PAST PERFECT
Form of the Past Perfect
We form the Past Perfect with had and the past participle (regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs)
had + past participle
We use the same form of the auxiliary had every time regardless the subject.
past participle:
- regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs
Affirmative sentences
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I/you/he/she/it/we/they had played hockey. | I/you/he/she/it/we/they had gone home. |
Negative sentences
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I/you/he/she/it/we/they had not played hockey. | I/you/he/she/it/we/they had not gone home. |
Questions
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
Had I/you/he/she/it/we/they played hockey? | Had I/you/he/she/it/we/they gone home? |
Past Perfect - Use
1) Together with the Simple Past
When two past actions are combined - the first action, which was completed before the second one began, is put into Past Perfect.
Mary had read the book before she watched a film.
After Amy had gone home it started to rain.
2) the past equivalent of the Present Perfect
He had played hockey.
Besonderheiten
Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
The bike is new. I've bought it. | The bike was new. I had bought it. |
Past Perfect - Simple Past | Simple Past - Simple Past |
The match had started before he arrived. | The match started when he arrived. |
PAST CONTINUOUS
Form of the Past Progressive/Continuous
We use a form of to be (was or were), the infinitive of the verb and the ending –ing.
to be (was, were) + infinitive + -ing
Affirmative sentences:
I/he/she/it was playing football.
We/you/they were playing football.
NOTE: Use was with I, he, she, it -
and were with all other pronouns.
In affirmative sentences we do not use short forms in the Past Progressive.
Negative sentences:
I/he/she/it was not playing football.
We/you/they were not playing football.
We use short forms in the Past Progressive in negative sentences:
I/he/she/it wasn't playing football.
We/you/they weren't playing football.
Questions:
In the Past Progressive we put the auxiliary (was or were) before the subject
(Auxiliary - Subject - Verb - Rest).
Was I/he/she/it playing football?
Were we/you/they playing football?
Past Progressive/Continuous - Use
The Past Progressive is used when we talk about something which was happening at a special time in the past. It is also called Past Continuous. Have a look at the following examples:
1) action was in progress at special time in the past
Peter was reading a book yesterday evening.
She was listening to the radio.
2) two actions were happening at the same time (the actions do not influence each other)
Anne was writing a letter while Steve was reading the New York Times.
3) together with the Simple Past
While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang.
Note:
Past Progressive: were sitting at the table
Simple Past: the telephone rang.
The action in the Simple Past interrupted the action in the Past Progressive.
4) repeated actions irritating the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)
Andrew was always coming in late. (I don't like it.)
Simple Past:
Andrew always came late. (Here I don't give a comment.)
PRESENT PERFECT
Form of the Present Perfect
We form the Present Perfect with have and the past participle
(regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs)
have/has + past participle
has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it)
have: all other forms
past participle:
- regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs
Affirmative sentences
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I/we/you/they have played football. | I/we/you/they have gone to the supermarket. |
He/she/it has played football. | He/she/it has gone to the supermarket. |
NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).
Negative sentences
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I/we/you/they have not played football. | I/we/you/they have not gone to the supermarket. |
He/she/it has not played football. | He/she/it has not gone to the supermarket. |
NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
Have I/we/you/they playedfootball? | Have I/we/you/they gone to the supermarket? |
Has he/she/it played football? | Has he/she/it gone to the supermarket? |
Questions NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).
Present Perfect - Use
The Present Perfect is not easy to understand for ESL learners. It is a combination of past and present. An actions in the past has something to do with the present.
1) Result of an action in the past is important in the present
I have cleaned my room. (It is clean now.)
Has Peggy ever been to Tokyo? (Has Peggy been there or not?)
2) Recently completed actions
He has just played handball. (It is over now.)
3) Actions beginning in the past and still continuing - mostly with since (point of time) or for (period of time)
We have lived in Canada since 1986. (We still live there.)
4) together with lately, recently, yet
I have been to London recently. (no specific point of time)
He has not written the e-mail yet. (He has not done it.)
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Form of the Present Perfect Progressive
We form the Present Perfect with have, been and the verb with the ending -ing.
have/has + been + infinitive + -ing
has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it)
have: all other forms
Affirmative sentences
I/we/you/they have been playing volleyball.
He/she/it has been playing volleyball.
NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).
Negative sentences
I/we/you/they have not been playing volleyball.
He/she/it has not been playing volleyball.
NOTE: We use has + not in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).
Questions
Have I/we/you/they been playing volleyball?
Has he/she/ity been playing volleyball?
NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).
Present Perfect Progressive - Use
The Present Perfect Progressive is not easy to understand for ESL students. It is a combination of past and present where actions in the past have something to do with the present. The focus is not on the result (this is the Present Perfect) but on the action itself.
1) Actions beginning in the past and still continuing (focus is on the action) - mostly with since (point of time) or for (period of time)
I have been waiting for you for three hours. (It was a long time.)
2) Recently completed actions (focus is on the action)
She has been watching too many videos. (It was too much time.)
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Form of the Present Progressive/Continuous
We use a form of to be (am, are or is), the infinitive of the verb and the ending –ing.
to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing
Affirmative sentences:
I am playing volleyball.
He/she/it is playing volleyball.
We/you/they are playing volleyball.
NOTE: Use am with I - is with he, she, it - and with all other pronouns are.
We often use short forms in affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive.
Negative sentences:
I am not playing volleyball.
He/she/it is not playing volleyball.
We/you/they are not playing volleyball.
NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the Present Progressive.
Questions:
In the Present Progressive we put the auxiliary (am, are or is) before the subject
(Auxiliary - Subject - Verb - Rest).
Am I playing volleyball?
Is he/she/it playing volleyball?
Are we/you/they playing volleyball?
Present Progressive/Continuous - Use
The Present Progressive is used when we talk about something which is happening now. It is also called Present Continuous. Have a look at the following examples:
1) actions happening at the moment of speaking (now, at the moment)
Peter is reading a book now.
She’s listening to the radio.
2) fixed plan in the near future
She is going to Basel on Saturday.
3) temporary actions
His father is working in Rome this month.
Note:
We do use verbs which express states and are normally not used with the Present Progressive. Watch the difference in meaning.
They love being together. (They are not together now.)
They are loving being together. (They are together now.)
4) actions happening around the moment of speaking (longer actions)
My friend is preparing for his exams.
5) trends
More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.
6) repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)
Andrew is always coming in late. (I don't like it.)
Simple Present:
Andrew always comes late. (Here I don't give a comment.)
SIMPLE PAST
Form of the Simple Past
Form the Simple Past:
- with regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- with irregular verbs: 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs
Affirmative sentences:
Use the same form of the verb every time regardless the subject.
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I played football. | I went to the supermarket. |
Negative sentences:
Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of do) every time regardless the subject.
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I did not play football. | I did not go to the supermarket. |
NOTE: Short forms in negative sentences in the Simple Past are used quite often.
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
I didn't play football. | I didn't go to the supermarket. |
Questions:
Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of do) every time regardless the subject.
regular verbs | irregular verbs |
Did you play football? | Did I go to the supermarket? |
Simple Past - Use
The Simple Past is used to talk about actions or situations in the past. It is also called Past Simple.
Have a look at the following examples:
1) action finished in the past (single or repeated)
I visited Berlin last week.
Andrew watched TV yesterday.
2) series of completed actions in the past
First I got up, then I had breakfast.
3) together with the Past Progressive/Continuous - The Simple Past interrupted an action which was in progress in the past.
They were playing cards when the telephone rang.
1st action: Past Progressive were playing
2nd action: Simple Past rang
SIMPLE PRESENT
Form of the Simple Present
We use the infinitive of the verb. In the 3rd person Singular (he, she, it - or a name) we put an -s at the end of the infinitive.
infinitive - 3rd person Singular (he, she, it) infinitive + -s
Affirmative sentences:
I/we/you/they play football.
He/she/it plays football.
NOTE: he, she, it - Do not forget the -s.
Negative sentences:
We use the auxiliary do.
I/we/you/they do not play football.
He/she/it does not play football.
NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the Simple Present:
I/we/you/they don't play football.
He/she/it doesn't play football.
Questions:
Do I/we/you/they play football?
Does he/she/it play football?
Simple Present - Use
The Simple Present is frequently used in English. It is also called Present Simple. Have a look at the following examples:
1) repeated actions (every day, always, often, sometimes or never)
My friend often draws nice posters.
I never drink milk.
2) things in general
The sun rises in the East.
3) fixed arrangements, scheduled events (e.g. timetable)
The plane flies to London every Monday.
4) actions in the present - one follows after the other (first - then, after that)
First I get up, then I have breakfast.
5) instructions
Open your books at page 34.
6) after special verbs, which are normally not used with the Present Progressive (These verbs express states, possessions, feelings etc.)
be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem, smell, think, understand, want, wish
I understand English.
He doesn't like fish.
FUTURE TENSE
Form of the going to-future
We use a form of to be (am, are or is), going to and the infinitive of the verb.
to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive
Affirmative sentences
Example:
I am going to play handball.
He/she/it is going to play handball.
We/you/they are going to play handball.
NOTE: Use am with I, is with he, she, it and with all other pronouns are.
We often use short forms in affirmative sentences in the going to-future:
Negative sentences
Example:
I am not going to play handball.
He/she/it is not going to play handball.
We/you/they are not going to play handball.
NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the going to-future.
Questions
In the going to-future we put the auxiliary (am, are or is) before the subject
(Auxiliary - Subject - going to - Verb - Rest).
Example:
Am I going to play handball?
Is he/she/it going to play handball?
Are we/you/they going to play handball?
going to-future - Use
We use the going to-future:
1) planned actions in the future
We are going to sing at the party.
They are going to fly to South Africa.
2) You are certain that sth. is going to happen in the future.
Look at this car! It is going to crash into the yellow one.
Form of the will-future
We form the will-future with the auxiliary will and the infinitive of the verb.
We use the the same form of the verb every time regardless the subject.
In British English we sometimes use shall instead of will for the first persons (I/we).
will + infinitive
Affirmative sentences
Example:
He will play football.
NOTE: short/contracted form in the will-future:
He'll play football.
Negative sentences
Example:
He will not play football.
NOTE: short/contracted forms in the will-future:
He won't play football. or
He'll not play football.
Questions
Example:
Will he play football?
will-future - Use
We use the will-future:
1) Future actions happen without the speaker's intention (birthday, weather, etc.)
The sun will shine tomorrow.
Peter will be 15 next Tuesday.
2) Predictions, assumptions (I think, I hope, I'm sure, I'm afraid)
I think Sue will arrive in Paris at 6 pm.
3) Spontaneous actions (not planned)
Hang on! I'll have a word with you.