Chapter 16: Present perfect tense
16.1 Present perfect simple
The present perfect simple is formed with the present tense of TO HAVE + past participle.
They have finished their homework.
NOTE that the present perfect is not an alternative to a past or present tense. There is a
clear difference in meaning and they are not interchangeable.
I have had lunch. ≠ I had lunch.
I have been here since 4 o’clock. ≠ *I am here since 4 o’clock.
16.1.1. Present perfect simple – usage
For actions occurring at an unspecified time. The link between present and past is
often the result.
She has attended class regularly.
For actions occurring in or lasting throughout an incomplete period.
I have often wondered why she decided to move.
NOTE that the word SINCE is followed by a moment in time and that the word FOR is
followed by a period of time.
16.2. Present perfect continuous
The present perfect continuous is formed with a present form of HAVE + BEEN + present
participle. In other words: HAS/HAVE + BEEN + -ING FORM.
I have been working on this chapter since 9 this morning.
16.2.1 Present perfect continuous – usage
To talk about an ongoing state or action (which started in the past).
Australia has been welcoming immigrants for years.
To explain the process rather than the present result (for which we prefer the
present perfect simple).
She has been doing her homework all afternoon.
16.3 Present perfect vs. past simple
There are some subtle but important differences between these two tenses which can create
confusion. The main difference is that the present perfect makes a link between past and
present, whereas the past simple does not.
We have been to Turkey. (at some point in time up till the present)
We went there in the summer of 2011. (reference to a specific moment in time; finished)
,Chapter 17: Past perfect tense
17.1 Past perfect simple
The past perfect simple is formed with HAD + past participle.
When I arrived at the station the train had already left.
17.1.1. Past perfect simple – usage
Used as a kind of ‘past equivalent’ of the present perfect.
She had forgotten her laptop; she had left in on the 4.30 train.
Used to refer to an earlier past. It began before another action/moment in the past
and was either still continuing at that time or had (just) finished.
Their parents had lived in that house for nearly 40 years and had no wish to
move to a flat.
An important use is to help sequence events (and sometimes explain cause-and-
effect). Because of this, certain types of conjunctions and adverbs can frequently
be found such as WHEN, AFTER, AS SOON AS and ALREADY, NEVER, EVER,
JUST, SINCE, FOR, BEFORE.
Evie loved the trip; she had never been on a boat before.
NOTE that conjunctions like NO SOONER … THAN and HARDLY… WHEN are
normally used with a past perfect.
To express unfulfilled hopes and wishes (with verbs like TO HOPE, TO MEAN,
TO EXPECT).
I had hoped to send them a present, but unfortunately I didn’t manage.
For indirect (reported) speech.
She said that when I had worked for a year I would get a permanent contract.
17.2 Past perfect continuous
The past perfect continuous is formed with the past perfect of the verb TO BE + present
participle. In other words: HAD BEEN + -ING FORM.
When I returned I noticed that they hadn’t been working on the garden.
17.2.1. Past perfect continuous – usage
For actions/events that happened before another moment in the past, but with
emphasis on the action itself rather than on the completion. To specify lapse of
time FOR and SINCE are frequently used.
They had been queuing for many hours before they finally managed to secure
tickets for the match.
For repeated action.
He had been trying to get through to the helpdesk but the line was engaged alle
the time.
For drawing conclusion.
He was out of breath because he had been running.
, Chapter 18: Future tense
Future tenses are used to express future time. Note that future time can also be
expressed using e.g. present tense, as grammatical tense is different from the concept of
time as we perceive it.
18.1 Present future simple (WILL and SHALL)
WILL + bare infinitive can be used for all persons both in singular and plural. SHALL can be
used as an alternative in the first person in affirmative sentences and negatives; in questions,
you have no choice but use SHALL before a first person for offers and suggestions.
She will be here soon, I’m sure. Shall I open a window?
WILL and SHALL combine with the infinitive verbs and other verb forms to construct different
tenses in any of the familiar patterns:
Present future simple I will sleep
Present future continuous I will be sleeping
Present future perfect simple I will have slept
Present future perfect continuous I will have been sleeping
The contracted forms for WILL NOT and SHALL NOT are WON’T and SHAN’T.
I shan’t/won’t be in tomorrow.
18.1.1 In its most basic and ‘neutral’ form WILL is most commonly used to express
what we think is going to happen, expressing prediction or intention at the moment of
speaking.
It won’t be very busy at the station on Sunday.
NOTE that adverbials can be added to specify reference.
I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
18.1.2 WILL and SHALL can be used with words such as PERHAPS or PROBABLY
and clauses such as ‘I expect / I’m sure / I think’ and so on to express likelihood,
expectation, hope, etc.
Look at those e-mails. I think I’ll answer some of them tonight.
18.1.3 WILL and SHALL can be used to express promises (or threats) with future
reference.
Don’t worry; I’ll call you and I’ll be there, I promise.
18.1.4 WILL and SHALL can be used to express scheduled events in a more formal
way.
The reception will be held on the family estate in Scotland.
NOTE that most (other) scheduled events in the future are referred to by either using
BE GOING TO ore a present simple.
18.2 Present future continuous
The present future continuous is formed with WILL/SHALL + BE + -ING FORM.
18.2.1. The present future continuous is used to describe actions which will be in
progress in the (immediate) future; possibly an action that started before that point in
time and going on after it.
At 10 o’clock on a Sunday morning I will be lying in my bed.
16.1 Present perfect simple
The present perfect simple is formed with the present tense of TO HAVE + past participle.
They have finished their homework.
NOTE that the present perfect is not an alternative to a past or present tense. There is a
clear difference in meaning and they are not interchangeable.
I have had lunch. ≠ I had lunch.
I have been here since 4 o’clock. ≠ *I am here since 4 o’clock.
16.1.1. Present perfect simple – usage
For actions occurring at an unspecified time. The link between present and past is
often the result.
She has attended class regularly.
For actions occurring in or lasting throughout an incomplete period.
I have often wondered why she decided to move.
NOTE that the word SINCE is followed by a moment in time and that the word FOR is
followed by a period of time.
16.2. Present perfect continuous
The present perfect continuous is formed with a present form of HAVE + BEEN + present
participle. In other words: HAS/HAVE + BEEN + -ING FORM.
I have been working on this chapter since 9 this morning.
16.2.1 Present perfect continuous – usage
To talk about an ongoing state or action (which started in the past).
Australia has been welcoming immigrants for years.
To explain the process rather than the present result (for which we prefer the
present perfect simple).
She has been doing her homework all afternoon.
16.3 Present perfect vs. past simple
There are some subtle but important differences between these two tenses which can create
confusion. The main difference is that the present perfect makes a link between past and
present, whereas the past simple does not.
We have been to Turkey. (at some point in time up till the present)
We went there in the summer of 2011. (reference to a specific moment in time; finished)
,Chapter 17: Past perfect tense
17.1 Past perfect simple
The past perfect simple is formed with HAD + past participle.
When I arrived at the station the train had already left.
17.1.1. Past perfect simple – usage
Used as a kind of ‘past equivalent’ of the present perfect.
She had forgotten her laptop; she had left in on the 4.30 train.
Used to refer to an earlier past. It began before another action/moment in the past
and was either still continuing at that time or had (just) finished.
Their parents had lived in that house for nearly 40 years and had no wish to
move to a flat.
An important use is to help sequence events (and sometimes explain cause-and-
effect). Because of this, certain types of conjunctions and adverbs can frequently
be found such as WHEN, AFTER, AS SOON AS and ALREADY, NEVER, EVER,
JUST, SINCE, FOR, BEFORE.
Evie loved the trip; she had never been on a boat before.
NOTE that conjunctions like NO SOONER … THAN and HARDLY… WHEN are
normally used with a past perfect.
To express unfulfilled hopes and wishes (with verbs like TO HOPE, TO MEAN,
TO EXPECT).
I had hoped to send them a present, but unfortunately I didn’t manage.
For indirect (reported) speech.
She said that when I had worked for a year I would get a permanent contract.
17.2 Past perfect continuous
The past perfect continuous is formed with the past perfect of the verb TO BE + present
participle. In other words: HAD BEEN + -ING FORM.
When I returned I noticed that they hadn’t been working on the garden.
17.2.1. Past perfect continuous – usage
For actions/events that happened before another moment in the past, but with
emphasis on the action itself rather than on the completion. To specify lapse of
time FOR and SINCE are frequently used.
They had been queuing for many hours before they finally managed to secure
tickets for the match.
For repeated action.
He had been trying to get through to the helpdesk but the line was engaged alle
the time.
For drawing conclusion.
He was out of breath because he had been running.
, Chapter 18: Future tense
Future tenses are used to express future time. Note that future time can also be
expressed using e.g. present tense, as grammatical tense is different from the concept of
time as we perceive it.
18.1 Present future simple (WILL and SHALL)
WILL + bare infinitive can be used for all persons both in singular and plural. SHALL can be
used as an alternative in the first person in affirmative sentences and negatives; in questions,
you have no choice but use SHALL before a first person for offers and suggestions.
She will be here soon, I’m sure. Shall I open a window?
WILL and SHALL combine with the infinitive verbs and other verb forms to construct different
tenses in any of the familiar patterns:
Present future simple I will sleep
Present future continuous I will be sleeping
Present future perfect simple I will have slept
Present future perfect continuous I will have been sleeping
The contracted forms for WILL NOT and SHALL NOT are WON’T and SHAN’T.
I shan’t/won’t be in tomorrow.
18.1.1 In its most basic and ‘neutral’ form WILL is most commonly used to express
what we think is going to happen, expressing prediction or intention at the moment of
speaking.
It won’t be very busy at the station on Sunday.
NOTE that adverbials can be added to specify reference.
I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
18.1.2 WILL and SHALL can be used with words such as PERHAPS or PROBABLY
and clauses such as ‘I expect / I’m sure / I think’ and so on to express likelihood,
expectation, hope, etc.
Look at those e-mails. I think I’ll answer some of them tonight.
18.1.3 WILL and SHALL can be used to express promises (or threats) with future
reference.
Don’t worry; I’ll call you and I’ll be there, I promise.
18.1.4 WILL and SHALL can be used to express scheduled events in a more formal
way.
The reception will be held on the family estate in Scotland.
NOTE that most (other) scheduled events in the future are referred to by either using
BE GOING TO ore a present simple.
18.2 Present future continuous
The present future continuous is formed with WILL/SHALL + BE + -ING FORM.
18.2.1. The present future continuous is used to describe actions which will be in
progress in the (immediate) future; possibly an action that started before that point in
time and going on after it.
At 10 o’clock on a Sunday morning I will be lying in my bed.
