Pintar Berbahasa Inggris

Oleh : Rigar Tabah Primadana

Form of Tense
Bentuk-bentuk
kalimat
Untuk kalangan sendiri
2012
1. Simple Present
FORM
[VERB] + s/es in third person
Examples:
You speak English.
Do you speak English?
You do not speak English.
USE 1 Repeated Actions
Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual.
The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or
something that oten happens. !t can also be something a person oten orgets or
usually does not do.
Examples:
! play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at " #$.
The train does not leave at % #$.
&hen does the train usually leave?
She al'ays forets her purse.
(e never forets his 'allet.
Every t'elve months, the Earth !ir!les the Sun.
Does the Sun !ir!le the Earth?
USE 2 Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Present can also indicate the spea)er believes that a act 'as true
beore, is true no', and 'ill be true in the uture. !t is not important i the
spea)er is correct about the act. !t is also used to ma)e generali*ations about
people or things.
Examples:
+ats like mil).
,irds do not like mil).
Do pigs like mil)?
+aliornia is in #merica.
+aliornia is not in the United -ingdom.
&indo's are made o glass.
&indo's are not made o 'ood.
.e' Yor) is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.
USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future
Spea)ers occasionally use Simple Present to tal) about scheduled events in the
near uture. This is most commonly done 'hen tal)ing about public
transportation, but it can be used 'ith other scheduled events as 'ell.
Examples:
The train leaves tonight at / P$.
The bus does not arrive at 00 #$, it arrives at 00 P$.
&hen do 'e "oard the plane?
The party starts at " o1cloc).
&hen does class "ein tomorro'?
USE 4 Now (Non-ontinuous !er"s#
Spea)ers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is
happening or is not happening no'. This can only be done 'ith .on2
+ontinuous 3erbs and certain $ixed 3erbs.
Examples:
! am here no'.
She is not here no'.
(e needs help right no'.
(e does not need help no'.
(e has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport 'ith you?
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays,
only, never, ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You only spea) English.
5o you only spea) English?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
6nce a 'ee), Tom !leans the car. Active
6nce a 'ee), the car is !leaned by Tom. Passive
#. Present $ontin%o%s
FORM
7am8is8are 9 present participle:
Examples:
You are &at!hin T3.
're you &at!hin T3?
You are not &at!hin T3
USE , Now
Use the Present +ontinuous 'ith .ormal 3erbs to express the idea that something is
happening no', at this very moment. !t can also be used to sho' that something is not
happening no'.
Examples:
You are learnin English no'.
You are not s&immin no'.
're you sleepin?
! am sittin.
! am not standin.
(s he sittin or standin?
They are readin their boo)s.
They are not &at!hin television.
&hat are you doin?
&hy aren)t you doin your home'or)?
USE 2 (on-er $ctions in 'ro-ress Now
!n English, ;no'; can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century,
and so on. Sometimes, 'e use the Present +ontinuous to say that 'e are in the process
o doing a longer action 'hich is in progress< ho'ever, 'e might not be doing it at
this exact second.
Examples: =#ll o these sentences can be said 'hile eating dinner in a restaurant.>
! am st%dyin to become a doctor.
! am not st%dyin to become a dentist.
! am readin the boo) Tom Sawyer.
! am not readin any boo)s right no'.
're you &orkin on any special pro4ects at 'or)?
'ren)t you tea!hin at the university no'?
USE 3 Near Future
Sometimes, spea)ers use the Present +ontinuous to indicate that something 'ill or
'ill not happen in the near uture.
Examples:
! am meetin some riends ater 'or).
! am not oin to the party tonight.
(s he visitin his parents next 'ee)end?
(sn)t he !omin 'ith us tonight?
USE 4 Re.etition and *rritation with /$lwa0s/
The Present +ontinuous 'ith 'ords such as ;al'ays; or ;constantly; expresses the
idea that something irritating or shoc)ing oten happens. .otice that the meaning is
li)e Simple Present, but 'ith negative emotion. ?emember to put the 'ords ;al'ays;
or ;constantly; bet'een ;be; and ;verb9ing.;
Examples:
She is al&ays !omin to class late.
(e is !onstantly talkin. ! 'ish he 'ould shut up.
! don1t li)e them because they are al&ays !omplainin.
REMEM&ER Non-ontinuous !er"s+ Mi1ed !er"s
!t is important to remember that .on2+ontinuous 3erbs cannot be used in any
continuous tenses. #lso, certain non2continuous meanings or $ixed 3erbs cannot be
used in continuous tenses. !nstead o using Present +ontinuous 'ith these verbs, you
must use Simple Present.
Examples:
She is lovin this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only,
never, ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You are still 'atching T3.
#re you still 'atching T3?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
?ight no', Tom is &ritin the letter. Active
?ight no', the letter is "ein &ritten by Tom. Passive
*. Present Perfe!t
FORM
7has8have 9 past participle:
Examples:
You have seen that movie many times.
+ave you seen that movie many times?
You have not seen that movie many times.
USE , Uns.eci2ied )i3e &e2ore Now
&e use the Present Perect to say that an action happened at an unspeciied time
beore no'. The exact time is not important. You +#..6T use the Present Perect
'ith speciic time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last 'ee), 'hen ! 'as
a child, 'hen ! lived in @apan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. &e +#. use the
Present Perect 'ith unspeciic expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times,
several times, beore, so ar, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
! have seen that movie t'enty times.
! thin) ! have met him once beore.
There have "een many earthAua)es in +aliornia.
People have traveled to the $oon.
People have not traveled to $ars.
+ave you read the boo) yet?
.obody has ever !lim"ed that mountain.
#: +as there ever "een a 'ar in the United States?
,: Yes, there has "een a 'ar in the United States.
4ow %o 5ou $ctuall0 Use the 'resent 'er2ect6
The concept o ;unspeciied time; can be very conusing to English learners. !t is best
to associate Present Perect 'ith the ollo'ing topics:
)O'* , E1.erience
You can use the Present Perect to describe your experience. !t is li)e saying, ;! have
the experience o...; You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a
certain experience. The Present Perect is .6T used to describe a speciic event.
Examples:
! have "een to Brance.
This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France.
aybe you have been there once! or severa" times.
! have "een to Brance three times.
#ou can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
! have never "een to Brance.
This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
! thin) ! have seen that movie beore.
(e has never traveled by train.
@oan has st%died t'o oreign languages.
#: +ave you ever met him?
,: .o, ! have not met him.
)O'* 2 han-e Over )i3e
&e oten use the Present Perect to tal) about change that has happened over a period
o time.
Examples:
You have ro&n since the last time ! sa' you.
The government has "e!ome more interested in arts education.
@apanese has "e!ome one o the most popular courses at the university since
the #sian studies program 'as established.
$y English has really improved since ! moved to #ustralia.
)O'* 3 $cco3.lish3ents
&e oten use the Present Perect to list the accomplishments o individuals and
humanity. You cannot mention a speciic time.
Examples:
$an has &alked on the $oon.
6ur son has learned ho' to read.
5octors have !%red many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
)O'* 4 $n Unco3.leted $ction 5ou $re E1.ectin-
&e oten use the Present Perect to say that an action 'hich 'e expected has not
happened. Using the Present Perect suggests that 'e are still 'aiting or the action to
happen.
Examples:
@ames has not finished his home'or) yet.
Susan hasn)t mastered @apanese, but she can communicate.
,ill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn)t stopped.
)O'* 7 Multi.le $ctions at %i22erent )i3es
&e also use the Present Perect to tal) about several dierent actions 'hich have
occurred in the past at dierent times. Present Perect suggests the process is not
complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The army has atta!ked that city ive times.
! have had our Aui**es and ive tests so ar this semester.
&e have had many ma4or problems 'hile 'or)ing on this pro4ect.
She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody )no's
'hy she is sic).
)i3e E1.ressions with 'resent 'er2ect
&hen 'e use the Present Perect it means that something has happened at some point
in our lives beore no'. ?emember, the exact time the action happened is not
important.
Sometimes, 'e 'ant to limit the time 'e are loo)ing in or an experience. &e can do
this 'ith expressions such as: in the last 'ee), in the last year, this 'ee), this month,
so ar, up to no', etc.
Examples:
+ave you "een to $exico in the last year?
! have seen that movie six times in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last &eek.
She graduated rom university less than three years ago. She has &orked or
three dierent companies so far.
$y car has "roken do'n three times this &eek.
NOTICE
;Cast year; and ;in the last year; are very dierent in meaning. ;Cast year; means the
year beore no', and it is considered a speciic time 'hich reAuires Simple Past. ;!n
the last year; means rom D/E days ago until no'. !t is not considered a speciic time,
so it reAuires Present Perect.
Examples:
! &ent to $exico last year.
I went to exico in the ca"endar year before this one.
! have "een to $exico in the last year.
I have been to exico at "east once at some point between $%& days ago and
now.
USE 2 %uration Fro3 the 'ast Until Now (Non-ontinuous !er"s#
&ith .on2+ontinuous 3erbs and non2continuous uses o $ixed 3erbs, 'e use the
Present Perect to sho' that something started in the past and has continued up until
no'. ;Bor ive minutes,; ;or t'o 'ee)s,; and ;since Tuesday; are all durations 'hich
can be used 'ith the Present Perect.
Examples:
! have had a cold or t'o 'ee)s.
She has "een in England or six months.
$ary has loved chocolate since she 'as a little girl.
#lthough the above use o Present Perect is normally limited to .on2+ontinuous
3erbs and non2continuous uses o $ixed 3erbs, the 'ords ;live,; ;'or),; ;teach,;
and ;study; are sometimes used in this 'ay even though they are .6T .on2
+ontinuous 3erbs.
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only,
never, ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You have only seen that movie one time.
(ave you only seen that movie one time?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
$any tourists have visited that castle. Active
That castle has "een visited by many tourists. Passive
,. Present Perfe!t $ontin%o%s
FORM
7has8have 9 been 9 present participle:
Examples:
You have "een &aitin here or t'o hours.
+ave you "een &aitin here or t'o hours?
You have not "een &aitin here or t'o hours.
USE , %uration 2ro3 the 'ast Until Now
&e use the Present Perect +ontinuous to sho' that something started in the past and
has continued up until no'. ;Bor ive minutes,; ;or t'o 'ee)s,; and ;since Tuesday;
are all durations 'hich can be used 'ith the Present Perect +ontinuous.
Examples:
They have "een talkin or the last hour.
She has "een &orkin at that company or three years.
&hat have you "een doin or the last DF minutes?
@ames has "een tea!hin at the university since @une.
&e have "een &aitin here or over t'o hoursG
&hy has .ancy not "een takin her medicine or the last three days?
USE 2 Recentl08 (atel0
You can also use the Present Perect +ontinuous &!T(6UT a duration such as ;or
t'o 'ee)s.; &ithout the duration, the tense has a more general meaning o ;lately.;
&e oten use the 'ords ;lately; or ;recently; to emphasi*e this meaning.
Examples:
?ecently, ! have "een feelin really tired.
She has "een &at!hin too much television lately.
+ave you "een e-er!isin lately?
$ary has "een feelin a little depressed.
Cisa has not "een pra!ti!in her English.
&hat have you "een doin?
*M'OR)$N)
?emember that the Present Perect +ontinuous has the meaning o ;lately; or
;recently.; ! you use the Present Perect +ontinuous in a Auestion such as ;(ave you
been eeling alright?;, it can suggest that the person loo)s sic) or unhealthy. #
Auestion such as ;(ave you been smo)ing?; can suggest that you smell the smo)e on
the person. Using this tense in a Auestion suggests you can see, smell, hear or eel the
results o the action. !t is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.
REMEM&ER Non-ontinuous !er"s+ Mi1ed !er"s
!t is important to remember that .on2+ontinuous 3erbs cannot be used in any
continuous tenses. #lso, certain non2continuous meanings or $ixed 3erbs cannot be
used in continuous tenses. !nstead o using Present Perect +ontinuous 'ith these
verbs, you must use Present Perect.
Examples:
Sam has "een havin his car or t'o years. Not Correct
Sam has had his car or t'o years. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only,
never, ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You have only been 'aiting here or one hour.
(ave you only been 'aiting here or one hour?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
?ecently, @ohn has "een doin the 'or). Active
?ecently, the 'or) has "een "ein done by @ohn. Passive
.6TE: Present Perect +ontinuous is less commonly used in its passive orm.
.. Simple Past
FORM
73E?,9ed: or irregular verbs
Examples:
You !alled 5ebbie.
Did you !all 5ebbie?
You did not !all 5ebbie.
USE , o3.leted $ction in the 'ast
Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and inished at a speciic
time in the past. Sometimes, the spea)er may not actually mention the speciic time,
but they do have one speciic time in mind.
Examples:
! sa& a movie yesterday.
! didn)t see a play yesterday.
Cast year, ! traveled to @apan.
Cast year, ! didn)t travel to -orea.
Did you have dinner last night?
She &ashed her car.
(e didn)t &ash his car.
USE 2 $ Series o2 o3.leted $ctions
&e use the Simple Past to list a series o completed actions in the past. These actions
happen 0st, Hnd, Drd, Ith, and so on.
Examples:
! finished 'or), &alked to the beach, and fo%nd a nice place to s'im.
(e arrived rom the airport at ":FF, !he!ked into the hotel at %:FF, and met the
others at 0F:FF.
Did you add lour, po%r in the mil), and then add the eggs?
USE 3 %uration in 'ast
The Simple Past can be used 'ith a duration 'hich starts and stops in the past. #
duration is a longer action oten indicated by expressions such as: or t'o years, or
ive minutes, all day, all year, etc.
Examples:
! lived in ,ra*il or t'o years.
Shauna st%died @apanese or ive years.
They sat at the beach all day.
They did not stay at the party the entire time.
&e talked on the phone or thirty minutes.
#: (o' long did you &ait or them?
,: &e &aited or one hour.
USE 4 4a"its in the 'ast
The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit 'hich stopped in the past. !t can
have the same meaning as ;used to.; To ma)e it clear that 'e are tal)ing about a habit,
'e oten add expressions such as: al'ays, oten, usually, never, 'hen ! 'as a child,
'hen ! 'as younger, etc.
Examples:
! st%died Brench 'hen ! 'as a child.
(e played the violin.
(e didn)t play the piano.
Did you play a musical instrument 'hen you 'ere a )id?
She &orked at the movie theater ater school.
They never &ent to school, they al'ays skipped class.
USE 7 'ast Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Past can also be used to describe past acts or generali*ations 'hich are
no longer true. #s in USE I above, this use o the Simple Past is Auite similar to the
expression ;used to.;
Examples:
She &as shy as a child, but no' she is very outgoing.
(e didn)t like tomatoes beore.
Did you live in Texas 'hen you &ere a )id?
People paid much more to ma)e cell phone calls in the past.
*M'OR)$N) 9hen-lauses 4a..en First
+lauses are groups o 'ords 'hich have meaning but are oten not complete sentences. Some
clauses begin 'ith the 'ord ;'hen; such as ;'hen ! dropped my pen...; or ;'hen class
began...; These clauses are called 'hen2clauses, and they are very important. The examples
belo' contain 'hen2clauses.
Examples:
When I paid her one dollar, she answered my question.
She answered my question when I paid her one dollar.
&hen2clauses are important because they al'ays happen irst 'hen both clauses are in the
Simple Past. ,oth o the examples above mean the same thing: irst, ! paid her one dollar, and
then, she ans'ered my Auestion. !t is not important 'hether ;'hen ! paid her one dollar; is at
the beginning o the sentence or at the end o the sentence. (o'ever, the example belo' has
a dierent meaning. Birst, she ans'ered my Auestion, and then, ! paid her one dollar.
Example:
I paid her one dollar when she answered my question.
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You just called ebbie.
id you just call ebbie!
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
Tom repaired the car. Active
The car was repaired by Tom. Passive
/. Past $ontin%o%s
FORM
7'as8'ere 9 present participle:
Examples:
You &ere st%dyin 'hen she called.
0ere you st%dyin 'hen she called?
You &ere not st%dyin 'hen she called.
USE , *nterru.ted $ction in the 'ast
Use the Past +ontinuous to indicate that a longer action in the past 'as interrupted. The
interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. ?emember this can be a real
interruption or 4ust an interruption in time.
Examples:
! &as &at!hin T3 'hen she called.
&hen the phone rang, she &as &ritin a letter.
&hile 'e &ere havin the picnic, it started to rain.
&hat &ere you doin 'hen the earthAua)e started?
! &as listenin to my iPod, so ! didn1t hear the ire alarm.
You &ere not listenin to me 'hen ! told you to turn the oven o.
&hile @ohn &as sleepin last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy &as &aitin or us 'hen 'e got o the plane.
&hile ! &as &ritin the email, the computer suddenly 'ent o.
#: &hat &ere you doin 'hen you bro)e your leg?
,: ! &as sno&"oardin.
USE 2 S.eci2ic )i3e as an *nterru.tion
!n USE 0, described above, the Past +ontinuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the
Simple Past. (o'ever, you can also use a speciic time as an interruption.
Examples:
Cast night at / P$, ! &as eatin dinner.
#t midnight, 'e &ere still drivin through the desert.
Yesterday at this time, ! &as sittin at my des) at 'or).
IMPORTANT
!n the Simple Past, a speciic time is used to sho' 'hen an action began or inished. !n the
Past +ontinuous, a speciic time only interrupts the action.
Examples:
Cast night at / P$, ! ate dinner.
I started eating at % P.
Cast night at / P$, ! &as eatin dinner.
I started ear"ier' and at % P! I was in the process of eating dinner.
USE 3 'arallel $ctions
&hen you use the Past +ontinuous 'ith t'o actions in the same sentence, it expresses the
idea that both actions 'ere happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
! &as st%dyin 'hile he &as makin dinner.
&hile Ellen &as readin, Tim &as &at!hin television.
0ere you listenin 'hile he &as talkin?
! &asn)t payin attention 'hile ! &as &ritin the letter, so ! made several mista)es.
&hat &ere you doin 'hile you &ere &aitin?
Thomas &asn)t &orkin, and ! &asn)t &orkin either.
They &ere eatin dinner, dis!%ssin their plans, and havin a good time.
USE 4 $t3os.here
!n English, 'e oten use a series o parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular
time in the past.
Example:
&hen ! 'al)ed into the oice, several people &ere busily typin, some &ere talkin
on the phones, the boss &as yellin directions, and customers &ere &aitin to be
helped. 6ne customer &as yellin at a secretary and &avin his hands. 6thers &ere
!omplainin to each other about the bad service.
USE 7 Re.etition and *rritation with /$lwa0s/
The Past +ontinuous 'ith 'ords such as ;al'ays; or ;constantly; expresses the idea that
something irritating or shoc)ing oten happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the
expression ;used to; but 'ith negative emotion. ?emember to put the 'ords ;al'ays; or
;constantly; bet'een ;be; and ;verb9ing.;
Examples:
She &as al&ays !omin to class late.
(e &as !onstantly talkin. (e annoyed everyone.
! didn1t li)e them because they &ere al&ays !omplainin.
9hile vs: 9hen
+lauses are groups o 'ords 'hich have meaning, but are oten not complete sentences.
Some clauses begin 'ith the 'ord ;'hen; such as ;'hen she called; or ;'hen it bit me.;
6ther clauses begin 'ith ;'hile; such as ;'hile she 'as sleeping; and ;'hile he 'as
suring.; &hen you tal) about things in the past, ;'hen; is most oten ollo'ed by the verb
tense Simple Past, 'hereas ;'hile; is usually ollo'ed by Past +ontinuous. ;&hile;
expresses the idea o ;during that time.; Study the examples belo'. They have similar
meanings, but they emphasi*e dierent parts o the sentence.
Examples:
! 'as studying &hen she !alled.
0hile ( &as st%dyin, she called.
REMEM&ER Non-ontinuous !er"s + Mi1ed !er"s
!t is important to remember that .on2+ontinuous 3erbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. #lso, certain non2continuous meanings or $ixed 3erbs cannot be used in continuous
tenses. !nstead o using Past +ontinuous 'ith these verbs, you must use Simple Past.
Examples:
@ane &as "ein at my house 'hen you arrived. Not Correct
@ane &as at my house 'hen you arrived. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You 'ere 1%st studying 'hen she called.
&ere you 1%st studying 'hen she called?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
The salesman was helping the customer when the thie" came into the store. Active
The customer was eing helped by the salesman when the thie" came into the
store. Passive
2. Past Perfe!t
FORM
7had 9 past participle:
Examples:
You had st%died English beore you moved to .e' Yor).
+ad you st%died English beore you moved to .e' Yor)?
You had not st%died English beore you moved to .e' Yor).
USE , o3.leted $ction &e2ore So3ethin- in the 'ast
The Past Perect expresses the idea that something occurred beore another action in the past.
!t can also sho' that something happened beore a speciic time in the past.
Examples:
! had never seen such a beautiul beach beore ! 'ent to -auai.
! did not have any money because ! had lost my 'allet.
Tony )ne' !stanbul so 'ell because he had visited the city several times.
+ad Susan ever st%died Thai beore she moved to Thailand?
She only understood the movie because she had read the boo).
-ristine had never "een to an opera beore last night.
&e 'ere not able to get a hotel room because 'e had not "ooked in advance.
#: +ad you ever visited the U.S. beore your trip in HFF/?
,: Yes, ! had "een to the U.S. once beore.
USE 2 %uration &e2ore So3ethin- in the 'ast (Non-ontinuous !er"s#
&ith .on2+ontinuous 3erbs and some non2continuous uses o $ixed 3erbs, 'e use the Past
Perect to sho' that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the
past.
Examples:
&e had had that car or ten years beore it bro)e do'n.
,y the time #lex inished his studies, he had "een in Condon or over eight years.
They elt bad about selling the house because they had o&ned it or more than orty
years.
#lthough the above use o Past Perect is normally limited to .on2+ontinuous 3erbs and
non2continuous uses o $ixed 3erbs, the 'ords ;live,; ;'or),; ;teach,; and ;study; are
sometimes used in this 'ay even though they are .6T .on2+ontinuous 3erbs.
*M'OR)$N) S.eci2ic )i3es with the 'ast 'er2ect
Unli)e 'ith the Present Perect, it is possible to use speciic time 'ords or phrases 'ith the
Past Perect. #lthough this is possible, it is usually not necessary.
Example:
She had visited her @apanese relatives once in 0%%D beore she moved in 'ith them in
0%%/.
MOREO!ER
! the Past Perect action did occur at a speciic time, the Simple Past can be used instead o
the Past Perect 'hen ;beore; or ;ater; is used in the sentence. The 'ords ;beore; and
;ater; actually tell you 'hat happens irst, so the Past Perect is optional. Bor this reason,
both sentences belo' are correct.
Examples:
She had visited her @apanese relatives once in 0%%D beore she moved in 'ith them in
0%%/.
She visited her @apanese relatives once in 0%%D beore she moved in 'ith them in
0%%/.
"OWE!ER
! the Past Perect is not reerring to an action at a speciic time, Past Perect is not optional.
+ompare the examples belo'. (ere Past Perect is reerring to a lac) o experience rather
than an action at a speciic time. Bor this reason, Simple Past cannot be used.
Examples:
She never sa& a bear beore she moved to #las)a. Not Correct
She had never seen a bear beore she moved to #las)a. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You had previo%sly studied English beore you moved to .e' Yor).
(ad you previo%sly studied English beore you moved to .e' Yor)?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
Jeorge had repaired many cars beore he received his mechanic1s license. Active
$any cars had "een repaired by Jeorge beore he received his mechanic1s license.
Passive
3. Past Perfe!t $ontin%o%s
FORM
7had been 9 present participle:
Examples:
You had "een &aitin there or more than t'o hours 'hen she inally arrived.
+ad you "een &aitin there or more than t'o hours 'hen she inally arrived?
You had not "een &aitin there or more than t'o hours 'hen she inally arrived.
USE , %uration &e2ore So3ethin- in the 'ast
&e use the Past Perect +ontinuous to sho' that something started in the past and continued
up until another time in the past. ;Bor ive minutes; and ;or t'o 'ee)s; are both durations
'hich can be used 'ith the Past Perect +ontinuous. .otice that this is related to the Present
Perect +ontinuous< ho'ever, the duration does not continue until no', it stops beore
something else in the past.
Examples:
They had "een talkin or over an hour beore Tony arrived.
She had "een &orkin at that company or three years 'hen it 'ent out o business.
(o' long had you "een &aitin to get on the bus?
$i)e 'anted to sit do'n because he had "een standin all day at 'or).
@ames had "een tea!hin at the university or more than a year beore he let or
#sia.
#: (o' long had you "een st%dyin Tur)ish beore you moved to #n)ara?
,: ! had not "een st%dyin Tur)ish very long.
USE 2 ause o2 So3ethin- in the 'ast
Using the Past Perect +ontinuous beore another action in the past is a good 'ay to sho'
cause and eect.
Examples:
@ason 'as tired because he had "een 1oin.
Sam gained 'eight because he had "een overeatin.
,etty ailed the inal test because she had not "een attendin class.
'ast ontinuous vs: 'ast 'er2ect ontinuous
! you do not include a duration such as ;or ive minutes,; ;or t'o 'ee)s; or ;since Briday,;
many English spea)ers choose to use the Past +ontinuous rather than the Past Perect
+ontinuous. ,e careul because this can change the meaning o the sentence. Past +ontinuous
emphasi*es interrupted actions, 'hereas Past Perect +ontinuous emphasi*es a duration o
time beore something in the past. Study the examples belo' to understand the dierence.
Examples:
(e 'as tired because he &as e-er!isin so hard.
This sentence emphasi(es that he was tired because he was exercising at that exact
moment.
(e 'as tired because he had "een e-er!isin so hard.
This sentence emphasi(es that he was tired because he had been exercising over a
period of time. It is possib"e that he was sti"" exercising at that moment )* that he
had +ust finished.
REMEM&ER Non-ontinuous !er"s + Mi1ed !er"s
!t is important to remember that .on2+ontinuous 3erbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. #lso, certain non2continuous meanings or $ixed 3erbs cannot be used in continuous
tenses. !nstead o using Past Perect +ontinuous 'ith these verbs, you must use Past Perect.
Examples:
The motorcycle had "een "elonin to Jeorge or years beore Tina bought it. Not
Correct
The motorcycle had "eloned to Jeorge or years beore Tina bought it. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You had only been 'aiting there or a e' minutes 'hen she arrived.
(ad you only been 'aiting there or a e' minutes 'hen she arrived?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
+he @ones had "een preparin the restaurant1s antastic dinners or t'o years beore
he moved to Paris. Active
The restaurant1s antastic dinners had "een "ein prepared by +he @ones or t'o
years beore he moved to Paris. Passive
.6TE: Passive orms o the Past Perect +ontinuous are not common.
4. 5%t%re 6ense
Simple Buture has t'o dierent orms in English: ;'ill; and ;be going to.; #lthough the t'o
orms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they oten express t'o very dierent
meanings. These dierent meanings might seem too abstract at irst, but 'ith time and
practice, the dierences 'ill become clear. ,oth ;'ill; and ;be going to; reer to a speciic
time in the uture.
FORM 9ill
7'ill 9 verb:
Examples:
You &ill help him later.
0ill you help him later?
You &ill not help him later.
FORM &e Goin- )o
7am8is8are 9 going to 9 verb:
Examples:
You are going to meet #ane tonight.
Are you going to meet #ane tonight!
You are not going to meet #ane tonight.
USE , /9ill/ to E1.ress a !oluntar0 $ction
;&ill; oten suggests that a spea)er 'ill do something voluntarily. # voluntary action is one
the spea)er oers to do or someone else. 6ten, 'e use ;'ill; to respond to someone else1s
complaint or reAuest or help. &e also use ;'ill; 'hen 'e reAuest that someone help us or
volunteer to do something or us. Similarly, 'e use ;'ill not; or ;'on1t; 'hen 'e reuse to
voluntarily do something.
Examples:
! &ill send you the inormation 'hen ! get it.
! &ill translate the email, so $r. Smith can read it.
0ill you help me move this heavy table?
0ill you make dinner?
! &ill not do your home'or) or you.
! &on)t do all the house'or) myselG
#: !1m really hungry.
,: !)ll make some sand'iches.
#: !1m so tired. !1m about to all asleep.
,: !)ll et you some coee.
#: The phone is ringing.
,: !)ll et it.
USE 2 /9ill/ to E1.ress a 'ro3ise
;&ill; is usually used in promises.
Examples:
! &ill !all you 'hen ! arrive.
! ! am elected President o the United States, ! &ill make sure everyone has access to
inexpensive health insurance.
! promise ! &ill not tell him about the surprise party.
5on1t 'orry, !)ll "e careul.
! &on)t tell anyone your secret.
USE 3 /&e -oin- to/ to E1.ress a 'lan
;,e going to; expresses that something is a plan. !t expresses the idea that a person intends to
do something in the uture. !t does not matter 'hether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:
(e is oin to spend his vacation in (a'aii.
She is not oin to spend her vacation in (a'aii.
#: &hen are 'e oin to meet each other tonight?
,: &e are oin to meet at / P$.
!)m oin to "e an actor 'hen ! gro' up.
$ichelle is oin to "ein medical school next year.
They are oin to drive all the 'ay to #las)a.
&ho are you oin to invite to the party?
#: &ho is oin to make @ohn1s birthday ca)e?
,: Sue is oin to make @ohn1s birthday ca)e.
USE 4 /9ill/ or /&e Goin- to/ to E1.ress a 'rediction
,oth ;'ill; and ;be going to; can express the idea o a general prediction about the uture.
Predictions are guesses about 'hat might happen in the uture. !n ;prediction; sentences, the
sub4ect usually has little control over the uture and thereore USES 02D do not apply. !n the
ollo'ing examples, there is no dierence in meaning.
Examples:
The year HHHH &ill "e a very interesting year.
The year HHHH is oin to "e a very interesting year.
@ohn Smith &ill "e the next President.
@ohn Smith is oin to "e the next President.
The movie ;Kenith; &ill &in several #cademy #'ards.
The movie ;Kenith; is oin to &in several #cademy #'ards.
*M'OR)$N)
!n the Simple Buture, it is not al'ays clear 'hich USE the spea)er has in mind. 6ten, there
is more than one 'ay to interpret a sentence1s meaning.
No Future in )i3e lauses
Ci)e all uture orms, the Simple Buture cannot be used in clauses beginning 'ith time
expressions such as: 'hen, 'hile, beore, ater, by the time, as soon as, i, unless, etc. !nstead
o Simple Buture, Simple Present is used.
Examples:
&hen you &ill arrive tonight, 'e 'ill go out or dinner. Not Correct
&hen you arrive tonight, 'e 'ill go out or dinner. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You 'ill never help him.
&ill you ever help him?
You are never going to meet @ane.
#re you ever going to meet @ane?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
@ohn &ill finish the 'or) by E:FF P$. Active
The 'or) &ill "e finished by E:FF P$. Passive
Sally is oin to make a beautiul dinner tonight. Active
# beautiul dinner is oin to "e made by Sally tonight. Passive
17. 5%t%re $ontin%o%s
Buture +ontinuous has t'o dierent orms: ;'ill be doing ; and ;be going to be doing.;
Unli)e Simple Buture orms, Buture +ontinuous orms are usually interchangeable.
FORM Future ontinuous with /9ill/
7'ill be 9 present participle:
Examples:
You &ill "e &aitin or her 'hen her plane arrives tonight.
0ill you "e &aitin or her 'hen her plane arrives tonight?
You &ill not "e &aitin or her 'hen her plane arrives tonight.
FORM Future ontinuous with /&e Goin- )o /
7am8is8are 9 going to be 9 present participle:
Examples:
You are oin to "e &aitin or her 'hen her plane arrives tonight.
're you oin to "e &aitin or her 'hen her plane arrives tonight?
You are not oin to "e &aitin or her 'hen her plane arrives tonight.
?E$E$,E?: !t is possible to use either ;'ill; or ;be going to; to create the Buture
+ontinuous 'ith little dierence in meaning.
$omplete %ist o" &uture $ontinuous &orms
USE , *nterru.ted $ction in the Future
Use the Buture +ontinuous to indicate that a longer action in the uture 'ill be interrupted by
a shorter action in the uture. ?emember this can be a real interruption or 4ust an interruption
in time.
Examples:
! &ill "e &at!hin T3 'hen she arrives tonight.
! &ill "e &aitin or you 'hen your bus arrives.
! am oin to "e stayin at the $adison (otel, i anything happens and you need to
contact me.
(e &ill "e st%dyin at the library tonight, so he 'ill not see @ennier 'hen she
arrives.
.otice in the examples above that the interruptions =mar,ed in ita"ics> are in Simple Present
rather than Simple Buture. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you
cannot use uture tenses in time clauses.
USE 2 S.eci2ic )i3e as an *nterru.tion in the Future
!n USE 0, described above, the Buture +ontinuous is interrupted by a short action in the
uture. !n addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a speciic time as
an interruption.
Examples:
Tonight at / P$, ! am oin to "e eatin dinner.
I wi"" be in the process of eating dinner.
#t midnight tonight, 'e &ill still "e drivin through the desert.
-e wi"" be in the process of driving through the desert.
REMEM#ER
!n the Simple Buture, a speciic time is used to sho' the time an action 'ill begin or end. !n
the Buture +ontinuous, a speciic time interrupts the action.
Examples:
Tonight at / P$, ! am oin to eat dinner.
I am going to start eating at % P.
Tonight at / P$, ! am oin to "e eatin dinner.
I am going to start ear"ier and I wi"" be in the process of eating dinner at % P.
USE 3 'arallel $ctions in the Future
&hen you use the Buture +ontinuous 'ith t'o actions in the same sentence, it expresses the
idea that both actions 'ill be happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
! am oin to "e st%dyin and he is oin to "e makin dinner.
Tonight, they &ill "e eatin dinner, dis!%ssin their plans, and havin a good time.
&hile Ellen is reading, Tim &ill "e &at!hin television.
Notice .is reading. because of the time c"ause containing .whi"e.. /See 0xp"anation
1e"ow2
USE 4 $t3os.here in the Future
!n English, 'e oten use a series o Parallel #ctions to describe atmosphere at a speciic point
in the uture.
Example:
&hen ! arrive at the party, everybody is oin to "e !ele"ratin. Some &ill "e
dan!in. 6thers are oin to "e talkin. # e' people &ill "e eatin pi**a, and
several people are oin to "e drinkin beer. They al'ays do the same thing.
REMEM&ER No Future in )i3e lauses
Ci)e all uture tenses, the Buture +ontinuous cannot be used in clauses beginning 'ith time
expressions such as: 'hen, 'hile, beore, ater, by the time, as soon as, i, unless, etc. !nstead
o Buture +ontinuous, Present +ontinuous is used.
Examples:
&hile ! am oin to "e finishin my home'or), she is going to ma)e dinner. Not
Correct
&hile ! am finishin my home'or), she is going to ma)e dinner. Correct
$N% REMEM&ER Non-ontinuous !er"s + Mi1ed !er"s
!t is important to remember that .on2+ontinuous 3erbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. #lso, certain non2continuous meanings or $ixed 3erbs cannot be used in continuous
tenses. !nstead o using Buture +ontinuous 'ith these verbs, you must use Simple Buture.
Examples:
@ane &ill "e "ein at my house 'hen you arrive. Not Correct
@ane &ill "e at my house 'hen you arrive. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You 'ill still be 'aiting or her 'hen her plane arrives.
&ill you still be 'aiting or her 'hen her plane arrives?
You are still going to be 'aiting or her 'hen her plane arrives.
#re you still going to be 'aiting or her 'hen her plane arrives?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
#t ":FF P$ tonight, @ohn &ill "e &ashin the dishes. Active
#t ":FF P$ tonight, the dishes &ill "e "ein &ashed by @ohn. Passive
#t ":FF P$ tonight, @ohn is oin to "e &ashin the dishes. Active
#t ":FF P$ tonight, the dishes are oin to "e "ein &ashed by @ohn. Passive
.6TE: Passive orms o the Buture +ontinuous are not common.
11. 5%t%re Perfe!t
Buture Perect has t'o dierent orms: ;'ill have done; and ;be going to have done.; Unli)e
Simple Buture orms, Buture Perect orms are usually interchangeable.
FORM Future 'er2ect with /9ill/
7'ill have 9 past participle:
Examples:
You will ha$e per%e&ted your 'nglish by the time you come bac( "rom the ).S.
Will you ha$e per%e&ted your 'nglish by the time you come bac( "rom the ).S.!
You will not ha$e per%e&ted your 'nglish by the time you come bac( "rom the ).S.
FORM Future 'er2ect with /&e Goin- )o/
7am8is8are 9 going to have 9 past participle:
Examples:
You are oin to have perfe!ted your English by the time you come bac) rom the U.S.
're you oin to have perfe!ted your English by the time you come bac) rom the U.S.?
You are not oin to have perfe!ted your English by the time you come bac) rom the U.S.
.6TE: !t is possible to use either ;'ill; or ;be going to; to create the Buture Perect 'ith
little or no dierence in meaning.
USE , o3.leted $ction &e2ore So3ethin- in the Future
The Buture Perect expresses the idea that something 'ill occur beore another action in the
uture. !t can also sho' that something 'ill happen beore a speciic time in the uture.
Examples:
,y next .ovember, ! &ill have re!eived my promotion.
,y the time he gets home, she is oin to have !leaned the entire house.
! am not oin to have finished this test by D o1cloc).
0ill she have learned enough +hinese to communicate beore she moves to ,ei4ing?
Sam is probably oin to have !ompleted the proposal by the time he "eaves this aternoon.
,y the time ! finish this course, ! &ill have taken ten tests.
(o' many countries are you oin to have visited by the time you turn EF?
.otice in the examples above that the reerence points =mar,ed in ita"ics> are in Simple
Present rather than Simple Buture. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and
you cannot use uture tenses in time clauses.
USE 2 %uration &e2ore So3ethin- in the Future (Non-ontinuous !er"s#
&ith .on2+ontinuous 3erbs and some non2continuous uses o $ixed 3erbs, 'e use the
Buture Perect to sho' that something 'ill continue up until another action in the uture.
Examples:
! &ill have "een in Condon or six months by the time ! leave.
,y $onday, Susan is oin to have had my boo) or a 'ee).
#lthough the above use o Buture Perect is normally limited to .on2+ontinuous 3erbs and
non2continuous uses o $ixed 3erbs, the 'ords ;live,; ;'or),; ;teach,; and ;study; are
sometimes used in this 'ay even though they are .6T .on2+ontinuous 3erbs.
REMEM&ER No Future in )i3e lauses
Ci)e all uture orms, the Buture Perect cannot be used in clauses beginning 'ith time
expressions such as: 'hen, 'hile, beore, ater, by the time, as soon as, i, unless, etc. !nstead
o Buture Perect, Present Perect is used.
Examples:
! am going to see a movie 'hen ! &ill have finished my home'or). Not Correct
! am going to see a movie 'hen ! have finished my home'or). Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You 'ill only have learned a e' 'ords.
&ill you only have learned a e' 'ords?
You are only going to have learned a e' 'ords.
#re you only going to have learned a e' 'ords?
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
They &ill have !ompleted the pro4ect beore the deadline. Active
The pro4ect &ill have "een !ompleted beore the deadline. Passive
They are oin to have !ompleted the pro4ect beore the deadline. Active
The pro4ect is oin to have "een !ompleted beore the deadline. Passive
1#. 5%t%re Perfe!t $ontin%o%s
Buture Perect +ontinuous has t'o dierent orms: ;'ill have been doing ; and ;be going to
have been doing.; Unli)e Simple Buture orms, Buture Perect +ontinuous orms are usually
interchangeable.
FORM Future 'er2ect ontinuous with /9ill/
7'ill have been 9 present participle:
Examples:
You will ha$e een waiting "or more than two hours when her plane "inally arri*es.
Will you ha$e een waiting "or more than two hours when her plane "inally arri*es!
You will not ha$e een waiting "or more than two hours when her plane "inally
arri*es.
FORM Future 'er2ect ontinuous with /&e Goin- )o/
7am8is8are 9 going to have been 9 present participle:
Examples:
You are going to ha$e een waiting "or more than two hours when her plane "inally
arri*es.
Are you going to ha$e een waiting "or more than two hours when her plane "inally
arri*es!
You are not going to ha$e een waiting "or more than two hours when her plane
"inally arri*es.
.6TE: !t is possible to use either ;'ill; or ;be going to; to create the Buture Perect
+ontinuous 'ith little or no dierence in meaning.
USE , %uration &e2ore So3ethin- in the Future
&e use the Buture Perect +ontinuous to sho' that something 'ill continue up until a
particular event or time in the uture. ;Bor ive minutes,; ;or t'o 'ee)s,; and ;since Briday;
are all durations 'hich can be used 'ith the Buture Perect +ontinuous. .otice that this is
related to the Present Perect +ontinuous and the Past Perect +ontinuous< ho'ever, 'ith
Buture Perect +ontinuous, the duration stops at or beore a reerence point in the uture.
Examples:
They will ha$e een tal'ing "or o*er an hour by the time Thomas arrives.
She is going to ha$e een wor'ing at that company "or three years when it "inally
closes.
#ames will ha$e een tea&hing at the uni*ersity "or more than a year by the time he
leaves "or +sia.
,ow long will you ha$e een studying when you graduate!
-e are going to ha$e een dri$ing "or o*er three days straight when we get to
+nchorage.
+: -hen you finish your 'nglish course, will you ha$e een li$ing in .ew /ealand
"or o*er a year!
0: .o, I will not ha$e een li$ing here that long.
.otice in the examples above that the reerence points =mar,ed in ita"ics> are in Simple
Present rather than Simple Buture. This is because these uture events are in time clauses, and
you cannot use uture tenses in time clauses.
USE 2 ause o2 So3ethin- in the Future
Using the Buture Perect +ontinuous beore another action in the uture is a good 'ay to
sho' cause and eect.
Examples:
@ason 'ill be tired 'hen he gets home because he &ill have "een 1oin or over an hour.
+laudia1s English 'ill be perect 'hen she returns to Jermany because she is oin to have
"een st%dyin English in the United States or over t'o years.
Future ontinuous vs: Future 'er2ect ontinuous
! you do not include a duration such as ;or ive minutes,; ;or t'o 'ee)s; or ;since Briday,;
many English spea)ers choose to use the Buture +ontinuous rather than the Buture Perect
+ontinuous. ,e careul because this can change the meaning o the sentence. Buture
+ontinuous emphasi*es interrupted actions, 'hereas Buture Perect +ontinuous emphasi*es a
duration o time beore something in the uture. Study the examples belo' to understand the
dierence.
Examples:
(e 'ill be tired because he &ill "e e-er!isin so hard.
This sentence emphasi(es that he wi"" be tired because he wi"" be exercising at that
exact moment in the future.
(e 'ill be tired because he &ill have "een e-er!isin so hard.
This sentence emphasi(es that he wi"" be tired because he wi"" have been exercising
for a period of time. It is possib"e that he wi"" sti"" be exercising at that moment )*
that he wi"" +ust have finished.
REMEM&ER No Future in )i3e lauses
Ci)e all uture orms, the Buture Perect +ontinuous cannot be used in clauses beginning 'ith
time expressions such as: 'hen, 'hile, beore, ater, by the time, as soon as, i, unless, etc.
!nstead o Buture Perect +ontinuous, Present Perect +ontinuous is used.
Examples:
You won1t get a promotion until you will ha$e een wor'ing here as long as Tim.
Not Correct
You won1t get a promotion until you ha$e een wor'ing here as long as Tim.
Correct
$N% REMEM&ER Non-ontinuous !er"s + Mi1ed !er"s
!t is important to remember that .on2+ontinuous 3erbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. #lso, certain non2continuous meanings or $ixed 3erbs cannot be used in continuous
tenses. !nstead o using Buture Perect +ontinuous 'ith these verbs, you must use Buture
Perect .
Examples:
.ed &ill have "een havin his driver1s license or over t'o years. Not Correct
.ed &ill have had his driver1s license or over t'o years. Correct
$%!ER& '($EMEN)
The examples belo' sho' the placement or grammar adverbs such as: al'ays, only, never,
ever, still, 4ust, etc.
Examples:
You will only ha*e been waiting "or a "ew minutes when her plane arri*es.
-ill you only ha*e been waiting "or a "ew minutes when her plane arri*es!
You are only going to ha*e been waiting "or a "ew minutes when her plane arri*es.
+re you only going to ha*e been waiting "or a "ew minutes when her plane arri*es!
$)*!E + '$SS*!E
Examples:
The "amous artist will ha$e een painting the mural "or o*er si2 months by the time
it is "inished. Active
The mural will ha$e een eing painted by the "amous artist "or o*er si2 months by
the time it is "inished. Passive
The "amous artist is going to ha$e een painting the mural "or o*er si2 months by
the time it is "inished. Active
The mural is going to ha$e een eing painted by the "amous artist "or o*er si2
months by the time it is "inished. Passive
.6TE: Passive orms o the Buture Perect +ontinuous are not common.