Time

Tenses Forms Usage Example Spelling

expression
-S+ - Permanent - The sun rises in - Add -s to - Frequency:
V0/Vs/es truths the east. most verbs. always, often,
-S+ - The present (Permanent - Add -es to sometimes,
do/does + period truth) verbs never, etc.
not + V0 - Habitual - He lives in ending in + every…(every
- Do/Does actions New York city. -o (do/does) day, every
+ S + V0 ? - Future (The present + -s (miss- months, every
reference (for period) misses) year, etc.)
timetable, etc.) - I always go to + -x (fix -
- Observations school by fixes) - Times of day:
and motorbike + -ch/sh in the
declarations (Habitual (watches - (morning,
- Instructions actions) washes) afternoon,
-Commentaries - The conference evening), clock
starts at 8 next time (7
Thursday. o’clock, 7:40
(Future a.m, etc.)
reference)
- She hopes that - Day of week:
Simple
everything will Mondays,
present
be alright. Wednesdays,
(Observations etc.
and
declarations)
- To get to the
teacher room,
you need to go
straight, and then
turn right.
(Instructions)
- Peter passes the
ball to John and
he scored.
(Commentaries)
 - S + be - Actions in the - He is arriving - Add -ing - At this
(am/is/are) progress at the to your house at to most moment, right,
+ Ving moment of the moment. verbs now
- S+ be speaking (Actions in the without
(am/is/are) - Temporary progress at the changing - Future
+ not + situations/actio moment of the base adverbs: next
Ving ns speaking) form. autumn, this
- Be - Planned - Anne is (play - Monday, etc.
(Am/Is/Ar actions currently playing)
e) + S + - Repeated studying in - Frequency
Ving actions Oxford - Verbs end (repeated
university. in -e -> actions):
(Temporary remove -e always/ forever
situations/actio and add -
ns) ing (dance -
- I’m travelling dancing)
to Canada next
year. (Planned - Single
actions) vowel +
- My mother is single
Present always waiting consonant -
progressi for me at home > double
ve (Repeated the final
actions) consonant
(sit -
sitting)

- The stress
is on the 2nd
syllable
-> double
the final
consonant
(begin -
beginning)

- -ic
changes to
-ick, ie
changes to -
y (picnic -
pinicking,
lie - lying)
Simple - S + V2/ed - Use to talk - She went to - Regular Yesterday, …
past - S + did + about events, Korea a few verbs: add ago (a moment
not + V actions, months ago. -ed to the ago, two years
- Did + S situations (actions base form ago, etc.),
+V? which happened in the of the verb last…(last
happened in recent or + year, last week,
the past and are distant past.) Pronounce / last summer,
now finished - My mother t/ when -ed etc.)
+ Describe took me to followed
actions which school every day with sounds Any point of
happened in till I entered high /k/, /s/, time in the
the recent or school. /tꭍ/, /ꭍ/, past: in 1999,
distant past. (past habit) /f/, /p/. on April of
+ Describe past - He played + 10th, 1956, etc.
habit. tennis (i.e. When Pronounce /
+ If we don’t he was in middle ɪd/ when -
use time school). ed follow
reference, we (If we don’t use with sounds
imply them. time reference, /t/ or /d/.
we imply them.) +
Pronounce /
d/ for other
sounds.

- Few verbs
can
pronounce /
t/ or /d/:
burned/burn
t, learned/
learnt, etc.

- Irregular
verbs:
+ Some
verbs have
the same
form in the
present as
in the past:
cut/cut,
hit/hit,
cost/cost,
 put/put.
Past -S+ - Temporary - Helen was - Main verb -At (time)
progressi was/were actions in doing her is in present a.m/p.m/
ve + Ving. progress in the homework at 7 participle o’clock
-S+ past p.m yesterday. yesterday (at 8
was/were - Actions were (Temporary - Add -ing a.m yesterday)
+ not + in progress actions in to most
Ving when progress in the verbs - When…
- Was/ something else past) without
Were + S happened - My mother was changing - While…
+ Ving? - Actions in watering plants the base
progress at the when I went form. - As…
same time home.
- Repeated (Actions were in - This time +
actions with progress when (point of time
‘always, something else in the past)
forever, happened.) (This time last
constantly’ in - While Jake is week)
the past sleeping in his
- Polite room, Jay is - Always,
inquiries cooking dinner. forever,
(Actions in constantly
progress at the (repeated
same time.) action)
- When we were
in military
training course,
we were always
doing exercises
at 5 a.m.
(Repeated
actions with
‘always’)
- I was
wondering if you
could switch off
the lights before
leaving room.
(Polite
inquiries)
 -S+ - Actions - Peter has never - Main verb - Time
has/have + beginning in been to Vietnam in past references:
V3/ed the past and before. (with participle before (now),
-S+ continuing up time reference) form. ever,
has/have + to the present - I’ve studied + Irregular never...before,
not + V3/ed moment. English for 12 verbs: eat – so far, until
- + with time years. (with eaten, etc. now, etc.
Has/Have reference since/for) Some verbs
+ S + V3/ed + with - Have you have the - since + (point
? since/for finished your same form of time)/for +
assignment? in the (period of
- Actions (with no time present as time)
Present
which happen reference at all) in the past:
perfect
at unspecific - My friend has cut/cut, - Recent time:
time in the learnt Korean hit/hit, recently,
past. recently. (with cost/cost, currently,
+ with no time references to put/put. already, still,
reference at all. recent time) just, yet.
+ with - I’ve read this + Regular
references to book many verbs: play - Frequency:
recent time times. (repeated/ - played several times,
+ repeated/ habitual action) often, etc.
habitual action

Present -S+ - Emphasize - Lauren has - Main verb - since + (point

perfect has/have + that something been cleaning is in present of time)/for +
progressi been Ving has been in the house for participle (period of
ve -S+ progress several hours. form. time).
has/have + throughout a (Emphasize that
not + been period. (the something has - Add -ing - recently, all
Ving action can been in progress to most day, this
- Has/have recently stop or throughout a verbs week/month/da
+ S + been still continue) period) without y.
Ving - Alex has been changing
- Some verbs working here the base
like learn, lie, since 2013. form.
rain, sit, sleep, (Some verbs
stand, study, naturally
wait, work suggest
naturally continuity. They
suggest are often used
 continuity. with since/for.)
They are often
used with
since/for.
(They can be
used in present
perfect tense,
but often be
used in present
perfect
continuous)

Past - S + had - Emphasize - When I got - Main verb - Conjunctions:

perfect been + for the even home, my is in past when, after, as
V3/ed that happened mother had left. participle soon as, by the
- S + had + first to avoid (Emphasize for form. time
not + been ambiguity the even that + Irregular
V3/ed - Refer to ‘an happened first verb: add - Adverbs:
- Had + S earlier past’ of to avoid -ed to the already, ever,
+been + two or more ambiguity) base form never…before
V3/ed? actions. - Before Sarah of the verb
left the + Regular
classroom, she verb
had switched off
the lights and
closed the
windows. (Refer
to ‘an earlier
past’ of two or
more actions)
 - S + had - Past form of - Lauren had - Main verb since + (point
been + Ving present perfect been cleaning is in present of time in the
- S+ had + progressive the house for particular past)/for +
not + been -> Emphasize several hours. form. (period of
+ Ving continuity. (Emphasize time).
- Had + S - Some verbs continuity) - Add -ing
+ been + like learn, lie, - That house to most - all day, this
Ving? live, wait, work reminded me of verb week/month/da
naturally my childhood. I without y
suggest had been living changing
continuity. there for over 15 the base.
- Repeated years. (Some
Past
action verbs naturally
perfect
- Drawing suggest
progressi
conclusion continuity.)
ve
- Mark had been
preparing
breakfast for a
month.
(Repeated
action)
- Her forehead
was hot. It was
clear that she’d
been getting
fever. (Drawing
conclusion)
Simple -S+ - Make - She’ll travel to - Main verb - Tomorrow,
future will/shall prediction France on is in base next
+ V0 + intentions/ summer form. week/month/
-S+ promises vacation. year, later,
won’t (will + requests/ (intentions/ soon, this
not)/ invitations promises) afternoon, etc.
shan’t + offers - Will you come
(shall not) + suggestions to the party
+V0 + threats tomorrow?
- + decisions (requests/
Will/Shall + express hope invitations)
+ S + V0 and - Shall I drive
expectation. you home?
(offers)
- Shall we go to
 the museum next
Monday?
(suggestions)
- You’ll soon
regret that!
(threats)
- I forgot to call
my mom. I’ll do
it after lunch.
(decision)
- I hope that
you’ll have a
great journey.
(express hope
and
expectation)
Future - S + will - Emphasize - By this time Main verb - By this time
progressi + be + Ving actions that next year, Harry is in present tomorrow/next
ve -S+ will be in will be living in participle week/next
won’t (will process in the England for 20 form month/next
not) + be + near or distant years year/
Ving future (Emphasize - This
- Will + S (especially, actions that will tomorrow, etc.
+ be + when we be in process in
Ving? imagine the near or
ourselves distant future)
doing - Where will we
something be meeting each
- soften the other? (soften
effect of ‘will’ the effect of
and sound ‘will’ and sound
more polite. more polite)
- Planned - I will be
actions. travelling to
Canada next
year. (Planned
actions)
 - S + will - Action will be - My father will - Main verb - by (a
have + ready be have retired by is in past particular time)
V3/ed completed by a the year 2024 participle - not… till (a
- S+ will certain time in form. particular time)
not the future. + Irregular
Future
(won’t) - Usually use verb: add
perfect
have + with verbs -ed to the
V3/ed complete, base form
- Will have finish and of the verb
+S+ retire. + Regular
V3/ed? verb
- S+ will - Say what in - By this time - Main verb By this time
have been the progress next month, I is in present tomorrow/next
+ Ving now will be in will have been participle week/next
- S + will progress in the living this house form. month/next
Future
not future. for 4 years - Add -ing year
perfect
(won’t) to most
progressi
have been verb
ve
+ Ving without
- Will have changing
+ S + been the base.
+ Ving?
-S+ - Be going to: - She’s going to - Main verb - Tomorrow,
am/is/are + Predictions graduate in is in base next
+ going to + Intentions December. form. week/month/
+ V0 + Planned (predictions). year, later,
-S+ actions - I’m going to soon, this
is/am/are complete my afternoon, etc.
about homework this
Be going
to/due to + evening.
to
V0 (intentions)
-S+ - I’m going to
was/were travel to Canada
to + V0 next year.
(Planned
actions)

Be to S + am/is/ - Formal - Andrew and - Main verb - Tomorrow,

are + V0 arrangements/ Sarah are to be is in base next
duties married in June. form week/month/
- Formal (Formal year, later,
appointments/ arrangements/ soon, this
 instructions duties) afternoon, etc
- Prohibition. - The assistant
are to meet her
boss at 2 p.m
tomorrow.
(Formal
appointments/
instructions)
- Children are
not to watch this
movie without
parents.
(Prohibition)
S+ Immediate Hurry up. The - Main verb
Be about am/is/are future conference is is in base
to about to + just about to form
V0 start.
S + am/is/ Timetables The next class is - Main verb Particular time
Be due to are due to due to start at 8 is in base (7 o’clock,
+ V0 a.m. form 6p.m, etc.)
The S+ - Events which - We didn’t think - Main verb - when
future-in was/were were ‘destined’ that we were to is in base - (period of
the-past going or ‘planned’ to be reunited form time) year later
to/to/about take place in twenty years - Soon, one
to/due to + the past. later. (Events we day, etc.
V0 + Events we couldn’t
S + would couldn’t foresee)
+ V0 foresee - When my
+ Events which brother was just
were going to sleep,
interrupted. his phone rang.
- use ‘would’ in (Events which
storytelling. were
interrupted)
- John was
chosen. He will
be the king one
day. (use
‘would’ in
storytelling)
 The Express - Have a cup of
Imperativ different coffee (offering)
e functions - Go ahead and
- offering turn right
- directing (directing)
- prohibiting - Do not bring
- warning food into the
- more polite or class
urgent with Do (prohibiting)
- Watch out! The
floor is slippery.
(warning)
- Do pay
attention here!
(more polite or
urgent with Do)
Address - You wait here
particular for a moment.
people (For an
- To someone instruction)
in particular, - You keep quiet!
we can add (Express
‘you’ annoyance)
+ For an - You wait here,
instruction Sarah. (With a
+ Express name)
annoyance - Enjoy yourself
+ With a name (yourself/
+ yourself/ yourselves to
yourselves to verbs like ‘help,
verbs like enjoy, behave’)
‘help, enjoy,
behave’ - Keep quiet,
everybody.
- To group of (everybody)
people: - Somebody
+ everybody answer the
+ Somebody/ phone!
nobody (Somebody/
+ Don’t… nobody)
anybody - Don’t say a
word, anybody!
 (Don’t…
anybody
With question - Stop yelling at
tags my face, will
- will you? (express
you?/won’t annoyance)
you?/can’t - Help me put
you? -> this book on the
express shelf, could you?
annoyance (neutral
- would/could/ requests)
can you? -> - Take a seat,
neutral will you?
requests (friendly offers)
-
will
you?/won’t
you? ->
friendly offers

Double - Come and see

imperatives us soon
joined by - Try and lift it/
‘and’ Try to lift it (The
- join 2 exception)
imperatives
together with
‘and’ not to
- The only
exception is
‘try’