Simple can also be used with a few actions in the past happening one after another.
Examples:
He entered a room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests.
FORM
Forming a sentence in the Past Simple is easy. To form a declarative sentence, all you need is the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog) and the past form of your verb (e.g. was, talked, swam). Questions and negative sentences are only a little more difficult, because they require an auxiliary verb.
Declarative Sentences
Subject+
Verb + ED or an irregular verb form
e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. worked/went/made
I saw two colorful fishes in the lake yesterday (Use 1)
Examples Use
He entered the room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests.
(Use 3)
Mary tried the soup but it was too hot to eat.
(Use 1)
I lived in New York for 10 years (I don't live there anymore).
USE 3: Predictions based on experience or intuition
We often use the Future Simple when making a prediction based on experience or intuition.
Examples:
It will rain in a moment. It will get more difficult.
USE 4: Habits
The last use of this tense is interesting: we can also use the Future Simple to express habits.
Examples:
She will bit her lip if she is thinking or if she's nervous about something. He will always make noise when we are sleeping.
FORMContracted forms (more)WILL = 'LL
She'll dance = she will dance
WILL + NOT = WON'T She won't dance = she will not dance
Declarative Sentences
Subject+
Auxiliary verb+
Verb
e.g. I/a dogetc. will e.g.work/go/make
CautionRemember, you should never use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided to do in the future:
o CORRECT: Mike is moving to New Jersey next month.o INCORRECT: Mike will move to New Jersey next month.
READ MORE
I think he will regret his choice. (Use 3) I will come back at 10 p.m. (Use 1) If you will keep your watch half an hour slow it is hardly surprising that you
are late for your appointments. (Use 4) John will keep dropping his towel on the floor after a bath. (Use 4)
When I'm 60 years old, I will be completely bald. (Use 3) I will visit my grandma at hospital. (Use 1 or Use 2) Let's buy the snacks at the supermarket – they will be cheaper. (Use 3)
Questions
Auxiliary verb+
Subject+
Verb
will e.g. I/a dogetc. e.g.work/go/make
Remember
We often use "will" with:
probably, most likely I'll probably drop in on uncle.
I think This gift is great. I think we'll love it.
I'm sureIt's not going to be boring there. I'm sure there will be a lot of boys at your age
I wonder (if, what, when, etc.)
It's a bit late. I wonder if he'll come.
I expect I haven't seen Matthew today. I expect he'll calltoday.
Will he be surprised when he sees me? (Use 3) Will Mark be able to do the shopping before 10 a.m.? (Use 3) Will there be plenty of people in church? (Use 3) Will you study harder? (Use 1)
Negative Sentences
Subject+
Auxiliary verb+
Verb
e.g. I/a dogetc. will not e.g.work/go/make I won't take any heavy equipment with me. (Use 2) I'm sorry I won't be able to help you with your English today. (Use 2) I expect that Sally will not clean up her room, unless you help her. (Use 3)
Future ContinuousFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.
Quick example:
Tomorrow at this time, I will be taking my English Langauge exam.
Ben won't be eating the dinner now. He usually eats it around noon.! Will you be coming to the party tonight?
We mainly use the Future Continuous (aka Future Progressive) to indicate that we will be in the middle of doing something in a specified time in the future. There are also two other uses, listed below:
USE1. Future actions in progress.
2. Guesses about the present or the future.
3. Polite questions about somebody's intentions*.
Good to know...If you want to learn about somebody's intentions, you should always use the Future Continuous rather than the Present Simple. Using the Future Simple implies that you want to influence somebody's decision. Questions become much more objective if formed in the Future Continuous:
o Will you come home? (= I want you to come home)o Will you be coming home? (= I just want to know)
USE 1: Future actions in progress
The first use of the Future Continuous is to express future action in progress.
Examples:
In an hour, I will be sitting in front of my TV. In the evening, I will be baking a birthday cake.
USE 2: Guesses
Use this tense also to make guesses about something in the present or future.
Examples:
He won't be coming any time soon. He is still at the office. Beatrice will be getting married very soon.
USE 3: Questions
The last (but not least) use of the tense is to make polite questions about something or somebody.
Examples:
Will you be coming home before or after 10 p.m.? Will you be going to the supermarket? I have something to buy.
FORMContracted forms (more)WILL = 'LL
Example: She'll have been = she will have been
WILL + NOT = WON'T
Example: She won't have been = she will not have been
Important: The Future Continuous appears in two forms: "will" form and "going to" form which can be used interchangably.Example: "She will be dancing" means "she is going to be dancing"
Declarative Sentences
Subject
+
Auxiliary verb
+Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
e.g. I/a dogetc.
will bee.g.working/going/
making She'll be having a bath when I'm back home. (Use 1) Tomorrow at nine, I will be hosing off (=washing with a hose) my car. (Use 1) This time next week, I am going to be throwing a party. (Use 1) I'll be watching TV when my mother arrives. (Use 1) They will be getting home just about now. (Use 2)
Watch out!Like any of the Future Tenses, Future Continuous cannot be used in sentences beginning with: while,when, before, by the time, if, etc.
o By the time, you will be finishing your paiting.
Tomorrow at this time, I will be getting bored at school! (Use 1)
Questions
Auxiliary verb +
Subject+
Auxiliary verb+
Verb + ing?
will I/you/we etc. be dancing / taking Is she going to be cooking when we knock at the door? (Use 1) Will Mark be playing football at 6 p.m.? (Use 1) Will you be using the screwdriver? (Use 3)
We won't be having supper tomorrow before 8 o'clock. (Use 1) I am not going to be learning English tomorrow at this time. (Use 1) John won't be sleeping now (= I think John isn't sleeping now) (Use 2)
Future PerfectFirst time here? You may want to see the list of basic facts about tenses.Quick example:
By the next year, I will have graduated from university.
We use the Future Perfect tense to express an action that will be finished before some point in the future.
USE1. Actions that will be finished before some point in the future.
Common Time ExpressionsTime expressions that are commonly used with the Future Perfect:
o Beforeo By tomorrow/7 o'clock/next montho Until/till
USE 1
The only use of this tense is to talk about future actions that will be finished before some specified point in the future.
Examples: Before they come, we will have cleaned up the house. John will have eaten the whole cake, by the time the party starts!
FORMContracted forms (more)WILL = 'LL
Example: She'll have finished = she will have finished
WILL + NOT = WON'T
Example: She won't have finished = she will not have finished
Important: The Future Perfect appears in two forms: "will" form and "going to" form which can be used interchangably.Example: "She will have finished" means "she is going to have finished"
Positive Sentences
Subject
+
Auxiliary verb
+
Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
e.g. I/a dogetc.
will havee.g.eaten/given/
goneetc.
Examples Use
I will have retired by the end of this year.
(Use 1)
I read 40 pages a day. If I keep up the pace, I will have read the book by Tuesday.
Jane will be very tired when she comes home, because she will have been flying over 24 hours.
(Use 1)
My father and I will have beenbreeding sheep for 20 years tomorrow.
(Use 1)
By the year 2020, linguists will have been studying and definingthe Indo-European language family for more than 200 years.
(Use 1)
NoteIf duration of an activity (e.g. "since April", "for three hours") is unknown then the Future Continuousshould be used instead of the Perfect Form.
Example:
o I will be taking a bath.o
Negative Sentences
Subject
+
Auxiliary verb
+
Auxiliary verb
+
Auxiliary verb
+Verb + ing
e.g. I/a dogetc.
will have beene.g.eating/giving/
goingetc.
Examples Use
She won't have been writing the book for four months by the end of October.
(Use 1)
Negative sentences sound rather unnatural. This is probably because the answer to a question like, "Will she have been teaching for 30 years this year?", would simply be, "No, I don't think so".
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