TENSES REVIEWTENSES REVIEW

2nd of BACHILLERATO

PRESENT SIMPLE

USES:1. A REGULAR HABIT OR ROUTINE

Japanese usually send text messagesWe attend yoga lessons on Mondays and Fridays

2. A GENERAL TRUTH OR SCIENTIFIC FACTUnemployment increases in many European countriesI don’t understand this question. It’s too difficullt

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY & TIME EXPRESSIONS:Always, usually, occasionally, frequently, often, sometimes, rarely, seldom,neverOnce a month, every week, inthe evening, at half past two, on sundays, howoften?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

USES:

1. AN ACTION THAT IS HAPPENING NOW

‘What are you watching on TV?’ ‘The news’

She is currently studying Chinese

2. A TEMPORARY ACTION

Peter is staying with his parents these days.

I’m not speaking today. I have got a throatache

3. A DEFINITE PLAN FOR THE NEAR FUTURE

She’s staying in Glasgow until next year

The train is leaving at nine o’clock

TIME EXPRESSIONS: at the moment, (right) now, currently, today, these

days, at present, this year, tonight, tomorrow, this evening, next month, …

VERBS WITHOUT CONTINUOUS FORM(STATIVE VERBS)

a. LIKE & DISLIKE: like, dislike, love, prefer, want, enjoy, hate, wish, hope b. MIND: believe, forget, know, remember, remind, understand, guess, thinkc. SENSES: feel, hear, listen, see, smell, sound, touch, tasted. POSESSION: belong to, have, owne. OTHERS: consist of, involve, appear, seem

EXCEPTIONS:*think, feel can be used in continuous form except when they express OPINION

What are you thinking about?*I don’t think that is a good idea.

*gaze, look (at), watch, stare, observe, listen (when the action is done onpurpose)

They were looking at the Monet’s picture with interest

PAST SIMPLE

USES:

1. A COMPLETED ACTION IN THE PAST

Suddenly I heard a loud noise

We didn’t come back late yesterday night

Where did they spend their holidays last summer?

TIME EXPRESSIONS: yesterday, last year, four days ago, in 1999, then, when

PAST CONTINUOUSUSES:1. AN INCOMPLETED ACTION IN PROFRESS AT A SPECIFIC TIME IN

THE PASTYesterday morning, Lisa and I were playing tennis What were you doing at midday last Monday?

2. AN INCOMPLETED ACTION INTERRUPTED BY ANOTHER ACTION (in Past Simple)I was walking down the stairs when I noticed something strangeWe weren’t sleeping when you phoned

3. TWO INCOMPLETED ACTIONS IN PROGRESS HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME He was eating popcorn while I was watching the film at the cinemaThey were listening carfeully while the scientist was explaining his discoveries

TIME EXPRESSIONS: last night, at a quarter to seven, when, while, as

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

USES:1. AN ACTION THAT BEGAN IN THE PAST AND CONTINUES IN THE

PRESENTHow long have you lived in this house?He hasn’t visited Italy, yet?

2. AN ACTION THAT TOOK PLACE AT AN UNDETERMINED TIME IN THE PAST AND HAS IMPORTANCE OR CONSECUENCES IN THE PRESENT I have just finished my work. We can go and have a drinkShe has never studied English so she has difficulties to find a good job in a big international company

TIME EXPRESSIONS: for, since, ever, never, recently, lately, yet, just, already,How long..?

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE

USES:

1. A COMPLETED ACTION THAT TOOK PLACE BEFORE ANOTHER ACTION IN THE PAST

Paul was upset. He had argued with his girlfriend te previous night.

I didn’t have to tidy my room because my mun had already done it.

TIME EXPRESSIONS: already, by the time, after, before, until, never, just

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

USES:

1. AN ACTION THAT BEGAN IN THE PAST AND CONTINUES IN THE PRESENT. IT REINFORCES THE IDEA OF DURATION.

It has been raining all dayHow long have you been sleeping?I’ve been watching TV since two o’clock

2. A FINISHED, BUT RECENT ACTION WHOSE EFFECTS OR CONSECUENCES ARE STILL VISIBLE

I’m penniless. I have been spending to much money.You look gorgeous! Have you been doing exercise?That man over there is bright red. I think he’s benn sunbathing.

TIME EXPRESSIONS: for a month, since, how long..?, all day/morning/week

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

USES:

1. AN ACTION WHICH CONTINUED UP TO ANOTHER PAST ACTION. IT REINFORCES THE IDEA OF DURATION

I was very tired when I arrived home. I’d been working hard all day.

He was out of breath. He’d been running.

Ken had been smoking for thirty years when he finally gave it up.

TIME EXPRESSIONS: for hours, since, before, until, when, all evening, etc.

FUTURE SIMPLEUSES:1. A PREDICTION

‘I think we’ll solve many world problems in the future’ ‘You’re very optimistic’‘Calm down! I’m sure she won’t be late’

2. A SPONTANEOUS DECISION‘I’ll shut the window because I’m cold’‘This bag is so heavy’ ‘Wait a minute! I’ll help you’

3. A TIMETABLEThe lecture will start at five o’clockDr. O’ Donnell will see you in ten minutes

TIME EXPRESSIONS: this afternoon, later, next month, soon, at two o’clock, in an hour, tomorrow, in a few days, on 12th March, in the future

BE GOING TO

USES:1. A PLANNED ACTION FOR THE FUTURE (usually related to the planned

intentions of the subject of the action)I’m going to visit New York next summerLucy is going to study medicine at university

2. AN ACTION THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN – A PREDICTION BASED ON OBSERVABLE FACTS‘Look at the sky. It’s going to snow’‘Be careful! You’re going to cut yourself with that knife’

TIME EXPRESSIONS: this afternoon, later, next month, soon, at two o’clock, in an hour, tomorrow, in a few days, on 12th March, in the future

FUTURE PERFECT

USES:

1. A COMPLETED ACTION AT A CERTAIN FUTURE TIME

In a week’s time, they’ll have decorated the whole house

Will you have finished your project by ten o’clock next Monday?

TIME EXPRESSIONS: by this time next week, by half past three, by the end

of…, by then, by August, in two months

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

USES:

1. AN ACTION IN PROGRESS AT A CERTAIN TIME IN THE FUTURE

‘Will you still be waiting for me in three month’s time?’

Mall will be studying at Oxford by this time next year.

TIME EXPRESSIONS: at this time tomorrow, at this time next…, on Tuesday,

in four week’s time, in the next century