Main points
* For actions, situations, or regular events in the past, you use the past simple (`I walked'). For regular events in the past, you can also use `would' or `used to'.
* For events that happened before and after a time in the past, and for temporary situations, you use the past continuous (`I was walking').
* For present effects of past situations, you use the present perfect (`I have walked'), and for past effects of earlier events you use the past perfect (`I had walked').
* For future in the past, you use `would', `was/were going to', or the past continuous (`I was walking').
1 When you want to talk about an event that occurred at a particular time in the past, you use the past simple.
The Prime Minister flew into New York yesterday.
The new term started last week.
You also use the past simple to talk about a situation that existed over a period of time in the past.
We spent most of our time at home last winter.
They earned their money quickly that year.
2 When you want to talk about something which took place regularly in the past, you use the past simple.
They went for picnics most weekends.
We usually spent the winter at Aunt Meg's house.
WARNING: The past simple always refers to a time in the past. A time reference is necessary to say what time in the past you are referring to. The time reference can be established in an earlier sentence or by another speaker, but it must be established.
When you want to talk about something which occurred regularly in the past, you can use `would' or `used to' instead of the past simple.
We would normally spend the winter in Miami.
People used to believe that the world was flat.
WARNING: You do not normally use `would' with this meaning with verbs which are not used in the continuous tenses.
For a list of these verbs, see Unit 62.
3 When you want to talk about something which continued to happen before and after a given time in the past, you use the past continuous.
I hurt myself when I was mending my bike.
It was midnight. She was driving home.
You also use the past continuous to talk about a temporary state of affairs in the past.
Our team were losing 2-1 at the time.
We were staying with friends in Italy.
For more information on continuous tenses, see Unit 60.
4 When you are concerned with the present effects or future effects of something which happened at an indefinite time in the past, you use the present perfect.
I'm afraid I've forgotten my book, so I don't know.
Have you heard from Jill recently? How is she?
You also use the present perfect when you are thinking of a time which started in the past and still continues.
Have you ever stolen anything? (= at any time up to the present)
He has been here since six o'clock. (= and he is still here)
5 When you are looking back from a point in past time, and you are concerned with the effects of something which happened at an earlier time in the past, you use the past perfect.
I apologized because I had left my wallet at home.
They would have come if we had invited them.
6 When you want to talk about the future from a point of view in past time, you can use `would', `was / were going to', or the past continuous.
He thought to himself how wonderful it would taste.
Her daughter was going to do the cooking.
Mike was taking his test the week after.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Unit 64 `Will' and `going to'
Main points
* When you are making predictions about the future or talking about future intentions, you can use either `will' (`I will walk') or `going to' (`I am going to walk').
* For promises and offers relating to the future, you use `will' (`I will walk').
* For future events based on arrangements, you use the future continuous (`I will be walking').
* For events that will happen before a time in the future, you use the future perfect (`I will have walked').
1 You cannot talk about the future with as much certainty as you can about the present or the past. You are usually talking about what you think might happen or what you intend to happen. This is why you often use modals. Although most modals can be used with future reference, you most often use the modal `will' to talk about the future.
Nancy will arrange it.
When will I see them?
2 When you are making predictions about the future that are based on general beliefs, opinions, or attitudes, you use `will'.
The weather tomorrow will be warm and sunny.
I'm sure you will enjoy your visit to the zoo.
This use of `will' is common in sentences with conditional clauses.
You'll be late, if you don't hurry.
When you are using facts or events in the present situation as evidence for a prediction, you can use `going to'.
It's going to rain . (I can see black clouds)
I'm going to be late. (I have missed my train)
3 When you are saying what someone has decided to do, you use `going to'.
They're going to have a party.
I'm going to stay at home today.
WARNING: You do not normally use `going to' with the verb `go'. You usually just say `I'm going' rather than `I'm going to go'.
`What are you going to do this weekend?' - `I'm going to the cinema.'
When you are announcing a decision you have just made or are about to make, you use `will'.
I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed.
4 In promises and offers relating to the future, you often use `will' with the meaning `be willing to'.
I'll do what I can.
I'll help with the washing-up.
Note that you can use `will' with this meaning in an `if'-clause.
I'll put you through, if you'll hang on for a minute. (= if you are willing to hang on for a minute)
WARNING: Remember that you do not normally use `will' in `if'-clauses.
See Unit 66 for more information on `if'-clauses.
If you do that, you will be wasting your time.
The children will call out if they think he is wrong.
5 When you want to say that something will happen because arrangements have been made, you use the future continuous tense.
I'll be seeing them when I've finished with you.
I'll be waiting for you outside.
She'll be appearing at the Royal Festival Hall.
6 When you want to talk about something that has not happened yet but will happen before a particular time in the future, you use the future perfect tense.
By the time we phone he'll already have started.
By 2010, he will have worked for twelve years.
* When you are making predictions about the future or talking about future intentions, you can use either `will' (`I will walk') or `going to' (`I am going to walk').
* For promises and offers relating to the future, you use `will' (`I will walk').
* For future events based on arrangements, you use the future continuous (`I will be walking').
* For events that will happen before a time in the future, you use the future perfect (`I will have walked').
1 You cannot talk about the future with as much certainty as you can about the present or the past. You are usually talking about what you think might happen or what you intend to happen. This is why you often use modals. Although most modals can be used with future reference, you most often use the modal `will' to talk about the future.
Nancy will arrange it.
When will I see them?
2 When you are making predictions about the future that are based on general beliefs, opinions, or attitudes, you use `will'.
The weather tomorrow will be warm and sunny.
I'm sure you will enjoy your visit to the zoo.
This use of `will' is common in sentences with conditional clauses.
You'll be late, if you don't hurry.
When you are using facts or events in the present situation as evidence for a prediction, you can use `going to'.
It's going to rain . (I can see black clouds)
I'm going to be late. (I have missed my train)
3 When you are saying what someone has decided to do, you use `going to'.
They're going to have a party.
I'm going to stay at home today.
WARNING: You do not normally use `going to' with the verb `go'. You usually just say `I'm going' rather than `I'm going to go'.
`What are you going to do this weekend?' - `I'm going to the cinema.'
When you are announcing a decision you have just made or are about to make, you use `will'.
I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed.
4 In promises and offers relating to the future, you often use `will' with the meaning `be willing to'.
I'll do what I can.
I'll help with the washing-up.
Note that you can use `will' with this meaning in an `if'-clause.
I'll put you through, if you'll hang on for a minute. (= if you are willing to hang on for a minute)
WARNING: Remember that you do not normally use `will' in `if'-clauses.
See Unit 66 for more information on `if'-clauses.
If you do that, you will be wasting your time.
The children will call out if they think he is wrong.
5 When you want to say that something will happen because arrangements have been made, you use the future continuous tense.
I'll be seeing them when I've finished with you.
I'll be waiting for you outside.
She'll be appearing at the Royal Festival Hall.
6 When you want to talk about something that has not happened yet but will happen before a particular time in the future, you use the future perfect tense.
By the time we phone he'll already have started.
By 2010, he will have worked for twelve years.
Unit 65 Present tenses for future
Main points
* When you are talking about the future in relation to official timetables or the calendar, you use the present simple (`I walk').
* When talking about people's plans and arrangements for the future, you use the present continuous (`I am walking').
* In `if'-clauses, time clauses, and defining relative clauses, you can use the present simple (`I walk') to refer to the future.
1 When you are talking about something in the future which is based on an official timetable or calendar, you use the present simple tense. You usually put a time adverbial in these sentences.
My last train leaves Euston at 11.30.
The UN General Assembly opens in New York this month.
Our next lesson is on Thursday.
We set off early tomorrow morning.
2 In statements about fixed dates, you normally use the present simple.
Tomorrow is Tuesday.
It's my birthday next month.
Monday is the seventeenth of July.
3 When you want to talk about people's plans or arrangements for the future, you use the present continuous tense.
I'm meeting Bill next week.
They're getting married in June.
4 You often talk about the future using the present tense of verbs such as `hope', `expect', `intend', and `want' with a `to'-infinitive clause, especially when you want to indicate your uncertainty about what will actually happen.
We hope to see you soon.
Bill expects to be back at work tomorrow.
After the verb `hope', you often use the present simple to refer to the future.
I hope you enjoy your holiday.
5 In subordinate clauses, the relationships between tense and time are different. In `if'-clauses and time clauses, you normally use the present simple for future reference.
If he comes, I'll let you know.
Please start when you are ready.
We won't start until everyone arrives.
Lock the door after you finally leave.
6 In defining relative clauses, you normally use the present simple, not `will', to refer to the future.
Any decision that you make will need her approval.
Give my love to any friends you meet.
There is a silver cup for the runner who finishes first.
7 If you want to show that a condition has to be the case before an action can be carried out, you use the present perfect for future events.
We won't start until everyone has arrived.
I'll let you know when I have arranged everything.
* When you are talking about the future in relation to official timetables or the calendar, you use the present simple (`I walk').
* When talking about people's plans and arrangements for the future, you use the present continuous (`I am walking').
* In `if'-clauses, time clauses, and defining relative clauses, you can use the present simple (`I walk') to refer to the future.
1 When you are talking about something in the future which is based on an official timetable or calendar, you use the present simple tense. You usually put a time adverbial in these sentences.
My last train leaves Euston at 11.30.
The UN General Assembly opens in New York this month.
Our next lesson is on Thursday.
We set off early tomorrow morning.
2 In statements about fixed dates, you normally use the present simple.
Tomorrow is Tuesday.
It's my birthday next month.
Monday is the seventeenth of July.
3 When you want to talk about people's plans or arrangements for the future, you use the present continuous tense.
I'm meeting Bill next week.
They're getting married in June.
4 You often talk about the future using the present tense of verbs such as `hope', `expect', `intend', and `want' with a `to'-infinitive clause, especially when you want to indicate your uncertainty about what will actually happen.
We hope to see you soon.
Bill expects to be back at work tomorrow.
After the verb `hope', you often use the present simple to refer to the future.
I hope you enjoy your holiday.
5 In subordinate clauses, the relationships between tense and time are different. In `if'-clauses and time clauses, you normally use the present simple for future reference.
If he comes, I'll let you know.
Please start when you are ready.
We won't start until everyone arrives.
Lock the door after you finally leave.
6 In defining relative clauses, you normally use the present simple, not `will', to refer to the future.
Any decision that you make will need her approval.
Give my love to any friends you meet.
There is a silver cup for the runner who finishes first.
7 If you want to show that a condition has to be the case before an action can be carried out, you use the present perfect for future events.
We won't start until everyone has arrived.
I'll let you know when I have arranged everything.
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