Active voice

Present
Present simple(I do)
 We use the present simple to talk about things in general. We use it to say that something happens all the time or repeatedly, or that something
is true in general:

Nurses look after patients in hospitals.

I usually go away at weekends.
The earth goes round the sun.
The cafe opens at 7.30 in the morning.

 We use do/does to make questions and negative sentences:

I come from Canada. Where do you come from?
I don't go away very often.
What does this word mean? (not What means this word?)
Rice doesn't grow in cold climates.

 In the following examples, do is also the main verb (do you do / doesn't do etc.):
'What do you do?' ‘I work in a shop.'
He's always so lazy. He doesn't do anything to help.

 We use the present simple to say how often we do things:

I get up at 8 o'clock every morning.
How often do you go to the dentist?
Julie doesn't drink tea very often.
Robert usually goes away two or three times a year.

 Sometimes we do things by saying something. For example, when you promise to do something, you can say 'I promise ...'; when you suggest
something, you can say ‘I suggest...':
I promise I won't be late. (not I'm promising)
‘What do you suggest I do?' ‘I suggest that you ...'
In the same way we say: I apologise ... / 1 advise ... / I insist... / 1 agree ... / I refuse ... etc.
The present simple

 Use
We use the present simple for
 thoughts and feelings
I think so, I like it.
 states, things staying the same, facts and things that are true for a long time:
We live quite near
 repeated actions:
We come here every week.
 in phrases like I promise, I agree, etc:
I promise I'll pay you back.
 in a negative question with why to make a suggestion:
Why don't we go out?

 Positive forms
I/you/we/they get
he/she/it gets
 In the present simple we use the verb without an ending.
I get the lunch ready at one o'clock, usually.
We always do our shopping at Greenway
Most children like ice-cream.
You know the answer.

 But in the third person singular (after he, she, it, your friend, etc), the verb ends in s or es.
. It gets busy at weekends.
My husband thinks so, too.
Sarah catches the early train.
She faxes messages all over the world

 Negatives and questions

NEGATIVE
I/you/we/they do not get OR don't get
he/she/it does not get OR doesn't get
QUESTION
do I/we/you/they get?
Does he/she/it get?
We use a form of do in negatives and questions

 We use do and don't except in the third person singular, where we use does and doesn't.
We don't live far away.
He doesn't want to go shopping.
Do you live here? ~ Yes, I do.
What does he want? ~ Money.

We do not add s to the verb in negatives and questions.

NOT He-doesn't gets and NOT Does he gets?
Present continuous (I am doing)
 at the time of speaking. The action is not finished.

I am
he/she/it is
we/you/they are
She is driving to work.

 I am doing something = I'm in the middle of doing it; I've started doing it and I haven't finished:
Please don't make so much noise. I'm trying to work. (not I try)
‘Where's Mark?' ‘He's having a shower.' (not He has a shower)
Let's go out now. It isn't raining any more. (not It doesn't rain)
(at a party) Hi, Jane. Are you enjoying the party? (not Do you enjoy)
What's all that noise? What's going on? (= What's happening?)
 Sometimes the action is not happening at the time of speaking.
Steve is talking to a friend on the phone. He says:
I'm reading a really good book at the moment. It's about a man who .. (Steve is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means
that he has started it, but has not finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it.)
Kate wants to work in Italy, so she's learning Italian, (but perhaps she isn't learning Italian at the time of speaking)
Some friends of mine are building their own house. They hope to finish it next summer.
 You can use the present continuous with today / this week / this year etc. (periods around now):
a : You're working hard today. (not You work hard today)
b: Yes, I have a lot to do.
The company I work for isn't doing so well this year.
 We use the present continuous when we talk about changes happening around now, especially with these verbs:
get change become increase rise fall grow improve begin start
Is your English getting better? (not Does your English get better)
The population of the world is increasing very fast. (not increases)
At first I didn't like my job, but I'm beginning to enjoy it now. (not I begin)
The present continuous
 The present continuous means that we are in the middle of an action

 Form
The present continuous is the present tense of be + an ing-form.
I am looking OR I'm looking
you/we/they are looking OR you/we/they're looking
he/she/it is looking OR he/she/it's looking
I'm getting the lunch ready.
The train is coming, look.
We're looking for a post office.

NEGATIVE
I'm not looking
you/we/they aren't looking
he/she/it isn't looking
Rachel isn't wearing her new dress.

QUESTION
am I looking?
are you/we/they looking?
is he/she/it looking?
What are you doing?
Who is Vicky dancing with?
Use

 we use the present continuous to say that we are in the middle of an action.
I'm waiting for the train. (I'm at the station now.)
 I'm getting the lunch ready. (I'm in the kitchen now.)
I'm waiting means that I am in the middle of a period of waiting. The wait is not yet over.

 We can also use the present continuous when we are in the middle of something but not actually doing it at the moment of speaking.
I must get hack to the office. We're working on a new project.
I'm quite busy these days. I'm doing a course at college.

 We can use the present continuous when things are changing over a long period.
The number of cars on the road is increasing.
The earth is slowly getting warmer.
I'm playing badminton with Matthew tomorrow.

Present continuous and present simple 1(I am doing and I do)

Present continuous (I am doing) Present simple (I do)
 We use the continuous for things happening at or around the time of  We use the simple for things in general or things that happen
speaking. The action is not complete. repeatedly.

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

The water is boiling. Can you turn it off? Excuse me, do you speak English?
Listen to those people. What language are they speaking? It doesn’t rain very much in summer.
Let's go out. It isn't raining now What do you usually do at weekends?
Tm busy.' ‘What are you doing?' I always get hungry in the afternoon.
I'm getting hungry. Let's go and eat. Most people learn to swim when they are children
Kate wants to work in Italy, so she's learning Italian. Every day the population of the world increases by about 200,000 people.
The population of the world is increasing very fast.

 We use the continuous for temporary situations:  We use the simple for permanent situations:
 I'm living with some friends until I find a place of my own. My parents live in London. They have lived there all their lives.
a : You're working hard to day . Joe isn't lazy. He works hard most of the time.
b : Yes, 1 have a lot to do.

 I always do and I'm always doing

I always do (something) = (I do it every time: )
I always go to work by car. (not I'm always going)
 ‘I'm always doing something' has a different meaning.
I’ve lost my phone again. I'm always losing things. (I'm always losing things = I lose things very often, perhaps too often, or more often than normal.)
You're always playing computer games. You should do something more active. (= You play computer games too often)
Tim is never satisfied. He's always complaining. (= He complains too much)

Present continuous and present simple 2(I am doing and I do)

 We use continuous forms for actions and happenings that have started but not finished (they are eating / it is raining etc.). Some verbs (for example,
know and like) are not normally used in this way. We don't say 'I am knowing' or ‘they are liking'; we say ‘I know', 'they like'.
The following verbs are not normally used in the present continuous:
Like want need prefer know realise suppose mean understand believe remember belong fit contain
consist seem
I’m hungry. I want something to eat. (not I'm wanting)
Do you understand what I mean?
Anna doesn't seem very happy at the moment.
 When think means ‘believe' or ‘have an opinion', we do not use the continuous:
I think Mary is Canadian, but I'm not sure, (not I'm thinking)
What do you think of my plan? (= What is your opinion?)

 When think means ‘consider', the continuous is possible:

I'm thinking about what happened. I often think about it.
Nicky is thinking of giving up her job. (= she is considering it)

 See hear smell taste

We normally use the present simple (not continuous) with these verbs:
Do you see that man over there? (not Are you seeing)
This room smells. Let's open a window.
We often use can + see/hear/smell/taste:
I can hear a strange noise. Can you hear it?

 Look feel
You can use the present simple or continuous to say how somebody looks or feels now:
You look well today, or You're looking well today.
How do you feel now? or How are you feeling now?
but
I usually feel tired in the morning. (not I'm usually feeling)

 He is selfish and He is being selfish

He's being = He's behaving / He's acting. Compare:
I can't understand why he's being so selfish. He isn’t usually like that. (being selfish = behaving selfishly at the moment)
He never thinks about other people. He is very selfish, (not He is being) (= He is selfish generally, not only at the moment)

 We use am/is/are being to say how somebody is behaving. It is not usually possible in other sentences:
It's hot today, (not It is being hot)
Sarah is very tired, (not is being tired)
 Present simple (I do) and present continuous (I am doing)(1)
 We use the present simple to describe things that are always true, or situations that exist now and, as far as we know, will go on indefinitely:
It takes me five minutes to get to school.
Trees grow more quickly in summer than in winter.
Liz plays the violin brilliantly.

 To talk about particular actions or events that have begun but have not ended at the time of speaking, we use the present continuous:
The car isn't starting again.
'Who are you phoning?' 'I'm trying to get through to Joan.'
The shop is so inefficient that many customers are taking their business elsewhere

 We often use time expressions such as at the moment, at present, currently, just, and still to emphasise that the action or event is happening now:
'Have you done the shopping?' I’m just going.'
 Notice that the action or event may not be going on at the time of speaking:
The police are talking to a number of people about the robbery.
 We use the present simple to talk about habits or things that happen on a regular basis:
I leave work at 5.30 most days.
Each July we go to Turkey for a holiday.

 However, when we describe repeated actions or events that are happening at or around the time of speaking, we use the present continuous:
Why are you jumping up and down?
I'm hearing a lot of good reports about your work these days.

 We can use the present continuous or the present simple to describe something that we regularly do at a particular time.
Compare:
We usually watch the news on TV at 9.00. (= we start watching at 9.00)
We're usually watching the news on TV at 9.00. (= we're already watching at 9.00)

 We use the present continuous to imply that a situation is or may be temporary.

Compare:
Banks lend money to make a profit, (this is what usually happens)
Banks are lending more money (these days) to encourage businesses to expand, (implies a temporary arrangement)
She teaches Maths in a school in Bonn, (a permanent arrangement)
She's teaching Maths in a school in Bonn, (implies that this is not, or may not be, permanent)

 We often use the present simple with verbs that perform the action they describe:
I admit I can't see as well as I used to. (= an admission)
I refuse to believe that he didn't know the car was stolen. (= a refusal)

 Other verbs like this (sometimes called performative verbs) include accept, acknowledge, advise, apologise, assume, deny, guarantee, hope,
inform, predict, promise, recommend, suggest, suppose, warn.
 We can use modals with performative verbs to make what we say more tentative or polite:
I would advise you to arrive two hours before the flight leaves.
I'm afraid I have to inform you that your application for funding has been turned down.
 Present simple (I do) and present continuous (I am doing)(2)
 We often prefer to use the present simple rather than the present continuous with verbs describing states:
I really enjoy travelling.
The group currently consists of five people, but we hope to get more members soon.
 Other common state verbs include agree, assume, believe, belong to, contain, cost, disagree, feel, hate, have, hope, know, like, look, love,
own, prefer, realise, regret, resemble, smell, taste.

 However, we can use the present continuous with some state verbs when we want to emphasise that a situation is temporary, for a period of time
around the present. Compare:
I consider him to be extremely fortunate. (This is my view) and
I'm considering taking early retirement. (This is something I'm thinking about now)

The children love having Jean stay with us. (They love it when Jean stays) and
The children are loving having Jean stay with us. (Jean is staying with us now)

 With some verbs used to describe a temporary state (e.g. ache, feel, hurt, look (= seem)), there is little difference in meaning when we use the
present simple and present continuous:
What's the matter with Bill? He looks / is looking awful.

 When have has a non-state meaning - for example when it means 'eat', 'undergo', 'take' or 'hold' - we can use the present continuous:
'What's that terrible noise?' 'The neighbours are having a party.'
 We use the present continuous when we talk about changes, developments, and trends:
The growing number of visitors is damaging the footpaths.
I'm beginning to realise how difficult it is to be a teacher.

 When we tell a story or joke we often describe the main events using the present (or past) simple and longer, background events using the present (or
past) continuous:
She goes (or went) up to this man and looks (or looked) straight into his eyes. She's carrying (or was carrying) a bag full of shopping...

 We can also use the present simple and present continuous like this in commentaries (for example, on sports events) and in giving instructions:
King serves to the left hand court and Adams makes a wonderful return. She's playing magnificent tennis in this match...
You hold the can in one hand. Right, you're holding it in one hand; now you take off the lid with the other.

 When we want to emphasise that something is done repeatedly, we can use the present continuous with words like always, constantly, continually,
or forever. Often we do this when we want to show that we are unhappy about it, including our own behaviour:
They're constantly having parties until the early hours of the morning.
 We use the past continuous in the same way:
He was forever including me in his crazy schemes.
  The present simple is used to report what we have heard or what we have read:
This newspaper article explains why unemployment has been rising so quickly.

 We also use the present simple in spoken English in phrases such as I gather, I hear, I see, and I understand to introduce news that we have heard,
read or seen (e.g. on television):
I gather you're worried about the new job?
The Prince is coming to visit, and I hear he's very rich.

Present continuous or simple?

Thoughts, feelings and states

  We normally use the present simple to talk about thoughts and feelings.
I think it's a good programme.
Kitty likes her job.

 We also use it to talk about states and permanent facts.

Reporting means a lot to her.
Paper burns easily.

 We also use the present simple in I promise, I agree, I refuse, etc.

I promise I'll write to you.
It's all right. I forgive you.

Temporary or permanent?

Present continuous Present simple

We use the present continuous for a routine or situation that we see as We use the present simple for a routine or situation that we see as
temporary (for a short period). permanent.
I'm working at a sports shop for six weeks. I work at a sports shop. It's a permanent job.
At the moment they're living in a very small flat They live in a very nice flat.

Always

Present continuous Present simple

We can use always with the present continuous to mean 'very often',
usually with the added meaning of too often'
Tom is always inviting friends here. (= He invites them very often.)
I'm always making silly mistakes. (= I make silly mistakes too often.)
Always with the present simple means 'every time'.
Tom always invites us to stay at Christmas. (= He invites us every
Christmas.)
I always make silly mistakes in exams. (= I make mistakes in every
exam.)
Present perfect 1(I have done)
 The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs are
irregular (lost/done/written etc.).

 When we say that 'something has happened', this is usually new information:
Ow! I've cut my finger.
The road is closed. There’s been (there has been) an accident.
(from the news) Police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.

 When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now: ‘
Where's your key?' 'I don't know. I've lost it.' (= I don't have it now)
He told me his name, but I've forgotten it. (= I can't remember it now)
‘Is Sally here?' ‘No, she's gone out.' (= she is out now)
I can't find my bag. Have you seen it? (= Do you know where it is now?)

 Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to): ...
James is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (= he is there now or on his way there) .
Jane is back home now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back)

 You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet.
Just = a short time ago:
‘Are you hungry?' ‘No, I've just had lunch.'
Hello. Have you just arrived?
We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected:
‘Don't forget to pay your electricity bill' ‘I've already paid it.'
‘What time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already left.'
Yet = until now. Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences:
Has it stopped raining yet?
I've written the email, but I haven't sent it yet.

 You can also use the past simple (did, went, had etc.) in the examples on this page. So you can say:
‘Is Sally here?' ‘No, she went out.' or 'No, she's gone out.'
‘Are you hungry?' ‘No, I just had lunch.' or ‘No, I've just had lunch.'
Present perfect 2 (I have done)

dave: Have you travelled a lot, Jane?

jane : Yes, I've been to lots of places.
dave : Really? Have you ever been to China?
jane : Yes, I've been to China twice.
dave : What about India?
jane : No, I haven't been to India.

 When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present perfect (have been / have travelled etc.). Here, Dave
and Jane are talking about the places Jane has visited in her life, which is a period that continues until now.

Have you ever eaten caviar?

We've never had a car.
‘Have you read Hamlet?' 'No, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's plays.'
Susan really loves that film. She's seen it eight times!
What a boring film! It's the most boring film I've ever seen.
Been (to) = visited:
I've never been to China. Have you been there?

 In the following examples too, the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now (recently / in the last few days / so far / since
breakfast etc.):

Have you heard anything from Brian recently?

I've met a lot of people in the last few days.
Everything is going well. We haven't had any problems so far.
I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. (= from breakfast until now)
It's good to see you again. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

 In the same way we use the present perfect with today / this evening / this year etc. when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking:

I've drunk four cups of coffee today.

Have you had a holiday this year?
I haven't seen Tom this morning. Have you?
Rob hasn't worked very hard this term.

 We say: It’s the (first) time something has happened. For example:
Don is having a driving lesson. It’s his first one.
It's the first time he has driven a car. (not drives) He has never driven a car before.
or
 Sarah has lost her passport again. This is the second time this has happened, (not happens)
Bill is phoning his girlfriend again. That's the third time he's phoned her this evening.

Present perfect continuous(I have been doing)

 We use the present perfect continuous for an activity that has recently stopped or just stopped. There is a connection with now:
You're out of breath. Have you been running? (= you're out of breath now)
Paul is very tired. He's been working very hard. (= he's tired now)
Why are your clothes so dirty? What have you been doing?
I've been talking to Amanda about the problem and she agrees with me.
Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere.

 It began raining two hours ago and it is still raining.

How long has it been raining?
It has been raining for two hours.
We use the present perfect continuous in this way especially with how long, for ... and since ... . The activity is still happening (as in this example) or
has just stopped.
How long have you been learning English? (= you're still learning English)
Tim is still watching TV. He's been watching TV all day.
Where have you been? I've been looking for you for the last half hour.
Chris hasn't been feeling well recently.

 You can use the present perfect continuous for actions repeated over a period of time:
 Silvia is a very good tennis player. She's been playing since she was eight.
Every morning they meet in the same cafe. They've been going there for years.

 Compare I am doing and I have been doing:

I've been working hard. Now I'm going to have a break.

Don't disturb me now. I 'm working. The ground is wet. It's been raining.
We need an umbrella. It's raining. We've been waiting for an hour.
Hurry up! We're waiting.

Present perfect continuous ( I have been doing )

 We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a situation or activity that started in the past and has been in progress for a period until now.
Sometimes we use the present perfect continuous with expressions that indicate the time period (e.g. with since and for):
I've been meaning to phone Jack since I heard he was back in the country.
The competition has been running every year since 1980.
She's been living in New Zealand for over a year now.
People have been saying for ages that the building should be pulled down
 Without such an expression, the present perfect continuous refers to a recent situation or activity and focuses on its present results:
Look! It's been snowing.
'You're looking well.' 'I've been playing a lot of squash to lose weight.'
'Haven't seen anything of Rod for a while.' 'No, he's been working in Germany.'

 The situation or activity may still be going on, or it may just have stopped. Compare:
We've been discussing the proposals for a number of years. (= still going on) and
Your eyes are red - have you been crying? (= recently stopped)
 We often use the present perfect continuous when we ask questions with How long...? and when we say how long something has been in progress:
How long have you been waiting for me?
How long have they been living next door to you?
For more than two years I've been trying to get permission to extend my house.
Unemployment has been rising steadily since the huge increase in oil prices.
 We can use the present perfect continuous or a present tense (the present simple or the present continuous) when we talk about a situation or activity
that started in the past and is still happening now or has just stopped. However, we use the present perfect continuous when we are talking about how
long the action or event has been going on.
Compare:
I see Tom most weekends, and
I've been seeing a lot of Tom since he moved into the flat upstairs, (not I see...)
It's raining, and
It's been raining heavily all night, (not It's raining...)
 When we talk about situations or actions that went on over a past period of time but finished at a particular point in time before now, we don't use the
present perfect continuous:
I was reading until midnight last night, (not I have been reading...)
She had been living in Spain before her family moved to Brazil, (not She has been living...)
He put off the decision for as long as possible, but eventually he made up his mind and bought the car. (not He has been putting off...)
 We generally avoid the present perfect continuous with verbs that describe states
 Present perfect continuous (I nave been doing; and present perfect (I have
done)
 Compare the use of the present perfect continuous and the present perfect:

 We use both the present perfect continuous and the present perfect to talk about something that started in the past and which affects the situation that
exists now. The difference is that the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity or event which may or may not be finished. The present
perfect, however, focuses on the effect of the activity or event, or the fact that something has been achieved.

 Sometimes the difference between them is simply one of emphasis

I've been following their discussions with great interest, (emphasises the activity; that is, my following their discussions)
I've followed their discussions with great interest, (emphasises the result; I may now react to what was said or decided)

 We can use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect to talk about activities or events that are repeated again and again until now:
Joseph has been kicking a football against the wall all afternoon, (or ...has kicked...)
The press has been calling for her resignation for several weeks, (or ...has called...)

 However, if we mention the number of times the activity or event was repeated, we use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous:
I've bumped into Susan 3 times this week.
He has played for the national team in 65 matches so far.
 We use the present perfect rather than the present perfect continuous when we talk about longlasting or permanent situations, or when we want to
emphasise that we are talking about the whole of a period of time until the present
I have always admired Chester's work.
They are the most delicious oranges I've ever eaten.

 When we talk about more temporary situations we can often use either the present perfect continuous or the present perfect:
'Where's Dr Owen's office?' 'Sorry, I don't know. I've only worked / I've only been working here for a couple of days.'

 When we want to emphasise that a situation has changed over a period of time up to now, and may continue to change, we prefer the present perfect
continuous to the present perfect:
The pollution problem has been getting worse over the last decade.
Sales have been increasing for some time.

 However, if we talk about a specific change over a period of time which ends now, particularly to focus on the result of this change, we use the present
perfect: •
Prices have decreased by 7%. {= in a period up to now)
The population has grown from 35 million in 1950 to 42 million today.
Present perfect continuous and simple(I have been doing and I have done)
My hands are very dirty. I've been repairing my bike.
Joe has been eating too much recently. He should eat less.
It's nice to see you again. What have you been doing since we last met?
Where have you been? Have you been playing tennis?
We use the continuous to say how long (for something that is still
happening): How long have you been reading that book?
Lisa is writing emails. She’s been writing emails all morning.
They've been playing tennis since 2 o'clock.
I'm learning Arabic, but I haven't been learning it very long.
 Some verbs (for example, know/like/believe) are not normally used in the continuous:
I've known about the problem for a long time, (not I've been knowing)
How long have you had that camera? (not have you been having)
 But note that you can use want and mean in the present perfect continuous:
I've been meaning to phone Jane, but I keep forgetting.
My bike is OK again now. I've repaired it
Somebody has eaten all the chocolates. The box is empty.
Where's the book I gave you? What have you done with it?
Have you ever played tennis?
We use the simple to say how much, how many or how many times:
How much of that book have you read?
Lisa is writing emails. She's sent lots of emails this morning.
They've played tennis three times this week.
I'm learning Arabic, but I haven't learnt very much yet.
How long have you (been)..?
 We use the present perfect to talk about something that began in the past and still continues now. Compare the present and the present perfect:

Paul is in hospital.
but He's been in hospital since Monday. (= He has been ...) (not Paul is in hospital since Monday)
Do you know each other well?
but Have you known each other for a long time?
(not Do you know)
 She's waiting for somebody.
but She's been waiting all morning.
Do they have a car?
but How long have they had their car?

 I have known/had/lived etc. is the present perfect simple.

I have been learning / been waiting / been doing etc. is the present perfect continuous.
 When we ask or say ‘how long', the continuous is more usual :
I've been learning English for six months.
It's been raining since lunchtime.
Richard has been doing the same job for 20 years.
'How long have you been driving?' 'Since I was 17.’

 Some verbs (for example, know/like/believe) are not normally used in the continuous:
How long have you known Jane? (not have you been knowing)
I've had a pain in my stomach all day. (not I've been having

 You can use either the present perfect continuous or simple with live and work:
Julia has been living / has lived here for a long time.
How long have you been working / have you worked here?
 But use the simple (I've lived / I've done etc.) with always:
I've aLways lived in the country, (not always been living)

 We say 'I haven't done something since/for ...' (present perfect simple):
I haven’t seen Tom since Monday. (= Monday was the last time I saw him)
Sarah hasn't phoned for ages. (= the last time she phoned was ages ago)
For and since when ..?and how long..?
 We use for and since to say how long something has been happening.

We use for + a period of time (two hours, six weeks etc.): We use since + the start of a period (8 o'clock, Monday, 1999 etc.):

I've been waiting for two hours I've been waiting since 8 o'clock.
Sally has been working here for six months. (not since six months) Sally has been working here since April (= from April until now)
I haven't seen Tom for three days. I haven't seen Tom since Monday.

 It is possible to leave out for (but not usually in negative sentences):

They've been married (for) ten years, (with or without for)
They haven’t had a holiday for ten years, (you must use for)

 We do not use for + all ... (all day / all my life etc.):
I've lived here all my life, (not for all my life)
 You can use in instead of for in negative sentences (I haven't... etc.):
They haven't had a holiday in ten years. (= for ten years)

 Compare when ... ? (+ past simple) and how long ... ? (+ present perfect):
a : When did it start raining?
b : It started raining an hour ago / at 1 o'clock
a : How long has it been raining?
b : It's been raining for an hour / since 1 o'clock

a : When did Joe and Carol first meet?

b : They first met a long time ago.
when they were at school.
a : How long have they known each other?
b :They've known each other for a long time,
since they were at school


It's two years since I last saw Joe. or It's been two years since ... (= I haven't seen Joe for two years)
It's ages since we went to the cinema, or It's been ages since ... (= We haven't been to the cinema for ages)
How long is it since Mrs Hill died? or How long has it been since . (= When did Mrs Hill die?)
Present perfect and past 1(I have done and I did)

 The present perfect (something has happened) is a present tense. It always tells us about the situation now. 'Tom has lost his key' = he doesn't have
his key now .
 The past simple (something happened) tells us only about the past. If somebody says Tom lost his key', this doesn't tell us whether he has the key
now or not. It tells us only that he lost his key at some time in the past.

 Do not use the present perfect if the situation now is different. Compare:
They've gone away. They'll be back on Friday, (they are away now)
They went away, but I think they're back at home now. (not They've gone)

It has stopped raining now, so we don't need the umbrella, (it isn't raining now)
It stopped raining for a while, but now it's raining again, (not It has stopped)

 You can use the present perfect for new or recent happenings:
‘I've repaired the washing machine. It's working OK now.' ‘Oh, that's good.’
‘Sally has had a baby! It's a boy.' 'That's great news.'

 Usually, you can also use the past simple:

I repaired the washing machine. It's working OK now.

 Use the past simple (not the present perfect) for things that are not recent or new:
Mozart was a composer. He wrote more than 600 pieces of music. (not has been ... has written)
My mother grew up in Italy, (not has grown)
Compare:
Did you know that somebody has invented a new type of washing machine?
Who invented the telephone? (not has invented)

 We use the present perfect to give new information . But if we continue to talk about it, we normally use the past simple:
a : Owl I've burnt myself.
b : How did you do that? (not have you done)
a : I picked up a hot dish. (not have picked)

a : Lookl Somebody has spilt something on the sofa.

b : Well, it wasn't me. I didn't do it. (not hasn't been ... haven't done)
Present perect and past 2(I have done and I did)
 Do not use the present perfect (I have done) when you talk about a finished time (for example, yesterday / ten minutes ago / in 2005 / when I was a
child). Use a past tense:
It was very cold yesterday, (not has been)
Paul and Lucy arrived ten minutes ago. (not have arrived)
Did you eat a lot of sweets when you were a child? (not have you eaten)
I got home late last night. I was very tired and went straight to bed.
 Use the past to ask When ... ? or What time ... ?:
When did your friends arrive? (not have ... arrived)
What time did you finish work?
Compare:

Present perfect Past simple

Tom has Lost his key. He can’t get into the house Tom lost his key yesterday. He couldn't get into the house.
Is Carla here or has she left? When did Carla leave?
Compare:
Present perfect (have done) Past simple (did)
I've done a Lot of work today. I did a lot of work yesterday.

 We use the present perfect for a period of time that continues until  We use the past simple for a finished time in the past.
now. For example: yesterday / last week / from 2007 to 2010.
For example: today / this week / since 2007.

It hasn't rained this week. It didn't rain last week.

Have you seen Anna this morning? (it is still morning) Did you see Anna this morning? (it is now afternoon or evening)
Have you seen Tim recently? Did you see Tim on Sunday?
I don't know where Lisa is. I haven't seen her. (= I haven't seen her a : Was Lisa at the party on Sunday?
recently) We've been waiting for an hour. (we are still waiting now) b: I don't think so. I didn't see her.
Jack lives in Los Angeles. He has lived there for seven years. We waited (or were waiting) for an hour, (we are no longer waiting)
I have never played golf, (in my life) Jack lived in New York for ten years. Now he lives in Los Angeles.
It's the last day of your holiday. You say: It's been a really good holiday. I didn't play golf last summer.
I've really enjoyed it. After you come back from holiday you say: It was a really good holiday. I
really enjoyed it.
Present perfect (I have done) and past simple(I did)(1)
Present perfect

 When we talk about something that happened in the past, but we don't specify precisely when it happened (perhaps we don't know, or it is not
important to say when it happened), we use the present perfect :
A French yachtsman has broken the record for sailing round the world single-handed.
I have complained about the traffic before.
 When we use the present perfect, it suggests some kind of connection between what happened in the past, and the present time. Often we are
interested in the way that something that happened in the past affects the situation that exists now:
I've washed my hands so that I can help you with the cooking.
We can't go ahead with the meeting, because very few people have shown any interest
 The connection with the present may also be that something happened recently, with a consequence for the present:
I've found the letter you were looking for. Here it is.
My ceiling has fallen in and the kitchen is flooded. Come quickly
 When we talk about how long an existing situation has lasted, even if we don't give a precise length of time, we use the present perfect
They've grown such a lot since we last saw them.
Prices have fallen sharply over the past six months.
We've recently started to walk to work instead of taking the bus.
 We often use the present perfect to say that an action or event has been repeated a number of times up to now
They've been to Chile three times.
I've often wished I'd learned to read music

Past simple

 When we want to indicate that something happened at a specific time in the past, we use the past simple. We can either say when it happened, using
a time adverb, or assume that the hearer already knows when it happened or can understand this from the context:

She arrived at Kennedy Airport at 2 o'clock this morning.

Jane left just a few minutes ago.

Jim decided to continue the course, even though it was proving very difficult.

 We use the past simple for situations that existed for a period of time in the past, but not now:
 When I was younger I played badminton for my local team.
The Pharaohs ruled Egypt for thousands of years.

 If we are interested in when a present situation began rather than how long it has been going on for, we use the past simple. Compare:
• I started to get the pains three weeks ago.
I've had the pains for three weeks now.
• When did you arrive in Britain?
How long have you been in Britain?

 However, we also use the past simple to talk about how long something went on for if the action or event is no longer going on
I stayed with my grandparents for six months. (= I am no longer staying there)
'He spent some time in Paris when he was younger.' 'How long did he live there?'

Present perfect (I have done) and past simple(I did)(2)

 We use the present perfect when we talk about something that happened in a period of time up to the present. We use the past simple to talk about
something that happened at a particular, finished time in the past. Compare:
Science has made many major advances this century, and
Scientists made some fundamental discoveries in the 18th century.
He puts to good use things that other people have thrown away, and
I threw away most of my old books when I moved house.

 When we report that someone has recently invented, produced, discovered or written something we use the present perfect. When we talk about
something that was invented, etc. in the more distant past we use the past simple. Compare:
Scientist have discovered that, all over the world, millions of frogs and toads are dying.
It is often said that Hernan Cortes 'discovered' Mexico in 1519.
Two schoolchildren have invented a device for moving large objects up flights of stairs.
Chinese craftsmen invented both paper and printing.

 Sometimes it makes very little difference to the main sense of the sentence if we think of something happening in a period of time up to the present or
at a particular, finished time in the past:
The research is now complete and the experiment was {or has been) a success.
Does it concern you that you failed {or have failed) the test?
 I'm sure I read {or I have read) somewhere that he died in a plane crash.

 We can use either the present perfect or the past simple to talk about repeated actions or events. If we use the present perfect, we often suggest that
the action or event might happen again. Sometimes we emphasise this with phrases such as so far and up to now. If we use the past simple, it
suggests that it is finished and won't happen again. Compare:
Timson has made 13 films and I think her latest is the best, and
Timson made 13 films before she was tragically killed in a car accident.
Lee has represented his country on many occasions, and hopes to go on to compete in the next Olympics, and
Lee represented his country on many occasions, but was forced to retire after an injury.

 We can use both the present perfect and the past simple to talk about states. We use the present perfect to talk about a state that existed in the past
and still exists now, and we use the past simple if the state no longer exists. Compare:
I have known him most of my working life. (I am still working) and
I knew him when we were both working in Rome.
We have belonged to the tennis club since we moved here. (We still belong to it.) and
We belonged to the tennis club in the village we used to live in.

Present perfect (I have done) and past simple(I did)(3)

(adverbs used with these tenses)
 Sometime adverbs that connect the past to the present are often used with the present perfect:
 Don't disturb Amy. She's just gone to sleep, (not ...she just went to sleep.)
Have you seen Robert lately} (not Did you see...)
Other time adverbs like this include already, since (last week), so far, still, up to now, yet.

 When we use time adverbs that talk about finished periods of time we use the past simple rather than the present perfect:
Marie died, at the age of 86, in 1964. (not Marie has died...)
Other time adverbs like this include (a month) ago, at (3 o'clock), last (week, month), on (Monday), once (= at some time in the past), then,
yesterday.

 We often use before, for, and recently with the present perfect and also the past simple.
For example:

 Time adverbs that refer to the present, such as today, this morning/week/month, can also be used with either the present perfect or past simple. If
we see today etc. as a past, completed period of time, then we use the past simple; if we see today, etc. as a period including the present moment,
then we use the present perfect. Compare:
I didn't shave today (= the usual time has passed; suggests I will not shave today) and
I haven't shaved today. (= today is not finished; I may shave later or may not)
I wrote three letters this morning. (= the morning is over) and
I've written three letters this morning. (= it is still morning)

 We use since to talk about a period that started at some point in the past and continues until the present time. This is why we often use since with the
present perfect:
Since 1990 I have lived in a small house near the coast.
Tom has been ill since Christmas.

 In a sentence which includes a since-clause, the usual pattern is for the since-clause to contain a past simple, and the main clause to contain a
present perfect:
Since Mr Hassan became president, both taxes and unemployment have increased.
I haven't been able to play tennis since I broke my arm.

 However, we can use a present perfect in the swce-clause if the two situations described in the main and s/nce-clause extend until the present:
Since I've lived here, I haven't seen my neighbours.

 We use the present perfect with ever and never to emphasise that we are talking about the whole of a period of time up until the present:
It's one of the most magnificent views I have ever seen. (= in my whole life)
I've never had any problems with my car. (= at any time since I bought it)

 We use the past simple with ever and never to talk about a completed period in the past:
When he was young, he never bothered too much about his appearance.
Have and have got
Have and have got (= for possession, relationships, illnesses etc.)

You can use have or have got. There is no difference in meaning:

They have a new car. or They've got a new car.

Lisa has two brothers, or Lisa's got two brothers.

I have a headache, or I've got a headache.

Our house has a small garden, or Our house has got a small garden.

He has a few problems, or He's got a few problems.

 With these meanings (possession etc.), you cannot use continuous forms (am having etc.):
We're enjoying our holiday. We have / We've got a nice room in the hotel, (not We are having a nice room)

 For the past we use had (without got):

Lisa had long hair when she was a child. (not Lisa had got)

 In questions and negative sentences there are three possible forms:

Do you have any questions? I don't have any questions.

Have you got any questions? I haven't got any questions.
Have you any questions? (less usual) I haven't any questions, (less usual)
Does she have a car? She doesn't have a car.
Has she got a car? She hasn't got a car.
Has she a car? (less usual) She hasn't a car. (less usual)

 In past questions and negative sentences we use did/didn't:

Did you have a car when you were living in Paris?
I didn't have my phone, so I couldn't call you.
Lisa had long hair, didn't she?

 Have breakfast / have a shower / have a good time etc.

We also use have (but not have got) for many actions and experiences. For example:

 Have got is not possible in the expressions in the box.

Compare:
Sometimes I have (= eat) a sandwich for my lunch, (not I've got)
 But
I've got / I have some sandwiches. Would you like one?

 You can use continuous forms (am having etc.) with the expressions in the box:
We're enjoying our holiday. We're having a great time, (not We have)
Mark is having a shower at the moment. He has a shower every day.

 In questions and negative sentences we use do/does/did:

I don't usually have a big breakfast, (not I usually haven't)
What time does Chris have lunch? (not has Chris lunch)
Did you have trouble finding a place to live?

Used to(do)
 Something used to happen = it happened often in the past, but no longer happens:
I used to play tennis a lot, but I don't play very much now.
David used to spend a lot of money on clothes. These days he can't afford it.
‘Do you go to the cinema much?' 'Not now, but I used to.' (= I used to go)

 We also use used to ... for things that were true, but are not true anymore:
This building is now a furniture shop. It used to be a cinema.
I used to think Mark was unfriendly, but now I realise he's a very nice person.
I've started drinking tea recently. I never used to like it before.
Lisa used to have very long hair when she was a child.

 ‘I used to do something' is past. There is no present. You cannot say ‘I use to do'. To talk about the present, use the present simple (I do).

We used to live in a small village, but now we live in London.

There used to be four cinemas in the town. Now there is only one.

 The normal question form is did (you) use to ... ?:

Did you use to eat a lot of sweets when you were a child?

 The negative form is didn't use to ... (used not to ... is also possible):
I didn't use to like him. (or I used not to like him.)

 Compare I used to do and I was doing:

I used to watch TV a lot. (= I watched TV often in the past, but I no longer do this)
I was watching TV when Rob called. (= I was in the middle of watching TV)

 Do not confuse I used to do and I am used to doing . The structures and meanings are different:
I used to live alone. (= I lived alone in the past, but I no longer live alone)
I am used to living alone. (= I live alone, and I don't find it strange or difficult because I've been living alone for some time)
 Past
Past simple (I did)
 Very often the past simple ends in -ed (regular verbs):
I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a department store.
We invited them to our party, but they decided not to come.
The police stopped me on my way home last night.
Laura passed her exam because she studied very hard.

 But many verbs are irregular. The past simple does not end in -ed.
write —> wrote Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music,
see —> saw We saw Tanya in town a few days ago.
go —> went I went to the cinema three times last week,
shut —» shut It was cold, so I shut the window.

 in questions and negatives we use did/didn't + infinitive (enjoy/see/go etc.):

a: Did you go out last night?
b: Yes, I went to the cinema, but I didn't enjoy the film much.
3 ‘When did Mr Thomas die?' ‘About ten years ago.'
They didn't invite us to the party, so we didn't go.
‘Did you have time to do the shopping?' ’No, I didn't.'

 In the following examples, do is the main verb in the sentence (did ... do / didn't do):
What did you do at the weekend? (not What did you at the weekend?)
I didn't do anything. (not I didn't anything)

 The past of be (am/is/are) is was/were:

Note that we do not use did in negatives and questions with was/were:
I was angry because they were late.
Was the weather good when you were on holiday?
They weren't able to come because they were so busy.
Did you go out last night or were you too tired?
 The past simple
Positive forms

 A regular past form ends in ed.

It happened very quickly.
The van crashed into the cat
I posted the letter yesterday.
We once owned a caravan.
 Some verbs have an irregular past form.
The car came out of a side road.
Vicky rang earlier.
I won the game.
I had breakfast at six.
The train left on time.
We took some photos.
 The past simple is the same in all persons except in the past tense of be.
I/he/she/it was I was ill last week,
you/we/they were Those cakes were nice

Negatives and questions

We use did in negatives and questions .

NEGATIVE
I/you/he/she/it/we/they did not stop OR didn't stop

The car did not stop.

The driver didn't look to his right.

QUESTION

did I/you/he/she/it/we/they stop?

What did you tell the police? ~ Nothing.

Did you ring home? ~ Yes, I did.

 We do not use a past form such as stopped or rang in negatives and questions.
NOT The- car didn't stopped and NOT Did you rang?

 We also use was and were in negatives and questions.

NEGATIVE
I/he/she/it was not OR wasn't
you/we/they were not OR weren't
I wasn't very well last week.
The gates weren't open.

QUESTION
was I/he/she/it?
were you/we/they?
Where was your friend last night?
Was your steak nice?

 Use
We use the past simple for something in the past which is finished.
Emma passed her exam last year.
We went to the theatre on Friday.
Elvis Presley died in 1977.
I knew what the problem was.
When did you buy this car? ~ About three years ago.
Past continuous(I was doing)
 I was doing something = I was in the middle of doing something at a certain time. The action or situation had already started before this time, but had
not finished:

This time last year I was living in Brazil.

What were you doing at 10 o'clock last night?
I waved to Helen, but she wasn't looking.

 Compare the past con tinuous (I was doing) and past simple (I did):

Past continuous (in the middle of an action) Past simple (complete action)
I was walking home when I met Dan. (in the middle of walking home) I walked home after the party last night. (= all the way, completely)
Kate was watching TV when we arrived. Kate watched television a lot when she was ill last year.

 We often use the past simple and the past continuous together to say that something happened in the middle of something else:
Matt phoned while we were having dinner.
It was raining when I got up.
I saw you in the park yesterday. You were sitting on the grass and reading a book.
I hurt my back while I was working in the garden.
But we use the past simple to say that one thing happened after another:
I was walking along the road when I saw Dan. So i stopped, and we had a chat.
Compare:

When Karen arrived, we were having dinner. (= we had already started When Karen arrived, we had dinner. (= Karen arrived, and then we had
before she arrived) dinner)

 Some verbs (for example, know and want) are not normally used in the continuous :
We were good friends. We knew each other well. (not We were knowing)
I was enjoying the party, but Chris wanted to go home. (not was wanting)
The past continuous
 The past continuous means that at a time in the past we were in the middle of an action.

 Form
The past continuous is the past tense of be + an ing-form.
I/he/she/it was playing
you/we/they were playing
Soft music was playing.
People were walking in the park.

NEGATIVE

I/he/she/it wasn't playing

you/we/they weren't playing
I wasn't dreaming. I really was in New York City.

QUESTION

was I/he/she/it playing?

were you/we/they playing?
What were you thinking of?
Why did you give our secret away?
Was Matthew already waiting for you when you got there?

 Use
Past continuous (I was doing) and past simple(I did)

 To talk about a temporary situation that existed at or around a particular time in the past, we use the past continuous:
At the time of the robbery, they were staying with my parents.
My head was aching again, so I went home.

 Compare the use of the past continuous and the past simple in these sentences:
She was shaking with anger as she left the hotel.
When he realised I was looking at him, he turned away.
Erika dropped her bag while she was getting into her car.

 We often use the past simple to talk about a completed past event and the past continuous to describe the situation that existed at the time. The
completed event might have interrupted the situation, or just occurred while the situation or event was in progress.

 We don't normally use the past continuous with certain verbs describing states :
This house belonged to the King of Sweden, (not ...was belonging to...)

 When we talk about two past actions or events that went on over the same period of time, we can often use the past continuous for both:
Sally was reading to the children while Kevin was washing up.
Mario was working in a restaurant when I was living in London.

 However, we can often use the past simple to express a similar meaning:
Mario worked in a restaurant while he lived in London, (or ...was living in London.)

 When we talk about two or more past completed events that follow each other, we use the past simple for both. The first may have caused the second:
She got up when the alarm clock went off.
He jumped out of bed and ran to see who the parcel was for.
 When we talk about a permanent or long-term situation that existed in the past, we use the past simple rather than the past continuous:
When I was a child I played the violin, (not ...I was playing...)

 However, if the situation was temporary, we can also use the past continuous. Compare:
I was working in a car factory during the summer of 1976. (or I worked...) and
He worked hard all his life, (not He was working...)

 We use the past simple rather than the past continuous when we are talking about repeated actions or events in the past:
We visited Spain three times last year, (not We were visiting...)
I went past her house every day. (not I was going...)
She slept very badly whenever she stayed with her grandparents, (not ...was sleeping...)

 However, the past continuous can also be used when we want to emphasise that the repeated actions only went on for a limited and temporary period
of past time
When Carlo was in hospital, we were visiting him twice a day. (or ...we visited...)
To get fit for the race, I was going to the sports centre every day. (or ...I went...)

 We use the past continuous when the repeated actions or events provide a longer background to something else that happened
During the time I started to get chest pains, I was playing tennis a lot.
Continuous forms

USES OF PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSES

Like other Perfect tenses, Perfect Continuous tenses focus on a past period that leads up to a later one. Perfect Continuous tensq, as with other Continuous tenses,
show that an event continues and/or is temporary:
I've been meaning to tell you about it since the weekend.
Next October I'll have been playing with this team for ten years.
He'd been driving for hours and he needed a rest.
 We use Past or Present Perfect Continuous to talk about something that is incomplete, just finishing or about to change. The Past and Present Perfect Simple can
suggest the action is finished:
I'd been staring at the computer screen all evening when a solution suddenly struck me.
I've been reading 'War and Peace' again. (= I may not have finished)
I've read War and Peace again. (= I've finished)
 The Continuous can emphasise the action; the Simple focuses on the result:
What have you been doing? (= tell me about your activities)
What have you done? (= tell me the result of your activities)
 The difference between choosing Continuous or Simple may only be a matter of emphasising that something is continuing and/or temporary:
I've been waiting here for over an hour. (= emphasising that I still am)

USlNG PAST CONTINUOUS FOR PLANS

 We can use Past Continuous to talk about plans in the past:

We were meeting at 8 o'clock and I was already late.
 We use was going to to talk about plans in the past that we still haven't carried out or that we no longer intend to carry out:
I was going to phone you but I forgot.
 We can use I was thinking.. . to introduce vague future plans:
I was thinking of going to London this weekend.

USlNG PAST CONTINUOUS FOR POLITE REQUESTS

We often use Past Continuous to introduce polite requests, suggestions or inquiries so that they become more an invitation to discuss the subject than a demand
for a yes or no answer:
I was thinking - would you mind swapping seats?
I was wondering if you wanted to go out this evening.
Were you looking for anything in particular?

CONTINUOUS INFlNlTlVES
Verb and other structures that can be followed by a to-infinitive can also be followed by a Continuous infinitive to emphasise that something is still continuing or is
temporary:
It’s ridiculous for him to be driving in central Athens at his age.
Several cyclists are thought to have been taking drugs during the race.
PERFECT CONTINUOUS PASSIVE
The Perfect Continuous passive is very uncommon because it involves two forms of be:
The Botley Road has been being widened for the past six weeks.
Past continuous or simple?

PAST CONTINUOUS PAST SIMPLE

We use the past continuous for an action that we were in the middle of We use the past simple for a complete action in the past.
We were driving home (We were in the middle of our journey.) We drove home (We finished our journey.)
A light was flashing The spaceship flew away.
We do not normally use the past continuous for states We also use the past simple (not normally the continuous) for states.
NOT The spaceship was seeming ... The spaceship seemed quite big.
NOT It was having writing ... It had writing on the side
NOT I wasn't knowing ... I didn't know what it was.

It happened as I was driving

 We often use the past continuous and simple together when one (shorter) action comes in the middle of another (longer) one.
As we were driving down the hill, a strange object appeared in the sky.
While Laura was sitting in the garden, it suddenly began to rain.
You drove right past me when I was waiting for the bus.

 The appearance of the strange object comes in the middle of the longer action, the drive down the hill.
 Shorter action: An object appeared.
In the three sentences above, the past continuous comes after as, while or when (As we were driving ...).

 We can also use when before the past simple.

We were driving down the hill when a strange object appeared in the sky.
David was making lunch when the phone rang.

 But we use two past simple verbs for one action after another.
When we saw the spaceship, we stopped the car. (= We saw it and then we stopped.)

 The sun was shining

PAST CONTINUOUS PAST SIMPLE

We often use the past continuous to describe the background. We use the past simple for actions in a story,
The sun was shining. We arrived at the beach
The stars were twinkling The aliens landed quietly.

The present perfect (1)

The present perfect tells us about the past and the present.

The aircraft has landed means that the aircraft is on the ground now.

Form

The present perfect is the present tense of have + a past participle.

I/you/we/they have washed OR I/you/we/they've washed

he/she/it has washed OR he/she/it's washed

The aircraft has landed safely.

We've washed the dishes.

NEGATIVE

I/you/we/they haven't washed

he/she/it hasn't washed

The students haven't finished their exams.

QUESTION

have I/you/we/they washed?

has he/she/it washed?

Regular past participles end in ed, e.g. washed, landed, finished.

Have you opened your letter?

How many points has Matthew scored?

 Irregular forms

Some participles are irregular.

I've made a shopping list.

We've sold our car.

I've thought about it a lot.

Have you written the letter?

She hasn't drunk her coffee.

There is a present perfect of be and of have.

The weather has been awful

I've had a lovely time, thank you.

 Use

When we use the present perfect, we see things as happening in the past but having a result in the present.

We've washed the dishes. (They're clean now.)

The aircraft has landed. (It's on the ground now.)

We've eaten all the eggs. (There aren't any left.)

They've learnt the words. (They know the words.)

You've broken this watch. (It isn't working.)

The present perfect (2): just, already, yet; for and since
Just, already and yet

 We can use the present perfect with just, already and yet.
Just means 'a short time ago'.
Vicky heard about the concert not long ago.
Already means 'sooner than expected'.
They sold the tickets very quickly.
We use yet when we are expecting something to happen.
Vicky expects that Rachel will buy a ticket.

Just and already come before the past participle (heard, sold).

 Yet comes at the end of a question or a negative sentence.

We've just come back from our holiday.
I've just had an idea.
It isn't a very good party. Most people have already gone home.
My brother has already crashed his new car.
It's eleven o'clock and you haven't finished breakfast yet.
Has your course started yet?

For and since

 We can use the present perfect with for and since.

Vicky has only had that camera for three days.

Those people have been at the hotel since Friday.

I've felt really tired for a whole week now.

We've lived in Oxford since 1992.

NOT We live-here-sinee-1992. Here something began in the past and has lasted up to the present time.

 We use for to say how long this period is {for three days). We use since to say when the period began (since Friday).

 We use how long in questions.

How long has Vicky had that camera? ~ Since Thursday, I think.
How long have Trevor and Laura been married? ~ Oh, for about three years.

 We can also use the present perfect with for and since when something has stopped happening.
I haven't seen Rachel for ages. She hasn't visited us since July.
The present perfect (3): ever, this week, etc

Ever and never

Mark: Where have you been this time,

Claire? Claire: I've just come back from the States. Florida.
Mark: You get around, don't you? I've never been to Florida. Was it good?
Claire: It was OK. Not as good as Australia. I might go to Brazil next time. Have you ever been there?
Mark: No, / haven't.
 We can use ever and never with the present perfect. We use ever in questions. In Have you ever been to Brazil? the word ever means 'in your whole
life up to the present time'. Never means 'not ever'.
Have you ever played cricket? ~ No, never.
Has Andrew ever had any fun? ~ I don't think so.
I've never ridden a motor bike in my life.
You've never given me flowers before.
This is the most expensive hotel we've ever stayed in.

First time, second time, etc

 After It's/This is the first/second time, we use the present perfect.

This is the first time we've been to Scotland, so it's all new to us.
This is the second time Rachel has forgotten to give me a message.
I love this film. I think it's the fourth time I've seen it.

Today, this week, etc

 We use the present perfect with today and phrases with this, e.g. this morning, this week, this year.
We've done quite a lot of work today.
I haven't watched any television so far this week.
 Have you had a holiday this year? ~ No, not yet.
This year is the period which began in January and has lasted up to the present time

Present perfect
USES WlTH OTHER PRESENT TENSES

We use Present Perfect with other Present tenses:

 We use Present Perfect with other Present tenses: with report /comment verbs or phrases (guess, imagine, suppose, etc.):
I reckon Gloria's been held up in traffic.
Do you suppose they've forgotten they're meant to be here?
 with the phrase This is / lt's / That’s the first / second /only, etc. time ... :
This is the first time he's been late It's the only time I've ever really got angry with him.
 when an event is unusual or unique in your life (often with a superlative and ever or never):
I've never met anybody who is so absent-minded.
However, we commonly use a Past tense to refer to somebody who is dead:
Princess Diana was the most extraordinary person I've ever read about.

 when commenting on the present results of something in the past (usually with appear, seem, sound, etc.):
He sounds as if he has run all the way here.
It seems they've already decided without consulting us.

USES WlTH PAST TENSES

We use Present Perfect with Past tenses:

 to describe states or events that have continued since a time in the past (with since, ever since, etc.):

He's been a bit more careful since he had that warning.

Ever since l first heard it I've been trying to find a recording of that song.
  to describe long-term or repeated feelings and thoughts about past events:
I've often wondered why he decided to become a teacher.
I've always felt we did the wrong thing when we took her on as an assistant.

USE WlTH ANOTHER PRESENT PERFECT

We use Present Perfect with another Present Perfect:

 to describe two states that have existed since a time in the past:

Since I've known him, he's always worn the same sweater.

USE WlTH FUTURE FORMS

 In time clauses (after when, as soon as, until, bejore, etc.) we don't use will, and so the Future Perfect will have done is not possible. In these cases we use the
Present Perfect to refer to the future:

We'll continue the meeting when he's recovered his composure.

USE WlTH SlNCE AND YET

 Note the position and emphatic uses of since and yet:

There was no news this morning but we've since learned that she's in Rome.

I haven't met anyone yet who can run as fast as him. , or: I've yet to meet anyone who . . .

COMMON PHRASES

They've made it! (= They've succeeded)

I've had enough. (= I'm fed up. 1 don't want to do any more)

You've had it! (= You're in trouble)

That's torn it! (= You, we, etc. have done something that someone else will complain strongly about)

Now you've done it! (= You've done something seriously wrong)

She’s arrived. (= She's achieved fame, success, acceptance, etc. at 1st)

He's lost it. (= He's lost his patience or self-control)

You've got me there! (= Good point: I've no idea what the solution is)
Past perfect (I had done)
The past perfect simple is had + past participle (gone/seen/finished etc).

 Sometimes we talk about something that happened in the past:

Sarah arrived at the party.
This is the starting point of the story. Then, if we want to taLk about things that happened before this time, we use the past perfect (had ...):
When Sarah arrived at the party, Paul had already gone home.

When we got home last night, we found that somebody had broken into the flat.
Karen didn't want to go to the cinema with us because she'd already seen the movie.
At first I thought I'd done the right thing, but I soon realised that I'd made a big mistake.
The man sitting next to me on the plane was very nervous. He hadn't flown before. or ... He had never flown before.

 Compare the present perfect (have seen etc.) and the past perfect (had seen etc.):

Who is that woman? I've seen her before, but I can't remember where.
We aren't hungry. We've just had Lunch. I wasn't sure who she was. I'd seen her before, but I couldn't remember
The house is dirty. They haven't cleaned it for weeks. where. We weren't hungry. We'd just had lunch.
The house was dirty. They hadn't cleaned it for weeks.

 Compare the past simple (left, was etc.) and the past perfect (had left, had been etc.):

a : Was Tom there when you arrived? a : Was Tom there when you arrived?
b: Yes, but he left soon afterwards. b: No, he had already left.
Kate wasn’t at home when I phoned. Kate had just got home when I phoned.
She was at her mother's house. She had been at her mother's house.
The past perfect
It was twenty to six.

Most of the shops had just closed.

I went to the box office at lunch-time, but they had already sold all the tickets.

By 1960 most of Britain's old colonies had become independent.

 we can use the past perfect to talk about states.

I felt better by the summer, but the doctor warned me not to do too much. I'd been very ill.

The news came as no surprise to me. I'd known for some time that the factory was likely to close.

Form

The past perfect is had + a past participle.

He had enjoyed the party, OR He'd enjoyed the party.

They hadn't gone to bed until late.

Where had he put his wallet?

Present perfect and past perfect

PRESENT PERFECT (before now) PAST PERFECT (before then)

My wallet isn't here. I've left it behind. My wallet wasn't there. I'd left it behind
The match is over. United have won. The match was over. United had won.
That man looks familiar. I've seen him somewhere before. The man looked familiar. I'd seen him somewhere before.
Past perfect (I had done) and past simple(I did)
 We use the past perfect to talk about a past situation or activity that took place before another past situation or activity, or before a particular time in the
past:

 We use the past simple rather than the past perfect when we simply talk about a single activity or «event in the past:
I handed the letter to him.
Sorry we're late, we took the wrong turning.

 Notice the difference in meaning of these sentences with the past perfect and past simple:
When he stopped laughing, everyone left. (= they left after he stopped laughing)
When he stopped laughing, everyone had left. (= they left before he stopped laughing)
I got up when the phone rang. (= the phone rang and then I got up)
I had gone to bed when the phone rang. (= I went to bed and then the phone rang)

 We use the past perfect when we say what we wanted or hoped (etc.) to do, but didn't:
I had wanted to visit the gallery before I left Florence, but it's closed on Sundays.
Bill had hoped to retire at 60, but they persuaded him to stay on for a few more years.
Other verbs used like this include expect (to), mean (to), think (about + -ing).

 When we use a time expression (e.g. after, as soon as, before, by the time (that), when) to say that one event happened after another, we use
either the past simple or past perfect for the event that happened first and the past simple for the event that happened second:
After Ivan (had) finished reading, he put out the light.
When Carol (had) brushed her teeth, she went to bed.

 But to emphasise that the second event is the result of the first, we prefer the past simple for both:
She became famous after she appeared on the TV programme.
When the teacher came in, all the children stood up.

 With already and just (= a very short time before) we use the past perfect, not the past simple:
The film had already begun by the time we got to the cinema.
She had just stepped into her office when the telephone rang.
Present perfect or past simple? (1)

 We use the past simple (not the present perfect) to talk about times in the past such as yesterday, last week, in 1994, a hundred years ago.
We watched United last week, NOT We have watched United last week.
Long ago dinosaurs lived here. NOT Long ago dinosaurs have lived here.

PRESENT PERFECT PAST SIMPLE

Emma has packed her case. (So her things are in the case now.)
Mike has repaired the chair. (So it's all right now.)
The plane has just landed.
I've turned the heating on. (It's on now.)
I've dropped my calculator. (It's on the floor now.)
Emma packed her case last night. (Her things may be unpacked now.)
Mike repaired the chair. (It may be broken again now.)
The plane landed ten minutes ago.
I turned the heating on earlier, but it's off again now..
I dropped my calculator, but it seems to be OK.

I've done it. I did it yesterday.

Trevor: We've bought a new car.

Tom: Oh, have you? What sort?
Laura: An Adagio. We bought it last week.

 We often give a piece of news in the present perfect.

We've bought a new car. (The car is ours now.)

 We use the past simple. to give details or to ask for details about things such as when and where it happened.
We bought it last week,
I've found my wallet. ~ Oh, good. Where did you find it?
 Your parcel has arrived. The postman brought it at eight o'clock.
They've closed the factory. ~ Really? When did they do that?

Structures with for, since and last

PRESENT PERFECT PAST SIMPLE

We can say that something hasn't happened for a long time or since a We can say that it is a long time since something happened or when was
specific time in the past the last time it happened.

We haven't had a party for ages. It's ages since we last had a party.
We haven't had a party since Christmas. Christmas was the last time we had a party.

Present perfect or past simple? (2)

PRESENT PERFECT PAST SIMPLE
We use the present perfect for a state which has gone on up to the present. We use the past simple for a state in the past, in a period which is finished.
(David is still in hospital.) (David's stay in hospital is over.)
We've lived here for ten years. (And we still live here.) We lived there for ten years. (We don't live there now.)

Have you (ever)...? and Did you (ever)...?

PRESENT PERFECT PAST SIMPLE

We use the present perfect for actions in a period of time up to the
present.
This young director has made four films so far. He has made films means
that it is possible he will make more films.
Have you ever been to America? ~ Yes, twice.
I've played table tennis before.
We've never had any money.
We use the past simple for actions in the past, a period which is finished
The director made many films in his long career. He made films means
that his career in films is over. He won't make any more.
Did Churchill ever go to America? ~ Yes, I think so.
I played table tennis at college.
We never had any money in those days.

Today, this week, etc

 PRESENT PERFECT PAST SIMPLE.
We use today and phrases with this for a period up to the present. We use yesterday and phrases with last for a past period
It hasn't rained today. It rained yesterday.
Have you seen this week's magazine? Did you see last week's magazine?
But sometimes today etc can mean a past period. Compare:
I haven't seen Rachel today. I didn't see Sarah at work today.
(It's still daytime.) (The working day is over.)
Has the post come this morning? Did the post come this morning
(It's still morning.) (It's later in the day.)?

Other Perfect forms

PAST PERFECT

Not always necessary

Past Perfect emphasises that we are talking about a period before a time in the past. If the time sequence is clear (e.g. because we use after), both Past Simple and Past
Perfect are possible. At other times Past Perfect is essential to understanding the sequence, and we often add already, as soon as, or until:

I got to work after Sirnon arrived / had arrived.

When I arrived, they'd already started. (= they started before 1 arrived)

When I arrived, they started. (= I arrived before they started)

With definite time

Unlike Present Perfect, we can use Past Perfect with a definite time reference:

I arrived at nine o'clock but he had got there at eight.

With before

There is one exception to the time sequence rules on Past Perfect. When we use before, the verb in Past Simple can refer to something that takes place before the verb in
Past Perfect. The first action may prevent the second from happening:

The waiter took my plate away before I'd finished eating.

I was blamed for it before I'd even had a chance to defend myself:

Unfulfilled plans

We use Past Perfect with report verbs and with hope, intend, expect, etc. to talk about plans that have not yet been fulfilled. Had is usually stressed in speech with this use:
I had hoped to talk to him but he was too busy to listen.

I had thought of phoning him but decided against it.

FUTURE PERFECT

With by We can ofien use Future Perfect with the preposition by or the phrase by the time meaning 'at some point before the time mentioned or indicated': 1tS taking her
so long to write that book that by the time she'sfinished it people will have forgotten the incident it's based on.

Predicting

 We can also use will have done to say.what we think has probably happened:

There's no point phoning: they'll have gone out.

 We can use should/ought to or rnay 1 rnight instead of will if there is some uncertainty about the prediction of present or future:

I should have finished making this cake by the time Sue comes home. (= i think I will have, but I'm not sure.)

USES OF PERFECT INFlNlTlVES

We use Perfect infinitives:

after link verbs like seem and appear to refer to a previous time period (an ordinary to-infinitive will usually refer to the present or future):

There seems to have been some sort of mistake.

 after phrases expressing emotions and feelings:

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

She was felt not to have met the standards required.

PERFECT -1NG FORMS

When talking about results and time, we can use a Perfect -ing form to emphasise that one thing happens before another:

I didn't remember having met her before.

Having finally grasped what i meant, he got down to work.

 Perfect passives can sometimes be confusing because we use both be (= passive) and have (= Perfect) as auxiliaries:

The refugees have been prevented from entering the country.

This picture is thought to have been painted by a pupil of Rembrandt's.

Past perfect continuous(I had been doing)
When the boys came into the house, their clothes were dirty, their hair was untidy and one of them had a black eye. They'd been fighting.

I was very tired when I got home. I'd been working hard all day.

When I went to Madrid a few years ago, I stayed with a friend of mine. She hadn't been living there very long, but she knew the city very well.

 You can say that something had been happening for a period of time before something else happened:
We'd been playing tennis for about half an hour when it started to rain heavily. .
Paul went to the doctor last Friday. He hadn't been feeling well for some time.

 Compare have been -ing (presentperfect continuous) and had been -ing (past perfect continuous):

I hope the bus comes soon. I've been waiting for 20 minutes, (before now)
At last the bus came. I'd been waiting for 20 minutes, (before the bus
James is out of breath. He has been running.
came)
James was out of breath. He had been running.

 Compare was -ing (past continuous) and had been -ing:

It wasn't raining when we went out. The sun was shining. But it had been raining, so the ground was wet.
Katherine was sitting in an armchair resting. She was tired because she'd been working very hard.
 Some verbs (for example, know and like) are not normally used in the continuous:
We were good friends. We had known each other for years. (not had been knowing)
I was surprised when Lisa cut her hair. She'd had long hair since I first met her. (not she'd been having)
The past perfect continuous
Form

The past perfect continuous is had been + an ing-form.

I had been waiting ages, OR I'd been waiting ages.

I had not been paying attention, OR I hadn't been paying attention.

Was the ground wet?

Had it been raining?

I had been doing or I had done?

OVER A PERIOD (had been doing) COMPLETE (had done)

I found the calculator.
I'd been looking for it for ages.
Vicky felt tired because she'd been working all day.
We are thinking of Vicky's work going on as she got tired.
 We normally use the continuous with a phrase saying how long.
When the company went bankrupt, it had been losing money for months.
 We do not normally use the past perfect continuous for states.
NOT He had been-seeming unwell
I finally bought a new calculator.
I'd looked everywhere for the old one.
Vicky felt pleased because she'd done so much work.
We are thinking of Vicky's work as complete.
 We normally use the simple form with a phrase saying how
much/many. When the company went bankrupt, it had lost over a
million pounds.
 We also use the past perfect simple for states.
The old man had seemed unwell for some time before he died

Comparison with other continuous forms

 Compare the present perfect continuous (has/have been doing) and the past perfect continuous.

Vicky looks very upset. I think she's been crying.

Vicky looked very upset. I thought she'd been crying.

 Compare the past continuous (was doing) and the past perfect continuous.

When I phoned, Natasha was having a piano lesson. (I phoned during the lesson.)

When I phoned, Natasha had been having a piano lesson. (I phoned after the lesson.)
The present perfect continuous
 We use the present perfect continuous for an action (waiting). The action happens over a period of time (for twenty minutes). Here the period lasts up
to the present - they are still waiting now.

Form

The present perfect continuous is the present tense of have + been + an ing-form.
I/you/we/they have been waiting OR I/you/we/they've been waiting
he/she/it has been waiting OR he/she/it's been waiting
We've been standing here for ages.
It has been raining all day.
NEGATIVE
he/she/it hasn't been waiting
I/you/we/they haven't been waiting
Our team hasn't been doing very well lately
QUESTION
have I/you/we/they been waiting?
has he/she/it been waiting?
Have you been waiting long?

Use

We use the present perfect continuous for an action over a period of time leading up to the present. In these examples the action is still going on.
We've been waiting here for twenty minutes. (We're waiting now.)
Listen. That burglar alarm has been ringing since eight o'clock this morning.
 We must use the perfect in these situations.
NOT We wait here for twenty minutes OR We're waiting-here for twenty-minutes.
 We can use the present perfect continuous to talk about repeated actions up to now.
Natasha has been playing the piano since she was four.
 We can also use it to talk about an action which ends just before the present.
I've been swimming. That's why my hair is wet.
For, since, how long and recently

We can use the present perfect continuous with for and since (see Unit 121).
My sister has been staying with me for three weeks now.
You've been playing on that computer since seven o'clock.
 We use how long in questions.
How long have you been waiting?
 Note also recently and lately. These both mean 'in the last few days or weeks'.
I haven't been feeling very well recently. What have you been doing lately?

Present perfect continuous or simple?

I have been doing or I have done?

We use the present perfect continuous for an action happening over a We use the present perfect simple for a complete action .
period of time. Mike has repaired the car
Mike has been repairing the car. We are thinking of the finished repair and the result of the repair - that the
We are thinking of Mike doing the repair and getting oil on his hands. car is all right now.
OVER A PERIOD (have been doing) COMPLETE (have done)
We've been touring Scotland. We've finished our tour of Scotland.
A strong wind has been blowing all day. The wind has blown a tree over.
Vicky is out of breath. Vicky is here at last.
She's been running. She's run all the way.
I've been writing an essay. I've written an essay.
I'm tired now I can hand it in now
We normally use the continuous form when we say how long. We normally use the simple form when we say how much/many.
Rachel has been playing music all day. Rachel has played at least twenty CDs.
I've been ironing shirts since ten o'clock. I've ironed eight shirts.
How long have you been learning to drive? How many driving lessons have you had?

 States and actions

We cannot normally use the continuous form with a state verb .
I've known the secret for a long time, NOT I've been knowing the secret.
My parents have had this car for about ten years.
We've never been very happy here, I'm afraid.
  Live and work (= have a job) can be continuous or simple, with no difference in meaning.
We've been living here since 1992. OR We've lived here since 1992.
Sarah has been working for the company for three years now. OR Sarah has worked for the company for three years now.

Past perfect continuous (I had been doing)and past perfect(I had done)

 Study these sentences with the past perfect continuous:

They had been expecting the news for some time.
She had been wearing high-heeled shoes, and her feet hurt.
Mason was arrested, even though he hadn't been doing anything illegal

 We use the past perfect continuous when we talk about a situation or activity that happened over a period up to a particular past time, or until shortly
before it.

 We use the past perfect continuous when we talk about the continuity or duration of a situation * or activity, and the past perfect to talk about the
completion of a situation or activity or its effects. Sometimes the difference between them is simply one of emphasis
I'd been working hard, so I felt that I deserved a holiday, (emphasises the activity)
 I'd worked hard, and the report was now finished, (emphasises the result)

 If we talk about how long something went on up to a particular past time, we prefer the past perfect continuous. If we talk about how many times
something happened in a period up to a particular past time, we use the past perfect:
They had been travelling for about 36 hours, (rather than They had travelled...)
We had been looking at the painting for about ten minutes before we realised who the artist was. (rather than We had looked...)
I'd heard the symphony many times before, (not I'd been hearing...)
The teacher had let them get away with their bad behaviour once too often, (not ...had been letting them...)

 However, some verbs that describe states (see Unit 2A) are not often used with continuous tenses, and we use the past perfect with these even when
we are talking about how long something went on up to a particular past time:
I had always believed that it would be easy to get a job. (not I had always been believing...)
We had owned the car for 6 months before we discovered it was stolen, (not We had been owning...)

 Compare the use of the past perfect continuous and past continuous:
When we met Simon and Pat, they had been riding. (= we met after they had finished)
When we met Simon and Pat, they were riding. (= we met while they were riding)
When I got home, water had been leaking through the roof. (= it was no longer leaking when I got there)
When I got home, water was leaking through the roof. (= it was leaking when I got there)
 Future
The future
WAYS OF REFERRING T0 THE FUTURE
  We use shall with I or we with the same meaning as will. However, it is becoming increasingly formal - its most common current use is in polite offers or to ask
advice :

Shall I open the door for you?

What shall we do now?

WlLL IN TIME CLAUSES AND IF-CLAUSES

We omit will in time clauses after when, as soon as, until, before, etc:

I'm not going to speak to her until she's apologised.

However, with conditional clauses (after $ unless, providing, etc.) we can use will, but only:

 when we want emphasis and will makes an intention or promise stronger:

lf you will insist on the best, then you must expect to pay more for it.

 in polite requests - will means 'be willing to':

If you'll hold these bags for me, I can open the door.

 We use would instead of will in reported speech and conditionals:

They promised they would work on it all weekend.
Harry asked me if I would help him out.

COMMON PHRASES

I'm (just) about to go out. (= in a very short time)

We were on the point of leaving when the bell rang.
We're due to meet in half an hour.
Introduction to the future

Verb forms used for the future

 Very often there is more than one possible form that could be used.
She'll finish college in June. She finishes college in June.
She's finishing college in June. She'll be finishing college in June.
Rachel could use any of these in her letter.

Will

 We often use will as a neutral way of expressing the future, but it is not 'the future tense'. It is only one of the forms we can use. In some situations will
is not the right word.
After college I'm going to travel around the US. Here Rachel is saying what she intends to do in the future. We cannot use will here

Being sure and unsure

 We cannot always be sure about the future. To show that we are unsure we can use might or could.
We might go to Canada.
It could snow soon.
 To show how sure or unsure we are, we often use phrases like I'm sure, definitely, I expect, I (don't) think and probably.
I'm sure it'll be all right.
We're definitely going to be at the meeting.
I expect everyone will be going home.
Rachel will probably be late.
I think I'm going to sneeze.
I don't think Tom's coming tonight.
Present tenses (i am doing / I do) for the future

 I'm doing something (tomorrow) = I have already decided and arranged to do it:
a: What are you doing on Saturday evening? (not What do you do)
b: I'm going to the theatre, (not I go)
a: What time is Katherine arriving tomorrow?
b: Half past ten. I'm meeting her at the station,
i'm not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.
Steve isn't playing football next Saturday. He's hurt his leg.

 'i'm going to (do)' is also possible in these sentences:

What are you going to do on Saturday evening?
But the present continuous is more natural when we talk about arrangements.

 Do not use will to talk about what you have arranged to do:
What are you doing this evening? (not What will you do)
Alex is getting married next month. (not will get)
  You can also use the present continuous for an action just before you begin to do it. This happens especially with verbs of movement (go/come/leave
etc.):
I'm tired. I'm going to bed now. Goodnight, (not I go to bed now)
‘Jess, are you ready yet?' 'Yes, I'm coming.' (not I come)

 Present simple (I do) with a future meaning

We use the present simple when we talk about timetables, programmes etc. (for public transport, cinemas etc.):
My train leaves at 11.30, so I need to be at the station by 11.15.
What time does the film start this evening?
It's Wednesday tomorrow. / Tomorrow is Wednesday.

 You can use the present simple to talk about people if their plans are fixed like a timetable:
I start my new job on Monday.
What time do you finish work tomorrow?
But the continuous is more usual for personal arrangements:
What time are you meeting Ann tomorrow? (not do you meet)

(I'm) going to (do)

 I am going to do something = ! have already decided to do it, I intend to do it:
‘Are you going to eat anything?’ ‘No, I'm not hungry.'
a: I hear Sarah has won some money. What is she going to do with it?
b: She's going to buy a new car.
I'm just going to make a quick phone call. Can you wait for me?
This cheese smells horrible. I'm not going to eat it.

 I am doing and I am going to do

We use I am doing (present continuous) when we say what we have arranged to do - for example, arranged to meet somebody, arranged to go
somewhere:
What time are you meeting Ann this evening?
I'm leaving tomorrow. I've got my plane ticket.

 I am going to do something = I've decided to do it (but perhaps not arranged to do it):

‘Your shoes are dirty.' ‘Yes, I know. I'm going to clean them.' (= I've decided to clean them, but I haven't arranged to clean them)
I've decided not to stay here any longer. Tomorrow I'm going to look for somewhere else to stay.
Often the difference is very small and either form is possible.
You can also say that ‘something is going to happen' in the future. For example:

Look at those black clouds! It's going to rain, (the clouds are there now)
I feel terrible. I think I’m going to be sick. (I feel terrible now)
The economic situation is bad now and things are going to get worse.

 I was going to do something = I intended to do it, but didn't do it:

We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to go by car instead.
Peter was going to do the exam, but he changed his mind.
I was just going to cross the road when somebody shouted 'Stop!'

 You can say that ‘something was going to happen' (but didn't happen):
I thought it was going to rain, but it didn't
 Present continuous (I am doing) for the future and going to
We use the present continuous and going to + infinitive to talk about future activities and events that are intended or have already been arranged:
She's making a speech at the conference next week.
Are you seeing Tony this week? (= do you have an arrangement to see him?)
I'm tired. I'm not going to work anymore tonight.
We're going to do some climbing in the Pyrenees.

 We don't use will to talk about arrangements and intentions

Apparently, the council are closing / are going to close the old library. (= reporting an arrangement) (not ...the council will close...)

 When we talk about an INTENTION to do something in the future, although no definite arrangement has been made, we prefer going to rather than
the present continuous. To emphasise that we are talking about a DEFINITE ARRANGEMENT, we prefer the present continuous. Study these
sentences:

 We don't use the present continuous for the future:

 when we make or report predictions about activities or events over which we have no control (we can't arrange these):
I think it's going to rain / 'll rain soon, (not I think it's raining soon.)
Scientists say that the satellite is going to fall / will fall to Earth sometime this afternoon. (not ...the satellite is falling...)
 when we talk about permanent future situations:
People are going to live / will live longer in the future, (not ...are living...)
The brothers are going to own / will own most of the buildings in the street before long. (not ...are owning...)
Her new house is going to have / will have three floors, (not ...is having...)

 with the verb be:

John's going to be a shepherd in the school play next week, («of John's being...)
I'm going to be in Tokyo in May. (not I'm being in Tokyo...)

 We tend to avoid going to + go and use the present continuous form of go instead:
I'm going to town on Saturday, (rather than I'm going to go to town...)
Alice is going to university next year, (rather than ...is going to go to university...)
Present simple ( I do ) for the future
 We use the present simple when we talk about future events that are part of some OFFICIAL ARRANGEMENT such as a timetable or programme:

Their plane arrives at 2 o'clock in the morning.

The next meeting of the committee is on November 5th.

We get off the train in Bristol and continue by bus.

I'm away on holiday next week. Can we meet the week after?

 We often use will + infinitive in sentences like these with little difference in meaning, although the present simple suggests that the arrangement is
fixed and definite

 We don't use the present simple when we talk about PERSONAL PLANS or PREDICTIONS. Instead L we use will, going to, or the present
continuous
I'm really exhausted. I'm just staying in to watch TV tonight, (not ...I just stay in...)
Although it is a problem only in Britain at the moment, I think it will affect the rest of Europe soon, (not ...I think it affects the rest...)
  However, we prefer the present simple if we can make a definite, specific prediction because an activity or event is part of an official arrangement such
as a timetable or programme
There is a full moon tonight.
The sun rises at 5.16 tomorrow.

 We use the present simple to refer to the future, not will, in adverbial clauses introduced by time conjunctions such as after, before, when, and until:
After you go another 50 metres, you'll see a path to your left.
When you see Dennis, tell him he still owes me some money.
Wait here until I call you.
 and in conditional clauses with if, unless, in case, and provided:
Let me know if he says anything interesting.

Provided the right software is available, I should be able to solve the problem.

I'll bring a compass in case we get lost.

 We use the present simple in that- and wh-clauses when both the main clause and the that- /wh-clause refer to the future. We don't use will in the
that- wh-clause in this kind of sentence:

 When the main clause refers to the present, we normally use will, not the present simple, in the that-lwh-clause. However, if we are talking about a
fixed arrangement we can use either will or the present simple. Compare:
I guarantee that you'll enjoy the play, (not ...you enjoy...)
It is fortunate that they arrive at the same time tomorrow, (or ...they will arrive...)

Present tenses for the future

The present continuous for arrangements
  We use the present continuous for what someone has arranged to do in the future. Here Nick has arranged to go to the match. (He has bought a
ticket.)
I'm meeting Harriet at six o'clock.
David is coming round later on.
We're having a party tomorrow.
Sarah is going to Paris next week.
 We also use the present continuous to talk about things happening now .
Present: We're having a party at the moment.
Future: We're having a party tomorrow.
Here the phrase of time shows whether we mean the present or the future. But sometimes there is no phrase of time, as when Nick says The Tigers
are playing the Kings. Here it is clear from Tom's question that the conversation is about a future event.
The present continuous for the future and be going to have similar meanings.
We're having a party next week. (We have made the arrangements.)
We're going to have a party next week. (We intend / We have decided to have one.)

 Often we can use either form.

I'm meeting/I'm going to meet Harriet at six o'clock.

The present simple for a timetable

Mark: What time does your train leave tomorrow?

Sarah: Seven twenty-three in the morning.
It gets into Paris at eleven twenty-three.
 We can use the present simple for the future when we are talking about a timetable, usually a public one such as a train timetable.
The train leaves at seven twenty-three tomorrow morning.
The match starts at half past seven.
Next Friday is the thirteenth.
I've got the tour details here. We spend three days in Rome.

 Compare the present simple for repeated actions .

The train leaves at seven twenty-three every morning.

Be to and be about to

 We use be to for a future event that is officially arranged. It is often used in news reports.
The Queen is to visit Portugal in November.
The Student Games are to take place in Melbourne next year.
 We could also use the present continuous here.
The Queen is visiting Portugal in November.
 We use be about to for the very near future.
The plane is at the end of the runway. It is about to take off.
Do you want to say goodbye to our visitors? They're about to leave.
Future continuous (will be doing )
 We use will be + -ing (the future continuous) when we talk about an activity or event going on at a particular time or over a particular period in the
future:
Next Friday, the President will be celebrating ten years in power.
The plane will be travelling at twice the speed of sound when it passes overhead.
After the operation you won't be doing any sport for a while.
I will be saying more about that topic in my next lecture

 With the future continuous we normally mention the future time (Next Friday etc.).

 We also use the future continuous when the future activity or event is the result of a previous decision or arrangement:
He will be taking up his place at university in July, (the result of a previous decision)
She will be performing every day until the end of the month, (part of a schedule) or of a routine activity:
We'll be going to my brother's house again for Christmas, (we always go there)
I'll be seeing Tony on Tuesday. That's when we usually meet.

 Future continuous and present continuous for the future

 We can often use either the future continuous or the present continuous when we talk about planned activities or events in the future
We will be leaving / are leaving for Istanbul at 7.00 in the evening.
Professor Hodge will be giving / is giving the first presentation at the conference.

 But we prefer the present continuous to talk about surprising or unexpected activities or events:
Have you heard the news? Dr Radford is leaving! (rather than ...will be leaving.)
 Future continuous and will
Compare the use of will and the future continuous in these sentences: Future continuous and will Compare the use of will and the future continuous in
these sentences:

 When we use the future continuous, we are often referring simply to some future event or action *that has been previously arranged. However, we use
will, not the future continuous, to talk about such things as decisions that people have made, willingness to do things, inviting, promising, etc.

 You can use the future continuous rather than will or the present continuous for the future to sound particularly polite when you ask about people's
plans. For example, if you are asking about their plans because you want to ask them to do something unexpected or difficult. Compare:
Are you starting work on the room today? and
Will you be starting work on the room today? You see, I hope to use it for a meeting tomorrow.
What time are you coming to baby-sit? and
What time will you be coming to baby-sit? We have to be at the theatre by 7 o'clock.

 It is often possible to use going to be + ing rather than the future continuous to ask about plans in a particularly polite way:
Are you going to be starting work on the room today?
Will be doing
Introduction

Rachel: Would you like to come to our party tomorrow, Andrew?

Andrew: Er, thanks for the invitation, but I've got lots of work at the moment. I'll be working all day tomorrow.

Rachel: You won't be working on Saturday evening, surely. Come on, Andrew, take a break. We'll be starting at about ten o'clock.

 We can use will be + an ing-form (the future continuous) to talk about future actions. There are two different uses.

Will be doing for continuous actions

We use the future continuous for an action over a period of time. It means that at some time in the future we will be in the middle of an action.

Andrew can t go to the party. He'll be working all day tomorrow.

I'll be out at three o'clock. I'll be playing golf.

When the men leave the building, the police will be waiting for them.

What will we be doing in ten years' time, I wonder?

 Compare the past continuous, present continuous and future continuous.

Past: This time last week we were sitting on the beach.
Present: At the moment we're sitting on the beach.
Future: This time next week we'll be sitting on the beach.
  Compare will do and will be doing in these sentences.
The band will play when the President enters. (The President will enter and then the band will play.)
The band will be playing when the President enters. (The band will start playing before the President enters.)

Will be doing for single actions

 We also use will be + an ing-form for an action which will happen in the course of events because it is part of a plan or part of a schedule of future
events.
The party will be starting at ten o'clock, (part of the evening's events)
The ship will be sailing soon, (part of our journey)

 More than one form is often possible. Will or the present continuous often have a very similar meaning.

The visitors will be arriving/will arrive/are arriving later.

 We often use the future continuous for something that will happen as part of a routine.
I'll call in and see you tomorrow afternoon. I'll be passing your house. It's on my way home from work.
Trevor and Laura will be cleaning the house tomorrow. They always do it on Sunday.

 We can also use will be + an ing-form to ask about someone's plans.

Will you be going anywhere near a chemist's this morning? ~ Yes, why? ~ Could you get me some aspirin, please? ~ Yes, of course.
How long will you be using this computer? ~ You can have it in a minute.

be to + infinitive(I am to do), future perfect (I will have done), and future perfect
continuous (I will have been doing)
 Be to + infinitive
Be to + infinitive is used to talk about formal or official arrangements, formal instructions, and to give orders. It is particularly common in news reports
to talk about future events.

 We only use be to + infinitive to talk about things that can be controlled by people:
 We don't know where the meteorite is going to land, (not ...the meteorite is to land.)
I suppose we will all die eventually, (not ...we are all to die...)

 We often use be to + infinitive in //-clauses to say that something must take place first (in the main clause) before something else can take place (in
the //-clause):
if humans are to survive as a species, we must address environmental issues now.
The law needs to be revised //justice is to be done, (passive form)

 Compare the use of be to + infinitive and the present simple for the future in //-clauses:
Jones needs to improve his technique //he is to win gold at the next Olympics, and
Jones has said that he will retire from athletics //he wins gold at the next Olympics
Future perfect

 We use the future perfect to say that something will be ended, completed, or achieved by a particular point in the future
Let's hope the volcanic eruption will have finished before we arrive on the island.
Although people are now angry about what he did, I'm sure that his behaviour will soon have been forgotten. (= passive form)
By the time you get home I will have cleaned the house from top to bottom.
 Notice that we can use other modal verbs instead of will to talk about the future in a less certain way:
By the time you get home I will/may/should have cleaned the house...

 Future perfect continuous

We can use the future perfect continuous to emphasise how long something has been going on by a particular point in the future:

On Saturday, we will have been living in this house for a year.

Next year I will have been working in the company for 30 years.

 In sentences with the future perfect continuous we usually mention both the particular point in the future ('On Saturday...', 'Next year...') and the period
of time until this point ('...for a year', '...for 20 years'). Notice that we don't usually use the future perfect continuous with verbs describing states
Next month I will have known Derek for 20 years, (not ...will have been knowing...)

The future seen from the past (was going to , etc. )

 There are a number of ways of talking about an activity or event that was in the future at a particular point in the past. In order to express this idea, we
can use the past tenses of the verb forms we would normally use to talk about the future (will - would, is going to - was going to, is leaving - was
leaving, is to talk - was to talk, etc.). Compare the following sentences:

 The context in which these forms are used will often indicate whether the activity or event did or did not happen, although in some cases we may not
know whether the activity or event happened or not. Compare:
I was seeing Jim later that day, but I had to phone and cancel. (= I didn't see Jim)
I didn't phone to break the news to him because we were seeing each other later. He was very upset when I told him. (= we saw each other)
They left the house at 6.00 am and would reach Edinburgh some 12 hours later. (= they reached Edinburgh)
He was sure that the medical tests would show that he was healthy. (= we don't know whether he was healthy or not)

 Compare was/were to + infinitive and was/were to have + past participle used to talk about an activity or event that was in the future at a particular
point in the past:

At the time she was probably the best actor in the theatre company, but in fact some of her colleagues were to become much better known.

He was to find out years later that the car he had bought was stolen.

I was to have helped with the performance, but I got flu the day before.

There was to have been a ban on smoking in restaurants, but restaurant owners have forced the council to reconsider.

 When we use was/were to + infinitive we are talking about something that did actually happen.

 When we use was/were to have + past participle we are talking about something that had been arranged, but did not happen.
Will have done and was going to
 We use will have + a past participle (the future perfect) for something that will be over in the future.

Sarah is thinking of a future time (half past eight). At half past eight she will be able to say 'I have finished'.
I like looking at these pictures, but I'll have had enough by lunch-time.
Trevor and Laura will have lived here for four years next April.
This chess game is going to last ages. They won't have finished it until midnight.
Will you have read this book by the time it's due back to the library? ~ Yes.
I'll have finished it by then.

 We often use the future perfect with expressions of time such as by lunch-time, until midnight, before then, by the time you have to take it back

Was going to

 We can use be going to in the past tense to express an intention in the past.

Trevor intended to put the shelves up yesterday. Often the intended action did not happen. In fact Trevor did not put the shelves up.

I was going to tidy the flat, but I didn't have time.

Daniel wasn't going to spend any money, but he saw a jacket he just had to buy.

The girls left early. They were going to catch the eight o'clock train.

So you went to the airport without a ticket. Where were you going to fly to?

The woman walked away just as I was going to speak to her. (just as = at the moment when)
  We can also use was going to for a prediction in the past.
I knew something was going to go wrong with the plan.
 Would has a similar meaning.
I knew something would go wrong with the plan.

Will/shall 1
 We use I'll (= I will) when we've just decided to do something. When we say I'll do something',
we announce our decision:

Oh, I've left the door open. I'll go and shut it.

'What would you like to drink?' I ‘ll have an orange juice, please.'

‘Did you phone Lucy?' ‘Oh no, I forgot. I'll phone her now.'

 You cannot use the present simple (I do / I go etc.) in these sentences:

I'll go and shut the door, (not I go and shut)

 We often use I think I'll ... and I don't think I'll ... :

I feel a bit hungry. I think I'll have something to eat.

I don't think I'll go out tonight. I'm too tired.

 In spoken English the negative of will is usually won't (= will not):

I can see you're busy, so I won't stay long.
 Do not use will to talk about what you decided before :

I'm going on holiday next Saturday, (not I'll go)

Are you working tomorrow? (not Will you work)

 We often use will in these situations:
Offering to do something
That bag looks heavy. I'll help you with it. (not I help)
Agreeing to do something
a : Can you give Tim this book?
b: Sure, I'll give it to him when I see him this afternoon.
Promising to do something
Thanks for lending me the money. I'll pay you back on Friday,
I won't tell anyone what happened. I promise.
Asking somebody to do something (Will you ... ?)
Will you please turn the music down? I'm trying to concentrate.
 You can use won't to say that somebody refuses to do something:
I've tried to give her advice, but she won't listen.
The car won't start. (= the car ‘refuses' to start)
 Shall I ... ? Shall we ... ?
Shall is used mostly in the questions shall I ... ? / shall we ... ?
We use shall I ... ? / shall we ... ? to ask somebody's opinion (especially in offers or suggestions):
Shall I open the window? (= Do you want me to open the window?)
I've got no money. What shall I do? (= What do you suggest?)
‘Shall we go?' ‘Just a minute. I'm not ready yet,'
‘Where shall we have lunch?' 'Let's go to Marino's.'

 Compare shall I ... ? and will you ... ?:

Shall I shut the door? (= Do you want me to shut it?)
Will you shut the door? (= I want you to shut it)
 Will/shall 2
 We do not use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided to do:

Diane is working next week, (not Diane will work)

Are you going to watch anything on TV this evening? (not Will you watch)

For ‘is working' and ‘Are you going to ... ?'

They’ve been away a long time. When they return, they'll find a Lot of changes here.

‘Where will you be this time next year?’ I’ll be in Japan.'

That plate is hot. If you touch it, you'll burn yourself.

Tom won't pass the exam. He hasn't studied hard enough.

Anna looks completely different now. You won't recognise her. L

When will you get your exam results?

 We often use will ('ll) with:

 After I hope, we generally use the present (will is also possible):

I hope Kate passes the exam, (or I hope Kate will pass ...)
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.

 Generally we use will to talk about the future, but sometimes we use will to talk about now.
For example:
Don't phone Ann now. She'll be busy. (= she'll be busy now)
 I shall ... / we shall...
Normally we use shall only with I and we. You can say:
I shall or I will (I'll) we shall or we will (we'll)
I shall be late this evening, (or I will be)
We shall probably go to France in June, (or We will probably go)
 In spoken English we normally use I'll and we'll:
We'll probably go to France.
 The negative of shall is shall not or shan't:
I shan't be here tomorrow, (or I won't be)
 Do not use shall with he/she/it/you/they:
She will be very angry, (not She shall be)
Will and shall
 We use will to say what we know or think about the future. Will here has a neutral meaning. It does not express the idea that we have already decided
to do something or that we are planning something.

Will for instant decisions

 We also use will for an instant decision, when we decide on something or agree to do it more or less at the moment of speaking.
I'm thirsty. I think I'll make some tea. NOT l make some-tea.
You've left your computer on. ~ Oh, I'll go and switch it off.
We must celebrate. I know, we'll have a party.
I don't think I'll do any work tonight.
I'm too tired.

 We also use it to order things.

I'll have the ham salad, please.

 We also use will in offers and invitations .

Offer: I'll peel the potatoes. ~ Oh, thank you.
Invitation: Will you come to lunch? ~ Yes, thank you. I'd love to.
Promise: I'll pay you back next week.

The form of will

The form is will or 'll.

The west will have rain tomorrow.

You'll be late if you don't hurry.

Will you be at home this evening?

The world will end in the year 2050.

 The negative is will not or won't.

The cost will not be more than £50.

I won't have time for a meal.

Shall
  We can use shall for the future, but only in the first person, after I or we.
I will be/I shall be on holiday in August.
We will know/We shall know the results soon.
But NOT Everyone shall know the results-seen.
I will and I shall have the same meaning here, but shall is a little formal. Both I will and I shall can be shortened to I'll, which is pronounced /ail/.
I'll be on holiday in August. (= I will OR I shall)
 Shall has other meanings. We can use it in offers and suggestions.
Offer: Shall I pack up your shopping for you? ~ Oh, thank you.
Suggestion: Shall we all go out together? ~ Good idea.
 We do not use shall in American English

I will and I'm going to

  Compare:

'Gary phoned while you were out.' ‘OK. I'll call him back.'

'Gary phoned while you were out.’ 'Yes, I know. I'm going to call him back.'

'Anna is in hospital.' 'Oh really? I didn't know. I'll go and visit her.'

‘Anna is in hospital.' ‘Yes, I know. I'm going to visit her this evening.'

 Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

We use both will and going to to predict future happenings and situations. So you can say:

I think the weather will be nice later, or

I think the weather is going to be nice later.

Those shoes are well-made. They'll last a long time, or

Those shoes are well-made. They're going to last a long time.

 When we say something is going to happen, we know this from the situation now. What is happening now shows that something is going to happen
in the future. For example:

Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain, (not It will rain)

(We can see that it is going to rain from the clouds that are in the sky now.)

I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick, (not I think I'll be sick)

(I think I'm going to be sick because I feel terrible now.)

 Do not use will in this type of situation.

 Will and going to ; shall
 Will + infinitive and going to + infinitive are commonly used to talk about the future. Sometimes the difference between them is very small:
John'll / John's going to meet us in the restaurant at 8 o'clock.
Will you / Are you going to come back this evening?
However, going to is preferred in spoken English (where it is often pronounced /дэпэ/) and will is preferred in formal written English.

 We use going to rather than will when we PREDICT that something will happen in the future because we have some evidence for it now. It may be
that we predict an event that is just about to happen on the basis of something that we feel, see (etc.) now:
'What's that matter with her?' 'She thinks she's going to faint.'
or it may be that we can predict an event because we have been told that it will happen:
Did you know that Bob and Kath are going to get married?
 However, if we make a prediction based on our opinion or our past experience we use will:
Why not come over at the weekend? The children will enjoy seeing you again.
I imagine the stadium will be full for the match on Saturday.
 When we talk about INTENTIONS or DECISIONS about the future that were made some time before we report them, we prefer going to or the
present continuous
'Who's arranging the party?' 'Jo's going to do it.' (- this has been planned)
Toni told me that she's going to move back to Spain. (= reporting an intention)
 However, notice that in a formal style, we use will rather than going to to talk about future events that have been previously arranged in some detail:
The meeting will begin at 10.00 am.
Coffee will be available from 9.30 onwards.
When we state a decision made at the moment of speaking, we prefer will:
'Is that the phone?"Don't worry. I'll get it.'
It's late. I think I'll go to bed now.
 We can use will or going to with little difference in meaning in the main clause of an if-sentence when we say that something (often something
negative) is conditional on something else - it will happen if something else happens first:
If we go on like this, we'll / we're going to lose all our money.
You'll / You're going to knock that glass over (if you're not more careful).
  However, we use will (or another auxiliary), not going to, when we describe a future event that follows another. Often 'if' has a meaning similar to
'when' in this kind of sentence:
If you look carefully, you'll (or can) find writing scratched on the glass.
If you move to your left, you'll (or may) be able to see the church.

 We can use shall (or shan't) instead of will (or won't) in statements about the future with I and we, although it is more common to use will/won't:
When I retire, I shall/will have more time for my painting.
The stronger we are, the more we shall/will be able to help others.

 In current English we don't use shall/shan't with other subjects (it, she, they, etc.) when we talk ' about the future.

Will and be going to

WILL BE GOING TO
Will has a neutral meaning. We use it to talk about facts in the future. We use be going to for an intention, something we have already decided to
do.
I'll be twenty next Friday. We're going to have a meal.
The spacecraft will come down in the Pacific Ocean tomorrow morning. Tom is going to sell his car.

 Will does not express an intention.

It's her birthday.
She's going to have a meal with her friends, NOT She'll have a meal.

 But we often use be going to for an intention and will for the details and comments.
We're all going to have a meal.
There'll be about ten of us. ~ Oh, that'll be nice.

 As well as be going to, we can use the present continuous .

We're going to drive/We're driving down to the South of France. ~ That'll be a long journey. Yes, it'll take two days. We'll arrive on Sunday.

Decisions and intentions

WILL.
We use will for an instant decision or agreement to do something.
There's a postbox over there I'll post these letters.
You still haven't put those shelves up, Trevor. ~ OK, I'll do it tomorrow.
Trevor is deciding now.
BE GOING. TO
Be going to means that we have already decided.
I'm going out. I'm going to post these letters .
You still haven't put those shelves up, Trevor. ~ I know. I'm going to do it
tomorrow. Trevor has already decided.

Predictions

WILL BE GOING TO
We can use will for a prediction about the future. We use be going to for a prediction when we see from the present situation
what is going to happen in the future.
I think United will win the game. There isn't a cloud in the sky. lt's going to be a lovely day.
One day people will travel to Mars. This bag isn't very strong. It's going to break.

 It is often possible to use either form in a prediction. For example, we can also say I think United are going to win the game. Usually be going to is a
little more informal and conversational than will.
 Will be doing and will have done

 I will be doing something (future continuous) = ! will be in the middle of doing it:

This time next week I'll be on holiday. I'll be lying on the beach or swimming in the sea.

You have no chance of getting the job. You'll be wasting your time if you apply for it.

 Compare will be (do)ing and will (do):

Don't phone between 7 and 8 . We'll be having dinner.

Let's wait for Liz to arrive and then we'll have dinner.

 Compare will be -ing with other continuous forms:

At 10 o'clock yesterday, Sally was in her office. She was working, (past)

It's 10 o'clock now. She is in her office. She is working, (present)

At 10 o'clock tomorrow, she will be in her office. She will be working.

 We also use will be -ing to talk about complete actions in the For example:
The government will be making a statement about the crisis later today.
Will you be going away this summer? :
Later in the programme, I'll be talking to the Minister of Education ...
Our best player is injured and won't be playing in the game on Saturday.
In these examples will be -ing is similar to (be) going to ... .

 We use will have (done) (future perfect) to say that something will already be complete before a time in the future. For example:
Sally always leaves for work at 8.30 in the morning. She won't be at home at 9 o'clock - she'll have gone to work.
We're late. The film will already have started by the time we get to the cinema.

 Compare will have (done) with other perfect forms:

Ted and Amy have been married for 24 years, (present perfect)
Next year they will have been married for 25 years.
When their son was born, they had been married for three years, (past perfect)
When I do / When I've done When and if

' We’ll go out when it stops raining, (not when it will stop)
When you are in London again, come and see us. (not When you will be)
(said to a child) What do you want to be when you grow up? (not will grow)

 The same thing happens after while / before / after / as soon as / until or till:
What are you going to do while I'm away? (not while I will be)
I'll probably go back home on Sunday. Before I go, I'd like to visit the museum.
Wait here until (or till) I come back.

 You can also use the present perfect (have done) after when / after / until / as soon as:
Can I borrow that book when you've finished with it?
Don't say anything while Ian is here. Wait until he has gone.

 If you use the present perfect, one thing must be complete before the other (so the two things do not happen together):
 When I've phoned Kate, we can have dinner. (= First I'll phone Kate and after that we can have dinner.)

 Do not use the present perfect if the two things happen together:
When I phone Kate, I'll ask her about the party, (not When I've phoned)
 It is often possible to use either the present simple or the present perfect:
I'll come as soon as I finish. . Or I'll come as soon as I’ve finished.
You'll feel better after you have something to eat. or You'll feel better after you've had something to eat
 After if, we normally use the present simple (if I do / if I see etc.) for the future:
It's raining hard. We'll get wet if we go out. (not if we will go)
I'll be angry if it happens again, (not if it will happen)
Hurry up! If we don't hurry, we'll be late.
 When and if
We use when for things which are sure to happen:
I'm going out later, (for sure) When I go out, I'll get some bread.
 We use if (not when) for things that will possibly happen:
I might go out later, (it's possible) If I go out, I'll get some bread.
If it is raining this evening, I won't go out. (not When it is raining)
Don't worry if I'm late tonight, (not when I'm late)
If they don’t come soon, I'm not going to wait, (not When they don't come)
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