TENSES INFOGRAPHICS
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ALWAYS TRUE Two and two make four.
PERMANENT SITUATIONS I live in London.
SHORT ACTIONS NOW
He takes the ball and scores a goal!
HABITS
PRESENT
She plays tennis every Tuesday.
Use with: twice a month, on Fridays, often, sometimes.
PRESENT SIMPLE
FUTURE
FUTURE TIMETABLES Our train leaves at 11am. FUTURE IN TIME CLAUSES Use with: this evening, at 10 I won't go out until it stops raining. o'clock, tomorrow.
Use with: until, when, as soon as, after, before.
UNFINISHED ACTIONS NOW
I'm working at the moment.
Use with: now, at the moment.
TEMPORARY SITUATIONS
I'm living in London.
Use with: at the moment, for a few weeks, for a couple of months.
PRESENT
TEMPORARY HABITS
He's eating a lot these days.
Use with: at the moment, these days.
ANNOYING HABITS PRESENT
You're forever losing your keys! CONTINUOUS
Use with: always, forever, constantly.
FUTURE
DEFINITE FUTURE PLANS I'm meeting my father tomorrow.
Use with: tomorrow, later, at 7pm tonight, on Tuesday.
UNFINISHED
I've known Karen since 1994. She's lived in London for three years.
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
Use with: since 2010, since July, for ten years, for three days.
FINISHED
Use with: ever, never.
HOW LONG
Use with: this week, today, this month, this year.
UNFINISHED TIME WORD
I haven't seen her this month.
PRESENT RESULT
LIFE EXPERIENCE
I've been to Tokyo.
I've lost my keys (so I can't get into my house).
NEWS / RECENT EVENTS
The Queen has given a speech.
Use with: just / yet / already / recently.
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
HOW LONG
FINISHED
Use with: since 2010, since July, for ten years, for three days.
PRESENT RESULT
UNFINISHED
Use with: recently.
I've been living in London for two years. She's been working here since 2004.
I've been working (that's why I'm tired).
TEMPORARY SITUATIONS
I've been going to the gym a lot recently.
FINISHED TIME WORD
I went to the cinema yesterday.
Use with: yesterday, last night, in 2003, 6 months ago.
PAST
Use with: the present perfect.
ACTIONS IN STORIES
PAST SIMPLE
He sat down and ordered a coffee.
Use with: the past continuous.
PRESENT /
UNREAL / IMAGINARY THINGS FUTURE If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
Use with: wish, it's time, second conditional.
FINISHED TIME PERIOD
Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa.
DETAILS OF NEWS
I've hurt my leg. I fell off a ladder.
OVERLAPPING ACTION
I was walking to the station when I met John.
Use with: when + past simple, two o'clock, 7pm.
STORY BACKGROUND
The birds were singing and the sun was shining. Amy sat down.
Use with: the past simple.
SOME PAST HABITS
She was constantly singing.
Use with: always, forever, constantly, at that time, in those days.
EMPHASIS OF LENGTH OF ACTION I was working in the garden all day.
Use with: all day, all evening, for hours.
PAST CONTINUOUS
ACTION FINISHED BEFORE ANOTHER PAST ACTION
When we arrived, the film had started.
Use with: when + past simple, June, last Tuesday.
HOW LONG TO A POINT IN THE PAST
When he graduated, he had been in London for six years.
Use with: when + past simple, for + time.
PAST PERFECT
UNREAL THINGS IN THE PAST
I wish I hadn't gone to bed so late!
Use with: third conditionals, wish.
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
HOW LONG TO A POINT IN THE PAST
She had been working at that company for a year when she met James.
Use with: when + past simple, for + time. RESULT AT A TIME IN THE
PAST
The pavement was wet. It had been raining.
Use with: the past simple.
FUTURE PREDICTION
The sun will rise at 7 am. I think the Conservatives will win the next election.WILL
FUTURE SIMPLE
BE GOING TO
Use with: the first conditional.
PLANS AND INTENTIONS
FUTURE PREDICTION
PROMISES / REQUESTS / REFUSALS / OFFERS
I'll help you with your homework.
FUTURE CONDITIONALS
homework.
A: We've run out of milk. B: I know. I'm going to buy some.
The sky is getting darker and darker. It's going to rain.
If it doesn't rain, we'll go to the park.
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
OVERLAPPING ACTION
I'll be waiting when you arrive.
Use with: when + present simple, at 8pm.
FUTURE AS A MATTER OF COURSE
The government will be making a statement later.
Use with: later, tonight, next week on the 2nd of September.
HOW LONG TO A POINT IN THE FUTURE
When we get married, I'll have known Robert for four years.
Use with: when + present simple, by the time + present simple, for + time.
FUTURE PERFECT SIMPLE
ACTION FINISHED BEFORE A POINT IN THE FUTURE
By ten o'clock, I will have finished my homework.
Use with: by three o'clock, by Friday, when + present simple, by the time + present simple.
HOW LONG TO A POINT IN THE FUTURE
In April, she will have been teaching for twelve years.
Use with: when + present simple, by the time + present simple, for + time.
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
ACTION FINISHED BEFORE A POINT IN THE FUTURE
When I see you, I'll have been studying, so I'll be tired.
Use with: when + present simple, by the time + present simple.