Usage of Tenses

Present Simple Past Simple Future Simple
1. Routine \ Repeated action 1. Action happened in the past 1. Action that will happen in future
Time markers: Time markers: Time markers:
- every day\week\month\year - yesterday - tomorrow
- never - 2 days \weeks \ months \ years ago - next week\month\year
- rarely - last week \ moths \ year - in 2030
- sometimes - in 1990 ֎ I will finish my university in 2022.
- often - in the 90’s
- always ֎ George played soccer 2 months ago. 2. On the spot decision
֎ Monica visits yoga every Saturday. ֎ Oh, are you hungry? I’ll make you a
2. Several actions in the past that sandwich.
2. Laws of nature happened one after another
֎ Sun sets in the west. Water boils at 100 ֎ Yesterday I woke up, drank a cup of 3. Thoughts, believes, opinions, hopes, fears,
degrees. coffee, went to work, came back home and promises
fell asleep. ֎ I think it will rain tomorrow. I hope he
3. Time tables and schedules will like this present.
֎ Train arrives at 9 a.m. 3. Interrupted action
֎ I was washing the dishes when the phone 4. First conditional
4. Breaking news rang. ֎ If I study hard, I will be smart.
֎ Obama wins the president election!
4. Second conditional
5. First conditional ֎ If I were you, I would have bought that
֎ If I study hard, I will be smart. dress.
6. Clauses of time 5. Wishes about present

֎ I will help you as soon as I have time. ֎ I wish you studied better!
6. Clauses of manner (unreal present)

֎ She speaks as if she knew everything!
Present Continuous Past Continuous Future Continuous
1. Action that is going on at the moment 1. Action that was happening in the past 1. Action that will be happening in the
Time markers: for a certain period of time. future for a certain period of time.
- right now, now, at the moment Time markers: Time markers:
֎ I’m cooking right now. - for 2 hours - for 2 hours
- for the whole day - for the whole day
2. Temporary activity - from 3 to 5 p.m. - from 3 to 5 p.m.
֎ Oh, I’m watching an interesting show ֎ I was cleaning my house all day ֎ I will be cleaning my house all day
now. (Not exactly at this moment) yesterday. tomorrow.
֎ Bill is searching for a new job.
(Currently, not at the very second) 2. Action that was happening at exact 2. Action that will be happening at exact
moment in the past moment in the future
3. Unusual situation Time markers: Time markers:
֎ I usually drink coffee but this week I’m - yesterday at 5 o’clock\this time\in the - tomorrow at 5 o’clock\this time\in the
drinking green tea. morning\evening morning\evening
֎ Usually Sarah is smart, but today she is ֎ I was watching TV yesterday in the ֎ This time next year I will be chilling in
being stupid. evening. Turkey.
4. Irritation\ annoyance 3. Interrupted action

֎ My neighbors are always listening to loud ֎ I was washing the dishes when the phone
music, god damn it! rang.
֎ He is constantly getting on my nerves!
4. Parallel actions happened in the past
5. 100% plan
֎ I was cooking while my kids were
֎ I am meeting my relatives tomorrow. watching cartoons.
֎ He is flying to a business trip next
month.
Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect
1. Action that has happened but we don’t 1. Action that happened and finished before 1. Action that will have been finished by
know when exactly, though we have visible another action in the past. exact moment in the future.
result now. Time markers: Time markers:
Time markers: - before - by
- already - after - by the time
- yet ֎ I had read the book before I watched ֎ By the time my guests arrive, I will have
- recently the film. finished cooking.
- lately ֎ We had eaten before we left. ֎ John will have submitted his paper by
- never Monday.
- ever 2. Third conditional
- this week\month\year ֎ If I had studied better at school, I
֎ I have lost my keys. would have found a better job.
֎ She has already watched this film.
3. Wishes about the past
2. General experience ֎ I wish I had studied better at school.
֎ I have never eaten lobsters.
֎ I have jumped with parachute. 4. Clauses of manner (unreal past)
֎ She behaved as if she had been a queen!
Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect
continuous continuous continuous
1. Action which started in the past and 1. Action that had been happening for a 1. Action that will have been lasting for a
continues to the present. while and finished before another action in while by exact moment in the future.
Time markers: the past. Time markers:
- for Time markers: - by
-since - before - by the time
֎ I have been studying English since - after - for
January. - for ֎ By the time my guests arrive, I will have
֎ She has been cleaning the house since ֎ I had been studying English for 4 years been cooking for 4 hours.
the morning. before I relocated to London. ֎ John and Mary will have been dating for
֎ We have been watching this film for an ֎ We had been trying to solve this issue 5 years by next month.
hour already. for several hours before our manager
arrived.
2. Action that has been happening for a
while and we have visible result now.
֎ I have been working a lot that’s why I’m
tired.
֎ It's been raining so the pavement is
wet.

Usage of Tenses

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Usage of Tenses

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Present Simple Past Simple Future Simple

6. Clauses of time 5. Wishes about present

6. Clauses of manner (unreal present)

4. Irritation\ annoyance 3. Interrupted action

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