TENSE REVISION

Present Perfect

FORM [has/have + past participle (V3)]

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before
now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time
expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in
Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with
unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far,
already, yet, etc.

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the
experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain
experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

 I have been to France.

THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN FRANCE. MAYBE YOU HAVE
BEEN THERE ONCE, OR SEVERAL TIMES.
 I have been to France three times.
YOU CAN ADD THE NUMBER OF TIMES AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE.
 I have never been to France.
THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO FRANCE.
 I think I have seen that movie before.
 He has never traveled by train.
 Joan has studied two foreign languages.
 A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of
time.

Examples:
  You have grown since the last time I saw you.
 The government has become more interested in arts education.
 Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the
Asian studies program was established.
 My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity.
You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

 Man has walked on the Moon.

 Our son has learned how to read.
 Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
 Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened.
Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:

 James has not finished his homework yet.

 Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
 Bill has still not arrived.
 The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in
the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more
actions are possible.

Examples:

 The army has attacked that city five times.

 I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
 We have had many major problems while working on this project.
 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is
sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our
lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this
with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up
to now, etc.

Examples:

 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

 I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
 They have had three tests in the last week.
 She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three
different companies so far.
 My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year
before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year"
means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present
Perfect.

Examples:

 I went to Mexico last year.

I WENT TO MEXICO IN THE CALENDAR YEAR BEFORE THIS ONE.
 I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I HAVE BEEN TO MEXICO AT LEAST ONCE AT SOME POINT BETWEEN 365 DAYS AGO AND NOW.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present
Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five
minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the
Present Perfect.
Examples:

 I have had a cold for two weeks.

 She has been in England for six months.
 Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of Present Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and
non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are
sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You have only seen that movie one time.

 Have you only seen that movie one time?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 Many tourists have visited that castle. ACTIVE

 That castle has been visited by many tourists. PASSIVE

Present Perfect Continuous

FORM

[has/have + been + present participle(V3)]

Examples:

 You have been waiting here for two hours.

 Have you been waiting here for two hours?
 You have not been waiting here for two hours.

Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and
has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday"
are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.

Examples:

 They have been talking for the last hour.

 She has been working at that company for three years.
 What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
 James has been teaching at the university since June.
 We have been waiting here for over two hours!
 Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two
weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We
often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.

Examples:

 Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

 She has been watching too much television lately.
 Have you been exercising lately?
 Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
 Lisa has not been practicing her English.
 What have you been doing?

IMPORTANT

Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or
"recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you
been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A
question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on
the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the
results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be
used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect Continuous with these
verbs, you must use Present Perfect.

Examples:

 Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct
 Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You have only been waiting here for one hour.

 Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 Recently, John has been doing the work. ACTIVE

 Recently, the work has been being done by John. PASSIVE

NOTE: Present Perfect Continuous is less commonly used in its passive form.
Simple Future
Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the
two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very
different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but
with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going
to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will

[will + verb]

Examples:

 You will help him later.

 Will you help him later?
 You will not help him later.

FORM Be Going To

[am/is/are + going to + verb]

Examples:

 You are going to meet Jane tonight.

 Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
 You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

Complete List of Simple Future Forms

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action
is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to
someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that
someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or
"won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.
Examples:

 I will send you the information when I get it.

 I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
 Will you help me move this heavy table?
 Will you make dinner?
 I will not do your homework for you.
 I won't do all the housework myself!
 A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.
 A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.
 A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:

 I will call you when I arrive.

 If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has
access to inexpensive health insurance.
 I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
 Don't worry, I'll be careful.
 I won't tell anyone your secret.

USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person
intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic
or not.

Examples:

 He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

 She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
 A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
 I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
  Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
 They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
 Who are you going to invite to the party?
 A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the
future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction"
sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-
3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:

 The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.

 The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
 John Smith will be the next President.
 John Smith is going to be the next President.
 The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
 The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often,
there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.

No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless,
etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.

Examples:

 When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
 When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:

 You will never help him.

 Will you ever help him?
 You are never going to meet Jane.
 Are you ever going to meet Jane?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 John will finish the work by 5:00 PM. ACTIVE

 The work will be finished by 5:00 PM. PASSIVE
 Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. ACTIVE
 A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. PASSIVE

Future Continuous
Future Continuous has two different forms: "will be doing " and "be going to be doing."
Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Continuous with "Will"

[will be + present participle]

Examples:

 You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
 Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
 You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

FORM Future Continuous with "Be Going To "

[am/is/are + going to be + present participle]

Examples:

 You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
 Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
 You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
REMEMBER: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future
Continuous with little difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Continuous Forms

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future

Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be
interrupted by a shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real
interruption or just an interruption in time.

Examples:

 I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.

 I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.
 I am going to be staying at the Madison Hotel, if anything happens and you
need to contact me.
 He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer when she
arrives.

Notice in the examples above that the interruptions (marked in italics) are in Simple
Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time
clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption in the Future

In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short action in

the future. In addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a
specific time as an interruption.

Examples:

 Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.

I WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF EATING DINNER.

 At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.

WE WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING THROUGH THE DESERT.
REMEMBER

In the Simple Future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or
end. In the Future Continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.

Examples:

 Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner.

I AM GOING TO START EATING AT 6 PM.
 Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
I AM GOING TO START EARLIER AND I WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF EATING DINNER AT 6 PM.

USE 3 Parallel Actions in the Future

When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it
expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions
are parallel.

Examples:

 I am going to be studying and he is going to be making dinner.

 Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good
time.
 While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.
NOTICE "IS READING" BECAUSE OF THE TIME CLAUSE CONTAINING "WHILE." (SEE EXPLANATION BELOW)

USE 4 Atmosphere in the Future

In English, we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere at a

specific point in the future.

Example:

 When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be

dancing. Others are going to be talking. A few people will be eating pizza,
and several people are going to be drinking beer. They always do the same
thing.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future tenses, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with
time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if,
unless, etc. Instead of Future Continuous, Present Continuous is used.

Examples:

 While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner.

Not Correct
 While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be
used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Continuous with these verbs, you
must use Simple Future.

Examples:

 Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct

 Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You will still be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
 Will you still be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
 You are still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
 Are you still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dishes. ACTIVE

 At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be being washed by John. PASSIVE
 At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going to be washing the dishes. ACTIVE
 At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are going to be being washed by John. PASSIVE
NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Continuous are not common.

Future Perfect
FORM Future Perfect with "Will"

[will have + past participle]

Examples:

 You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
 Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
 You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

FORM Future Perfect with "Be Going To"

[am/is/are + going to have + past participle]

Examples:

 You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the
U.S.
 Are you going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the
U.S.?
 You are not going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from
the U.S.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect
with little or no difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Perfect Forms

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Future

The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another action
in the future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific time in
the future.

Examples:

 By next November, I will have received my promotion.

 By the time he gets home, she is going to have cleaned the entire house.
 I am not going to have finished this test by 3 o'clock.
 Will she have learned enough Chinese to communicate before she moves to Beijing?
 Sam is probably going to have completed the proposal by the time he leaves this
afternoon.
 By the time I finish this course, I will have taken ten tests.
 How many countries are you going to have visited by the time you turn 50?

Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in
Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in
time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Future (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the
Future Perfect to show that something will continue up until another action in the
future.

Examples:

 I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.
 By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week.

Although the above use of Future Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs
and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study"
are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with
time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if,
unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect, Present Perfect is used.

Examples:
  I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not Correct
 I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You will only have learned a few words.

 Will you only have learned a few words?
 You are only going to have learned a few words.
 Are you only going to have learned a few words?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 They will have completed the project before the deadline. ACTIVE
 The project will have been completed before the deadline. PASSIVE
 They are going to have completed the project before the deadline. ACTIVE
 The project is going to have been completed before the deadline. PASSIVE

Future Perfect Continuous

Future Perfect Continuous has two different forms: "will have been doing " and "be
going to have been doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect Continuous
forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Will"

[will have been + present participle]

Examples:

 You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives.
 Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally
arrives?
 You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane
finally arrives.
FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Be Going To"

[am/is/are + going to have been + present participle]

Examples:

 You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane
finally arrives.
 Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane
finally arrives?
 You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her
plane finally arrives.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect
Continuous with little or no difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Future

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until a
particular event or time in the future. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since
Friday" are all durations which can be used with the Future Perfect Continuous.
Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous and the Past Perfect
Continuous; however, with Future Perfect Continuous, the duration stops at or before
a reference point in the future.

Examples:

 They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Thomas arrives.
 She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it
finally closes.
 James will have been teaching at the university for more than a year by the
time he leaves for Asia.
 How long will you have been studying when you graduate?
 We are going to have been driving for over three days straight when we get
to Anchorage.
 A: When you finish your English course, will you have been living in New
Zealand for over a year?
B: No, I will not have been living here that long.
Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in
Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because these future events are in
time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Future

Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good way
to show cause and effect.

Examples:

 Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for
over an hour.
 Claudia's English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she is
going to have been studying English in the United States for over two years.

Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since
Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Future Continuous rather than the
Future Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the
sentence. Future Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Future Perfect
Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the future. Study the
examples below to understand the difference.

Examples:

 He will be tired because he will be exercising so hard.

THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WILL BE TIRED BECAUSE HE WILL BE EXERCISING AT THAT EXACT MOMENT IN
THE FUTURE.

 He will be tired because he will have been exercising so hard.

THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WILL BE TIRED BECAUSE HE WILL HAVE BEEN EXERCISING FOR A PERIOD OF
TIME. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE WILL STILL BE EXERCISING AT THAT MOMENT OR THAT HE WILL JUST HAVE
FINISHED.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses
beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as
soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect
Continuous is used.

Examples:

 You won't get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as
Tim. Not Correct
 You won't get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim.
Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be
used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Perfect Continuous with these
verbs, you must use Future Perfect .

Examples:

 Ned will have been having his driver's license for over two years. Not Correct
 Ned will have had his driver's license for over two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You will only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
 Will you only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?
 You are only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane
arrives.
 Are you only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane
arrives?