Continuous tenses
We use the Present Continuous to talk about:
is/are/am + v(ing)
Ali is having a shower right now. Jana is smiling because she is happy.
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I'm playing a lot of football. He is staying with his uncle for the summer.
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We're becoming tired of the boy's lies. The amount of evidence is accumulating.
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She's always disturbing me when I'm on the phone. My parents are forever arguing about money.
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Time Expressions:
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now |
right now |
at the moment |
today/tonight |
these days |
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this week |
at present |
nowadays |
for now |
for the time being |
We use the Past Continuous to talk about:
was/were + v(ing)
This time last year I was painting my bedroom. I was still doing my homework yesterday at 8 o’clock.
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She was doing an online personality quiz when her boss walked into the room. Vicky was walking her dog in the park when she tripped.
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Time Expressions:
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While |
when |
at nine o’clock last night |
last Tuesday |
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as |
all day/week |
this time last month, |
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We use the Future Continuous:
will be + v(ing)
Six months from now we'll be studying in different cities.
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Will you be coming to the meeting after the show?
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You'll all be coming back here in one year's time.
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Time Expressions:
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This time next year |
in two year’s time |
at 5pm tomorrow |
Perfect tenses
We use the Present Perfect Simple to talk about:
has/have + v3
I've visited many European cities in my life. |
We’ve recently discovered a fabulous new restaurant. Let's go there tomorrow.
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She's been a translator for a few years.
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Adnan's published a book about horses. |
Time Expressions:
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already |
ever |
never |
For |
for a long time |
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just |
once |
recently |
since |
so far |
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twice |
four times |
until now |
Yet |
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We use the Past Perfect Simple to describe:
had + v3
It was strange because she'd bought lots of apples the night before and when she entered the kitchen there was only one.
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As soon as I'd heard the news, I went round to their house.
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Time Expressions:
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before |
after |
when |
by |
by the time |
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already |
as soon as |
until |
for |
just |
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ever |
never |
once |
since |
the previous day |
We use the Future Perfect Simple to talk about:
will have + v3
Next time I see you, you will have completely changed your eating habits!
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Time Expressions:
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by + future time (by tomorrow/ 2050) |
by the time + s + v1 |
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in two months |
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Perfect Continuous
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to focus on the continuity of:
has/have been + v(ing)
They’ve been running for more than an hour. |
I've been sending off job applications.
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Time Expressions:
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all + time |
for |
lately |
recently |
since |
How long …? |
We use the Past Perfect Continuous to talk about:
had been + v(ing)
I had been keeping quiet about my running, and then I won the race. |
Time Expressions:
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all |
for |
since |
How long … ? |
We use the Future Perfect Continuous to talk about:
will have been + v(ing)
By the end of this month we'll have been writing this book for two years. |
Time Expression:
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for + by + future time |
Mind the trap! انتبة للفخ
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Will can be used like must to make deductions. A: Why isn't she back yet? B: Don't worry. She'll have been working late. She'll have got stuck in traffic. She'll be sitting in a traffic jam. يمكن استبدال will في الأمثلة السابقة بكلمة must مع الحفاظ على نفس المعنى. |
يمكن استخدام will كاستخدام must في عمل الاستنتاجات. A: لماذا لم تعد إلى ألان؟ B: لا تقلق. من المؤكد أنها تعمل لوقت متأخر. من المؤكد أنها علقت في أزمة مرورية. من المؤكد أنها عالقة في أزمة مرورية. |