tense Affirmative/Negative/Question Use Signal Words

action in the present taking always, every ,

Simple A: He speaks. place regularly, never or several never, normally, often,
Present N: He does not speak. times seldom, sometimes,
Q: Does he speak? usually
facts
if sentences type I (If
actions taking place one I talk, )
after another
action set by a timetable or
schedule
Present A: He is speaking. action taking place in the at the moment, just,
Progressive N: He is not speaking. moment of speaking just now, Listen!,
Q: Is he speaking? Look!, now, right now
action taking place only for a
limited period of time
action arranged for the
future
Simple Past A: He spoke. action in the past taking yesterday, 2 minutes
N: He did not speak. place once, never or several ago, in 1990, the other
Q: Did he speak? times day, last Friday
if sentence type II (If
actions taking place one
I talked, )
after another
action taking place in the
middle of another action
Past A: He was speaking. action going on at a certain while, as long as
Progressive N: He was not speaking. time in the past
Q: Was he speaking?
actions taking place at the
same time
action in the past that is
interrupted by another action
Present A: He has spoken. putting emphasis on already, ever, just,
Perfect N: He has not spoken. the result never, not yet, so far,
Simple Q: Has he spoken? till now, up to now
action that is still going on
action that stopped recently
finished action that has an
influence on the present
action that has taken place
once, never or several times
before the moment of speaking
Present A: He has been speaking. putting emphasis on all day, for 4 years,
Perfect N: He has not been speaking. the course or duration (not the since 1993, how long?,
Progressive Q: Has he been speaking? result) the whole week
action that recently stopped
or is still going on
finished action that
influenced the present
Past A: He had spoken. action taking place before a already, just, never, not
Perfect N: He had not spoken. certain time in the past yet, once, until that day
Simple Q: Had he spoken? if sentence type III (If
sometimes interchangeable
I had talked, )
with past perfect progressive
putting emphasis only on
the fact (not the duration)
Past A: He had been speaking. action taking place before a for, since, the whole
Perfect N: He had not been speaking. certain time in the past day, all day
Progressive Q: Had he been speaking?
sometimes interchangeable
with past perfect simple
putting emphasis on
the duration or course of an
action
Future I A: He will speak. action in the future that in a year, next ,
Simple N: He will not speak. cannot be influenced tomorrow
 Q: Will he speak?
Future I A: He is going to speak.
Simple N: He is not going to speak.
Q: Is he going to speak?
(going to)
Future I A: He will be speaking.
Progressive N: He will not be speaking.
Q: Will he be speaking?
Future II A: He will have spoken.
Simple N: He will not have spoken.
Q: Will he have spoken?
Future II A: He will have been speaking.
Progressive N: He will not have been
speaking.
Q: Will he have been speaking?
Conditional A: He would speak.
I Simple N: He would not speak.
Q: Would he speak?
Conditional A: He would be speaking.
I N: He would not be speaking.
Progressive Q: Would he be speaking?
Conditional A: He would have spoken.
II Simple N: He would not have spoken.
Q: Would he have spoken?
Conditional A: He would have been
II speaking.
Progressive N: He would not have been
speaking.
Q: Would he have been
speaking?
spontaneous decision If-Satz Typ I (If you ask
her, she will help you.)
assumption with regard to
assumption: I think,
the future
probably, perhaps
decision made for the in one year, next week,
future tomorrow
conclusion with regard to
the future
action that is going on at a in one year, next week,
certain time in the future tomorrow
action that is sure to happen
in the near future
action that will by Monday, in a week
be finished at a certain time in
the future
action taking place before a for , the last couple
certain time in the future of hours, all day long
putting emphasis on
the course of an action
action that might take place if sentences type II
(If I were you, I would
go home.)
action that might take place
putting emphasis on
the course / duration of the
action
action that might have if sentences type III
taken place in the past (If I had seen that,
I would have helped.)
action that might have taken
place in the past
puts emphasis on
the course / duration of the
action