Verb tenses and Time reference

SIMPLE PRESENT Every day, month, week, year; George jogs three miles every
(It is used for habitual always; sometimes; never; day.
actions) frequently, usually Mary always has salad for lunch.
I sometimes go to New York City.
SIMPLE PAST Yesterday; (years, weeks, months, Tom went to Los Angeles
(It is used for an days, hours ) ago; in (past year); yesterday.
action which last (month, week, year) Charles Lindbergh flew to Paris in
happened at a definite 1927.
time in the past)
PRESENT
CONTINUOUS
(am/is/are + verb Now, at this moment, this You are reading sentences about
+ing) (morning, afternoon, evening verb tenses right now.
It is used for an action week, month, year) tonight
which is in progress at
a stated time in the
present
PAST CONTINUOUS Jack was walking along the street
(was/were +verb+ing) when he fell.

It is used for an action

which was in progress
when another action
interrupted it.
It is also used for an
action which was in
progress at a stated
time, but we do not
mention when the
action started or
finished.
When/While
At three o’clock yesterday
afternoon, they were sitting at an
outdoor café. (we don’t know
when they went there or when
they left)

When my husband arrived

PAST PERFECT By the time, When, As soon as, yesterday, I had already fed the
(had +Past Participle) After, Before babies.
(It is used for an action
which happened before
another action in the
past).
Verb tenses and Time reference

Present Perfect For; since; yet; never; always; so far; Sam has visited Hawaii many
(has/have + Past times; many times; lately; recently; times.
Participle) already Paul has been here for six
hours.
It is used for an action Yoko has known Mary
which happened at an since1994.
unstated time in the past I have already written a letter to
or for an action that the president.
starts in the past and is
not over at the moment
of speaking

Present perfect For; since; lately; recently Rita has been jogging for two
continuous hours.
(has/have +been+
verb+ing)
It is used to put
emphasis to the
duration of an action

FUTURE FORMS
(will, present
continuous, be going
to)

Will: is used
. for predictions about His parents think he will become
the future usually with an artist.
think, believe, be Tomorrow, next (week, month,
sure, be afraid, year), in (two) weeks time
perhaps, probably
.for on-the-spot
decisions and offers Since it is your birthday I’ll pay for
lunch.

.for actions/events/
situations which will Jill will be two years old next
definitely happen in month.
the future and which
we cannot control.

.for promises I will do all the homework for

tomorrow.
Verb tenses and Time reference

BE GOING
TO(am/is/are +going
to +be)

.For plans we have for

the future I’m going to expand my company.

.For predictions when

there is evidence that Look at the black clouds! It is
something will happen going to rain.
in the future.

PRESENT
CONTINUOUS He is leaving for Amsterdam in an
It is used for fixed hour.
arrangements in the
near future.