Present simple

For routines or regular repeated actions. We go for a walk most afternoons.

For present habits. I usually get the tram to work.

For permanent situations. They live in Mexico City.

For scientific facts. Water boils at different temperatures.

These fruits smell a bit strange. I think they might have

With stative verbs (verbs which are not normally used
gone off.
in continuous forms)
When we talk about the future as expressed in
The class starts at 7 am and it finishes at 9.
timetables, regulations or programmes.

In time clauses with a future meaning after as soon as,

I’ll call you as soon as I arrive to the airport.
if, until, when

Present continuous
Actions happening now The teacher is explaining the topic.

Changing/developing situations Carlos is losing weight.

Temporary situations He’s working as a cleaner until he can find a better job.

I’m always forgetting to charge my phone!

Annoying or surprising habits, with always

Plans and arrangements in the future. I am studying tomorrow’s night.

Present perfect simple.

To talk about states, single or repeated actions over a I’ve always dreamt of visiting New York.
long period of time up to the present. This is the second time I have travelled by plane.

To talk about recent single actions with a present result. I’ve already started making spaghetti.

To talk about an unfinished period of time up to the

Carlos has lived in Mexico for over a year already.
present.
 Present perfect continuous

To talk about a recent activity when the effects of that I’ve been crying all day.
activity can still be seen.

To emphasise how long an action has been going on for, I’ve been trying to pass my English exam,
or that it has been repeated many times.
I’ve been working on this essay for two weeks, but I
To suggest that an activity is temporary.
have to move on.

I’ve been trying to teach myself to play the piano, but it

To suggest that an action is not complete.
is difficult.

Past simple
To talk about a finished event that happened at a I spoke to my sister this morning.
specific time in the past.

To describe a sequence of finished events in I stood up, looked around and began to speak.
chronological order.

To talk about habits in the past. Did you play tennis when you were younger?

When I was a baby, I suffered from persistent

To talk about states in the past.
headaches.

In reported speech. She claimed she knew nothing about you.

Past continuous
To describe an action in progress in the past, often to
The sun was shining, and the dogs were barking.
set the scene for a particular event.

To talk about temporary situations in the past. Susan was studying architecture in the early 1970s.

To talk about an event that was in progress in the mas

I was just falling asleep when the phone rang.
and was interrupted.

To talk about actions in progress at the same time in the

While I was flying to Mexico, she was trying to call me.
past

They were trying to get married but he met someone

To talk about anticipated events that did not happen.
else.
 Past perfect
To refer to a time earlier than another past time, when By the time I got to Mexico, I had missed my connecting
this is needed to make the order of events clear. flight

In reported speech. They said they had met before.

Future forms
We use will + infinitive for predictions without
Today it will rain, I feel it in my bones.
evidence.

We use will for promises I will love you forever.

We use going to or the present continuous to talk about

plans and arrangements that have already been She’s decided she’s going to get another job.
decided.
We use going to to talk about things that are certain to
It is going to rain, I can see de dark clouds.
happen because there is evidence.

We use will/shall to talk about future actions decided at

I’ll buy that car right now!
the moment of speaking.
We use the future continuous to say that an action will
I’ll be living in my own apartment by this time next
be in progress at a definite time in the future
year.
We use the future perfect to describe something that
By the end of the month, I will have completed my
will be completed before a definite time in the future.
course.

Past perfect continuous

To talk about an action/event which was in progress before before he went travelling he had been working for two years
or up to a point in the past as a teacher.