7.1.

1 Let’s Review the Tenses

English has three main tenses, past, present and future.
We can divide them into four categories: Simple tenses, Continuous tenses, Perfect tenses
and Perfect Continuous tenses. Here are some formulas.
Simple Tenses:
Present Simple = Subject + infinitive verb (-s/-es for he/she/it)
Gap Analysis allows companies to determine how to achieve their goals.
Past Simple = Subject + past tense verb
Gap Analysis allowed our company to determine how to achieve our goals.
Future Simple = Subject + will/shall + infinitive verb
Gap Analysis will allow our company to determine how to achieve our goals.
Continuous Tenses:
Present Continuous = Subject + is/am/are + verb + -ing
Our company is determining how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Past Continuous = Subject + was/were + verb + -ing
Our company was determining how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Future Continuous = Subject + will be / shall be + verb + -ing
Our company will be determining how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Perfect Tenses:
Present Perfect = Subject + have/has + past participle
Our company has determined how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Past Perfect = Subject + had + past participle
Our company had determined how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Future Perfect = Subject + will have + past participle
Our company will have determined how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Perfect Continuous Tenses:
Present Perfect Continuous = Subject + have/has + been + verb + -ing
Our company has been determining how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Past Perfect Continuous = Subject + had + been + verb + -ing
Our company had been determining how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
Future Perfect Continuous = Subject + will have + been + verb + -ing
Our company will have been determining how to achieve its goals using Gap Analysis.
That means we have twelve in total.

7.1.2 Past Perfect Tense

We use the Past Perfect Tense to make it clear that one event happened before another,
both of them happening in the past.

The tense is formed like this: HAD / HADN’T + PAST PARTICIPLE

We explained that we had thought about a comprehensive procedure on how to address

security flaws, as it was certainly needed. However, they weren’t keen on the idea, and it
hasn’t developed beyond the original suggestion.
We can see in this example that they had thought about the comprehensive procedure
before they explained their idea. One past moment happens before another past moment.
The first one uses the Past Perfect Tense.
This tense is often used with adverbs like ALREADY and JUST.
Here are some more examples:
When they suggested a comprehensive procedure on how to address security flaws, we
explained that we had already considered that, and that we thought it was a priority.
In this example, we can see that already is placed between had and considered, and
expresses the fact that they thought of the procedure, then somebody else mentioned it.
Now the speaker is explaining how those things happened in a sequence. They had already
considered it, before it was suggested.
Here’s one with JUST and ALREADY:
We explained that even though they had just mentioned the idea of a comprehensive
procedure on how to address security flaws, we had in fact already considered it and
thought that it should be a priority.
Here we can see that the topic was considered a long time before it was later mentioned by
the other person. It is like saying: we thought about this before, and you have only just
mentioned it.
When this began, you had probably already used the past perfect many times. Remember,
it is for one thing in the past that happens before something else in the past.
Complete 7.1.3 Past Perfect Continuous Tense

7.1.3 Past Perfect Continuous Tense

We use the Past Perfect Continuous tense when we want to talk about something that
started in the past and continued until another point in the past.
The form of this tense is HAD + BEEN + PRESENT PARTICIPLE.
This tense is related to the Present Perfect Continuous. However, the Past Perfect
Continuous is slightly different, as the continuous period does not continue until now, but
instead it finishes before something else in the past.
Here’s an example.
We had been waiting patiently for a decision when we were told that we should already
have integrated with the new library.
In this sentence, we can see that the period of waiting starts and finishes in the past. The
speaker was then given the information, also in the past. The Past Perfect Continuous goes
before the Past Simple. We had been waiting followed by we were told.
If we want to make a question using this tense, then we simply invert the subject and HAD.
Had they been waiting long before they were told that they should already have integrated
with the new library?
Here is another example.
The team had been dealing with delays throughout the project, so although they were
frustrated, it meant they were prepared to handle this latest setback.
In this example, we can see that the function of the Past Perfect Continuous is to show
cause and effect. The delays throughout the project are a cause of frustration, but they are
also the reason why the team is prepared and ready to handle the latest setback.
So remember! When we use two different pasts together, one thing continuing for a period
of time until the next thing happens, we need to use the Past Perfect Continuous. If we
want to show cause and effect in the past, we use the Past Perfect Continuous.

Complete 7.1.4 Softening Orders with the Past Tense

7.1.4 Softening Orders with the Past Tense

When we give instructions and orders in a formal setting, or when we express opinions or
make suggestions, we sometimes need to soften what we say in order to be less direct and
to sound polite. Direct orders usually use the imperative form; Do this!, for example, which
is not always appropriate, and can sound rude.
To avoid these problems, we can start our sentences by using past tense verbs like, I
thought perhaps…, or I was wondering…, or We hoped you would… etc.
Here is an example.
I thought perhaps you should reconsider the authentication method for SSH CLI access.
This sentence doesn’t really sound like an order, but it does contain the idea that the
speaker wants the listener to reconsider the authentication method. It has been softened by
the past tense verb, I thought, and by the use of an adverb of possibility, perhaps, which
makes the sentence even less direct.
Let’s look at two more examples.
I was wondering if we could enable client hardware address checks to avoid spoofed
packets.
In this example, the speaker wants this to happen, but softens the sentence, perhaps
because it is just a suggestion at this point.
Here is the next example.
We hoped you would reconsider addressing the security flaws in the default configuration.
In this one, the speaker shows that they want something to happen, and that it has been
discussed beforehand. We hoped you would... is like saying we want you to....
In all the examples, we see past tense verbs, which soften what comes next. Other typical
softening phrases include: Would you mind…? Do you think…? I’d like you to…?
Sometimes we have to be polite. This is how we can do it.

Complete 7.1.5 Future Continuous Tense

7.1.5 Future Continuous Tense

We can use the future continuous with reference to actions in progress at a specific time in
the future. For example, we use it when we imagine things we might be doing on an
upcoming holiday, but we can also use it more specifically for things that are more definite;
things or events we know will be happening.
The basic form is SUBJECT + WILL/WON’T + BE + PRESENT PARTICIPLE
Take a look at this example.
We’ll be discussing it tomorrow afternoon at the coding standards meeting.
Here we can see that a coding standards meeting will take place tomorrow afternoon, and
the speaker will be discussing the matter at hand.
She will be highlighting the differences between dynamically typed and statically typed
languages during next Tuesday’s presentation.
A presentation will take place next Tuesday in which the presenter will be highlighting a
specific topic.
Here are a few more examples to look at.
We can also use the future continuous tense when we want to say that we will not do
something or will not participate in something.
I won’t be covering dynamically typed language during Tuesday’s presentation.
I won’t be getting into arguments about tabs and spaces.
Of course, we can also ask questions about continuous events happening in the future.
Will you be giving next Tuesday’s presentation at the usual time?
We can also use the future continuous to make predictions.
I imagine we’ll be seeing benefits in no time after adding the new rules next week.
You will be speaking more fluently in no time with all these alternatives. Remember the
future continuous.
Complete 7.1.6 Future with Going To

7.1.6 Future with Going To

When we use GOING TO for future events, it usually means that there is a connection to the
present. It can be used to talk about predictions based on present evidence, or it can be
used to talk about plans or intentions.
We use subject + BE + going to + infinitive.
When we are making predictions, we can use both going to and will. However, if we see
evidence in the present which makes the prediction seem more accurate, it is more
common to use going to in our sentence. Here is an example:
This version of the software is not compatible. That’s why you can’t install it. But, it is going
to be possible once you’ve upgraded.
Here we can see that the support tech has evidence in the present that the solution is
possible. The software is going to be compatible after the customer has upgraded.
Here’s another example.
Can you just give me a second, please. I’m going to sign into my account.
In this sentence, we can see an immediate intention. The customer is being helped by
support and makes an immediate decision to do something. They are going to sign into their
account.
It is very common in spoken English to contract going to and use gonna instead. In this case
gonna includes both words going to, so gonna is followed by the verb. We sometimes use
just beforehand, to emphasize that it is immediate.
Let’s use these things in our final example.
I’m just gonna sign into my account. Can you give me a second, please?
Here the speaker is just gonna sign in. They are gonna do it immediately.
(** Gonna is only for spoken English. Do not write it!**)