Mikhail Yeselson's Pages/ESL/Tenses

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ESL PAGE (1) -- СТРАНИЦА ESL (1)

English as a Second Language

Texts in English and Russian --- Tексты на русском и английском языках

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LAST UPDATES NOVEMBER 2, 1996

Следующие далее таблицы составлены мною по данным различных американских учебников в то время, когда я был студентом ESL. Расположение материала (с моей точки зрения) способствует его запоминанию.
Я надеюсь, что Страницы ESL будут полезны для вас. Пожалуйста, присылайте мне ваши замечания.

When I was an ESL student, I compiled these tables from some published in the USA textbooks of English Grammar. As to me, an arrangement of the material helps the student to remember it.
I hope that the ESL Pages would be useful for you.

Please mailme your comments.

ТАБЛИЦЫ УПОТРЕБЛЕНИЯ ВРЕМЕН

CONDITIONS

TENSE

SAMPLES

KEYWORDS

F A C T S

General Statement of fact

Present Simple

The word is round.

N E V E R -- E V E R -- A L W A Y S

Something have ever (always) happened or have never happened before now

Present Perfect

Have you ever visited Kiev?

I have already seen that movie.

I have never seen snow.

Ever

Already

Never

S P E C I F I E D _ T I M E _ I N _ T H E _ P A S T

An activity or situation began and ended at a particular time in the past

Past Simple

I walked to school yesterday.

He lived in Paris for ten years, but now he is living in Edison.

I bought a new car two days ago

Yesterday

For...but
now

N days ago

In some cases, Past Progressive gives almost the same meaning as Past Simple

Past Progressive = Past Simple

It rained (was raining) this morning.

One action or event began earlier then other and, perhars, caused it.

Past Simple in both sentenses + "when" for event occured earlier.

I stood under a tree when it began to rain.

When I dropped my cup, the coffee spilled on my lap.

PastSimple in "when" clause.

One action began earlier and was in progress when the other action occured.

Past Progressive + Past Simple.

I was standing under a tree when it began to rain.

While I was walking down the street, it began to rain.

When

While.

Two action are in progress simultaneously.

Past Progressive in both sentenses.

While I was studying in one room, my roommate was having a party in the other room.

While.
PastProgr + PastProg

One activity was completed before beginning of the another activity or time in the past.

Past Perfect.

My parents had already eaten by the time I got home.

Until yesterday, I had never heard about it.

The thief simply walked in. Someone had forgotten to lock the door.

Already..by

Until

If either before or after . is used.

Past Simple may be used instead Past Perfect.

Sam had already left when we got there.

Sam had left (left) before we got there.

After the gueste had left ( left), I went to bed.

Before

After

Activity was in progress (How long?) immediately before, up to, until another time or event in the past [not before right now].
Emphasis is on duration of an activity.

Past Perfect Progressive.

I had been studying for two hours before my frend came.

He finally came at six o'clock. I had been waiting for him since four-thirty.

For

Before

Since

An activity in progress recent to another time or activity in the past [not before right now].

Past Perfect Progressive.

When Judy got home, her hair was still wet because she had been swimming.

Her eyes were red because she had been crying

Still

Recently

Lately

UNSPECIFIED TIME IN THE PAST

Something happened or not happened before now, at an unspecified time in the past.

The exact time when it happened is not important

Present Perfect

They have moved into a new appartment. (means before now)

Without time words

Repetition of an activity before now.
The exact time when it happened is not important.

Present Perfect.

We have had four tests so far this semester.

I have flown on a jet many times.

I have met many people since I came here in June.

I have written she a letter every other day for the last year.

So far

Many times

Since

For

TIME IMMEDIATELY BEFORE RIGHT NOW

General activity in progress recently, lately..

Present Perfect Progressive.

I have been thinking about changing my major.

My back hurts, so I have been sleeping on the floor lately.

Without time words
or with

Recently
Lately

Activity is in progress immediately before, up to, until now.

Present Perfect Progressive.

I have been studying English.

(means: before now)

Without time words

Activity is in progress (How long?) immediately before, up to, until another time or event that have been recently.

Present Perfect Progressive.

I have been studying English for two hours until noon.

For

Duration of an activity that began in the past and continues to the present.

Present Perfect Progressive.

I have been sitting here since four o'clock/ for two hours.

It has been raining all day long. (means: up to now)

Time words:Since / For
All morning, day. week...

Activity began in the recent past, is continuing in present, and will probably end at some point in the future.

Present Progressive.

John is sleeping right now.

I need an umbrella because it is raining.

Right now

With verbs:

to Live,

to Work,

to Teach

Present Perfect may be used instead of Present Perfect Progressive .

I have lived (have been living) here since 1991.

He has worked (has been working) at the same firm for thirty years.

Since or For
+ to Live, to Work, to Teach

P R E S E N T _ T I M E

Habitual
or
Everyday activities

Present Simple

I study for two hours every night.

My classes begin at nine.

He always eats a sandwich for lunch.

Every day, week...

Always

General activity in progress this week, month, year.

Present Progressive

I am taking five courses this semester.

She is writing another book this year.

This week, month...

Situation exists right now and needs Nonprogressive Verbs

Present Simple
instead of using of Nonprogressive verbs

I have only a dollar right now.

I don't recognize that man.

Right now

A speaker expresses annoyance or anger.

Present Progressive instead of
Present Simple

Mary is always leaving her dirty socks on the floor for me to pick up!

Pres.Progr. +
"Always"

A speaker expresses annoyance.

Present Progressive instead of
Present Simple

I am always
(or forever,
or constantly)
picking up Mary's dirty socks!

Pres.Progr. +
"Always" or "Forever" or
"Constantly

F U T U R E _ T I M E

Prediction

Future Simple

According to the weather report, it will (is going to) be raining tomorrow.

Will
or

Be going to

Prior plan

Future Simple

I am going to fly to Paris tomorrow.

Be going to

Prior plan in progress

Progressive form of be going to

Don't call me at nine because I won't be home. I am going to be studying at the library.

Be going to
+ be + ing

Planned event or definite intension.

Present Progressive =

Future Simple

My wife has an appointment with a doctor. She is seeing Dr. Who next Monday.

Future time words

Events that are definite schedule or timetable.

Present Simple instead of Future Simple

Classes begin next week.

Plane arrives at 6:09 P.M. tomorrow morning. .

Future Time words +
Open,Close
Begin, End, Start,Finish Arrive,Leave Come,Return

Present Simple or, occassionally, Present Perfect, are used in the Time clauses.
Present Perfect emphasises on the completion of the act in the time clause.

Present Simple
instead of
Future Simple.

Present Perfect = Future Simple.

Bob will come soon. When Bob comes, we will see him.

I will go to bed after I finish (have finished) my work.

Time words: When, After, Before, Until, As soon as

Willingness.

Future Simple

A: The phone's ringing.

B: I'll get it.

Will

An activity that will be in progress at a definite time in the future.

Future Progressive

I will be studying when you come.

Right now I am sitting in class. At this same time tomorrow, I will be sitting in class.

Will +When

The future event will occur at an indefinite time in the future.

Future Simple = Future Progressive

Don't get impatient..
She will be coming (will come) soon.

Will +Indefinite time words

Activity completed before another time or event in the future..

Future Perfect

I will have finished my homework by the time . I go out on a date tonight

Will + By the time

Activity will be in progress (How long?) immediately. before, up to, until another time or event in the future.
Emphasis the duration . of an activity.

Future Perfect Progressive

I will have been studying for two hours by the time you arrive.

For + By the time

Sometimes the Future Perfect and the Future Perfect Progressive give the same meaning.

Future Perfect = Future Perfect Progressive

When Professor Jones retires next month, he will have tought (will have been teaching) for 45 years

For

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Mikhail Yeselson's Pages/ESL/Tenses

All MY PAGES ARE UNDER VIRTUAL UPDATING______________ LAST UPDATES NOVEMBER 2, 1996