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Tens

The document explains the logic of English tenses, emphasizing the distinction between ongoing and completed actions, specific and unspecified times, and actions that continue to the present. It provides examples for each tense and outlines the structure for various tense combinations. Additionally, it lists impossible tense combinations to avoid.

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imam bukhari
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6 views10 pages

Tens

The document explains the logic of English tenses, emphasizing the distinction between ongoing and completed actions, specific and unspecified times, and actions that continue to the present. It provides examples for each tense and outlines the structure for various tense combinations. Additionally, it lists impossible tense combinations to avoid.

Uploaded by

imam bukhari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TENSES

Q: Is there a logic with the tenses in English?


A: Yes! Remember these points:
1. In English, you ALWAYS show the
difference between an action that is in the
process of taking place (in the past, the
present, or the future) and an action that is
finished or habitual.

You show the “continuous” process by adding BE +


-ing.
Examples:
-He works at Sears (habit) / He is working at his
desk (right now).

- I spoke to him (yesterday) / I was speaking to


him (when you arrived).

- I will go to Mexico (one day) / I will be sleeping


(if you call tonight at midnight).
2. You ALWAYS show the difference
between actions that took place at a
specific time/date and a specific number
of times, and actions that happened at
unspecific times or an unspecified number
of times (or never).
You show the unspecified action(s) by using
the present perfect (have + pp).
Examples:
- We saw this movie (three times) / We have
seen this movie (one day).

- She met Justin (at the party last night) / She


has never met Alex (in her life).

- I went to Japan (last year) / I have gone to


Australia (several times in my life).
3. You ALWAYS show the difference between
an action that took place and is finished and an
action that continued until the present (or until
another action took place).

You show the process of the continuous action


by using the present perfect continuous (have +
been + ing).
Examples:
- He worked at Sears until 1994 / He has
been working at Ryerson since 1994 (and
he is still working at Ryerson today).
- We studied until midnight last night / We
have been studying for this exam all night
(and we are still studying right now).
- She will graduate in 2009 / When she
graduates in 2009, she will have been
studying for more than eight years!
Remember, tenses are like formulas:

• Basic: verb/tense Different combinations:


• Progressive: be + - will + (be + verb/ing)
verb/ing - will + [have + (be/pp] +
• Future: will + verb verb/ing)
• Present perfect: have + - [have + (be/pp] +
verb/pp verb/pp)
• Past perfect: had + - will + (be + verb/pp)
verb/pp - will + [have + (be/pp] +
• Passive: be + verb/pp verb/pp)
• Modals: modal + verb - can + verb
Which combinations are
impossible?
1. will be giving 1. was studied
2. has traveling 2. will have tell
3. will has told 3. was been studying
4. will be said 4. was being studied
5. has been telling 5. have had buying
6. will been driving 6. will has been living
7. had had 7. had done
8. will have been taught 8. will can do
9. should have done 9. was being held

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