Future Continuous Tense

Future Continuous Tense

بواسطة | يناير 23, 2020 | Learn English

Future Continuous Tense

Learn English tenses -Future Continuous Tense

English Grammar Test | – From Here

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses.

In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense:

  • Structure: How do we make the tense?
  • Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.

Present Tense

Present Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Past Tense

Past Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Future Tense

Future Continuous Tense

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Tenses

We use different tenses to describe the time that the verb refers to.

Future Continuous Tense

We use the future continuous tense to talk about things that will happen over a period of time in the future.

Like simple future, we can use either “will” or “going to” with the future continuous tense, but unlike simple future, there is no difference in meaning.

Note: Like all continuous tenses, you can’t use them with stative verbs, or the stative forms of mixed verbs.

Forming Future Continuous with will:

 

Subject Will Be Main Verb (Present

 

Participle)

 Rest of Sentence
I, you, he, she, it, we, they will be driving at 10:00 pm tonight.

 

Forming Future Continuous with going to:

 

Subject Present Tense “To Be” verb Going To Be Main Verb (Present Participle) Rest of Sentence
I am going to be driving at 10:00 pm tonight.
You, we, they are going to be driving at 10:00 pm tonight.
He, she, it is going to be driving at 10:00 pm tonight.

 

Using the Future Continuous Tense

Future Events that Last a While

Use future continuous tense to talk about future events that happen over a period of time.

  • When we go to Japan next summer, we will be staying with my aunt.
  • I’ll be eating dinner with Janice tomorrow, so I can tell her you said, “Hello.”
  • Marcel will be working in the office for the next three hours.  

Future Actions that are Interrupted by Something

Use future continuous tense to talk about future actions that are interrupted by another action (the interrupting action is in a present-tense time clause)

  • I’ll be driving when you call.
  • Justin is going to be waiting at the station when your train arrives.
  • Alice will be getting out of soccer practice when you pick her up.

Sometimes, the “interrupting” action is just a specific time. In this case, the action started before the time mentioned, and continued after the time.

  • Josh will be working at midnight.
  • This time next year, I will be sitting on a beach in Australia.
  • By next week, Tina will be teaching medical students.

Asking Politely about the Future

You can use the question form of the future continuous tense to ask a polite, formal question about the future. If you use future simple tense, the meaning would be the same, but it would be slightly more informal and less polite.

  • Will you be bringing your husband to the office party?
  • Will we be sharing a room at the hotel?
  • Are you going to be taking your dog on the road trip?

Ongoing Events with “Still”

Use “still” with the future continuous tense to talk about an action that has started in the present, but is expected to continue into the future.

  • At 8:00 pm, I will still be cleaning my house.
  • Even if we stop all carbon emissions now, the earth will still be warming up for 20 years.
  • I will still be trying to understand romance when I am 90 years old.

Negative Statements

To make negative statements with the future continuous:

add “not” before “going to”

add “not” after “will.” (the most common form is “won’t”)

  • I am not going to be working after 5:00 pm.
  • Oliver won’t be finishing his homework any time soon.
  • Sophie and Charlotte are not going to be waiting when you finally arrive.

Question Forms

Information Questions about the Subject:

To make a question about the subject of a sentence, use a question word as the subject. The form is:

question word + will + be + main verb (present participle) + rest of sentence

question word + “to be” verb + going to + main verb (present participle) + rest of sentence

  • ??? is going to be traveling to Taiwan next month. –>
  • Who is going to be traveling to Taiwan next month?  
  • ??? people will be riding on the bus. –>
  • How many people will be riding on the bus?
  • ???’s mother will be picking up the kids. –>
  • Whose mother will be picking up the kids?

Questions about the Verb or Words after the Verb:

To make a yes/no question about the verb or words after the verb with the future continuous tense, put either the “will” or the “to be” verb before the subject:

Will + subject + be + main verb (present participle) + rest of sentence

“To be” verb + going to + main verb (present participle)  + rest of sentence

  • Are you going to be working late tonight?
  • Will you be driving home at 6:00?
  • Will Ashley be waiting for me after school?
  • Is she going to be eating Thanksgiving dinner with your parents?

To make an open-ended question, put a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) at the beginning of the sentence.

  • Why are you going to be working late tonight?
  • When will you be driving home?
  • Where will Ashley be waiting for me?
  • Why is she going to be eating Thanksgiving dinner with your parents?

 

Are you ready to see how well you know the  Future Continuous Tense ?

Try this fun QUIZ .

English Grammar Test | – From Here

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Tense

بواسطة | يناير 23, 2020 | Learn English

Future Perfect Tense

Learn English tenses -Future Perfect Tense

English Grammar Test | – From Here

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses.

In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense:

  • Structure: How do we make the tense?
  • Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.

Present Tense

Present Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Past Tense

Past Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Future Tense

Future Continuous Tense

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Tenses

We use different tenses to describe the time that the verb refers to.

Future Perfect Tense

We use the future perfect tense when we view events from a future point in time, and talk about events that happened up to and before it.

Forming Future Perfect with will:

 

Subject Will Have Main Verb (Past

 

Participle)

 Rest of Sentence
I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have prepared dinner by the time you arrive.


Forming Future Perfect with going to:

 

Subject Present Tense “To Be” verb Going To Have Main Verb (Past Participle) Rest of Sentence
I am going to have prepared dinner by the time you arrive.
You, we, they are going to have prepared dinner by the time you arrive.
He, she, it is going to have prepared dinner by the time you arrive.


Using the Future Perfect Tense

A Completed Event Before a Future Point in Time

Use this tense to talk about something that will happen before a specific time in the future. Time clauses beginning with “by,” “by the time,” “when,” and “before” and using verbs in the simple present are often used to express the “specific future time.”

  • By the time I am 35, I will have been to all seven continents.
  • In October, I’m going to have lived in this apartment for a year.
  • My mom hopes she will have retired by the time she is 65.
  • By 6:00 pm, I will have finished my work, and I could meet you for dinner.

Note: Like all perfect tenses, we don’t know when exactly the main action happened, but just that it happened before a specific point in time.

Duration up to a Future Point (for Stative Verbs)

Use this tense to talk about an action that starts and then continues up to a specific point in the future.

Note: The Future Perfect is only used for stative (non-continuous) verbs. For action (continuous) verbs, use the present perfect continuous tense.

  • By the time we graduate from college, Beth and I are going to have been best friends for 20 years.
  • In 2018, Joanie will have lived in Paris for 3 years.
  • Lucy and Daniel will have known each other for 5 years when they get married in June.

Negative Statements

To make negative statements with the future perfect:

add “not” before “going to”

add “not” after “will.” (the most common form is “won’t”)

  • I won’t have seen you for ten years when you pick me up tomorrow.
  • Satoko won’t have finished her essay by the time it is due.
  • Maria and Lucinda aren’t going to have eaten when they arrive.

Question Forms

Information Questions about the Subject:

To make a question about the subject of a sentence, use a question word as the subject. The form is:

question word + will + have + main verb (past participle) + rest of sentence

question word + “to be” verb + going to + have + main verb (past participle) + rest of sentence

  • ??? is going to have studied before the test tomorrow. –>
  • Who is going to have studied before the test tomorrow?  
  • ??? people will have ridden on the rollercoaster before it’s torn down. –>
  • How many people will have ridden on the rollercoaster before it’s torn down?
  • ???’s sister will have taught the kids to sing in time for the Christmas show. –>
  • Whose sister will have taught the kids to sing in time for the Christmas show?

Questions about the Verb or Words after the Verb:

To make a yes/no question about the verb or words after the verb with the future perfect tense, put either the “will” or the “to be” verb before the subject:

Will + subject + be + main verb (present participle) + rest of sentence

“To be” verb + going to + main verb (present participle)  + rest of sentence

  • Are you going to have drunk too much by the time you leave the party?
  • Will you have decorated the house before the guests arrive?
  • Will Sally have prepared a room for me by the time I get there?
  • Is she going to have paid the phone bill before it’s overdue?

To make an open-ended question, put a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) at the beginning of the sentence.

  • Why are you going to have drunk too much by the time you leave the party?
  • What will you have decorated the house with before the guests arrive?
  • Who will have prepared a room for me by the time I get there?
  • How is she going to have paid the phone bill before it’s overdue?

Future Perfect Uses 

The future perfect is complicated to form, but has one simple use: 
to view a completed action or event from a particular point in the future. The event described is incomplete (or has not started) in the present. 

He will have read the book by tomorrow. (But he has not read it now.) 

The future perfect is therefore used to describe something that will be complete at a certain 

point in the future. 

They will have learned everything by the end of the year. 

It should not be confused with the other future tenses, as it is the only future tense that tells us a verb will be complete. The simple tenses can show intent to finish, but the future perfect shows something will be finished at a certain time. 

I will finish my book tomorrow. (The action is planned to be completed at a 

future time.)

I will have finished my book tomorrow. (The action will be completed at a future time.)

Are you ready to see how well you know the  Future Perfect Tense ?

Try this fun QUIZ .

English Grammar Test | – From Here

Future Tense

Future Tense

بواسطة | يناير 23, 2020 | Learn English

Future Tense

Learn English tenses -Future Tense

 

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses.

In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense:

  • Structure: How do we make the tense?
  • Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.

Present Tense

Present Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Past Tense

Past Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Future Tense

Future Continuous Tense

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Tenses

We use different tenses to describe the time that the verb refers to.

Future Tense

There are many ways to talk about the future in English. “Will” and “going to” are both used to talk about events happening at specific times in the future, but they are often used to express different meanings. Sometimes, the simple present or present continuous tenses are used to talk about the future.

Will

To make the simple future with “will,” put “will” between a subject and the base form of a verb:

Subject Will Base Form of Verb Rest of Sentence
I, you, he, she, it, they, we will go to the movies.

Note: The contraction “’ll,” as in “I’ll,” “she’ll,” and “he’ll” is vastly more common in spoken English than saying “will.”  “Won’t” is the most common spoken form of “will not.”

Going To

To make the simple future with “going to,” put the subject, then a conjugated “to be” verb, then “going to” and the base form of a verb:

Subject Present Tense “To Be” Verb Going To Base Form of Verb Rest of Sentence
I am going to leave before the guests arrive.
he/she/it is going to leave before the guests arrive.
They, we, you are going to leave before the guests arrive.


Note: “Going to” is often pronounced like “gonna” in spoken English.

Will: Voluntary Actions, Promises, Requests, and Refusals

“Will” often expresses that an action will be done voluntarily in the future. It is also the most common way to ask someone to do something.

  • I’ll go to the doctor with you, if you want.
  • Will you help me with the laundry?
  • Jamie will call you back tomorrow.
  • I’ll give you the report in the morning, I swear!
  • I will never forget what you did for me.
  • Marian won’t need a swimsuit in Alaska.
  • Will you give me a hand with the groceries?

Will: Unplanned Decisions for the Future

When you want to express that you just made a decision to do something, use “will.”

  • Situation: The doorbell rings.
  • Response: “I’ll get it!”
  • Situation: A street vendor says that he’s selling flowers.
  • Response: “I’ll take one!”
  • Situation: Your roommate says you’re out of paper towels.
  • Response: “I’ll get some when I go to the store today.”

Going To: Planned Future Events

Use “Going to” to express that an action will happen in the future has already been planned or intended.

  • I’m going to take a trip to London this summer.
  • Did you hear that Chris is going to get married?
  • We’re going to play poker with our friends tonight.
  • Are you going to finish that cake?

Going To: When Something is Just About to Happen

  • Stand back! The bomb is going to explode!
  • I’m going to be sick.
  • If you don’t get in the car, I’m going to leave without you.

Will and Going to: Making Predictions

Sometimes, either “will” or “going to” can be used to make predictions about the future.

  • The next president is going to be a woman.
  • The next president will be a woman.
  • The Orioles are going to win the World Series next year.
  • The Orioles will win the world series next year.

It’s more common to use “will” than “going to” to make predictions based on belief about the future, rather than immediate, sensory evidence.

  • I think he’ll make a great employee.
  • You act like the world will end if you don’t get an A+.
  • Humans will reach Mars within the next 100 years.

Use “going to” to make a future prediction based on signs and evidence in the present moment:

  • Your parents are going to freak out when they see your tattoo.
  • I feel sick. I think I’m going to throw up.
  • The clouds have been gathering for hours. It’s going to rain soon.
  • The score is 52-14. Our team is going to win!

Negative Statements

To make the negative with the simple future tenses:

add “not” before “going to”

add “not” after “will.” (the most common form is “won’t”)

  • I am not going to be happy about this.
  • She won’t come out of her room.
  • They won’t be able to make it to the party.
  • He is not going to drive anymore.

Question Forms

Information Questions about the Subject:

To make a question about the subject of a sentence, use a question word as the subject. The form is:

question word + will + main verb (base form) + rest of sentence

question word + “to be” verb + going to + main verb (base form) + rest of sentence

  • ??? is going to travel to Mexico. –>
  • Who is going to travel to Mexico?  
  • ??? people will need better healthcare. –>
  • How many people will need better healthcare?
  • ???’s teacher is going to dye her hair blue. –>
  • Whose teacher is going to dye her hair blue?

Questions about the Verb or Words after the Verb:

To make a yes/no question about the verb or words after the verb with the future simple tense, put either the “will” or the “to be” verb before the subject:

Will + subject + verb + rest of sentence

“To be” verb + subject + going to + verb + rest of sentence

  • Are you going to go to a doctor?
  • Will you promise me that you won’t lie to me again?
  • Will Ashley help me with my research?
  • Is she going to take the job in Spain?

To make an open-ended question, put a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) at the beginning of the sentence.

  • Why are you going to go to a doctor?
  • When will you promise me that you won’t lie to me again?
  • How will Ashley help me with my research?
  • What is she going to do in Spain?

 

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

بواسطة | يناير 22, 2020 | Learn English

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Learn English tenses – Present Perfect Continuous Tense

 

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses.

In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense:

  • Structure: How do we make the tense?
  • Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.

Present Tense

Present Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Past Tense

Past Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Future Tense

Future Continuous Tense

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Tenses

We use different tenses to describe the time that the verb refers to.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

 

Like the present perfect tense, the present perfect continuous tense (also known as the present progressive) can refer to either the present or the past time. Generally, it refers to actions that happened over a period of time and recently stopped. Sometimes it can be used interchangeably with the Present Perfect Tense, and other times the tense changes the meaning significantly.

We form the present perfect continuous tense by using has or have, followed by been, and then the main verb in present participle form. 

 

Subject Has

 

or Have

 Been Verb

 

(present participle)

 Rest of Sentence
I/you/we/they have been watching television.
he/she/it/Jane has been watching television.

Note: Stative Verbs

Some verbs, called “stative” or “non-continuous” verbs, can’t be used in continuous tenses. Others can be used in continuous tenses, but their meaning changes. Make sure you understand the difference between stative and non-stative verbs while using present perfect continuous and all continuous tenses. You can find more information here.

The Present Perfect Continuous in the Present Time

Ongoing Actions

Like the present perfect, we can use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action that was started in the past, but is ongoing or incomplete at the time of writing or speaking. We use for to indicate a duration of the action, and since to indicate a specific time the action started.

  • I have been living in California for three years.  
  • How long have you been waiting here?
  • We have been cooking since the morning.  

Some of these have the same meaning in Present Perfect and present perfect continuous.

When describing biographical data using “for” or “since,” you can use either one:

  • I have been living in California for three years.
  • I have lived in California for three years.  

When you use the present perfect continuous, it implies a shorter-term duration:

  • I have worked on boats since I was young. (present perfect; long-term)
  • I have been working on this boat for three weeks. (present perfect continuous; short-term)  

Describing Actions that have been Happening Recently

You can use any duration of time with the present perfect continuous, but if you don’t specify how long something has been happening, the assumption is that it has been happening “recently” or “lately.” You can add these words to emphasize the currentness of the action.

  • I have been swimming a lot these days.
  • It’s been snowing a lot in New York.
  • What have you been learning?
  • Jocelyn has been exercising more recently.
  • How have you been doing?

The Present Perfect Continuous in the Past Time

Describing Actions that have Just Stopped

If you are talking about events that just stopped, and often have some visible result in the present use the continuous tense:

  • I have been riding my bike, that’s why I’m so sweaty.
  • Why are you covered in flour? – “I’ve been baking.”

Often, using the present perfect continuous describes an action that has just stopped, but isn’t fully completed. In these cases, the present perfect would describe the same action as completely finished.

  • I have been writing my novel. (Meaning: I spent some time working on it, but I’m done for now.)
  • I have written my novel. (Meaning: It’s finally finished!)

The present perfect continuous can also be used to emphasize that something happened repeatedly.

  • Your mother has been calling. (Meaning: Your mother called several times, though she has stopped now.)
  • You mother has called. (Meaning: Your mother called once.)  

Negative Statements  

To make the negative with the present perfect continuous tense, just add “not” after “has” or “have.” You can also use the contractions “haven’t” and “hasn’t.”

  • I have not been going to class.
  • She hasn’t been eating enough.
  • They haven’t been dating for long.

Question Forms

Information Questions about the Subject

To make a question about the subject of a sentence, use a question word as the subject. the form is: question word + “have/has” + been + main verb (ing) + rest of sentence:

??? has been playing video games. –>

Who has been playing video games?  

??? people have been living here. –>

How many people have been living here?

???’s brother has been fixing the car. –>

Whose brother has been fixing the car?

Questions about the Verb or Words after the Verb

To make a yes/no question about the verb or words after the verb with the present perfect continuous tense, put “has “or “have” before the subject.

Have you been seeing a doctor?

Have I been making dinner?

Has she been hiking in the mountains yet?  

To make an open-ended question about the verb or words after the verb with the present perfect continuous tense, put a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) before the “has “or “have” and subject:

Where have you been traveling?

Why has she been crying?

What games have you been playing?

 

Present Continuous Tense

Present Continuous Tense

بواسطة | يناير 22, 2020 | Learn English

Present Continuous Tense

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses.

In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense:

    • Structure: How do we make the tense?

    • Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.

 

Present Tense

Present Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Past Tense

Past Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Future Tense

Future Continuous Tense

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Tenses

We use different tenses to describe the time that the verb refers to.

Present continuous tense

also known as the present progressive, is most often used to talk about actions that are happening right now, temporary situations, and annoying habits. Like the simple present, it can also be used to talk about definite future plans.

It is formed by using the present tense of “to be” (am/are/is) and the present participle (ending in “-ing”) of a verb.

 

Subject Simple present tense of “to be” Present Participle
I am cooking.
you/you all/we/they are cooking
he/she/it/Anthony is cooking.

Note: Stative Verbs

Some verbs, called “stative” or “non-continuous” verbs, can’t be used in continuous tenses. Others can be used in continuous tenses, but their meaning changes. Make sure you understand the difference between stative and non-stative verbs while using present continuous and all continuous tenses. You can find more information here.

When to use the Present Continuous Tense

Temporary Actions Happening Now

When an activity is happening at the time of speaking, use the present continuous tense.

  • Margaret is sleeping now.
  • People are beginning to take their seats for the performance.
  • You are wearing my gloves.

In English, “now” can refer to “right at this moment,” “today,” “this week,” and even “this year.” We can also use the present continuous tense to talk about actions of a longer duration that we aren’t necessarily doing at the moment of speaking.

  • Dr. Johnson is teaching at the University of Kansas this year.
  • I’m reading an interesting book about space exploration.
  • Andrew is taking two math classes this semester.

The present continuous emphasizes the temporariness of an action. When you want to stress that something is not going to last long, use the present continuous. Use the simple present for ongoing actions or states that are more permanent.

  • I am living in London this year. (Temporary; present continuous)
  • I live in London. (More permanent; simple present)
  • Abby is working as a waiter until she finds a job in technology. (Temporary)
  • Jacob works as a programmer for Google. (More permanent)

Definite Future Plans

Like the simple present tense, you can use the present continuous to talk about things that are almost certain to happen.

  • Elaine is meeting her mom for lunch tomorrow.
  • Next year, I’m finding a quieter place to live.
  • Are you leaving town tomorrow?

Annoying Habits

Normally, we use the simple present to talk about habits, or things that happen all the time. However, if you want to emphasize that we don’t like the action, use the present continuous tense with a frequency expression (always, constantly, continually, all the time)

  • Jessica is always complaining about her job.
  • You are constantly losing your glasses.
  • Bunnies are continually destroying my herb garden!

New or Temporary Habits

You can also use the present continuous to describe new or temporary habits. In this case, it doesn’t mean the actions are annoying. To make your meaning clear, it can help to add a word that emphasizes that the action is new or temporary, like “now” or “recently.’

  • You’re eating too much fast food these days.
  • She is jogging every morning now.
  • The newlyweds are calling each other “Snugglebear” and “Pookie.”

Slowly Changing Situations

When we talk about gradually changing situations, or developing states, we also use the present continuous tense.

  • The earth is becoming warmer because of the greenhouse effect.
  • You’re getting better at playing the drums.
  • The gap between the rich and poor is widening.  
  • Your grades are improving.

Negative Statements

To make the negative with the present continuous tense, just put “not” between the “to be” verb and the present participle:

  • I am not going to New York with you today.
  • She is not feeling well today.
  • The athletes are not running in this race.

Question Forms

Information Questions about the Subject

To make a question about the subject of a sentence, use a question word as the subject. the form is: question word + “to be” + main verb (ing) + rest of sentence:

  • ??? is playing chess. –>
  • Who is playing chess?
  • ??? people are coming to the party. –>
  • How many people are coming to the party?
  • ???’s mom is making cupcakes. –>
  • Whose mom is making cupcakes?

Questions about the Verb or Words after the Verb

To make a yes/no question about the verb or words after the verb with the present continuous tense, put the “to be” verb before the subject:

  • Are you eating ice cream?
  • Are we traveling to Mexico?
  • Is she coming to dinner?

To make an open question about the verb or words after the verb with the present continuous tense, put the verb before the subject, and a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) before the verb:

  • Why are you eating ice cream before dinner?
  • When are we traveling to Mexico?
  • What is she wearing to dinner?

 

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Tense

بواسطة | يناير 22, 2020 | Learn English

Present Perfect Tense

 

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses.

In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense:

  • Structure: How do we make the tense?
  • Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.

Present Tense

Present Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Past Tense

Past Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Future Tense

Future Continuous Tense

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Tenses

We use different tenses to describe the time that the verb refers to.

 

Generally, the present perfect tense talks about actions that happened at an unspecified past time and uncompleted actions or events in the present time. It can be tricky because it refers to present time in some contexts, and past time in others. Unlike the simple past tense, the present perfect tense links past to present, often focusing on the effect a past action has on the present moment.

We form the Present Perfect Tense by using has or have, followed by the main verb in past participle form. 

 

Subject Has or Have Verb

 

(past participle)

 Rest of Sentence
I/you/we/they have eaten dinner already.
he/she/it/Jane has eaten dinner already.

 

The Present Perfect in the Present Time

Ongoing Actions

We use the present perfect to talk about an action that was started in the past, but is ongoing or incomplete at the time of writing or speaking. We use for to indicate a duration of the action, and since to indicate a specific time the action started.

  • I’ve known Janet since we were children.
  • They have lived in New York for five years.  
  • Uncompleted Actions that you Expect will Change

We can use words like yet or still to indicate an expectation that the action will happen, should have happened, is surprising, or will change.

  • Jeremy still has not finished the homework assignment.
  • I haven’t gone to Japan yet, but I plan to go.

The Present Perfect in the Past Time

Life Experience

You use this present perfect tense to talk about past events that happened at an unspecified time in the past. This is kind of like saying “I have the experience of…”  You can use it with the words not and never to indicate things you haven’t done.

  • I have been to Japan many times.
  • The runner has never lost a race.
  • Amanda has studied three foreign languages.
  • I’ve never taken a dance class.

Note: Although you can use the present perfect tense to state that something has happened at an unspecified time, once you want to add precise details to the story, use the simple past or past continuous tenses:

I’ve been to Spain twice. The first time, I went with my parents when I was six years old. I went back after college. While I was traveling in Andalusia, I found a job teaching English to children and stayed for several months.

You can also use the present perfect to talk about multiple actions at happened at different times in the past.

  • The United States has gone to war in the Middle East four times.
  • She has consulted many doctors about her illness.
  • I have traveled to Mexico three times.  

Accomplishments

  • The company has earned over three million dollars.
  • The United States has won many gold medals in the Olympics.
  • Scientists have mapped the human genome.  

With an Unfinished Time Word

“This year,” “in the last year,” “this week,” “this month,” “today,” and “so far” are examples of time periods that are still ongoing, so you use the present perfect tense.

  • I have planted four trees this year.
  • Roger Federer has won the US Open four times so far.
  • I’ve gone to my aerobics class twice this week.

Negative Statements

To make the negative with the present perfect tense, just add “not” after “has” or “have”:

  • I have not read that book.
  • She has not forgotten your birthday.
  • They have not arrived yet.

Question Forms

Information Questions about the Subject

To make a question about the subject of a sentence, use a question word as the subject. the form is: question word + “have/has” + main verb (past participle) + rest of sentence:

  • ??? has traveled to Spain. –>
  • Who has traveled to Spain?  
  • ??? people have written books about space travel. –>
  • How many people have written books about space travel?
  • ???’s teacher has dyed her hair blue. –>
  • Whose teacher has dyed her hair blue?

Questions about the Verb or Words after the Verb

To make a yes/no question about the verb or words after the verb with the present perfect tense, put “has “or “have” before the subject:

  • Have you been to a doctor?
  • Have I lost my glasses again?
  • Has she told you the news yet?

To make an open-ended question with the present perfect tense, put a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) before the “has “or “have” and subject:

  • Where have you been?
  • Why has she left already?    
  • Where have you put your phone?