VERBS and VERB TENSES in ENGLISH

Introduction
It is important to understand the meaning and use of tenses in English.
The form may e li!e that of a tense in your o"n language# ut the
meaning may e different# so e $ery careful%
TENSES
SI&'LE 'RESENT
(See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present')
Simple present# third person singular
Note:
1. he# she# it( in the third person singular the verb al"ays ends in )s:
he wants, she needs, he gives, she thinks.
2. Negative and question orms use !"#S ($the third person o the
au%iliar&'!"') + the ininitive o the verb.
He wants. Does he want? He does not want.
'. Verbs ending in )y : the third person (hanges the )y to )ies:
fly flies, cry cries
E*ception: i there is a vo)el beore the -y:
play plays, pray prays
*. +dd )es to verbs ending in:)ss# )*# )sh# )ch:
he passes, she catches, he fixes, it pushes
See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present', and '-e, do . have'
#%amples:
+. Third person singular "ith s or )es
a. He goes to s(hool ever& morning.
b. She understands #nglish.
(. It mixes the sand and the )ater.
d. He tries ver& hard.
e. She enjoys pla&ing the piano.
,. Simple present# form
#%ample: to think# present simple
-ffirmati$e Interrogati$e Negati$e
I thin/ !o 0 thin/ 1 0 do not thin/.
.ou thin/ !o &ou thin/1 2ou don't thin/.
he# she# it thin/s !oes he, she, it thin/1 3e, she, it doesn't thin/.
"e thin/ !o )e thin/1 4e don't thin/.
you thin/ !o &ou thin/1 2ou don't thin/.
5he simple present is used:
1. to e%press habits, general truths, repeated a(tions or un(hanging situations,
emotions and )ishes:
I smoke (habit! I work in "ondon (unchanging situation! "ondon is a large
city (general truth
2. to give instru(tions or dire(tions:
You walk for two hundred meters, then you turn left.
'. to e%press i%ed arrangements, present or uture:
#our exam starts at $%.$$
*. to e%press uture time, ater some (on6un(tions: after, when, before, as
soon as, until:
He&ll give it to you when you come next 'aturday.
BE /-RE01L% 5he simple present is not used to e*press actions happening
no". See 7resent 8ontinuous.
#%amples:
1. 0or haits
3e drinks tea at brea/ast.
She onl& eats ish.
5he& watch television regularl&.
2. 0or repeated actions or e$ents
4e catch the bus ever& morning.
0t rains ever& aternoon in the hot season.
5he& drive to 9ona(o ever& summer.
'. 0or general truths
4ater freees at :ero degrees.
5he #arth revolves around the Sun.
3er mother is 7eruvian.
*. 0or instructions or directions
!"en the pa(/et and "our the (ontents into hot )ater.
2ou take the No.; bus to 4atne& and then the No.1< to -edord.
=. 0or fi*ed arrangements
3is mother arrives tomorro).
"ur holida& starts on the 2;th 9ar(h
;. 2ith future constructions
She'll see &ou beore she leaves.
4e'll give it to her )hen she arrives.
TENSES
'RESENT /3NTIN131S
+. 'resent continuous# form
5he present (ontinuous o an& verb is (omposed o t)o parts - the present tense of
the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb.
(5he orm o the present parti(iple is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving,
smiling
-ffirmati$e
Su4ect > to be > base>ing
she is tal/ing

Negati$e
Su4ect 5 to be # not > base>ing
she is not (isn't) tal/ing

Interrogati$e
to be # subject > base>ing
is she tal/ing1
#%ample: to go, present (ontinuous
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I am going 0 am not going +m 0 going1
.ou are going 2ou aren't going. +re &ou going1
He# she# it is going 3e, she, it isn't going 0s he, she, it going1
2e are going 4e aren't going +re )e going1
.ou are going 2ou aren't going +re &ou going1
They are going 5he& aren't going +re the& going1
Note: alternative negative (ontra(tions: I&m not going, you&re not going, he&s not
going etc.
,. 'resent continuous# function
+s )ith all tenses in #nglish, the s"eaker$s attitude is as important as the time o
the a(tion or event. 4hen someone uses the present (ontinuous, the& are thin/ing
about something that isunfinished or incom"lete.
5he present (ontinuous is used:
to des(ribe an a(tion that is going on at this moment e.g. You are usingthe
Internet. You are studying (nglish grammar.
to des(ribe an a(tion that is going on during this period o time or a trend,
e.g.
%re you still working for the same company? )ore and more people are
becoming vegetarian.
to des(ribe an a(tion or event in the uture, )hi(h has alread& been planned
or prepared (See also '4a&s o e%pressing the uture) e.g.&e$re going on
holiday tomorrow. I$m meeting my boyfriend tonight. %re they
visiting &ou ne%t )inter1
to des(ribe a temporar& event or situation, e.g. He usually plays the drums,
but he$s "laying bass guitar tonight. *he weather forecast was good,
but it$s raining at the moment.
)ith 'al)a&s, orever, (onstantl&', to des(ribe and emphasise a (ontinuing
series o repeated a(tions, e.g. Harry and 'ally are always
arguing+ You$re forever com"laining about your mother,in,law+
BE /-RE01L% Some verbs are not used in the (ontinuous orm - see belo).
6. Vers that are not normally used in the continuous form
5he verbs in the list belo) are normall& used in the simple orm, be(ause the& reer
to states, rather than a(tions or pro(esses:
?ist o (ommon verbs normall& used in simple orm:
Senses 7 'erception
eel8, hear, see8# smell, taste
3pinion
assume, believe, (onsider, doubt, eel ($ thin/), ind ($ (onsider),
suppose, thin/8
&ental states
orget, imagine, /no), mean, noti(e, re(ogni:e, remember,
understand
Emotions 7 desires
env&, ear, disli/e, hate, hope, li/e, love, mind, preer, regret,
)ant, )ish
&easurement
(ontain, (ost, hold, measure, )eigh
3thers
loo/ ($resemble), seem, be (in most cases, have(when it means
to possess8
Notes:
1. '7er(eption' verbs (see, hear, eel, taste, smell) are oten used )ith &can&- e.g. I
can see...
2. 8 5hese verbs may be used in the (ontinuous orm but )ith a dierent meaning,
(ompare:
a. *his coat feels nice and warm. (. your perception of the coat&s /ualities
b. 'ohn$s feeling much better now (. his health is improving
a. 'he has three dogs and a cat. (.possession
b. She$s having supper. (. 'he&s eating
a. I can see 0nthony in the garden (. perception
b. I$m seeing 0nthony later (. 1e are planning to meet
#%amples:
0 wish 0 )as in @ree(e no).
She wants to see him no).
0 don't understand )h& he is shouting.
0 feel )e are ma/ing a mista/e.
5his glass holds hal a litre.
TENSES
SI&'LE '-ST
BE /-RE01L% 5he simple past in #nglish ma& loo/ li/e a tense in &our o)n
language, but the meaning ma& be dierent.
+. Simple past# form
Regular $ers: base#ed
e.g. walked, showed, watched, played, smiled, stopped
Irregular $ers: see list in verbs
Simple past# be, have, do(
Su4ect
Ver
Be Ha$e 9o
I )as had did
.ou )ere had did
He# she# it )as had did
2e )ere had did
.ou )ere had did
They )ere had did
-ffirmati$e
a. 0 was in Aapan last &ear
b. She had a heada(he &esterda&.
(. 4e did our home)or/ last night.
Negati$e and interrogati$e
Note: Bor the negative and interrogative simple past orm o 2do2as an ordinar&
verb, use the au%iliar& 2do2, e.g. 4e didn$t do our home)or/ last night. 5he
negative o 2have2 in the simple past is usuall& ormed using the au%iliar& 2do2, but
sometimes b& simpl& adding not or the (ontra(tion 2n&t2.
5he interrogative orm o 2have2 in the simple past normall& uses the
au%iliar& 2do2.
5he& weren$t in Rio last summer.
4e hadn$t an& mone&.
4e didn$t have time to visit the #iel 5o)er.
4e didn$t do our e%er(ises this morning.
&ere they in 0(eland last Aanuar&1
Did you have a bi(&(le )hen &ou )ere a bo&1
Did you do mu(h (limbing in S)it:erland1
Simple past# regular $ers
-ffirmati$e
Su4ect $er 5 ed
0 )ashed
Negati$e
Su4ect did not infiniti$e "ithoutto
5he& didn't visit ...
Interrogati$e
9id su4ect infiniti$e "ithoutto
!id she arrive...1
Interrogati$e negati$e
9id not su4ect infiniti$e "ithoutto
!idn't &ou li/e..1
#%ample: to walk# simple past.
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I )al/ed 0 didn't )al/ !id 0 )al/1
.ou )al/ed 2ou didn't )al/ !id &ou )al/1
He#she#it )al/ed 3e didn't )al/ !id he )al/1
2e )al/ed 4e didn't )al/ !id )e )al/1
.ou )al/ed 2ou didn't )al/ !id &ou )al/1
They )al/ed 5he& didn't )al/ !id the& )al/1
Note( Bor the negative and interrogative orm o all verbs in the simple past,
al)a&s use the au%iliar& $did::.
#%amples: Simple past# irregular $ers
to go
a. 3e went to a (lub last night.
b. Did he go to the (inema last night1
(. 3e didn$t go to bed earl& last night.
to give
d. 4e gave her a doll or her birthda&.
e. *hey didn$t give Aohn their ne) address.
. Did (arry give &ou m& passport1
to come
g. 9& parents came to visit me last Aul&.
h. 1e didn$t come be(ause it )as raining.
i. Did he come to &our part& last )ee/1
,. Simple past# function
5he simple past is used to tal/ about a com"leted action in a time before now.
!uration is not important. 5he time o the a(tion (an be in the re(ent past or the
distant past.
Aohn 8abot sailed to +meri(a in 1*CD.
9& ather died last &ear.
3e lived in Bi6i in 1CE;.
4e crossed the 8hannel &esterda&.
2ou al)a&s use the simple past )hen &ou sa& when something happened, so it is
asso(iated )ith (ertain past time e%pressions
#%amples:
fre;uency:
often, sometimes, always!
a definite point in time:
last week, when I was a child, yesterday, six weeks ago.
an indefinite point in time:
the other day, ages ago, a long time ago etc.
Note( the )ord ago is a useul )a& o e%pressing the distan(e into the past. 0t is
pla(ed after the period o time e.g. a week ago, three years ago, a minute ago.
#%amples:
a. #esterday, 0 arrived in @eneva.
b. She finished her )or/ at seven o&clock.
(. 4e saw a good ilm last week.
d. 0 went to the theatre last night.
e. She "layed the piano when she was a child.
. 3e sent me a letter six months ago.
g. 7eter left five minutes ago.
TENSES
'-ST /3NTIN131S
+. 'ast continuous ) form.
5he past (ontinuous o an& verb is (omposed o t)o parts : the past tense o the
verb to be (was3were, and the base o the main verb >ing.
Su4ect "as7"ere ase)ing
5he& )ere )at(hing
-ffirmati$e
She )as reading
Negati$e
She )asn't reading
Interrogati$e
4as she reading1
Interrogati$e negati$e
4asn't she reading1
#%ample: to "lay, past continuous
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I )as pla&ing 0 )as not pla&ing 4as 0 pla&ing1
.ou )ere pla&ing 2ou )ere not pla&ing 4ere &ou pla&ing1
He# she# it )as pla&ing She )asn't pla&ing 4as she pla&ing1
2e )ere pla&ing 4e )eren't pla&ing 4ere )e pla&ing1
.ou )ere pla&ing 2ou )eren't pla&ing 4ere &ou pla&ing1
They )ere pla&ing 5he& )eren't pla&ing 4ere the& pla&ing1
,. 'ast continuous# function
5he past (ontinuous des(ribes a(tions or events in a time before now, )hi(h
began in the past and )as still going on at the time o spea/ing. 0n other )ords, it
e%presses an unfinished or incom"lete a(tion in the past.
0t is used:
oten, to des(ribe the ba(/ground in a stor& )ritten in the past tense, e.g.
F5he sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant (ame
out o the 6ungle. 5he other animals were relaxing in the shade o the
trees, but the elephant moved ver& qui(/l&. She was looking or her bab&,
and she didn't noti(e the hunter )ho was watching her through his
bino(ulars. 4hen the shot rang out, she was running to)ards the river...F
to des(ribe an uninished a(tion that )as interrupted b& another event or
a(tion: F0 was having a beautiul dream )hen the alarm (lo(/ rang.F
to e%press a (hange o mind: e.g. F0 was going to spend the da& at the
bea(h but 0've de(ided to go on an e%(ursion instead.F
)ith &wonder&, to ma/e a ver& polite request: e.g. F0 was wondering i &ou
(ould bab&-sit or me tonight.F
9ore e%amples:
a. 5he& were waiting or the bus )hen the a((ident happened.
b. 8aroline was skiing )hen she bro/e her leg.
(. 4hen )e arrived he was having a bath.
d. 4hen the ire started 0 was watching television.
Note: )ith verbs not normall& used in the (ontinuous orm, the simple past is
used. See list in 7resent (ontinuous
TENSES
'RESENT 'ER0E/T
+. 'resent perfect ) form
5he present pere(t o an& verb is (omposed o t)o elements : the appropriate orm
o the au%iliar& verb to have (present tense), plus the past parti(iple o the main
verb. 5he past parti(iple o a regular verb is base5ed, e.g. played, arrived, looked.
Bor irregular verbs, see the Tale of irregular $ers in the se(tion (alled :Vers:.
-ffirmati$e
Sub6e(t to have past parti(iple
'he has visited
Negati$e
Sub6e(t to have > not past parti(iple
'he hasn&t visited
Interrogati$e
to have sub6e(t past parti(iple
Has she visited..?
Interrogati$e negati$e
to have > not sub6e(t past parti(iple
Hasn&t she visited...?
#%ample: to walk, present pere(t
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I have )al/ed 0 haven't )al/ed 3ave 0 )al/ed1
.ou have )al/ed 2ou haven't )al/ed 3ave &ou )al/ed1
He# she# it has )al/ed 3e, she, it hasn't )al/ed 3as he,she,it )al/ed
2e have )al/ed 4e haven't )al/ed 3ave )e )al/ed1
.ou have )al/ed 2ou haven't )al/ed 3ave &ou )al/ed1
They have )al/ed 5he& haven't )al/ed 3ave the& )al/ed1
,. 'resent perfect# function
5he 7resent 7ere(t is used to indi(ate a lin/ bet)een the present and the past. 5he
time o the a(tion is efore no" ut not specified, and )e are oten more
interested in the result than in the a(tion itsel.
BE /-RE01L% 5here ma& be a verb tense in &our language )ith a similar orm, but
the meaning is probabl& N"5 the same.
5he present pere(t is used to des(ribe:
1.+n a(tion or situation that started in the past and (ontinues in the present.
#%ample: I have lived in 4ristol since 5%67 ($ and 0 still do.)
2. +n a(tion perormed during a period that has not &et inished. #%ample: She has
been to the (inema t)i(e this )ee/ ($ and the )ee/ isn't over &et.)
'. + repeated a(tion in an unspe(iied period bet)een the past and no). #%ample:
4e have visited 7ortugal several times.
*. +n a(tion that )as (ompleted in the $ery recent past, (e%pressed b& :4ust:).
#%ample: 0 have just finished m& )or/.
=. +n a(tion )hen the time is not important. #%ample: 3e has read '4ar and
7ea(e'. (the result o his reading is important)
Note( 4hen )e )ant to give or as/ details about when, where, who, )e use
the simple past. #%ample: 3e read '4ar and 7ea(e'last week.
#%amples:
+. -ctions started in the past and continuing in the present.
a. 5he& haven$t lived here or &ears.
b. She has worked in the ban/ or ive &ears.
(. 4e have had the same (ar or ten &ears.
d. Have you "layed the piano sin(e &ou )ere a (hild1
,. 2hen the time period referred to has not finished.
a. I have worked hard this week.
b. 0t has rained a lot this year.
(. 4e haven$t seen her today.
6. -ctions repeated in an unspecified period et"een the past and no".
a. 5he& have seen that ilm si% times.
b. 0t has ha""ened several times alread&.
(. She has visited them requentl&.
d. 4e have eaten at that restaurant man& times.
<. -ctions completed in the $ery recent past =5just>.
a. Have you just finished )or/1
b. 0 have just eaten.
(. 4e have just seen her.
d. Has he just left1
?. 2hen the precise time of the action is not important or not !no"n.
a. Someone has eaten my soupG
b. Have you seen '@one )ith the 4ind'1
(. She$s studied Aapanese, Russian and #nglish.
TENSES
'RESENT 'ER0E/T /3NTIN131S
'resent perfect continuous# form
5he present pere(t (ontinuous is made up o t)o elements: (a) the present pere(t
o the verb &to be& (haveHhas been), and (b) the present parti(iple o the main verb
(base>ing).
Su4ect has7ha$e een ase5ing
She has been s)imming
-ffirmati$e
She has been H She's been running
Negati$e
She hasn't been running
Interrogati$e
3as she been running1
Interrogati$e negati$e
3asn't she been running1
#%ample: to live, present pere(t (ontinuous
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I have been living 0 haven't been living 3ave 0 been living1
.ou have been living 2ou haven't been living 3ave &ou been living1
He# she# it has been
living
3e hasn't been living 3as she been living1
2e have been living 4e haven't been living 3ave )e been living1
.ou have been living 2ou haven't been living 3ave &ou been living1
They have been living 5he& haven't been
living
3ave the& been
living1
'resent perfect continuous# function
5he present pere(t (ontinuous reers to an unspecified timebet)een 'beore no)'
and 'no)'. 5he spea/er is thin/ing about something that started but perhaps did
not inish in that period o time. 3eHshe is interested in the process as "ell as the
result#and this pro(ess ma& still be going on, or ma& have 6ust inished.
#%amples:
+. -ctions that started in the past and continue in the present.
a. She has been waiting or &ou all da& ($and she's still )aiting no)).
b. I$ve been working on this report sin(e eight o'(lo(/ this morning ($and 0 still
haven't inished it).
(. )hey have been travelling sin(e last "(tober ($and the&'re not home &et).
,. -ctions that ha$e 4ust finished# ut "e are interested in the results(
a. She has been cooking sin(e last night ($and the ood on the table loo/s
deli(ious).
b. It$s been raining ($ and the streets are still )et).
c. Someone$s been eating m& (hips ($ hal o them have gone).
Note:
Vers "ithout continuous forms
4ith verbs not normall& used in the (ontinuous orm, use the present pere(t
simple. See list o these verbs under '7resent 8ontinuous':
I$ve wanted to visit 8hina or &ears.
She$s known Robert sin(e she )as a (hild.
I$ve hated that musi( sin(e 0 irst heard it.
I$ve heard a lot about &ou re(entl&.
&e$ve understood ever&thing we$ve heard this morning.
ENSES
'-ST 'ER0E/T
'ast perfect# form
5he 7ast 7ere(t tense in #nglish is (omposed o t)o parts: the past tense o
the verb to have (had > the past parti(iple o the main verb.
Su4ect had past participle
4e had de(ided...

-ffirmati$e
She had given.
Negati$e
4e hadn't as/ed.
Interrogati$e
3ad the& arrived1
Interrogati$e negati$e
3adn't &ou inished1
#%ample: to decide, 'ast perfect
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I had de(ided 0 hadn't de(ided 3ad 0 de(ided1
.ou had de(ided 2ou hadn't de(ided 3ad &ou de(ided1
He# she# it had de(ided 3e hadn't de(ided 3ad she de(ided1
2e had de(ided 4e hadn't de(ided 3ad )e de(ided1
.ou had de(ided 2ou hadn't de(ided 3ad &ou de(ided1
They had de(ided 5he& hadn't de(ided 3ad the& de(ided1
'ast perfect# function
5he past pere(t reers to a time earlier than beore no). 0t is used to
ma/e it (lear that one event happened beore another in the past. 0t does
not matter )hi(h event is mentioned irst - the tense ma/es it (lear )hi(h
one happened irst.
0n these e%amples, #vent + is the irst or earliest event, #vent - is the
se(ond or latest event:
a.
Aohn had gone out )hen 0 arrived in the oi(e.
E$ent - E$ent B
.
0 had saved m& do(ument beore the (omputer (rashed.
E$ent - E$ent B
c.
4hen the& arrived )e had already started(oo/ing
E$ent B E$ent -
d.
3e )as ver& tired be(ause he hadn$t sle"t)ell.
E$ent B E$ent -
'ast perfect 5 just
$'ust$ is used )ith the past pere(t to reer to an event that )as onl& a short
time earlier than beore no), e.g.
a. 5he train had just left )hen 0 arrived at the station.
b. She had just left the room )hen the poli(e arrived.
(. 0 had just "ut the )ashing out )hen it started to rain.
TENSES
'-ST 'ER0E/T /3NTIN131S
'ast perfect continuous# form
5he past pere(t (ontinuous is (omposed o t)o elements - the past pere(t
o the verb to be (.had been > the present parti(iple(base+ing.
#%amples:
Su4ect had een $er)ing
0 had been )al/ing

-ffirmati$e
She had been tr&ing
Negati$e
4e hadn't been sleeping
Interrogati$e
3ad &ou been eating
Interrogati$e negati$e
3adn't the& been living
#%ample: to buy, past perfect continuous
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I had been bu&ing 0 hadn't been bu&ing 3ad 0 been bu&ing1
.ou had been bu&ing 2ou hadn't been
bu&ing
3ad &ou been
bu&ing
He#she#it had been
bu&ing
3e hadn't been bu&ing 3ad she been
bu&ing1
2e had been bu&ing 4e hadn't been bu&ing 3ad )e been
bu&ing1
.ou had been bu&ing 2ou hadn't been
bu&ing
3ad &ou been
bu&ing
They had been bu&ing 5he& hadn't been
bu&ing
3ad the& been
bu&ing
'ast perfect continuous# function
5he past pere(t (ontinuous (orresponds to the present pere(t (ontinuous,
but )ith reeren(e to a time earlier than 'beore no)'. +gain, )e are more
interested in the "rocess.
#%amples:
a. Had you been waiting long beore the ta%i arrived1
b. &e had been trying to open the door or ive minutes )hen Aane ound
her /e&.
(. It had been raining hard or several hours and the streets )ere ver&
)et.
d. 3er riends had been thinking o (alling the poli(e )hen she )al/ed in.
5his orm is also used in reported speech. 0t is the equivalent o the past
(ontinuous and the present pere(t (ontinuous in dire(t spee(h:
Aane said F0 have been gardening all aternoon.F Aane saidshe had
been gardening all aternoon.
4hen the poli(e questioned him, Aohn said F0 )as )or/ing late in the oi(e that
night.F 4hen the poli(e questioned him, Aohn told them he had TENSES
01T1RE 'ER0E/T
0uture perfect# form
5he uture pere(t is (omposed o t)o elements: the simple uture o the verb to
have (will have > the past parti(iple o the main verb:
Su4ect "ill ha$e past participle
3e )ill have inished
-ffirmati$e
0 )ill have let
Negati$e
5he& )on't have gone
Interrogati$e
4ill )e have seen1
Interrogati$e negati$e
4on't he have arrived1
#%ample: to arrive, future perfect
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I'll have arrived 0 )on't have arrived 4ill 0 have arrived1
.ou'll have arrived 2ou )on't have arrived 4ill &ou have arrived1
He'll have arrived She )on't have arrived 4ill it have arrived1
2e'll have arrived 4e )on't have arrived 4ill )e have arrived1
.ou'll have arrived 2ou )on't have arrived 4ill &ou have arrived1
They'll have arrived 5he& )on't have arrived 4ill the& have arrived1
0uture perfect# function
5he uture pere(t reers to a (ompleted a(tion in the uture. 4hen )e use this
tense )e are pro6e(ting ourselves or)ard into the uture and loo/ing ba(/ at an
a(tion that )ill be (ompleted some time later than no).
0t is oten used )ith a time e%pression using by > a point in uture time.
#%amples:
a. I$ll have been here or si% months on Aune 2'rd.
b. -& the time &ou read this I$ll have left.
(. You will have finished &our )or/ b& this time ne%t )ee/.
been working late in the oi(e that night. TENSES
01T1RE 'ER0E/T /3NTIN131S
0uture perfect continuous# form
5his orm is (omposed o t)o elements: the uture pere(t o the verb to be (will
have been > the present parti(iple o the main verb (base+ing:
Su4ect "ill ha$e een ase5ing
4e )ill have been living
-ffirmati$e
0 )ill have been )or/ing
Negati$e
0 )on't have been )or/ing
Interrogati$e
4ill 0 have been )or/ing1
Interrogati$e negati$e
4on't 0 have been )or/ing1
#%ample: to live, Buture 7ere(t (ontinuous
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I'll have been living 0 )on't have been living 4ill 0 have been living1
.ou'll have been living 2ou )on't have been living 4ill &ou have been living1
He'll have been living 3e )on't have been living 4ill she have been living1
2e'll have been living 4e )on't have been living 4ill )e have been living1
.ou'll have been living 2ou )on't have been living 4ill &ou have been living1
They'll have been living 5he& )on't have been living 4ill the& have been living1
0uture perfect continuous# function
?i/e the uture pere(t simple, this orm is used to pro6e(t ourselves or)ard in time
and to loo/ ba(/. 0t reers to events or a(tions in a time between now and some
future time, that ma& be unfinished.
#%amples:
a. I will have been waiting here or three hours b& si% o'(lo(/.
b. -& 2<<1 I will have been living here or si%teen &ears.
(. -& the time 0 inish this (ourse, I will have been learning #nglish or
t)ent& &ears.
d. Ne%t &ear I will have been working here or our &ears.
TENSES
SI&'LE 01T1RE
Simple future# form
5he 'simple' uture is (omposed o t)o parts: will 3 shall > the ininitive )ithout &to&
Su4ect "ill infiniti$e "ithoutto
3e )ill leave...
-ffirmati$e
0 )ill go
0 shall go
Negati$e
5he& )ill not see
5he& )on't see
Interrogati$e
4ill she as/1
Interrogati$e
negati$e
4on't she ta/e1
/ontractions(
0 )ill I$ll 4e )ill we$ll
2ou )ill you$ll 2ou )ill you$ll
3e,she, )ill he$ll, she$ll 5he& )ill they$ll
N"5#( 5he orm &it will& is not normall& shortened.
#%ample: to see, simple future
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I'll see 0 )on't seeH 4ill 0 see1H
8I )illHshall see 0 shan't see Shall 0 see1
.ou'll see 2ou )on't see 4ill &ou see1
He# she# it )ill see 3e )on't see 4ill she see1
2e'll see 4e )on't seeH 4ill )e see1H
82e )illHshall see 4e shan't see Shall )e see1
.ou )ill see 2ou )on't see 4ill &ou see1
They'll see 5he& )on't see 4ill the& see1
IN"5#( shall is slightl& dated but (an be used instead o will )ithI * we.
Simple future# function
5he simple uture reers to a time later than no), and e%presses a(ts or (ertaint&.
0n this (ase there is no 'attitude'.
5he simple uture is used:
a. to predi(t a uture event: 0t will rain tomorro).
b. ()ith I*we) to e%press a spontaneous de(ision: I$ll "ay or the ti(/ets b& (redit
(ard.
(. to e%press )illingness: I$ll do the )ashing-up. He$ll carry &our bag or &ou.
d. (in the negative orm) to e%press un)illingness: 5he bab&won$t eat his soup.
0 won$t leave until 0've seen the managerG
e. ()ith I in the interrogative orm) to ma/e an oer: Shall I o"enthe )indo)1
. ()ith we in the interrogative orm) to ma/e a suggestion: Shall we go to the
(inema tonight1
g. ()ith I in the interrogative orm) to as/ or advi(e or instru(tions: 4hat shall I
tell the boss about this mone&1
h. ()ith you) to give orders: You will do e%a(tl& as 0 sa&.
i. ()ith you) to give an invitation: &ill you come to the dan(e )ith me1
&ill you marry me1
N"5#: 0n modern #nglish will is preerred to shall.
Shall is mainl& used )ith I and we to ma/e an oer or suggestion (see e%amples
(e) and () above, or to as/ or advi(e (e%ample (g) above).
4ith the other persons (you, he, she, they shall is onl& used in literar& or poeti(
situations, e.g.
F1ith rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall havemusic wherever
she goes.2
TENSES
01T1RE /3NTIN131S
0uture continuous# form
5he uture (ontinuous is made up o t)o elements: the simple uture o the verb &to
be& > the present parti(iple (base+ing)
Su4ect simple future# :to be: ase5ing
2ou )ill be )at(hing
-ffirmati$e
0 )ill be as/ing
Negati$e
She )on't be leaving
Interrogati$e
4ill the& be retiring1
Interrogati$e negati$e
4on't )e be sta&ing1
#%ample: to stay, uture (ontinuous
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I )ill be sta&ing 0 )on't be sta&ing 4ill 0 be sta&ing1
.ou )ill be sta&ing 2ou )on't be sta&ing 4ill &ou be sta&ing1
He# she# it )ill be sta&ing 3e )on't be sta&ing 4ill she be sta&ing1
2e )ill be sta&ing 4e )on't be sta&ing 4ill )e be sta&ing1
.ou )ill be sta&ing 2ou )on't be sta&ing 4ill &ou be sta&ing1
They )ill be sta&ing 5he& )on't be sta&ing 4ill the& be sta&ing1
0uture continuous# function
5he uture (ontinuous reers to an unfinished a(tion or event that )ill be in
"rogress at a time later than now. 0t is used:
a. to pro6e(t ourselves into the uture and see something happening: 5his time ne%t
)ee/ I will be sun+bathing in -ali.
b. to reer to a(tionsHevents that )ill happen in the normal (ourse o events: I$ll be
seeing 'im at the (oneren(e ne%t )ee/.
(. in the interrogative orm, espe(iall& )ith '&ou', to distinguish bet)een a simple
request or inormation and an invitation: &ill you be coming to the part&
tonight1 ($ request or inormation) 4ill &ou (ome to the part&1 ($ invitation)
d. to predi(t or guess about someone's a(tions or eelings, no) or in the
uture: You$ll be feeling tired ater that long )al/, 0 e%pe(t.
9ore e%amples:
a. events in progress in the uture:
4hen &ou are in +ustralia will you be staying )ith riends1
5his time ne%t )ee/ you will be working in &our ne) 6ob.
+t our thirt& on 5uesda& aternoon 0 will be signingthe (ontra(t.
b. eventsHa(tions in normal (ourse o events:
I$ll be going into to)n this aternoon, is there an&thing &ou )ant rom the shops1
&ill you be using the (ar tomorro)1 - No, &ou (an ta/e it.
I$ll be seeing Aane this evening - 0'll give her the message.
(. as/ing or inormation:
&ill you be bringing &our riend to the pub tonight1
&ill 'im be coming )ith us1
d. predi(ting or guessing:
You$ll be feeling thirst& ater )or/ing in the sun.
He$ll be coming to the meeting, 0 e%pe(t.
You$ll be missing the sunshine no) &ou're ba(/ in #ngland.
'ER0E/T /3N9ITI3N-L# /3NTIN131S
+. 'erfect conditional# continuous ) 0orm
5his tense is (omposed o t)o elements: the pere(t (ondtional o the verb 'to be'
(would have been > the present parti(iple (base+ing.
Su4ect "ould ha$e een ase5ing
0
4e
)ould have been
)ould have been
sitting
s)imming
-ffirmati$e
0 )ould have been stud&ing.
Negati$e
2ou )ouldn't have been living.
Interrogati$e
4ould )e have been travelling1
Interrogati$e negati$e
4ouldn't it have been )or/ing1
#%amples: to work, 'ast continuous conditional
-ffirmati$e Negati$e
I )ould have been )or/ing 0 )ouldn't have been )or/ing
.ou )ould have been )or/ing 2ou )ouldn't have been )or/ing.
He )ould have been )or/ing She )ouldn't have been )or/ing
2e )ould have been )or/ing 4e )ouldn't have been )or/ing
.ou )ould have been )or/ing 2ou )ouldn't have been )or/ing
They )ould have been )or/ing 5he& )ouldn't have been )or/ing
Interrogati$e Interrogati$e negati$e
4ould 0 have been )or/ing1 4ouldn't 0 have been )or/ing1
4ould &ou have been )or/ing1 4ouldn't &ou have been )or/ing1
4ould he have been )or/ing1 4ouldn't she have been )or/ing1
4ould )e have been )or/ing1 4ouldn't )e have been )or/ing1
4ould &ou have been )or/ing1 4ouldn't &ou have been )or/ing1
4ould the& have been )or/ing1 4ouldn't the& have been )or/ing1
,. 0unction
5his tense (an be used in 5&pe ' (onditional senten(es. 0t reers to the unfulfilled
result o the a(tion in the if-(lause, and e%presses this result as an unfinished or
continuous action. +gain, there is al)a&s an unspo/en Fbut..F phrase:
0 the )eather had been better (but it )asn't), I$d have been sitting in the
garden )hen he arrived (but 0 )asn't and so 0 didn't see him).
0 she hadn't got a 6ob in ?ondon (but she did), she would have been
working in 7aris (but she )asn't).
#%amples:
0 0'd had a ball 0 would have been "laying ootball.
0 0'd had an& mone& I$d have been drinking )ith m& riends in the pub
that night.
0 0 had /no)n it )as dangerous 0 wouldn$t have been climbing that (li.
She wouldn$t have been wearing a seat-belt i her ather hadn't told her
to.
T.'E , /3N9ITI3N-L SENTEN/ES
+. 0orm
0n a *ype 8 conditional sentence, the tense in the :if: (lause is thesimple past, and
the tense in the main (lause is the present conditional:
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 simple past
0 it rained
0 &ou )ent to bed earlier
'resent conditional
&ou )ould get )et
&ou )ouldn't be so tired.
'resent conditional# form
5he present (onditional o an& verb is (omposed o t)o parts - the modal
au%iliar& would > the ininitive o the main verb ()ithout 'to'.)
Su4ect "ould infiniti$e
"ithoutto
She )ould learn
-ffirmati$e
0 )ould go
Negati$e
0 )ouldn't as/
Interrogati$e
4ould she (ome1
Interrogati$e negati$e
4ouldn't the& a((ept1
2ould( /ontractions of "ould
0n spo/en #nglish, "ould is (ontra(ted to :d.
0'd 4e'd
&ou'd &ou'd
he'd, she'd the&'d
5he negative (ontra(tion $ wouldn$t.
#%ample: to acce"t, 'resent conditional
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I )ould a((ept 0 )ouldn't a((ept 4ould 0 a((ept1
.ou )ould a((ept 2ou )ouldn't a((ept 4ould &ou a((ept1
He )ould a((ept She )ouldn't a((ept 4ould he a((ept1
2e )ould a((ept 4e )ouldn't a((ept 4ould )e a((ept1
.ou )ould a((ept 2ou )ouldn't a((ept 4ould &ou a((ept1
They )ould a((ept 5he& )ouldn't a((ept 4ould the& a((ept1
,. 0unction
0n these senten(es, the time is no" or any time, and the situation is unreal.
5he& are not based on fact, and the& reer to an unli!ely or hypothetical
condition and its proale result.5he use o the past tense
ater :if: indi(ates unreality. 4e (an nearl& al)a&s add a phrase starting )ith
FbutF, that e%presses the real situation:
If the weather wasn$t so bad, we would go to the park (...but it is bad, so
)e (an't go)
If I was the 9ueen of (ngland, I would give everyone :5$$. (...but 0'm
not, so 0 )on't)
#%amples o use:
+. 5o ma/e a statement about something that is not real at present, but is possible:
I would visit her if I had time. (. I haven&t got time but I might have some time
,. 5o ma/e a statement about a situation that is not real no) and never (ould be
real:
If I were you, I$d give u" smoking (but I could never be you
#%amples:
a. 0 0 was a plant, 0 would love the rain.
b. 0 &ou reall& loved me, &ou would buy me a diamond ring.
(. 0 0 knew )here she lived, 0 would go and see her.
d. 2ou wouldn$t need to read this i &ou understood #nglish grammar.
e. &ould he go to the (on(ert i 0 gave him a ti(/et1
. 5he& wouldn$t invite her i the& didn$t like her
g. 4e would be able to bu& a larger house i )e had more mone&
N"5#( 0t is (orre(t, and ver& (ommon, to sa& F0 0 "ereF instead o F0 0 "asF.
:I0: SENTEN/ES -N9 THE :1NRE-L: '-ST
0n this se(tion &ou )ill ind inormation on senten(es (ontaining the )ord :if:, the
use o (onditional tenses, and the :unreal past:, that is, )hen )e use a past tense
but )e are not a(tuall& reerring to past time.
I0 -N9 THE /3N9ITI3N-L
5here are our main t&pes o :if: senten(es in #nglish:
1. The :@ero: conditional, )here the tense in oth parts o the senten(e is
the simple present(
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 simple present
0 &ou heat i(e
0 it rains
simple present
it melts.
&ou get )et
0n these senten(es, the time is no" or al"ays and the situation is real and
possile. 5he& are oten used to reer to general truths.
2. The Type + conditional, )here the tense in the :if (lause is thesimple
present, and the tense in the main (lause is the simple future
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 simple present
0 it rains
0 &ou don't hurr&
Simple future
&ou )ill get )et
)e )ill miss the train.
0n these senten(es, the time is the present or future and the situation is real.
5he& reer to a possile condition and itsproale result.
'. The Type , conditional, )here the tense in the :if: (lause is the simple past,
and the tense in the main (lause is the present conditional:
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 simple past
0 it rained
0 &ou )ent to bed earlier
'resent conditional
&ou )ould get )et
&ou )ouldn't be so tired.
0n these senten(es, the time is no" or any time, and the situation is unreal.
5he& are not based on fact, and the& reer to an unli!ely or hypothetical
condition and its proale result.
*. The Type 6 conditional, )here the tense in the :if: (lause is the past perfect,
and the tense in the main (lause is the perfect conditional:
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 past perfect
0 it had rained
0 &ou had )or/ed harder
'erfect conditional
&ou )ould have got )et
&ou )ould have passed the e%am.
0n these senten(es, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality.
5he facts the& are based on are the opposite o )hat is e%pressed, and the& reer
to an unreal past condition and itsproale past result.
+ urther t&pe i :if: senten(e e%ists, )here 5&pe 2 and 5&pe ' are mi%ed. 5he tense
in the :if: (lause is the past pere(t, and the tense in the main (lause is the present
(onditional:
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 past perfect
0 0 had )or/ed harder at s(hool
0 )e had loo/ed at the map
'resent conditional
0 )ould have a better 6ob no).
)e )ouldn't be lost.
0n these senten(es, the time is past in the :if: (lause, and presentin the main
(lause. 5he& reer to an unreal past condition and itsproale result in
the present.
1NLESS
Jnless means the same as i...not. ?i/e if, it is ollo)ed b& a present tense, a past
tense or a past pere(t (ne$er b& &would&). 0t is used instead o i > not in
(onditional senten(es o all t&pes:
Type +( =1nless 5 present>
a. 2ou'll be si(/ unless &ou sto" eating. ($ 2ou )ill be si(/ i &ou don't
stop eating)
. 0 )on't pa& unless &ou "rovide the goods immediatel&. ($ 0 &ou
don't provide them 0 )on't pa&)
c. 2ou'll never understand #nglish unless &ou studythis grammar
(areull&. ($ 2ou'll never understand i &ou don't stud&...)
Type ,( =1nless 5 past>
a. Jnless he was ver& ill, he )ould be at )or/.
. 0 )ouldn't eat that ood unless 0 was reall& hungr&.
c. She )ould be here b& no) unless she was stu(/ in the trai(.
Type 6( =1nless 5 past perfect>
a. 5he elephant )ouldn't have seen the mouse unlessshe$d
had pere(t e&esight.
. 0 )ouldn't have phoned him unless you$d suggestedit.
c. 5he& )ould have shot her unless she$d given them the mone&.
&IAE9 /3N9ITI3N-L SENTEN/ES
0t is possible or the t)o parts o a (onditional senten(e to reer to dierent times,
and the resulting senten(e is a Fmi%ed (onditionalF senten(e. 5here are t)o t&pes
o mi%ed (onditional senten(e:
-. 'resent result of past condition(
+. 0orm
5he tense in the :if: (lause is the past pere(t, and the tense in the main (lause is
the present (onditional:
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 past perfect
0 0 had )or/ed harder at s(hool
0 )e had loo/ed at the map
'resent conditional
0 )ould have a better 6ob no).
)e )ouldn't be lost.
,. 0unction
0n these senten(es, the time is "ast in the $if$ (lause, and "resentin the main
(lause. 5he& reer to an unreal "ast condition and its"robable result in
the "resent. 5he& e%press a situation )hi(h iscontrary to reality both in the past
and in the present:
'If I had worked harder at school& is (ontrar& to past a(t - 0 didn't )or/ hard at
s(hool, and 'I would have a better ;ob now& is (ontrar& to present a(t - 0 haven't
got a good 6ob.
If we had looked at the map ()e didn't), we wouldn&t be lost ()e are lost).
#%amples:
0 would be a millionaire no) i 0 had taken that 6ob.
0 you$d caught that plane you$d be dead no).
0 you hadn$t s"ent all &our mone& on 8!s, &ou wouldn$t be
broke.
B. 'ast result of present or continuing condition.
+. 0orm
5he tense in the If+(lause is the simple past, and the tense in the main (lause is
the pere(t (onditional:



,. 0unction
0n these senten(es the time in the If+(lause is now or always, and the time in the
main (lause is before now. 5he& reer to an unreal present situation and its
probable (but unreal) past result:
&If I wasn&t afraid of spiders& is (ontrar& to "resent realit& - 0 am araid o
spiders, and 'I would have picked it up& is (ontrar& to "ast realit& -
0 didn:tpi(/ it up.
&If we didn&t trust him& is (ontrar& to "resent realit& - )e do trust him,
and &we would have sacked him& is (ontrar& to "ast realit& -
)e ha$en:tsa(/ed him.
#%amples:
a. 0 she wasn$t afraid o l&ing she wouldn$t have travelled b& boat.
b. I$d have been able to translate the letter i m& 0talian was better.
(. 0 0 was a good (oo/, I$d have invited them to lun(h.
d. 0 the elephant wasn$t in love )ith the mouse, she$d have trodden on him b&
no).
T.'E 6 /3N9ITI3N-L SENTEN/ES
+. 0orm
0n a 5&pe ' (onditional senten(e, the tense in the :if: (lause is thepast perfect,
and the tense in the main (lause is the perfect conditional:
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 past perfect
0 it had rained
0 &ou had )or/ed harder
'erfect conditional
&ou )ould have got )et
&ou )ould have passed the e%am.
'erfect conditional ) form
5he pere(t (onditional o an& verb is (omposed o t)o elements:would > the
pere(t ininitive o the main verb ($have + past participle-
:I0: /L-1SE &-IN /L-1SE
If 5 simple past
0 0 )asn't araid o spiders
0 )e didn't trust him
'erfect conditional
0 )ould have pi(/ed it up.
)e )ould have sa(/ed him months ago.
Su4ect "ould perfect infiniti$e
3e
5he&
)ould
)ould
have gone...
have sta&ed...
-ffirmati$e
0 )ould have believed ...
Negati$e
She )ouldn't have given...
Interrogati$e
4ould &ou have let...1
Interrogati$e
negati$e

4ouldn't he have been...1
#%ample: to go, 7ast (onditional
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I )ould have gone 0 )ouldn't have gone 4ould 0 have gone1
.ou )ould have gone 2ou )ouldn't have gone 4ould &ou have gone1
He )ould have gone She )ouldn't have gone 4ould it have gone1
2e )ould have gone 4e )ouldn't have gone 4ould )e have gone1
.ou )ould have gone 2ou )ouldn't have gone 4ould &ou have gone1
They )ould have
gone
5he& )ouldn't have
gone
4ould the& have gone1
0n these senten(es, the time is "ast, and the situation is contrary to reality. 5he
a(ts the& are based on are the o""osite o )hat is e%pressed.
5&pe ' (onditional senten(es, are trul& hy"othetical or unreal, be(ause it is no)
too late or the (ondition or its result to e%ist. 5here is al)a&s an unspo/en
Fbut...2 phrase:
0 0 had worked harder 0 would have "assed the e%am
(but 0 didn't )or/ hard, and 0 didn't pass the e%am).
0 I$d known &ou )ere (oming I$d have baked a (a/e
(but 0 didn't /no), and 0 haven't ba/ed a (a/e).
N3TE( -oth would and had (an be (ontra(ted to $d, )hi(h (an be (onusing.
Remember that &ou NEVER use would in the I,+(lause, so in the e%ample above,
F0 0'd /no)nF must be 20 0 had /no)n2,and 20'd have ba/edF must
be 20 would have ba/ed..F
#%amples:
a. 0 I$d known &ou )ere in hospital, 0 would have visited &ou.
b. 0 would have bought &ou a present i I$d known it )as &our birthda&.
(. 0 they$d had a better goal/eeper the& wouldn$t have lost the game.
d. 0 &ou had told me &ou )ere on the 0nternet, I$d have sent&ou an e-mail.
e. &ould you have bought an elephant i you$d known ho) mu(h the& eat1
1NRE-L '-ST
5he past tense is sometimes used in #nglish to reer to an 'unreal' situation. So,
although the tense is the past, )e are usuall& tal/ing about the present, e.g. in a
5&pe 2 (onditional senten(e:
If an elephant and a mouse fell in love, they would have many problems.
+lthough fell is in the past tense, )e are tal/ing about a h&potheti(al situation that
might e%ist no) or at an& time, but )e are not reerring to the past. 4e (all this
use the unreal past.
"ther situations )here this o((urs are:
ater other )ords and e%pressions li/e &if& (supposing, if only, what
if!
ater the verb &to wish&!
ater the e%pression &I$d rather..&
E*pressions li!e 'if$
5he ollo)ing e%pressions (an be used to introdu(e h&potheti(al situations:
- su""osing, if only, what if. 5he& are ollo)ed b& a "ast tenseto indi(ate that
the (ondition the& introdu(e is unreal:
Supposing an elephant and a mouse fell in love1 ($ but )e /no) this is
unli/el& or impossible)
4hat i )e "ainted the room purple1 ($ that )ould be ver& surprising)
0 onl& I had more mone&. ($ but 0 haven't).
5hese e%pressions (an also introdu(e h&potheti(al situations in the past and then
the& are ollo)ed b& the "ast "erfect.
#%amples:
0 onl& 0 hadn$t kissed the rog ($ 0 did and it )as a mista/e
be(ause he turned into a horrible prin(e, but 0 (an't (hange it no).)
4hat i the elephant had trodden on the mouse1 (She didn't, but )e
(an imagine the resultG)
Supposing 0 had given that man m& mone&G (0 didn't, so 0've still
got m& mone& no).)
The $er to wish
5he verb to wish is ollo)ed b& an 'unreal' past tense )hen )e )ant to tal/ about
situations in the present that )e are not happ& about but (annot (hange:
0 )ish 0 had more mone& ($but 0 haven't)
She )ishes she was beautiul ($ but she's not)
4e )ish )e could (ome to &our part& (but )e (an't)
4hen )e )ant to tal/ about situations in the past that )e are not happ& about or
a(tions that )e regret, )e use the verb to wish ollo)ed b& the past pere(t:
0 )ish 0 hadn$t said that ($ but 0 did)
3e )ishes he hadn$t bought the (ar ($ but he did bu& it.)
0 )ish 0 had taken that 6ob in Ne) 2or/ ($ but 0 didn't, so 0'm stu(/
in -ristol)
N3TE: 4hen )e )ant to tal/ about situations )e are not happ& about and )here
)e )ant someone else to (hange them, )e useto wish ollo)ed b& would #
infinitive-
0 )ish he would sto" smo/ing. ($ 0 don't li/e it, 0 )ant himto
(hange it)
0 )ish &ou would go a)a&. ($ 0 don't )ant &ou here, 0 )antyou to
ta/e some a(tion)
0 )ish &ou wouldn$t s.ueee the toothpaste rom the middleG ($ 0
)ant &ou to (hange &our habits.)
I$d rather and it$s time...
5hese t)o e%pressions are also ollo)ed b& an unreal past. 5he verb is in the past
tense, but the situation is in the present.
4hen )e )ant to tal/ about a (ourse o a(tion )e )ould preer someone else to
ta/e, )e use I$d rather # "ast tense:
0'd rather &ou went
3e'd rather &ou called the poli(e
0'd rather &ou didn$t hunt elephants.
N"5#: the stress (an be important in these senten(es, to sho) )hat our preeren(e
is:
I&d rather you went $ not me,
I&d rather you went . don't sta&
He&d rather you called the police $ he doesn't )ant to
He&d rather you called the "olice $ not the ambulan(e servi(e
Similarl&, )hen )e )ant to sa& that now is a suitable moment to do something,
either or ourselves or or someone else, )e useit$s time # "ast tense:
0t's (high) time 0 went.
0t's time &ou "aid that bill.
!on't &ou thin/ it's time &ou had a hair(ut1
'RESENT /3NTIN131S /3N9ITI3N-L
0n type 8 conditional sentences, the (ontinuous orm o the present (onditional ma&
be used:
If I were a millionaire, I wouldn&t be doing this ;ob+
+. 'resent continuous conditional ) form.
5his orm is (omposed o t)o elements: the present (onditional o the verb &to be&
(would be) > the present parti(iple o the main verb (base>ing).
Su4ect "ould e ase5ing
3e
5he&
)ould be
)ould be
going
living
-ffirmati$e
4e )ould be (oming
Negati$e
2ou )ouldn't be )or/ing
Interrogati$e
4ould &ou be sharing1
Interrogati$e negati$e
4ouldn't the& be pla&ing1
#%ample: to live, 'resent continuous conditional.
-ffirmati$e Negati$e Interrogati$e
I )ould be living 0 )ouldn't be living 4ould 0 be living1
.ou )ould be living 2ou )ouldn't be living 4ould &ou be living1
He )ould be living She)ouldn't be living 4ould he be living1
2e )ould be living 4e )ouldn't be living 4ould )e be living1
.ou )ould be living 2ou )ouldn't be living 4ould &ou be living1
They )ould be living 5he& )ouldn't be living 4ould the& be living1
,. 'resent continuous conditional ) function
5his orm is (ommon in 5&pe 2 (onditional senten(es. 0t e%presses an uninished
orcontinuing action or situation, )hi(h is the probable result o an unreal
condition:
0 would be working in 0tal& if 0 spo/e 0talian.
(but 0 don't spea/ 0talian, so 0 am not )or/ing in 0tal&.
She would be living )ith Aa(/ i she )asn't living )ith her parents.
(but she is living )ith her parents so she's not living )ith Aa(/).
9ore e%amples:
0 wouldn$t be eating this i 0 )asn't e%tremel& hungr&.
0 0 had an e%am tomorro), I$d be revising no).
2ou wouldn$t be smiling i &ou /ne) the truth.
N"5#: 5his orm is also ound in: mi%ed (onditional senten(es (See se(tion on
9i%ed 8onditional Senten(es)K in indire(t spee(h:
'he said 2I&ll be working in the garden.2 'he said she would be working in the
garden. (See se(tion on 0ndire(t Spee(h)
T.'E + /3N9ITI3N-L
+. 0orm
0n a *ype 5 (onditional senten(e, the tense in the :if (lause is thesimple present,
and the tense in the main (lause is the simple future
:I0: /L-1SE =/3N9ITI3N> &-IN /L-1SE =RES1LT>
If 5 simple present
0 it rains
0 &ou don't hurr&
Simple future
&ou )ill get )et
)e )ill miss the train.
,. 0unction
0n these senten(es, the time is the present or future and the situation is real.
5he& reer to a possile condition and itsproale result. 5he& are based on
a(ts, and the& are used to ma/e statements about the real )orld, and about
parti(ular situations. 4e oten use su(h senten(es to give )arnings:
If you don&t leave, I&ll call the police.
If you don&t drop the gun, I&ll shoot+
#%amples:
0 &ou dro" that glass, it will break.
Nobod& will notice i &ou make a mista/e.
0 0 have time, I$ll finish that letter.
4hat will you do i &ou miss the plane1
N"5#: 4e (an use modals to e%press the degree o (ertaint& o the result:
If you dro" that glass, it might break.
I may finish that letter if I have time.
THE :BER3: /3N9ITI3N-L
+. 0orm
0n ':ero' (onditional senten(es, the tense in oth parts o the senten(e is the simple
present(
:I0: /L-1SE =/3N9ITI3N> &-IN /L-1SE =RES1LT>
If 5 simple present
0 &ou heat i(e
0 it rains
simple present
it melts.
&ou get )et
N3TE: 5he order o the (lauses is not i%ed - the :if: (lause (an be irst or se(ond:
Ice melts if you heat it.
#ou get wet if it rains.
,. 0unction
0n these senten(es, the time is now or always and the situation is real and "ossible. 5he&
are used to ma/e statements about the real )orld, and oten reer to general truths, su(h as
s(ientii( a(ts.
#%amples:
a. 0 &ou freee )ater, it becomes a solid.
b. 7lants die i the& don$t get enough )ater.
(. 0 m& husband has a (old, 0 usuall& catch it.
d. 0 publi( transport is ei(ient, people sto" using their (ars.
e. 0 &ou mix red and blue, &ou get purple.
5his stru(ture is oten used to give instru(tions, using the imperative in the main (lause:
0 -ill "hones, tell him to meet me at the (inema.
%sk 7ete i you$re not sure )hat to do.
TENSES
S1&&-R. 30 VERB TENSES
'resent tenses
Simple present: 'he wants a drink.
7resent (ontinuous: *hey are walking home.
'ast tenses
Simple past: <eter lived in =hina in 5%>?.
7ast (ontinuous: I was reading when she arrived.
'erfect tenses
7resent 7ere(t: I have lived here since 5%6@.
7resent pere(t (ontinuous: I have been living here for years.
7ast pere(t: 1e had been to see her several times before she visited us.
7ast pere(t (ontinuous: He had been watching her for some time when
she turned and smiled.
Buture pere(t: 1e will have arrived in the 'tates by the time you get this
letter.
Buture pere(t (ontinuous: 4y the end of your course, you will have been
studying for five years.
0uture tenses
Simple uture: *hey will go to Italy next week.
Buture (ontinuous: I will be travelling by train.
/onditional tenses
7resent (onditional: If he had the money he would go
7resent (ontinuous (onditional: He would be getting u" now if he was in
0ustralia.
7ere(t (onditional: 'he would have visited me if she had had time.
7ere(t (ontinuous (onditional: I would have been "laying tennis if I
hadn&t broken my arm.