predictions

12 a, b 12 a,b
4 b, c, d 4 b, c, d
Current Events
since
to ___
from ___
all ___
4 4
a

a

11 1
22 2
33 3
44 4
55 5
66 6
77 7
for...
?
and ___
between
next __
the __after __
c

c

3 3
?
?
Future Events
since
?? ?
?? ?
?? ?


all ___
ff foo orr r
ii inn n
the the the pre pre prevv vii ioo ouu uss s
99 9 88 8 77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1



that ___
11 11
10 10
b

b

3 3
in/ on/ at __
a

a
3 3
until ___
?? ? ?? ?
3 3 g

g

4 4
c

c

f

f

3 3
?? ?
ff for or or
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8 99 9
the following the following the following
ii inn n
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7






all ___
that ___
before
prior
e

e

3 3
77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
after
later
by/before
tomorrow
the__ after__
in 3,4,5 /later
by/ before






all ___
?? ?
?? ?
?? ?
5 5 e

e

until ___
6 6 e

e

that ___
16 16
10 10 10 88 8 77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1 99 9
5 5 f

f

11 1 33 3 44 4 22 2
in in in
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8 99 9
the following the following the following
for for for
after
later



frequency
habit
5 5 d

d

in/ on/ at __
5 5 a

a

next __
the __after __
?
?
?
between
and ___
5 5 c

c

111
222
33 3
44 4
55 5
666
77 7
for...
from ___
to ___
all ___
6 6 a

a

since __
?? ?
?? ?
?? ?



14 14
since since __ 13 13



all ___



that ___
in in in
for for for
the the the pre pre prevv vii ioo ouu uss s
99 9 88 8 77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
yesterday
the__ before__
3,4,5 ago
just now
before
prior
Past Events
5 5 b

b

21 21 21 20 20 20 19 19 19 18 18 18 17 17 17 16 16 16 15 15 15 14 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 99 9 88 8 77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1 11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8 99 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 19 20 20 20 21 21 21
during
y y
when
x x
while
z z
#
5/6
++ ( + w ++
6c 6c 6b 6b
6d 6d
15 15 15 15
Put yourself in the picture Put yourself in the picture
? ?
simple/indefinite
progressive
perfect

habitual/ frequency
simple/definite
Actions Actions Actions
Duration or span between the points Duration or span between the points Duration or span between the points Meas Meas Measuu ured red red TT Tii ime me me
Points on calendars or clocks Points on calendars or clocks Points on calendars or clocks Se Se Set t t Ti Ti Time me me
specific
point in time
start of event,
or span
end of event,
or span
in ..... year/ month
on .... day
at ..... time 11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8 99 9
for total period of time
in range of event possibility
names of periods

TimeMap
2

2 2 a

a

now / right now / now / right now / now / right now /
at at at this (very) m this (very) m this (very) moo oment ment ment
tt thh hii is s s mm moo omm ment o ent o ent onn nll lyy y
II Iff f
II Iff f
/c

/c

2 2
d

d
2 2
2 2
b

b

b

b
9 9
a

a

9 9
e

e

Situations/Conditions Situations/Conditions Situations/Conditions
completion anticipation continuation
4
4
16/17 16/17
18/19 18/19
5/ 6 5/ 6
reported speech reported Speech
19 19
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4
18 18
Unverified Unverified
always seldom
usually rarely
often never
sometimes ever
every ___ / ___ly
every other ___
(1,2,3)__ a __
once, twice a __
3,4,5 times a __
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7
0 0 0

1 1 1

2 2 2

3 3 3

4 4 4
%% %
frequency frequency frequency ha ha habi bi bitt t
#
1
#
1
#
1
#
1
#
1
#
1
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4
20 20
Totally Untrue Totally Untrue
21 21
when
x x
y y
#
3/4
while
z z
during
while while while
soon soon soon
until __
4 4 b

b

?? ?
?? ?
7 7
8 8
?? ?
88 8 77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1 11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8
?? ?
?? ?
?? ?
d

d

3 3
since __ by/ before
since __
99 9 88 8 77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1 11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8 99 9
the next the next the next
in in in in in in
the the the last last last
for for for
the the the last last last
for for for
the next the next the next



that ___
all ___
recently recently recently
lately lately lately
Related Events Related Events Related Events
This is the view of all English verb tenses, as presented in typical grammar texts.
Although impressive to behold, it is far too complex to be of much practical value to learners of a second language.
31 31 31 Events prior to a past event. He ~ had gotten drunk ~ an hour before he crashed.
32 32 32 Continuing events prior to a past situation He ~ had been drinking ~ all afternoon.
Multi Multi Multi-- -Past Past Past
thought to be real/ factual/ likely to occur/ a plan If ~ I ~ am feeling better / I ~ will give ~ you ~ a call.
If If If
unreal/ counter-factual/ unlikely to occur/ crazy If ~ I ~ won ~ $1,000,000/ I ~ could buy ~ anything.
Past counter-factual/ It didnt happen, but if
If ~ I ~ had never met ~ you/ I ~ would be ~
happy.
Conditional Conditional Conditional

TimeMap
2

xx x Event is coincidental with an (abrupt) action.
He ~ will call ~ us ~ when he gets their proposal.
A car ~ will be waiting ~for him ~ when he arrives.
11 111 1
11 122 2
yy y Event is synchronous with a (progressive) action
He ~ will check ~ the details ~ while negotiating.
He ~ will be staying ~ at ABC Hotel ~ while in Paris.
zz z Event is synchronous with an event. (noun)
He ~ will consult ~ with us ~ during the negotiations.
He ~ will be using ~ his laptop ~ during his trip.
Coincidence/ Synchronicity Coincidence/ Synchronicity Coincidence/ Synchronicity
xx x Event is coincidental with an (abrupt) action.
A Genie ~ appeared ~ when she rubbed the lamp.
She ~ was trying to make ~ a wish ~ when he van-
ished.
21 21 21
22 22 22
yy y Event is synchronous with a (progressive) action
The Genie ~ vanished ~ while she was trying to decide.
She wasnt considering ~ the time~ while thinking.
zz z Event is synchronous with an event. (noun)
She ~ had ~ a weird experience ~ during her vacation.
She ~ was talking ~ about it ~ during coffee break.
Coincidence/ Synchronicity Coincidence/ Synchronicity Coincidence/ Synchronicity
11 133 3 continuing until future situation He ~ will have been working ~ on this ~ for 6 weeks
11 144 4 within time span leading up to future situation He ~ will have checked ~ everything ~ before signing.
11 155 5
aa a completion - The same as #9. A prediction. He ~ will finally have made ~ a deal ~ on his own.
bb b anticipation - The same as #9. A prediction. He ~ wont have gotten over ~ jetlag ~ by Monday.
Perfect Perfect Perfect
11 122 2
aa a stated beginning and end of event John ~ will be staying ~ in Europe ~ for 10 days.
bb b event duration from now to its conclusion He ~ will be preparing ~ reports ~ until he goes.
cc c event duration, following a future situation He ~ will be suffering ~ with jetlag ~ for 2,3 days.
Progressive Progressive Progressive
Present Present Present
Simple Simple Simple
11 1
a a a habitual actions Philip ~ usually works ~ on Saturdays.
bb b frequency He ~ works ~ in a restaurant ~ twice a week.
33 3 continuing until now He ~ has been looking ~ for a job ~ since Monday.
44 4 within time span leading up to current situation He ~ has had ~ three interviews ~ since Monday.
55 5
aa a completion of events resulting in current situation He ~ has just quit ~ his job ~ at the restaurant.
bb b
continuation of the current situation,
or anticipation of events that would change it.
He ~ hasnt found ~ a new job ~ yet.
Perfect Perfect Perfect
Past Past Past
Simple Simple Simple
21 21 21
aa a
a point in the past Mary ~ got ~ a big surprise ~ last Saturday.
bb b preceding time span measured from now into past Mary ~ found ~ a lamp ~ on the beach ~ 5 days ago.
cc c between 2 points in the past Something strange ~ happened ~ that afternoon.
dd d habitual/ frequency in the past She ~ never used to believe ~ in Genies.
ee e deadline following past situation Mary ~ had to make ~ 3 wishes ~ within 3 minutes.
ff f follows past event after measured span of time The Genie ~ disappeared ~ 3 minutes later.
22 233 3 continuing until past situation She ~ had been walking ~ on the beach ~ for an hour.
22 244 4 within time span leading up to past situation She ~ had never gotten ~ three wishes ~ before.
22 255 5
aa a completion - The same as #9 in a movie. She ~ had finally gotten ~ some good luck.
bb b anticipation - The same as #9 in a movie. She ~ hadnt made up ~ her mind ~ yet.
Perfect Perfect Perfect
22 222 2
aa a stated beginning and end of event in the past Mary ~ was considering her choices ~ for 4 minutes.
bb b that new situation Mary ~ was ~ so disappointed ~ then.
cc c completion, or expiration of previous situation The Genie ~ wasnt waiting ~ for her ~ any longer.
dd d that continuing situation Mary ~ was still thinking ~ about becoming rich .
ee e anticipation Mary ~ wasnt enjoying ~ a rich life ~ yet.
ff f
continuing from past situation to event conclusion Mary ~ was kicking ~ herself ~ for days.
Progressive Progressive Progressive
11 111 1
aa a a point in the future John ~ will go ~ to Europe ~ on July 21st.
bb b following a span of time measured from now He ~ will leave ~ for Europe ~ in two weeks.
cc c between 2 points in the future He ~ will contact ~ our client ~ (on) that Tuesday.
dd d within time span from now to deadline He ~ will have to return ~ by August 1st.
ee e precedes future event by measured span of time He ~ will confirm ~ his flight ~ 3 days before he goes.
ff f follows future event after measured span of time He ~ will rent ~ a car ~ the day after he arrives.
gg g before a deadline following future situation He ~ will have to make ~ a deal ~ by that Friday.
Future Future Future
Simple Simple Simple


2 2 2
aa a
this moment He ~ is checking ~ the paper ~ right now.
bb b this new situation He ~ is looking ~ for a new job ~ now.
cc c completion, or expiration of previous situation He ~ isnt working ~ at the restaurant~ anymore.
dd d this continuing situation He ~ is still looking ~ for a job.
ee e
anticipation of upcoming situation He ~ isnt making ~ any money ~ yet.
Progressive Progressive Progressive
aa a Events/ situations prior to the time of report.
Bob: I bought a new car last week.
Report: Bob said that he had bought a new car.
44 4
bb b Events/ situations at the time of report.
Bob: I love my new car.
Report: Bob said that he loved his new car.
cc c Events/ situations following the time of report.
Bob: I will drive to work tomorrow.
Report: Bob said that he would drive to work.
Reported Speech Reported Speech Reported Speech
Every Verb TenseImaginable
This is the view of all English verb tenses, as presented in typical grammar texts.
Although impressive to behold, it is far too complex to be of much practical value to learners of a second language.
22 2
New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations
99 9
88 8
? ? ? ? ? ?
66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
99 9
66 6
++ + (( ( ww w
advanced chronology
th th
The The
b
a
55 5
66 6
? ? ? ? ? ?
66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
15 15 15
66 6
Co Co Conti nti ntinu nu nuation ation ation and and and Intention Intention Intention
6 6 6
55 5 55 5


b
a
99 9
2 2 2
Co Co Conti nti ntinu nu nuation ation ation and and and AA Ann nticipatio ticipatio ticipationn n
33 3

22 2
? ? ? ? ? ?
f




11 1

44 4
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8 99 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 19 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 23 23



b
a
33 3
44 4
? ? ? ? ? ?
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6
12 12 12
44 4
Co Co Conti nti ntinu nu nuation ation ation and and and PP Predict redict rediction ion ion
30 30 30 29 29 29 28 28 28 27 27 27 26 26 26 25 25 25 24 24 24 23 23 23 22 22 22 21 21 21 20 20 20 19 19 19 18 18 18 17 17 17 16 16 16 15 15 15 14 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 99 9 88 8 77 7 66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1



55 5
15 15 15
66 6
14 14 14 ? ? ? ? ? ?
13 13 13
66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
55 5
? ? ? ? ? ?
66 6
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7
16 16 16 ? ? ? ? ? ?
17 17 17
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7
16 16 16
Present Situation Present Situation Present Situation
Multi Multi Multi-- -Past Past Past
New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations
Past Situation Past Situation Past Situation
22 2
22 2
77 7

11 11 11 ? ? ? ? ? ?
10 10 10
66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations

11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8
12 12 12
44 4

Tim Tim Timee e

33 3
Future Situation Future Situation Future Situation
44 4
11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7
33 3 ? ? ? ? ? ?

4 4 4
44 4
This is my view of all English verb tenses, and as you can see, it is far simpler and easier to understand.
Any situation can be described simply (yellow sections), discussed in terms of how the situation has changed pink),
or described as an on-going event (orange).

22 2
New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations
99 9
88 8
? ? ? ? ? ?
66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
99 9
b
a
99 9
2 2 2
Co Co Conti nti ntinu nu nuation ation ation and and and AA Ann nticipatio ticipatio ticipationn n
33 3

22 2
? ? ? ? ? ?
f




11 1

44 4
Present Situation Present Situation Present Situation
22 2
22 2
77 7

11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8
Present . . . Present . . . Present . . . Simple Simple Simple
1a 1a 1a habitual actions Philip ~ usually works ~ on Saturdays.
1b 1b 1b frequency He ~ goes ~ to University ~ 5 days a week.
Present . . . Present . . . Present . . . Progressi9ve Progressi9ve Progressi9ve
2a 2a 2a this moment He ~ is checking ~ the newspaper ~ right now.
New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations
2d 2d 2d this continuing situation He ~ is still living ~ like a pauper.
2e 2e 2e anticipation of upcoming situation He ~ isnt making ~ a lawyers salary ~ yet.
99 9bb b
continuation of the current situation,
or anticipation of events that would change it.
He ~ hasnt decided ~ if ~ he will take it ~ yet.
77 7 continuing until now He ~ has been looking ~ for a job ~ since Monday.
88 8 within time span leading up to current situation He ~ has had ~ three interviews ~ since Monday.
2b 2b 2b this new situation He ~ is looking ~ for a new job ~ now.
2c 2c 2c completion, or expiration of previous situation He ~ isnt happy ~ at the restaurant~ anymore.
99 9aa a completion of events resulting in current situation He ~ has already gotten ~ one good job offer.
Continuing Situations Continuing Situations Continuing Situations
2d 2d 2d event duration from now to its conclusion He ~ will be staying ~ in a cheap apartment ~ until he gets a better job.
2e 2e 2e within time span from now to deadline He ~ will have to prepare ~ his presentation by July 1
st
.
Comparison of simple, continuing, and changed situations.

Situation Overview Situation Overview Situation Overview
New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations New or Changed Situations
88 8
? ? ? ? ? ?
77 7
66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1

22 2
99 9
22 2
22 2
Present Situation Present Situation Present Situation

11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7 88 8



11 1

Basic Situation Basic Situation Basic Situation

1
He ~ plays ~ tennis

every ___, every other ___,

once twice, three times a ___, always, usually, often,
sometimes, seldom, never, ever ...
2
He ~ is playing ~ tennis

for the time being
now, right now, at this moment
Describe a new or changed situation Describe a new or changed situation Describe a new or changed situation
2
He ~ is playing ~ tennis
for the time being

now, right now, at this moment
2

anymore, any longer, no longer

He ~ isnt eating ~ dinner

now
9
He ~ has gone to play ~ tennis

already, finally, just

Elaborate on the basics Elaborate on the basics Elaborate on the basics
7
He ~ has been playing ~ tennis

for ___, for the last ___, recently, lately

since ___, all___
8
He ~ has played ~ tennis


in the last ___, before, never, ever, lately
since ___, this ___
When you want to emphasize how a situation has just evolved, you
may select from among any of the verb forms within the pink field.

Continuation and Anticipation Continuation and Anticipation Continuation and Anticipation
Basic Situation Basic Situation Basic Situation
1

He ~ plays ~ tennis

every ___, every other ___,

once twice, three times a ___, always, usually,
often sometimes, seldom, never, ever ...
2

He ~ is playing ~ tennis


for the time being
now, right now, at this moment
b
99 9
22 2
Describe the anticipated situation Describe the anticipated situation Describe the anticipated situation
2
He ~ is playing ~ tennis
still


2

right now
He ~ isnt ~ at home

yet
9 He ~ hasnt come ~ home


yet
Elaborate on the basics Elaborate on the basics Elaborate on the basics
3
He ~ will play ~ tennis

in the next ___, all this/ next ___

by ___,
4
He ~ will be playing ~ tennis


for the next ___, this/next ___
until ___
Pre Pre Press sent Situation ent Situation ent Situation

11 1 22 2 33 3 44 4 55 5 66 6 77 7


33 3 ? ? ? ? ? ?
44 4

22 2
22 2



66 6 55 5 44 4 33 3 22 2 11 1
11 1


When you want to emphasize how a situation has is progressing, or
anticipating how it might be resolved, you may select from among
any of the verb forms within the orange field.