The Use of the Tenses
The Tense
We use the tense:
Example
Time expressions we use with the present simple
The Present Simple
(Lihtolevik)
- for permanent states and repeated or
habitual actions
- Jean works for a catering company (permanent
state).
- She always takes the bus to school (habitual
action)
- Water freezes at 0 degrees C.
- Mammals feed their babies on milk.
Usually, often, always, every day/week/month/year
etc., in the morning/evening/ afternoon/, at night/the weekend,
on Mondays, etc.
- for general truths and laws of nature
- for timetables (of planes, trains, etc.) and
programmes
- for sports commentaries, reviews and
narration.
The Present
Continuous
(Kestev olevik)
- for actions happening at or around the
moment of speaking
- for fixed arrangements in the near future,
especially when the time and place have
been decided
- for situations which are changing or
developing during the present time
- with adverbs such as always, constantly,
continuously, etc., for frequently repeated
actions, to express annoyance, irritation or
anger
- The last train to London leaves at 9:15pm.
- In the end, Gail finds her mother and they all
live happily ever after (narration)
- Tim is doing the dishes at the moment.
- Tim and Jo are looking for a flat these days.
- We are going to the opera next Saturday.
- The hole in the ozone layer is becoming bigger
and bigger.
- You are always leaving your newspaper on
the floor.
Now, at the moment, at present, these days, still, nowadays,
today, tonight, etc.
Note! Stative or state verbs describe a state rather than an
action and do not normally have continuous tenses. These
include:
- verbs which express likes or dislikes like, love, dislike, hate,
enjoy, prefer, etc.
- verbs of the senses see, hear, smell, taste, feel, look, sound,
etc.
- verbs of perception know, believe, understand, realize,
remember, forget, notice, think, see (understand), etc.
- some other verbs such as: be, contain, include, belong, fit,
need, matter, cost, mean, own, want, owe, have (possess),
weigh, wish, keep (continue), etc.
Some of the above verbs are used in continuous tenses when
they describe actions and not states.
Your mother looks very young.
The mechanic is looking at my motorcycle.
NB! To look (referring to a person’s appearance), feel, hurt
and ache can be used in the Pr. S. or in the Pr. Cont. with no
difference of meaning.
The Present Perfect
(Täisminevik)
- for an action which started in the past and
continues up to the present, especially with
stative verbs such as be, have, like, know,
etc.
- Kate has known John sine 1969.
For, since, already, yet, always, just, ever, never, so far, today,
this week/month, etc., how long? Lately, recently, still (in
negations)
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The Present Perfect
Continuous
(Kestev täisminevik)
- for a recently completed action whose
result is visible in the present
- for an action which happened at an
unstated time in the past. We put emphasis
on the action, time is unimportant or
unknown
- an action which has happened within a
specific time period which is not over at the
moment of speaking (today, this
morning/week, etc.).
- He has just finished painting the living room.
Doesn’t it look great?
- Rob and Lucy have booked tickets to Paris.
- to put emphasis on the duration of an
action which started in the past and
continues up to the present, especially with
words and expressions such as for, since, all
morning/day/year, etc.
- for an action which started in the past and
lasted for some time. The action may have
finished or may still be going on. The result
of the action is visible in the present
- to express anger, irritation, or annoyance
- Sean has been writing letters all morning.
She has taken 15 pictures today. (Today is not
over yet, she can take some pictures)
For, since, how long, lately, recently
Note! With verbs teach, work, feel, live we an use either the
Pres. Perf. or the Pres. Perf. Cont. with no difference in
meaning!
- Mrs. Lyon is upset. Her students have been
misbehaving since lunchtime.
- Someone has been throwing their rubbish into
my garden.
The Past Simple
(Lihtminevik)
The Past
Continuous
(Kestev minevik)
-for an action which happened at a definite
time in the past. The time is stated, already
known or implied
- for actions which happened immediately
one after the other in the past
- for past habits and states which are now
finished
(= used to)
- Sheila arrived in Tokyo last week.
- for an action which was in progress at a
stated time in the past. We do not mention
when the action started or finished
- for an action which was in progress when
another action interrupted it
- for two or more simultaneous actions
- I was watching the football game on TV at
8o’clock last night.
- to describe the atmosphere, setting, et.,
and give background information to a story
Yesterday, then, when, How long ago?, last
night/week/month/year/Tuesday, etc., three days/weeks, etc.
ago, in 1997, etc.
- He got out of bed, went to the kitchen and
turned on the coffee machine.
- I lived (used to live) in France five years ago.
While, when, as, all morning/evening/day/night, etc.
- We were playing cards when the lights went
out.
- Natalie was flying her kite while her sister was
riding her bicycle.
- The sun was shining and the birds were
singing that summer morning in Nashville.
Emily was getting ready for work and Joe was
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making pancakes for the children
The Past Perfect
(Enneminevik)
- for an action which happened before
another past action or before a stated time in
the past
- for an action which finished in the past
and whose result was visible in the past
The Past Perfect
Continuous
(Kestev
enneminevik)
The Future Simple
(Lihttulevik)
- They had tided their room by the time their
parents arrived (before another action)
- She had cooked dinner by six o’clock (before
a stated time).
- Frank had washed the car, so the ground
around it was wet.
- to put emphasis on the duration of an
action which started and finished in the
past, before another past action or a stated
time in the past usually with for and since
- for an action which lasted for some time in
the past and whose result was visible in the
past
- She had been working in the fields for five
hours before she stopped for lunch.
- predictions about the future, based on
what we think, believe or imagine, with the
verbs think, believe, expect, etc., the
expressions be sure, be afraid, etc., and the
adverbs probably, certainly, perhaps, etc.
- on-the-spot decisions (decisions made at
the moment of speaking)
- promises, threats, warnings, requests,
hopes and offers
- I think Debby will become a great artist one
day.
- She’s afraid her son will fail his exams.
- My uncle will probably make a speech at the
wedding reception.
- actions/events/situations which will
definitely happen in the future and which
we cannot control
Be going to
- for plans, intentions or ambitions for the
future
- actions we have already decided to do in
the near future
- predictions based on what we can see or
what we know, especially when there is
evidence that something will happen
- He had been studying all night and was
exhausted.
- I’ll buy the blue jumper and not the yellow
one.
- Will you give me a hand with the washing-up?
- I’ll never speak to you again.
- Halloween next year will fall on a Saturday.
Before, after, already, just, for, since, till/until, when, by the
time, never, etc.
Note! The past perfect is the past equivalent of the present
perfect
NB! We can use the Past Perfect or the Past Simple with
before and after without any difference of meaning.
They went out after it had stopped/stopped raining.
For, since, how long, before, until, etc.
Note! The past perf. cont. is the past equivalent of the pres.
perf. cont.
NB! We can use the Past Simple, Past Cont.or Past Perfect
witout any difference in meaning with such verbs as think,
hope, mean, expect for things we hoped or wished to do, but
didn’t.
I expected/was expecting/had expected him to call me, but he
didn’t.
Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, tonight, soon, next
week/month/year, in a week/month, etc.
Note! We normally use the present continuous with verbs
which express movement, especially with the verbs go and
come.
George is coming home in a week’s time.
We are going to the shops this afternoon.
- I’m going to travel around the world one day.
- We are going to visit our grandparents next
weekend.
- Look at the car! It’s going to crash.
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- for actions which will be in progress at a
stated future time
- actions which will definitely happen in the
future as a result of a routine or
arrangement
- when we ask politely about someone’s
plans for the near future
- This time tomorrow I’ll be flying to Paris.
- You’d better not call Justine right now. She’ll
be heading for the train station.
The Future Perfect
- for actions which will be finished before a
stated future time
They will have painted the room by Thursday.
The Future Perfect
Continuous
- to emphasise the duration of an action up
to a certain time in the future. It is used with
by … for
By the end of this year, he will have been
lecturing at this college for ten years.
The Future
Continuous
(Kestev tulevik)
- Will Helen be using the fax machine for long?
I have to send a fax.
Before, by, by then, by the time, until/till (only in negative
sentences)
He won’t have repaired my camera until/till the end of this week.
Note 1!
Flight OA562 to Vienna leaves at 8am. (timetables, programmes)
I’m meeting Paul at 9am tomorrow.(decided or arranged for the
near future)
Note 2
Time words/expressions such as while, before, after, until/till, as,
when, whenever, once, as soon as, as long as, by the time
introduce time clauses. We use the present simple or the present
perfect but not future forms after the above time
words/expressions.
Let me know as soon as you make your decision.
Note 3!
We also use the present simple or the present perfect and not
future forms after words/expressions such as unless, if,
suppose/supposing, in case, etc.
I won’t call you unless I need help.
Note 4!
We use future forms with when when it is used as a question
word.
When will he have completed the project?
I’m not sure when they will visit us.
Note 5!
We use future forms with if when it is used to show ignorance,
uncertainty, etc., such as I don’t know, I wonder, I doubt, etc.
I wonder if it will be cloudy tomorrow?
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