Section 3 Present Tenses

INTRODUCTION
the tw o present tenses
Most English verbs have two present tenses. Forms like I wait, she thinks are
called 'sim ple p re se n t’ or ‘p re se n t sim ple’; forms like I am waiting or she's
thinking are called p resen t progressive’ or ‘p re se n t co n tinuous’.
general time: simple present
W hen we talk about timeless truths, perm anent situations or things that happen
repeatedly, we usually use the simple present (► 30-31 for details).
Water freezes a t 0° Celsius. M y parents live near Dover. I often go swimming.
around now: present progressive
W hen we talk about tem porary continuing actions and events, which are just
going on now or around now, we usually use a present progressive tense (► 32).
‘W hat are you doing?’ ‘I'm reading.’ I'm travelling a lot these days.
future
Both present tenses can be used to talk about the future (► 31.4, 36-37).
I ’ll m eet you when you arrive.
Call m e if you're passing through London.
term inology: tense and aspect
In academ ic grammars, the term 'aspect' is often used for progressive forms. We
use 'tense' for all verb forms which show time.

Do you know what's wrong with these, and why?

© That baby crys all the time. ►30.2
© W hat are frogs eating? ►31.1
О The kettle boils - shall I make tea? ►31.2
© I’m liking this wine very m uch. ►4.1
О I prom ise I don’t smoke any more. ►31.4
© ‘T here’s the doorbell.' ' I get it.' ►31.4
© I'll phone you w hen I’ll get hom e. ►31.4
© I know h er since 1990. ►32.8
© I’m going to the m ountains twice a year. ►34.1
О I’m swearing that I will tell the truth. ►34.4
© Here is com ing your husband. ►34.5

CONTENTS OF THIS SECTION

30 simple present: forms 33 stories, com m entaries
31 simple present: use and instructions
32 present progressive 34 present tenses: advanced points

gram m ar • Section 3 Present Tenses

30 simple present: forms
1 forms
Affirmative Q uestion Negative
I work do I work? I do not work
you work do you work? you do not work
h e /sh e /it works does h e /sh e /it work? h e /sh e /it does not work
we work do we work? we do not work
they work do they work? they do not work

- Contracted negatives (► 337): I d o n ’t work, he doesn’t work, etc

- Negative questions (► 218): do I not work? or d o n 't I work? etc
For passives (e.g. The work is done), ►57.

2 spelling of third person singular forms

Most verbs: work -> works
add -s to infinitive sit sits
stay -> stays
Verbs ending in consonant + y: cry -> cries
change у to i and add -es hurry -> hurries
reply -> replies

But (vowel + y): enjoy -> enjoys

Verbs ending in -s, -z, -ch, -sh or -x : miss -> misses
add -es to infinitive buzz -> buzzes
watch watches
push -> pushes
fix -> fixes
Exceptions: have has
go -> goes
do -> does

3 pronunciation of third person singular forms

The pronunciation of the -(e)s ending depends on the sound that comes before
it. The rules are the sam e as for the plural -(e)s ending, ► 118.
Irregular pronunciations: says (/sez/, n o t /seiz/); does (ld \z l, n o t /du:z/).

31 simple present: use

1 general time: It always rains in November.
We often use the simple present to talk about timeless truths, perm anent
situations, or things that h appen regularly, repeatedly or all the time.
W hat do frogs eat? ( n o t W hat arc frogs eating?)

gram m ar • 30 simple present: forms

 Present Tenses Section 3

Alice works fo r an insurance company.

It always rains here in November. I play tennis every Wednesday.

simple present: permanent situations

simple present: things that happen repeatedly

I p la y tennis every Wednesday.

2 not used for things happening just around the present

We do not usually use the simple present to talk about tem porary situations or
actions that are only going on around the present. Compare:
- Water boils a t 100° Celsius.
The kettle’s boiling - shall I m ake tea? ( n o t The kettle boils . . .)
- It usually snow s in January.
Look - it's snowing! ( n o t Look— it snows!)
- I play tennis every Wednesday.
‘Where’s Bernard?’ ‘He's playing tennis.’ ( n o t . . . He plays tennis.)

3 non-progressive verbs
However, the simple present is used for this ‘around the present’ m eaning with
verbs that do not usually have progressive forms (► 4).
I like this wine, ( n o t I ’m lik in g . . .) I believe you. ( n o t I ’m believing you.)

4 talking about the future

We do not normally use the simple present to talk about the future.
I promise I w o n 't sm oke any more, ( n o t I promise I do n ’t smoke . . .) (► 79.3)
W e’re going to the theatre this evening, ( n o t We go to the thcatre-this evening.)
‘There's the doorbell.’ ‘I’ll get it.’ ( n o t I get it.) (► 79.1)
However, the simple present is used for ‘tim etabled’ future events (► 37.1).
His train arrives a t 11.46. I start m y new jo b tomorrow.
And the simple present is often used instead of w ill. . . in subordinate clauses
that refer to the future. (For details, ►231).

gram m ar «31 simple present: use

 I'll kill anybody who touches m y things, ( n o t . . . who will touch . . .)
I'll phone you when I get home, ( n o t . . . when I'll get hom e.)
The simple present is also used in suggestions with Why don't you . . . ?
Why d o n ’t you take a day o ff tomorrow?

5 series of events: demonstrations, commentaries, instructions,

stories
W hen we talk about a series of com pleted actions and events, we often use the
simple present. This happens, for example, in dem onstrations, commentaries,
instructions and present-tense stories (► 33 for m ore details).
First I take a bowl and break two eggs into it. ( n o t First I am -taking-. . .)
Lydiard passes to Taylor, Taylor shoots - and it’s a goal!
‘How do I get to the station?' ‘You go straight on until you come to the traffic
lights, then you turn le ft,. . . '
So I go into the office, a nd I see this man, and he says to m e . . .

6 how long? present tenses not used

We use a perfect tense, not a present tense, to say how long a present action or
situation has been going on. (► 52 for details.)
I've kn o w n her since 1990.

32 present progressive
1 present progressive: forms
a m i are/is + -ing
I am waiting. Are you listening? She isn't working today.
For spelling of -ing forms, ►346-347. For passive forms (e.g. The work is being done), ►57.

2 use: 'around now'

We use the present progressive to talk about tem porary situations that are going
on now or ‘around now': before, during and after the m om ent of speaking.
Hurry up! We're all w aiting fo r you! ( n o t We all w a it. . .)
‘W hat are you doing?’ ‘I'm writing emails, ( n o t . . . I write emails.)’
He's w orking in Saudi Arabia a t the moment.

present progressive: temporary actions and situations going

on now or around now
We’re a ll w aiting fo r you. Why are y o u crying?

gram m ar • 32 present progressive

 Present Tenses Section 3

3 repeated actions
The present progressive can refer to repeated actions and events, if these are just
happening around the present (for m ore details, ►34.1).
Why is he hitting the dog? I'm travelling a lot these days.

4 changes
We also use the present progressive to talk about developm ents and changes.
That child’s getting bigger every day. House prices are going up again.

5 talking about the future

We often use the present progressive to talk about the future (► 36).
W hat are you doing tomorrow evening?
Come a nd see us next week if you're passing through London.

6 things that happen all the time: present progressive not used
We do not norm ally use the present progressive to talk about perm anent
situations, or about things that h appen regularly, repeatedly or all the time.
Compare:
- Look - the cat's eating your breakfast!
‘W hat do bears eat?' ‘Everything.’ ( n o t 'W hat are bears eating?-. . .')
- Why is that girl standing on the table?
Chetford Castle stands on a hill outside the town, ( n o t . . . is standing . . .)
- My sister’s living a t hom e fo r the moment.
Your parents live in North London, d on't they?

7 verbs not generally used in progressive forms

Some verbs are not generally used in progressive forms (► 4), even if the
m eaning is ‘just around now ’.
I like this wine, ( n o t Fmrtikm g this wine.)
Do you believe w hat he says? ( n o t Are you believing. . . ?)
The tank contains about 7,000 litres a t the moment.

8 how long? present tenses not used

We use a perfect tense, not a present tense, to say how long som ething has been
going on. (► 52 for details.)
I ’ve been learning English fo r years, ( n o t I'm learning English fo r years.)

33 stories, commentaries and instructions

1 stories
Present tenses are often used informally to tell stories. The simple present is
used for the events - the things that h appen one after another. The present
progressive is used for ‘background’ - things that are already happening w hen
the story starts, or that continue through the story. (This is like the difference
betw een the simple past and past progressive. ►45.3)
So I open the door, a nd I look out into the garden, and I see this man.
He's w earing pyjamas and a policem an’s helmet. ‘Hello, ’ he says . . .

gram m ar • 33 stories, com m entaries and instructions

 There’s this Scotsman, and he’s w alking through the jungle when he meets a
gorilla. A n d the gorilla’s eating a snake sandwich. So the Scotsman asks . . .
The simple present is com m on in sum m aries of plays, stories, etc.
In Act I, H am let sees the ghost o f his father. The ghost tells him . . .
Chapter 2: Henry goes to Scotland a nd meets the Loch Ness Monster.

2 commentaries
In com m entaries, the use of tenses is similar. The simple present is used for the
quicker actions and events (which are finished before the sentences that
describe them ); the present progressive is used for longer actions and situations.
There are m ore simple and fewer progressive tenses in a football commentary,
for instance, than in a com m entary on a boat race.
Sm ith passes to Devaney, Devaney to Barnes - and Harris intercepts . . .
Harris passes back to Simms, nice ball - and Sim m s shoots!
Oxford are pulling slightly ahead o f Cambridge now; they're rowing with a
beautiful rhythm; Cambridge are looking a little disorganised . . .

3 instructions and demonstrations

We often use the two present tenses in a similar way to give instructions,
dem onstrations and directions.
OK, let’s go over it again. You w ait outside the bank until the manager arrives.
Then you radio Louie, w ho’s w aiting round the corner, and he drives round
to the fro n t entrance. You a nd Louie grab the manager . . .
First I p u t a lum p o f butter into a frying pan and light the gas; then while the
butter's m elting I break three eggs into a bowl, like this . . .

34 present tenses: advanced points

1 repeated actions: simple or progressive?
The present progressive can refer to repeated actions and events, if these are
happening around the m om ent of speaking.
Why is he hitting the dog? Jake’s seeing a lot o f Felicity these days.
We normally use the simple present for repeated actions and events which are
not closely connected to the m om ent of speaking.
Water boils a t 100° Celsius, ( n o t W ater- is boiling at 100° Celsius.)
I go to the m ountains about twice a year.
But we can use the present progressive for things that are going on around these
actions and events.
A t seven, when the m ail comes, I'm usually having breakfast.
You look lovely when you're smiling.

2 long-lasting changes
We use the present progressive for changes and developments, even if these are
very long-lasting.
The climate is getting warmer, ( n o t -The climate gets warmer.)
The universe is expanding, and has been since its beginning.

gram m ar • 34 present tenses; advanced points

 Present Tenses Section 3

3 / promise . . etc
Sometimes we do things by saying special w ords (e.g. promising, agreeing).
We usually use the simple present in these cases.
I prom ise never to sm oke again, ( n o t I'm prom ising. . .)
I swear that I will tell the truth . . . I agree, ( n o t I am agreeing.)
He denies the accusation, ( n o t He is d en yin g . . .)

4 I hear, etc
The simple present is used with a perfect kind of m eaning (= 'I have learnt') in
introductory expressions like I hear, I see, I gather, I understand (► 482).
I hear y o u ’re getting married. (= 'I have heard . . . ’)
I see there’s been trouble dow n at the factory.
I gather D aniel’s looking fo r a job.
Other people’s statem ents, opinons, etc are often introduced with says.
It says in the paper that petrol's going up again.
No doubt you all remember what H am let says about suicide.

5 Here co m e s. . etc
Note the structures here comes . . . and there goes . . .
Here comes your husband, ( n o t Here is co m in g . . .)
There goes our bus.

6 / feel / I'm feeling

Verbs that refer to physical feelings (e.g. feel, hurt, ache) can often be used in
simple or progressive tenses w ithout m uch difference of meaning.
H ow do you feel? o r H ow are you feeling?
My head aches, o r M y head is aching.

7 formal correspondence
Some fixed phrases that are used in letters, emails, etc can be expressed either
in the simple present (m ore formal) or in the present progressive (less formal).
We write to advise you . . . (Less formal: We are w riting to let you know . . .)
I enclose a recent photograph. (Less formal: I a m enclosing . . .)
I look fo rw a rd to hearing fro m you. (Less formal: I'm looking fo rw a rd to
h earing . . . )
For progressive forms with always and similar words (e.g. She's always losing her keys), ►5.
For progressive forms in general, ►3. For the 'distancing' use of progressive forms, ►311.
For simple and progressive forms in older English, ►318.10.

gram m ar • 34 present tenses: advanced points

Section 4 Talking about the Future
INTRODUCTION
There are several ways to use verbs to talk about the future in English. This is a
com plicated area of grammar: the differences betw een the m eanings and uses of
the different structures are not easy to analyse and describe clearly. In many, but
not all situations, two or m ore structures are possible with similar meanings.

present-tense forms: I'm leaving; I'm going to leave

W hen we talk about future events w hich have som e present reality - which have
already been planned or decided, or which we can see are on the way - we
often use present-tense forms. The present progressive is com m on. For details,
►36.
I ’m seeing Jack tomorrow. W hat are you doing this evening?
The present progressive of go [be going to . . .) is often used as an auxiliary verb
to talk about the future. For details, ►35.
Sandra is going to have a baby. When are you going to get a job?
These present forms are especially com m on in speech (because conversation is
often about future events which are already planned, or which we can see are on
the way).

will/shall
W hen we are simply giving inform ation about the future, or talking about
possible future events which are not already decided or obviously on the way,
we usually use will (or som etim es shall) + infinitive. This is the m ost com m on
way of talking about the future. For details, ►38.
Nobody will ever kn o w the truth. I think Liverpool will win.
Will (and som etim es shall) are also used to express our intentions and attitudes
towards other people: they are com m on in offers, requests, threats, prom ises
and announcem ents of decisions. For details, ►79-80.
Shall I carry your bag? I’ll h it you if you do that again.

simple present: the train leaves . ..

The simple present can also be used to talk about the future, but only in certain
situations. For details, ►37.
The train leaves a t h a lf past six tomorrow morning.

other ways of talking about the future

We can use the future perfect to say that som ething will be completed, finished
or achieved by a certain time. For details, ►40.
By next Christmas w e’ll have been here fo r eight years.
The future progressive can be used to say that som ething will be in progress at a
particular time. For details, and other uses of this tense, ►41.
This time tomorrow I’ll be lying on the beach.

gram m ar • Section 4 Talking about the Future

Be a b o u t to + infinitive (► 353) suggests that a future event is very close.
The plane’s a b o u t to take off.
Be to + infinitive is used to talk about plans, arrangem ents and schedules, and
to give instructions. For details, ►42.
The President is to visit Beijing. You’re n o t to tell anybody.

'future in the past'

To say that som ething was still in the future at a certain past time, we can use a
past form of one of the future structures. For details, ►43.
Som ething was going to happen that was to change the world.
I knew she w ould arrive before long.

subordinate clauses
In m any subordinate clauses we refer to the future with present tenses instead of
w ill + infinitive. For details, ►231.
Phone m e when you have time, ( n o t . .
I ’ll follow him wherever he goes, ( n o t . . .-

Do you know what's wrong with these, and why?

© W hat do you do this evening? ►36.1
© I’m seeing him this evening and I’m really telling him w hat I think.
►36.2
© It’s snowing before long. ►36.2
О Lucy com es for a drink this evening. ►37.4
© I prom ise I phone you soon. ►37.4
© 'T here’s the doorbell.’ ‘I go.’ ►37.4
© See those clouds? It will rain. ►35.3
© I’ll phone you w hen I will arrive. ►37.2
© I’ll tell you w hat I’ll find out. ►37.2

CONTENTS OF THIS SECTION

35 going to 40 future perfect
36 present progressive for future 41 future progressive
37 simple present for future 42 be to + infinitive: I am to
38 will you are to . . ., etc
39 will, going to and present 43 future in the past
progressive: advanced points

gram m ar • Section 4 Talking about the Future

35^ going to
1 a present tense
This structure is really a present tense (the present progressive of go). We use it
to talk about future actions and events that have some p resen t reality. If we say
that som ething in the future is going to happen, it is usually already planned or
decided, or it is starting to happen, or we can see it coming now. The structure
is very com m on in an informal style, especially in speech (because conversation
is often about future actions and events of this kind).

2 plans: We're going to get a new car.

We use be going to + infinitive to talk about plans, especially in an informal
style. This structure often em phasises the idea of intention, or a decision that
has already been made.
We're going to get a new car soon.
Jack says he’s going to phone this evening.
When are yo u going to get your hair cut?
I ’m going to keep asking her out until she says 'Yes’.
I ’m going to stop him reading m y emails if it’s the last thing I do.

3 things that are on the way: She's going to have a baby.

Another use of the going-to structure is to predict the future on the basis of
present evidence - to say that a future action or event is on the way, or starting
to happen.
Sandra’s going to have another baby in June.
Look a t the sky. It's going to rain. Look out! We’re going to crash!

4 commands and refusals

Going to . . . can be used to insist that people do things or do not do things.
You’re going to fin ish that soup if you sit there all afternoon!
She’s going to take that medicine whether she likes it or not!
You’re n o t going to p lay football in m y garden.
It is also used in em phatic refusals.
I’m n o t going to sit up all night listening to your problems!

5 gonna
In informal speech, going to is often pronounced /дэпэ/. This is som etim es
shown in writing as gonna, especially in American English.
Nobody's gonna talk to me like that.
For was going to, has been going to, etc, ►43.
For going to . . . com pared with the present progressive, ►36.2. For a com parison with will, ►39.

gram m ar • 35 going to
 Talking about the Future Section 4

36 present progressive for future

1 present reality: I'm washing my hair this evening.
We use the present progressive for future actions and events that have some
present reality. It is m ost com m on in discussions of personal arrangem ents and
fixed plans, w hen the time and place have been decided.
‘W hat are you doing this evening?1 ‘I ’m w ashing m y hair.’
I'm seeing Larry on Saturday.
D id you know I'm getting a new job?
We’re touring Mexico next summer.
W hat are we having fo r dinner?
My car’s going in fo r repairs next week.
We often use the present progressive with verbs of movem ent, to talk about
actions which are just starting.
Are you com ing to the pub?
I'm ju s t going next door. Back in a minute.
Get your coat on! I'm taking you dow n to the doctor!
Note that the simple present is not often used to talk about the future
(but ►37).
W hat are you doing this evening? ( n o t

2 present progressive and going to . . differences

In m any cases, both structures can be used to express the sam e idea.
I'm w ashing / going to wash m y hair this evening.
But there are som e differences. For example, we prefer going to . . . w hen we are
talking not about fixed arrangem ents, but about intentions and decisions.
Compare:
- I'm seeing Jake tonight, (em phasis on arrangem ent)
I ’m really going to tell him w hat I think o f him. (em phasis on intention:

- W ho’s cooking lunch? (asking w hat has been arranged)

W ho’s going to cook lunch? (asking for a decision)
Because the present progressive is used especially for personal arrangem ents, it
is not generally used to make predictions about events that are outside people's
control.
It's going to snow before long, ( n o t
I can see that things are going to get better soon, ( n o t . . . things arc getting

And the present progressive is used for actions and events, but not usually for
perm anent states. Compare:
Our house is getting / is going to get new windows this winter.
Their new house is going to look over the river, ( n o t Their new house is

gram m ar • 36 present progressive for future

 3 commands and refusals
The present progressive can be used to insist that people do things or do not do
things.
She's taking that medicine whether she likes it or not!
You’re n o t wearing that skirt to school.
The present progressive is com m on in em phatic refusals.
I'm sorry - y o u ’re not taking m y car.
I’m not w ashing your socks - forget it!
For a c o m p a riso n w ith will, ► 39.

37 simple present for future

1 timetables, etc: The summer term starts .. .
We can som etim es use the simple present to talk about the future. This is
com m on w hen we are talking about events which are part of a timetable, a
regular schedule or som ething similar.
The sum m er term starts on April 10th.
W hat time does the bus arrive in Seattle?
M y plane leaves a t three o ’clock.
The sun rises a t 6.13 tomorrow.
Will is also usually possible in these cases.
The sum m er term w ill start on April 10th.

2 subordinate clauses: when she gets a job

The simple present is often used with a future m eaning in subordinate clauses -
for example after what, where, when, until, if, than. For details, ►231.
I ’ll tell you w h a t I fin d out. ( n o t . . . w hat I'll fin d out.)
She’ll pay us back when she gets a job. ( n o t . . . when she’ll get a jo b .)
Alex will see us tomorrow i f he has time, ( n o t . . . if he will have time.)

3 instructions: Where do I p a yl
Occasionally the simple present is used with a future m eaning w hen asking for
and giving instructions.
Where do I pay? Well, w hat do we do now?
So when you get to London you go straight to Victoria Station, you m eet up
with the others, Ram ona gives you your ticket, and you catch the 17.15 train
to Dover. OK?

4 other cases
In other cases, we do not usually use the simple present to talk about the future.
Lucy's com ing fo r a drink this evening, ( n o t Lucy comes . . .)
I promise I’ll call you this evening, ( n o t I promise I call you this evening.)
‘There’s the doorbell.’ ‘I'll go.’ ( n o t . . . I go.)

gram m ar • 37 simple present for future

 Talking about the Future Section 4

38 will
1 forms
will + infinitive w ithout to

It w ill be cold tomorrow. Where will you spend the night?

Some British people use I shall and we shall instead of I/w e will, with no
difference of m eaning in m ost situations. However, shall is now rare, and it is
almost non-existent in American English. For situations where it is still used,
►80.2.
Contractions: I'll, y o u ’ll, etc; w on't /w oont/

2 use: giving inform ation about the future; predicting

Will + infinitive is used to give (or ask for) information about the future.
It’ll be spring soon.
Will all the fa m ily be a t the wedding?
Karen will start work some time next week.
In another thirteen minutes the alarm will go off. This will close an electrical
contact, causing the explosive to detonate.
We often use will in predictions of future events - to talk about w hat we think,
guess or calculate will happen.
Tomorrow w ill be warm, with some cloud in the afternoon.
Who do you think will w in on Saturday? You'll never fin ish that book.

3 conditional use: You'll fall if you're not careful.

Will is often used to express conditional ideas, w hen we say w hat will happen if
som ething else happens.
H e’ll have an accident i f he goes on driving like that.
I f the weather's fine, we'll have the party in the garden.
Look out - yo u ’ll fa ll! (If you’re not m ore careful.)
‘Come out fo r a drink.’ ‘No, I’ll m iss the film on TV i f I do.’
D on’t leave me. I ’ll cry!

4 future events already decided: will not used

W hen future events are already decided, or w hen we can ‘see them coming', we
often prefer a present form (usually present progressive or going to . . .).
I’m seeing the headmaster on Monday. M y sister's going to have a baby.
For details, ►35-36.

5 not used in subordinate clauses: when I arrive

In subordinate clauses, we usually use present tenses instead of will (► 231.2).
I'll phone you when I arrive, ( n o t . . . when I will arrive.)
For exceptions, ►231.4, 243.
For other uses of will, ►69.5, 73, 79-80.

gram m ar • 38 will
39 will, going to and present progressive:
advanced points
Will is the basic structure for talking about the future. We use will if there is not
a good reason for using present forms.

1 present reality
We prefer present forms (present progressive or going to . . .) w hen we are
talking about future events that have som e present reality (► 35-36). In other
cases we use will. Compare:
- I'm seeing Jessica on Tuesday. (The arrangem ent exists now.)
I wonder if she’ll recognise me. (not talking about the present)
- W e’re going to get a new car. (The decision already exists.)
I hope it will be better than the last one. (not talking about the present)

2 predictions: thinking and guessing about the future

In predictions, we use going to w hen we have outside evidence for w hat we
say - for example black clouds in the sky, a person who is obviously about to fall.
See those clouds? It's going to rain, ( n o t See those clouds?-I t -witt-min.)
Look - that kid's going to fa ll o ff his bike, ( n o t Look! Tha£-k-id4l-fctll off
his bike.)
We prefer will for predictions w hen there is not such obvious outside evidence -
w hen we are talking m ore about w hat is inside our heads: w hat we know, or
believe, or have calculated. (W hen we use will, we are not showing the listener
something; we are asking him or her to believe something.) Compare:
- Look out - we're going to crash! (There is outside evidence.)
D on’t lend him your car. He's a terrible driver - he’ll crash it.
(the speaker's knowledge)
- I've ju st heard fro m the builder. That roof repair's going to cost £7,000.
(outside evidence - the builder's letter)
I reckon it’ll cost about £3,000 to p u t in new lights, (the speaker's opinion)
- Alice is going to have a baby, (outside evidence - she is pregnant now)
The baby will certainly have blue eyes, because both parents have.
(speaker’s knowledge about genetics)

gram m ar • 39 will, going to and present progressive: advanced points

 Talking about the Future Section 4

3 w ill and present forms: both possible

The differences betw een the structures used to talk about the future are not
always very clear-cut. Will and present forms (especially going to . . .) are often
both possible in the sam e situation, if ‘p resent’ ideas like intention or fixed
arrangem ent are a part of the m eaning, but not very im portant. The choice can
depend on which aspect we wish to em phasise.
- W hat will you do next year? (open question about the future; perhaps no
clear plans have been m ade)
W hat are you doing next year? (em phasis on fixed arrangem ents)
W hat are you going to do next year? (em phasis on intentions)
- All the fa m ily will be there.
All the fa m ily are going to be there.
- I f your mother comes, y o u ’ll have to help with the cooking.
I f your mother comes, you're going to have to help with the cooking.
- You w o n ’t believe this.
You’re n o t going to believe this.
- N ext year w ill be different.
N ext year is going to be different.
- Jack will explain everything to you.
Jack’s going to explain everything to you.
Both going to . . . (► 35) and stressed will (► 79.1) can express a strong intention
or determ ination.
I ’m really going to stop smoking! I really will stop smoking!
In cases like these, the different forms are all correct, and it is unim portant
which one is chosen.

4 official arrangements: The Princess will meet the President

at 14.30.
Will is often used, rather than present forms, in giving inform ation about
impersonal, fixed arrangem ents - for example official itineraries. Compare:
We’re m eeting Sandra a t 6.00.
The Princess will arrive a t the airport a t 14.00. She will m eet the President at
14.30, a nd will then attend a performance o f traditional dances.

5 predictions as orders: The regiment will attack at dawn.

Predictions can be used as a way of giving orders - instead of telling som ebody
to do something, the speaker just says firmly that it will happen. This is com m on
in military-style orders.
The regiment w ill attack at dawn.
You will start work a t six o'clock sharp. -»

gram m ar • 39 will, going to and present progressive: advanced points

 6 different meanings of w ill you . . . ?
With a verb referring to a state, will you . . .? asks for information.
How soon w ill yo u kn o w your travel dates?
Will yo u be here next week?
With a verb referring to an action, will you . . . ? usually introduces an order or
request (► 80.1).
Will you turn o ff that music!
Will you do the shopping this afternoon, please?
To ask for inform ation about planned actions, we use a present form (► 35-36)
or the future progressive (► 41).
When are you going to see Andy?
Are you doing the shopping this afternoon?
Will you be doing the sh opping. . .?

7 expressing certainty about the present or past

We can use will to talk about the present - to say what we think is very probably
or certainly the case.
‘There's somebody a t the door.’ ‘That’ll be the electrician.1
D on’t phone them now - they'll be having dinner.
Will have . . . can express similar ideas about the past.
As you will have noticed, there is a new secretary in the fro n t office.
It's no use expecting Barry to turn up. H e’ll have forgotten.
For more about this and other uses of will, ►69.5, 73, 79-80.

8 obligation: shall
In contracts and other legal docum ents, shall is often used with third-person
subjects to refer to obligations and duties, in both British and American English.
The hirer shall be responsible fo r m aintenance o f the vehicle.
In norm al usage, we prefer will, m ust or should to express ideas of this kind.

40 future perfect
will have + past participle

We can use the future perfect to say that som ething will be finished or complete
by a certain tim e in the future.
The builders say they will have fin ish ed the roof by Tuesday.
I’ll have spent all m y savings by the end o f the year.
A progressive form can be used to talk about a continuous activity.
I ’ll have been teaching fo r twenty years this summer.
For will have . . . used to express certainty about the past (e.g. It's no use phoning - he’ll have left by now),
►39.7.

gram m ar • 40 future perfect

 Talking about the Future Section 4

41 future progressive
shall/will + be + . . . ing

1 events in progress in the future

We can use the future progressive to say that som ething will be in progress
(happening) at a particular m om ent in the future.
This time tomorrow I ’ll be lying on the beach.
Good luck with the exam. W e’ll be thinking o f you.

2 events that are fixed or expected to happen

The future progressive is often used to refer to future events which are fixed or
decided, or which are expected to happen in the norm al course of events.
Professor Baxter will be giving another lecture on Rom an glass-making at the
same time next week.
I'll be seeing you one o f these days, I expect.
This is useful if we w ant to show that we are not talking about making decisions,
but about things that will h appen ‘anyway’.
‘Shall I pick up the laundry fo r you?’ ‘Oh, no, d o n ’t m ake a special journey.’
‘I t’s OK. I'll be going to the shops anyway.’
The tense can be used to m ake polite enquiries about people’s plans. (By using
the future progressive to ask 'W hat have you already decided?’, the speaker
shows that h e /sh e does not w ant to influence the listener’s intentions.)
Compare:
Will you be staying in this evening? (very polite enquiry, suggesting ‘I simply
w ant to know your plans')
Are you going to stay in this evening? (pressing for a decision)
This usage is possible with verbs that do not norm ally have progressive
forms (► 4).
Will you be w anting lunch tomorrow?

3 progressive form with going to

A progressive form of the going to structure is also possible.
I’m going to be w orking all day tomorrow, so I w on’t have time to shop.
For will b e . . .ing used to express certainty about the present (e.g. D on’t phone now - they'll be having
lunch), ►39.7.

gram m ar • 41 future progressive

42 be to + infinitive: I am to . .
you are to . . etc
1 plans and arrangements: He is to visit Nigeria.
We use this structure in a formal style to talk about official and other plans and
arrangem ents.
The President is to visit Nigeria next month.
We are to get a 10 per cent wage rise in June.
I fe lt nervous because I was soon to leave hom e fo r the first time.
A perfect infinitive can be used to show that a planned event did not happen.
I w as to have started work last week, but I changed m y mind.

2 'fate': l/l/e were to m eet again.

Another use is to talk about things which are/w ere ‘hidden in the future’, fated
to happen.
I thought we were saying goodbye fo r ever. B ut we were to m eet again, m any
years later, under very strange circumstances.

3 pre-conditions: If we are to get there in time . ..

This structure is com m on in if-clauses, w hen the m ain clause expresses a p re­
condition - som ething that m ust happen first if som ething else is to happen.
I f we are to get there by lunchtime, we had better hurry.
He knew he would have to work hard i f he was to pass his exam.

4 orders: You are to do your homework.

The structure is used to give orders, for example by parents speaking to children.
You are to do your homework before you watch TV.
She can go to the party, but she's n o t to be back late.

5 be + passive infinitive: It is not to be removed.

Be + passive infinitive is often used in notices and instructions.
am /are/is (not) to be + past participle

This cover is n o t to be removed.

Sometimes only the passive infinitive is used.
To be taken three times a day after meals, (on a medicine bottle)
Some other com m on expressions with be + passive infinitive:
There’s nothing to be done. She was nowhere to be fo u n d .
I looked out o f the window, but there was nothing to be seen.

gram m ar • 42 be to + infinitive: I am to . . ., you are to . .., etc

 Talking about the Future Section 4

43 future in^the past

Sometimes w hen we are talking about the past, we want to talk about something
which was in the future at that tim e - which had not yet happened. To express
this idea, we use the structures that are normally used to talk about the future
(► 35-42), but we make the verb forms past. For example, instead of is going to
we use was going to; instead of the present progressive we use the past
progressive; instead of will we use would; instead of is to we use was to.
Last time I saw you, you were going to start a new job.
I had no time to shop because I was leaving fo r Germany in two hours.
In 1988 I arrived in the town where I w ould spend ten years o f m y life.
I went to have a look a t the room where I was to talk that afternoon.
Perfect forms of be going to are also possible.
I’ve been going to write to you fo r ages, but I ’ve only ju st fo u n d time.
For was to have + past participle (e.g. She was to have taken over m y job, but she fell ill), ►42.1.

gram m ar • 43 future in the past

Section 5 Past and Perfect Tenses
INTRODUCTION
English has six different verb forms to refer to past events and situations.
They are:
NAME EXAMPLE
simple past I worked
past progressive (or ‘continuous’) I was working
(simple) present perfect I have worked
present perfect progressive (or ‘continuous’) I have been working
(simple) past perfect I had worked
past perfect progressive (or ‘continuous’) I had been working
In academ ic grammars, a distinction is often m ade betw een ‘te n se ’ (present or
past) and ‘aspect’ (perfective and progressive). Tense shows time; aspect shows,
for example, w hether an event is seen as ongoing or com pleted at a particular
time. In m ore practical books like this one, it is convenient to use ‘tense’ for all
verb forms which show time.

The various uses of these six verb forms are covered in the following entries.
Note in particular that the English p resen t perfect (e.g. I have seen) is
constru cted in the sam e way as a tense in some other W estern European
languages (e.g. j'a i vu, ich habe gesehen, ho visto, jeg har set), but that it is not
used in exactly the sam e ways (► 48.2).

gram m ar • Section 5 Past and Perfect Tenses

 Do you know what's wrong with these, and why?
Q gallopped regreted ►44.3
© 'W hat did you do at eight o’clock yesterday evening?’ 'I watched TV.’
► 45.2
© W hen I got up this m orning the sun shone and the birds sang. ►45.2
© W hen I was a child we were walking to school every day. ►45.4
© She said she w asn’t believing me. ►45.5, 4
© Some people think that Shakespeare has travelled in Germany. ►47.3
© Once upon a tim e a beautiful princess has fallen in love with a poor
farmer. ►48.1-48.2
© W hen has the accident happened? ►48.2
© I know her for years. ►52.1
© How long are you studying English? ►52.1
© ‘Why are you crying?’ ‘Granny has hit m e.’ ►49.1
© The Chinese have invented paper. ►49.1
О It’s not as big as I have expected. ►49.2
© I've only been knowing her for two days. ►51.1
© Look at all the rose bushes I’ve been planting! ►51.3
© This is the first tim e I h ear her sing. ►52.2
© During our conversation, I realised that we m et before. ►53.2
© I told h er that I have finished. ►53.2
© Alex Cary, who h ad worked for my father a few years ago, is now living
in Greece. ►53.2
О I had left a jacket to be cleaned. Is it ready yet? ►53.3
© She told m e that her father was ill since Christmas. ►53.5
© W hen I opened the windows, I sat down. ►54.1
© We were walking since sunrise, and we were very hungry. ►55.3

CONTENTS OF THIS SECTION

44 simple past 50 present perfect progressive
45 past progressive 51 present perfect simple
46 past form with present or or progressive?
future m eaning 52 present perfect or present?
47 present perfect: basic inform ation 53 past perfect: basic information
48 present perfect or past? 54 past perfect: advanced points
49 present perfect or past: 55 past perfect progressive
advanced points 56 This is the first/la st. . ., etc

gram m ar • Section 5 Past and Perfect Tenses

44 simple past
This form is also called ‘past simple'.

1 forms (regular verbs)

Affirmative Question Negative
I worked did I work? I did not work
you worked did you work? you did not work
h e /sh e /it worked did h e /sh e /it work? h e/sh e/it did not work
etc etc etc

- C ontracted negatives (► 337): I did n 't work, you d id n ’t work, etc

- Negative questions (► 218): d id I not work? or d id n 't I work?, etc
- For the affirmative past forms of com m on irregular verbs, ► 1.
- Questions and negatives of irregular verbs are m ade in the sam e way as those
of regular verbs (with d id + in fin itiv e).

For details of question structures, ►216. For negatives, ►217-221.

For passive forms (e.g. Work was done), ►57.

2 pronunciation of -ed
The regular past ending -ed is pronounced as follows:
• Idl after vowels and voiced consonants (except /d/):
Idl, 1Ы, Ivl, Izl, /3/, Id^l, Igl, Iml, Ini, /г)/, IV
tried /t raid/ lived /11vd/ seem ed /si:m d/ fa ile d /fe 1Id/
• Itl after unvoiced consonants (except /t/):
/0/, /р/, HI, Isl, ///, /tJV, /к/
stopped /s to p t/ passed /p a :st/ laughed /la :ft/ w atched /w n tj’t/
worked /w 3 :k t/
• /id/ after /d/ and Itl
ended /'endid/ started /'stu :t id/

For adjectives like aged, naked, ► 191.

3 spelling of regular affirmative past tense forms

Most regular verbs: work -> worked
add -ed stay -> stayed
show -> showed
wonder -> wondered
visit -> visited
gallop -> galloped
Verbs ending in -e: hope -> hoped
add -d decide decided

gram m ar • 44 simple past

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

Verbs ending in one stressed vowel shop -> shopped

+ one consonant (except w or y): plan -> planned
double the consonant and add -ed refer -> referred
regret -> regretted

But (last syllable not stressed): offer -> offered

visit -> visited
Verbs ending in consonant + -y: hurry -> hurried
change у to i and add -ed cry -> cried
study studied

But (vowel + -y): play -> played

Verbs ending in -c have ck in the past (e.g. picnic -> picnicked).

In British English, -I is doubled in the past after one short vowel even if the
vowel is not stressed: 'travel -> travelled.

4 use
We use the simple past for m any kinds of past events: short, quickly finished
actions and happenings, longer situations, and repeated events.
Daniel broke a w indow last night.
I spent all m y childhood in Scotland.
Regularly every summer, Jessica fe ll in love.
The simple past is com m on in stories and descriptions of past events.
One day the Princess decided that she d id n 't like staying a t home all day,
so she told her fath er that she w anted to get a jo b . . .
The simple past is often used with words referring to finished times.
I saw Jack yesterday morning. He told me . . .
In general, the simple past tense is the norm al one for talking about the past;
we use it if we do not have a special reason for using one of the other tenses.

simple past with finished time expressions

One day, the Princess d e c id e d . . . I saw Jack yesterday.

For the simple past with a present or future m eaning (e.g. It’s time you went), ►46.
For special uses in subordinate clauses, ►231.

gram m ar • 44 simple past

45 past progressive
1 forms
was/ were + -ing

I was working. Were you listening to me? She was not trying.
For details of question structures, ►216. For negatives, ►217-221.
For passive forms (e.g. Work was being done), ►57.
For double letters in words like sitting, stopping, ►347.

2 use: What were you doing at eight o'clock?

We use the past progressive to say that som ething was in progress (going on)
around a particular past time.
‘W hat were you doing a t eight o'clock yesterday evening?’ ‘I was w atching TV.’
( n o t W hat did you do . . . ? I watched TV.)
When I got up this m orning the sun was shining, the birds were singing, . . .
( n o t . . . the sun shone, the birds s a n g . . .)

past progressive: things happening around a past time

‘W hat were yo u doin g a t 8 o ’clock?’ 'I was w atching TV.'

3 past progressive and simple past: 'background' events

We often use the past progressive together with a simple past tense. The past
progressive refers to a longer 'background' action or situation; the simple past
refers to a shorter action or event that h appened in the middle of the longer
action, or that interrupted it.
As 1 was w alking down the road, I saw James.
The phone rang while I was having dinner.
M ozart died while he was com posing the Requiem.

past progressive for 'background' events

As I was w alking down the road

I
I saw James.

gram m ar • 45 past progressive

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

4 not used for repeated actions

The past progressive is not the norm al tense for talking about repeated or
habitual past actions. The simple past is usually used with this meaning.
I rang the bell six times.
When I was a child we w alked to school, ( n o t . . . -we were walking to school.)
However, the past progressive is possible if the repeated actions form a
‘background’ for the m ain action.
A t the time when it happened, I was travelling to New York a lot.

5 non-progressive verbs: She said she believed

Some verbs are not often used in progressive forms (► 4).
She said she believed Joe was dying, ( n o t She said she was believing-. . .)

6 used for shorter, temporary actions and situations

The past progressive, like other progressive forms (► 3), is used for tem porary
actions and situations. W hen we talk about longer, m ore perm anent situations
we use the simple past. Compare:
- It happened while I was living in Eastbourne last year.
I lived in London fo r ten years while I was a child.
- When I got home, water was running down the kitchen walls.
When they first discovered the river, they thought it ran into the Atlantic.

7 special uses
Because we often use the past progressive to talk about som ething that is a
‘background’, not the m ain ‘news', we can make som ething seem less im portant
by using this tense. Compare:
I h a d lunch with the President yesterday, (im portant piece of news)
I was having lunch with the President yesterday, and she said . . . (as if there
was nothing special for the speaker about lunching with the President)
The past progressive is quite often used with verbs of saying: this gives more
relative im portance to the following verb - to w hat is said.
Jack was saying that he still can't fin d a job.
With always, continually and similar words, the past progressive can be used for
things that happened repeatedly and unexpectedly or in an unplanned
way (► 5).
A u n t Lucy was always turning up w ithout warning and bringing us presents.
I d id n ’t like him - he was continually borrowing money.
For the 'distancing' use of past progressives (e.g. I was wondering whether yo u ’d like to come out with me this
evening), ►311.

gram m ar • 45 past progressive

46 past verb form with present or
future meaning
A past tense does not always have a past m eaning. In some kinds of sentence we
can use verbs like I had, you went or I was wondering to talk about the present
or future.

1 after conjunctions, instead of would: If I paid n o w . ..

In m ost subordinate clauses (e.g. after if, supposing, wherever, what), we use
past tenses (and not w ould . . .) to express ‘unreal’ or conditional ideas
(► 231.6).
I f I h a d the money now I'd buy a car.
I f you caught the ten o'clock train tomorrow, you would be in Edinburgh by
supper-time, unless the train was delayed, o f course.
Supposing we d id n ’t go abroad next year?
W ould you follow m e wherever I went?
In a perfect world, you would be able to say exactly w hat you thought.
Ten o'clock - it’s time (that) you w en t home. (► 502)
D on’t come and see m e today - I'd rather (that) you cam e tomorrow.
(► 566.3)
I wish (that) I h a d a better memory. (► 632.4)

2 distancing in questions, requests, etc: I w ondered i f . . .

We can make questions, requests and offers less direct (and so m ore polite) by
using past tenses. (For m ore about 'distancing' of this kind, ►311.) Com m on
formulae are I wondered, I thought, I hoped, did you want. (► 311.1.)
I w ondered if you were free this evening.
I thought you m ight like some flowers.
D id yo u w a n t cream with your coffee, sir?
Past progressive forms (/ was thinking/wondering/hoping, etc) make sentences
even less direct. (► 311.2)
I was thinking about that idea o f yours.
I was hoping we could have dinner together.

3 'past' modals: could, might, would, should

The ‘p ast’ m odal forms could, might, would and should usually have present or
future reference; they are used as less direct, ‘distanced’ forms of can, may, will
and shall. (► 311.4)
Could you help m e fo r a m oment? W ould you come this way, please?
I think it m ig h t rain soon. Alice should be here soon.

4 past focus on continuing situations: It was such a nice place

If we are talking about the past, we often use past tenses even for things which
are still true and situations which still exist.
Are you deaf? I asked how old you were.
I ’m sorry we left Liverpool. It was such a nice place.
Do you remember that nice couple we m et in Greece? They were German,
weren't they?

gram m ar • 46 past verb form with present or future meaning

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

I got this jo b because I was a good driver.

James applied to jo in the police last week, but he w asn’t tall enough.
For more indirect speech examples, ►259, 263.

47 present perfect: basic information

This entry deals with the simple present perfect. For the present perfect
progressive, ►50-51.

1 forms
have/has + past participle
I have broken m y glasses. Have you finished? She hasn't phoned.
In older English, some present perfect forms were m ade with be, not have
(e.g. Winter is come). This does not normally happen in m odern English (for
exceptions, ►66, 466).

For details of question structures, ►216. For negatives, ►217-221.

For passive forms (e.g. The work has been done), ►57.

2 other languages
In some other languages there are verb forms which are constructed like the
English present perfect (com pare English I have worked, French j'a i travail1ё,
Germ an ich habe gearbeitet, Italian ho lavorato, Spanish he trabajado). Note that
the English present perfect is used rather differently from m ost of these.

3 finished events connected with the present

We use the present perfect especially to say that a finished action or event is
connected with the present in som e way. If we say that som ething has
happened, we are thinking about the past and the present at the same time, for
example if we are giving news.
I ca n ’t go skiing because I have broken m y leg.
A present-perfect sentence often corresponds to a present-tense sentence
expressing the sam e facts.
I've broken m y leg. -> M y leg is broken now.
Some fool has let the cat in. -> The cat is in.
Utopia has invaded Fantasia. -> Utopia is a t war with Fantasia.
Emily has had a baby. -> Emily now has a baby.
Our dog has died. -> Our dog is dead.
H ave you read the Bible? -> Do you know the Bible?
All the wars in history have taught us nothing. -> We kn o w nothing.
The present perfect is often used to express the idea of com pletion or
achievement.
A t last! I’ve finished! Have you done all the housework?
We do not use the present perfect if we are not thinking about the present
(► 48.1). Compare:
I've travelled in Africa a lot. (= I know Africa.)
Some people think that Shakespeare travelled a lot in Germany.
( n o t Some people think that Shakespeare has travelled . . .) -*

gram m ar • 47 present perfect: basic information

 present perfect: thinking about the past and present
at the same time
I c a n ’t go on holiday because I ’ve broken m y leg.

TH O U G H TS

4 time words: ever, before, recently, etc

W hen we talk about finished events with words that m ean 'at som e/any time up
to now ’ (like ever, before, never, yet, recently, lately, already), we normally use the
present perfect in British English. (For a note on American usage, ►49.7.)
H ave you ever seen a ghost? She's never said ‘sorry' in her life.
I ’m sure we've m et before. Has Dan phoned yet?
We haven 't seen Beth recently.
‘Could you clean the car?’ ‘I’ve already done it.’

5 repetition up to now: I've written six emails . . .

We can use the present perfect to say that som ething has happened several
tim es up to the present.
I ’ve written six emails since lunchtime.
Adverbs of frequency like often, sometimes, occasionally are com m on with the
present perfect.
How often have you been in love in your life?
I’ve som etim es thought o f moving to Australia.

6 continuation up to now: I've known her for years

To talk about actions and situations that have continued up to the present, both
the simple present perfect and the present perfect progressive are possible
(depending on the kind of verb and the exact m eaning. For details, ►51.
I've know n her fo r years, ( n o t I know her fo r years. ►52.1)
I’ve been thinking about you all day.

For present perfect tenses in clauses referring to the future (e.g. I'll take a rest when I ’ve finished cleaning the
kitchen), ►231.3.

gram m ar • 47 present perfect: basic information

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

48 present perfect or past?

1 not thinking about the present
We use the present perfect if we are thinking about the past and present
together. We do not use the present perfect if we are not thinking about the
present. Compare:
- My sister has learnt French. (She can speak French now.)
Shakespeare probably learnt Italian, ( n o t
Italian.)
- We’ve stu d ied enough to pass the exam. (The exam is still to come.)
We studied enough to pass the exam. (The exam is over.)
- A nna a nd Daniel have g o t married! (news)
M y parents got married in Canada.
We do not use the present perfect in story-telling.
Once upon a time a beautiful princess fe ll in love with a poor farmer.
( n o t . . . has fallen in love . . .)

thinking about the past and present together: present perfect

My sister has lea rn t French. (= She can speak French now.)

TH O U G H TS

4
A

only thinking about the past: simple past

Shakespeare probably learnt Italian.

TH O U G H TS

ч
A

gram m ar • 48 present perfect or past?

2 finished-time words: present perfect not used
We do not often use the present perfect with words that refer to a completely
finished period of time, like yesterday, last week, then, when, three years ago, in
1970. This is because the present perfect focuses on the present, and words like
these focus on the past, so they contradict each other. Compare:
- Have you seen Lucy anywhere?
I saw Lucy yesterday, ( n o t I have seen Lucy yesterday.)
- Tom has h u rt his leg he can't walk.
Tom h u rt his leg last week, ( n o t Tom has hurt his leg last week.)
- W hat have you done with the car keys? I can’t fin d them.
W hat d id you do then? ( n o t W hat have you done then?)
- My brother has h a d an accident. He’s in hospital.
When d id the accident happen? ( n o t When has the accident happened?)
- All m y friends have m oved to London.
Sam m oved three years ago. ( n o t Sam has moved three years ago.)
But with words that m ean 'at som e/any tim e up to now ’ (like ever, before, never,
yet, recently, already), we normally use the present perfect (► 47.4).
H ave you ever been to Chicago?
I’ve seen this film before.
For tenses with ju st and ju st now, ►503.

3 time not mentioned

We use the present perfect w hen we are thinking of a period of 'tim e up to now',
even if we do not m ention it.
Have you seen ‘Romeo a nd Juliet’? (= Have you ever seen it? o r Have you
seen the present production?)
You’ve done a lot fo r me. (. . . up to now)
On the other hand, we do not use the present perfect w hen we are thinking of a
particular finished time, even if we do not m ention it.
Did you see ‘Romeo and Juliet’? (It was on TV last night.)
M y grandfather d id a lot fo r me. (. . . w hen he was alive)

4 news and details

We normally use the present perfect to announce news.
H ave you heard? A ndy has w on a big prize!
But w hen we give m ore details, we usually change to a past tense.
Joe has passed his exam! He got 87%.
There has been a plane crash near Bristol. Witnesses say that there was an
explosion as the aircraft was taking off, . . .
The Prime Minister has h ad talks with President Kumani. During a three-hour
m eeting they discussed the economic situation, a n d agreed on the need for
closer trade links between the two countries.

gram m ar • 48 present perfect or past?

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

present perfect for news

Joe has passed his exam!

4
A

simple past for details

He got 87%.

For more details, exceptions and notes on American usage, ►49.6-49.7.

49 present perfect or past: advanced points

1 causes and origins: Who gave you that?
We normally use the present perfect w hen we are thinking about past events
together with their present results (► 47.3).
I c a n ’t com e to your party because I’ve broken m y leg.
However, we usually prefer a past tense w hen we identify the person, thing or
circum stances responsible for a present situation (because we are thinking about
the past cause, not the present result). Compare:
- Look w hat Jack’s given me! (thinking about the gift)
Who gave you that? (thinking about the past action of giving)
- Somebody has spilt coffee on the carpet.
Who spilt all that coffee on the carpet?
Other examples:
‘Why are you crying?’ ‘Granny h it me. ( n o t . . . Granny has hit m e.)'
I ’m glad you were born.
How d id you get that bruise?
That’s a nice picture. D id you p a in t it yourself?
Some people think that ‘Pericles’ was not w ritten by Shakespeare.
The Chinese invented paper, ( n o t The Chinese have invented paper.) -*

gram m ar • 49 present perfect or past: advanced points

2 expectation and reality: You're older than I thought
We use a past tense to refer to a belief that has just been shown to be true or
false.
It's not as big as I expected, ( n o t . . . as I have expected.)
You’re older than I thought, ( n o t . . . than I have thought.)
But you prom ised . . . ! ( n o t But you have promised . . .)
I knew you would help me! ( n o t I have know n . . .)

3 today, this week, etc

With definite expressions of 'tim e up to now ’ (e.g. today, this week), perfect and
past tenses are often both possible. We prefer the present perfect if we are
thinking of the whole period up to now. We prefer the simple past if we are
thinking of a finished part of that period. Compare:
- I h a ven ’t seen Jack this week, (the whole week up to now - present perfect
m ore natural)
I saw Jack this week, and he said . . . (earlier in the week - simple past more
natural)
- Has A nna pho n ed today? (m eaning 'any tim e up to now ’)
D id Anna phone today? (m eaning ‘earlier, w hen the call was expected’)

4 always, ever and never

In an informal style, a simple past tense is som etim es possible with always, ever
and never w hen they refer to ‘tim e up to now ’.
I alw ays kn ew I could trust you. ( o r I've always know n . . .)
D id you ever see anything like that before? ( o r Have you ever seen . . . ?)

5 present perfect with past time expressions

G ramm ars usually say that the present perfect cannot be used together with
expressions of finished tim e - we can say I have seen him or I saw him
yesterday, but not 1-have -seen him yesterday. In fact, such structures are unusual
but not impossible (though learners should avoid them ). They often occur in
brief news items, w here space is limited and there is pressure to announce the
news and give the details in the sam e clause.
Here are som e real examples taken from news broadcasts, new spaper articles,
advertisem ents, letters and conversations.
Police have arrested more than 900 suspected drugs traffickers in raids
throughout the country on Friday a n d Saturday.
A 24-year-old soldier has been killed in a road accident last night.
The horse's trainer has h a d a winner here yesterday.
. . . indicating that the geological activity has taken place a very long
tim e ago.
Perhaps what has helped us to win eight major awards last year alone . . .
I have stocked the infirmary cupboard only yesterday.
I am pleased to confirm that Lloyds Bank . . . has opened a Home Loan
account fo r you on 19th May.

gram m ar • 49 present perfect or past: advanced points

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

6 simple past for news

Recently, som e British new spapers and online news channels have started
regularly using the simple past for smaller news announcem ents - probably to
save space. Some authentic examples:
A n unnam ed businessman was shot dead by terrorists . . .
A w om an was ja ile d fo r six m onths after taking a baby boy fro m his mother.
Driving w ind a n d rain fo rced 600 out o f 2,500 teenagers to abandon the
a nnual 'Ten Tor’ trek across Dartmoor.
7 American English
In American English the simple past is often used to give news.
D id you hear? Switzerland declared / has declared war on Mongolia!
(BrE Have you heard? Switzerland has declared war . . .)
Uh, honey, I lost / I've lost the keys (BrE . . . I've lost the keys.)
Lucy ju s t called / has ju s t called. (BrE Lucy has ju st called.)
In American English, it is also possible to use the simple past with indefinite
past-tim e adverbs like already, yet, ever and before.
D id you eat already? o r Have you eaten . . . ? (BrE Have you eaten already?)
I d id n ’t call Bobby y e t o r I h a ven ’t called . . . (BrE I haven't called . . .)
British English is changing u nder American influence, so some of these uses are
becom ing com m on in Britain as well.

For m ore about tenses with just, ►503. For more about British-American differences, ►319.

8 bad rules ( 1 ): 'definite time'

Gram m ars som etim es say that the simple past, not the present perfect, is used
with expressions referring to 'definite tim e'. This is confusing - the present
perfect is not often used with finished tim e expressions, but it actually is very
com m on with definite tim e expressions. Compare:
I’ve lived here fo r exactly three years, seven m onths a n d two days, (present
perfect with very definite tim e-reference)
Once upon a tim e a little girl lived with her mother in a lonely house in a dark
forest, (simple past with very indefinite tim e-reference)
9 bad rules (2): 'finished actions'
Note also that the choice betw een simple present perfect and simple past does
not depend on w hether we are talking about finished actions, as learners’
gram m ars som etim es suggest (though it can depend on w hether we are talking
about finished time periods). Compare:
That cat has eaten your supper, (finished action - present perfect)
I ate the last o f the eggs this morning, (finished action - simple past)
10 bad rules (3): 'recent actions'
The choice also does not depend directly on w hether actions and events are
recent. Recent events are m ore likely to be 'new s’, and we are m ore likely to be
concerned about their present results, so m any present perfect sentences are in
fact about recent events. But it is possible to use the present perfect to talk about
things that h appened a long time ago. Compare:
The French revolution has influenced every popular radical m ovem ent in
Europe since 1800. (200-year-old event - present perfect)
A nna pho n ed five minutes ago. (very recent event - simple past)

gram m ar • 49 present perfect or past: advanced points

11 both possible
The difference betw een the present perfect and the simple past is not always
very clear-cut. It often depends on our 'focus': are we thinking mostiy about the
present relevance of a past event, or about the past details? In som e cases both
present perfect and past are possible with little difference of meaning.
We (have) heard that you have rooms to let.
Has M ark phoned? o r D id M ark phone?
I’ve given / 1 gave your old radio to Philip.

50 present perfect progressive

1 forms
have/has been + -ing

I have been thinking about you. Have you been waiting long?
I haven't been studying very well recently.
For double letters in words like sitting, stopping, ►347.

2 continuing actions and situations

We use the present perfect progressive to look back over actions and situations
which started in the past and are still going on.
I've been w orking very hard recently.
It's been raining all day. I ’m tired o f it.
Food prices have been going up steadily all this year.
We often use the present perfect progressive to talk about people’s use of their
tim e up to the present.
'Hi! W hat have you been doing with yourself?' ‘I’ve been trying to write
a novel.'
That kid has been w atching TV non-stop since breakfast.

present perfect progressive: actions and situations which

started in the past and are still going on
House prices have been going up steadily this year.

PAST €500,000 €560,000 €570,000 NOW €580,000

gram m ar • 50 present perfect progressive

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

3 actions and situations that have just stopped

We also use the present perfect progressive for actions and situations which
have just stopped, b u t which have present results.
‘You look hot.' ‘Yes, I ’ve been running.’
Sorry I'm late. H ave you been w aiting long?
I m ust ju st go and wash. I ’ve been gardening.

4 repeated actions
We can use the present perfect progressive not only for continuous activity, but
also for repeated activity.
People have been phon in g m e all day.
I’ve been w aking up in the night a lot. I think I ’ll see the doctor.

5 time expressions: recently, lately, this week, since . . fo r. . etc

We often use the present perfect progressive with words that refer to a period of
time continuing up to now, like recently, lately, this week, since January, fo r the
last three days.
The com pany has been losing m oney recently.
Jack's been walking in Scotland all this week.
I’ve been doing a new jo b since January.
It’s been raining fo r the last three days.

For the difference between since and for, ►469.

6 not used with finished time expressions

We cannot use the present perfect progressive with expressions that refer to a
finished period of time.
‘You look tired.' 'Yes. I was cycling fr o m ten this m orning until fiv e o ’clock.’
( n o t . . .-I ’ve been cycling fro m ten this morning until five o'clock-.)

1 how long?
We use the present perfect progressive, not the present progressive, to talk about
how long som ething has been happening.
How long have you been studying English? ( n o t H ow long are you

I ’ve been w orking here fo r two months, (n o t I ’m working here fo r two

m onths.)
For details, ►52.

8 present perfect progressive and (simple) present perfect

In som e cases, we can also use the simple present perfect to talk about actions
and situations continuing up to the present. Compare:
- How long have you been w orking with her?
How long have you know n her?
- That m an has been standing on the corner all day.
For 900 years the castle has stood on the hill above the village.
For the differences, ►SI. ->

gram m ar • 50 present perfect progressive

 9 a bad rule
G ram m ars som etim es simply say that the present perfect progressive is used 'for
actions or situations that started in the past and are still going on’. This is true,
but incom plete and unhelpful. To talk about actions and situations that started
in the past and are still going on, we normally use present tenses (everything
that is going on now started in the past!). The difference is that we use the
present perfect progressive w hen we are looking back over som ething that is
still going on - for example w hen we say how long it has lasted. Compare:
- It’s raining.
It's been raining all day.
- I ’m working very hard a t the moment.
I ’ve been w orking very hard recently.

51 present perfect simple or progressive?

1 non-progressive verbs
Some verbs are not used in progressive forms (► 4), even if the m eaning is one
for which a progressive form is m ore suitable. Com m on examples are be, have
and know.
Jack’s been ill all week.
She’s h a d a cold since Monday, ( n o t She ’s been having a cold . . .)
I ’ve only know n her fo r two days, ( n o t I ’ve only been knowing her . . .)

2 temporary or permanent
We use progressive forms mostly for shorter, tem porary actions and situations.
W hen we talk about longer-lasting or perm anent situations we often prefer the
simple present perfect. Compare:
- I ’ve been playing the piano all afternoon, and I ’m really tired.
M y grandmother has played the piano since she was a little girl.
- I h a ven ’t been w orking very well recently.
He h a sn ’t worked fo r years.
- I ’ve been living at E m m a ’s place fo r the last month.
M y parents have lived in Bristol all their lives.
Progressive and simple tenses are som etim es both possible, with a slight
difference of emphasis.
I t ’s been raining / It's rained steadily since last Saturday.
Harry has been w orking / has worked in the same jo b fo r thirty years.
We generally use the progressive to talk about continuous change or
developm ent, even if this is perm anent.
Scientists believe that the universe has been expanding steadily since the
beginning o f time.

3 how much? how often? simple present perfect

We use the simple present perfect to say how m uch we have done, or how often
we have done something. Compare:
- I ’ve been planting rose bushes all afternoon.
Look a t all the rose bushes I ’ve planted! ( n o t . . .

gram m ar • 51 present perfect simple or progressive?

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

- W e’ve been p a in tin g the house.

We’ve p ainted two rooms since lunchtime, (n o t

- I've been playing a lot o f tennis recently.

I ’ve played tennis three times this week.

52 present perfect or present?

1 how long? present perfect
We use a present perfect to say how long a situation or action has continued up
to now. Compare:
- It’s raining again.
It’s been raining since Christmas, ( n o t It's raining since Christmas.)
- Are you learning English?
How long have you been learning? ( n o t H ow long are you learning?)
- 7 hear y o u ’re w orking a t Smiths.' ‘Yes, I've been working therefor a m onth.’

- I kn o w her well.
I ’ve kn o w n her fo r years.
- M y brother’s a doctor.
How long has he been a doctor? {
Com pare also:
How long are you here for? (= until when; w hen are you leaving?)
How long have you been here for? (= since when; w hen did you arrive?)
For the difference between simple and progressive forms, ►51.
For the difference between since and for, ►469. For tenses with since, ►579.

2 This is the first time, etc

We use a simple present perfect after this is the first time th a t. . . , it’s the second
. . . th a t. . . , and similar structures (► 56).
This is the fir s t tim e that I ’ve heard her sing, ( n o t This is the first time that I

It’s the fifth tim e you've asked m e the same question.

This is only the second opera I’ve ever seen.

For present perfect and simple present passives with similar meanings (e.g. The shop has been / is closed),
► 66.

53 past perfect: basic information

This entry deals with the simple past perfect. For the past perfect progressive,
► 55.

1 forms
had + past participle

I had forgotten. Where had she been? It h adn't rained fo r weeks.

For passives (e.g. The work had been done), ►57.

gram m ar • 53 past perfect: basic information

2 meaning and use: earlier past
The basic m eaning of the past perfect is ‘earlier past'. A com m on use is to ‘go
back’ for a m om ent w hen we are already talking about the past, to make it clear
that som ething had already happened at the tim e we are talking about.
During our conversation, I realised that we ha d m et before.
( n o t I realised that we m et before or . . . have m et before.)
When I arrived a t the party, Lucy h a d already gone home.

The past perfect is com m on after past verbs of saying and thinking, to talk about
things that had happened before the saying or thinking took place.
I told her that I h a d finished, ( n o t . . . that I (have) finished.)
I w ondered who h a d left the door open.
I thought I h a d sent the money a week before.

past perfect: we are already talking about the past, and want
to talk about an earlier past
When I arrived a t the party, Lucy h a d already gone home.

3 past perfect not used

The past perfect is normally only used as described above. The past perfect is
not used simply to say that som ething happened som e time ago, or to give a
past reason for a present situation.
Alex Cary, who worked fo r m y father in the 1980s, is now living in Greece.
...)
I left a jacket to be cleaned. Is it ready yet? ( n o t I had left a ja c k e t. . .)

4 unreal events: if, etc

After </(► 241), wish (► 632) and would rather (► 566), the past perfect can be
used to talk about past events that did not happen.
I f I h a d gone to university I would have studied medicine.
I wish you h a d told me the truth.
I ’d rather she h a d asked me before borrowing the car.

5 how long? past perfect, not simple past

We use a past perfect, not a simple past, to say how long som ething had
continued up to a past m om ent. A simple past perfect is used with n o n ­
progressive verbs like be, have and know.
She told m e that her father h a d been ill since Christmas.
( n o t . . . that her fath er was ill since Christmas.)
I was sorry to sell m y car. I h a d h a d it since College.
( not . . .

gram m ar • 53 past perfect: basic information

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

When they got married, they h a d kn o w n each other fo r 15 years.

( n o t . . .-they knew each other fo r 15 years.)
With m ost other verbs, we use the past perfect progressive for this
m eaning (► 55).

For the difference between since and for, ►469.

54 past perfect: advanced points

1 past perfect or simple past with after, as soon as, etc
We can use tim e conjunctions (e.g. after, as soon as, when, once) to talk about
two actions or events that happened one after the other. Usually the past perfect
is not necessary in these cases, because we are not 'going back' from the time
that we are m ainly talking about, but simply moving forward from one event to
the next.
After it g o t dark, we came back inside.
As soon as Megan arrived, we sat down to eat.
Once it stopped raining, we started the game again.
However, we can use the past perfect with after, as soon as, etc to em phasise
that the first action is separate, independent of the second, com pleted before the
second started.
She didn 'tfeel the sam e after her dog h a d died.
As soon as he h a d fin ish e d his exams, he went to Paris fo r a month.
This use of the past perfect is especially com m on with when. ( When has several
meanings, so we often have to show the exact tim e relations by the verb form.)
Compare:
- When I h a d opened the windows, I sat dow n a n d had a cup o f tea. ( n o t When
I opened the windows, I sat down . . .: the first action was quite separate
from the second.)
When I opened the window, the cat ju m p e d out. (More natural than When 1
had opened the window, . . .: one action caused the other.)
- When I h a d answ ered m y emails, I did some gardening.

When I wrote to her, she came at once.

2 unrealised hopes and wishes; things that did not happen

The past perfect can be used to express an unrealised hope, wish, etc. Had is
usually stressed in this case.
I HAD h oped we would leave tomorrow, but it w on't be possible.
He HAD in ten d ed to m ake a cake, but he ran out o f time.

3 past perfect with It was the first/second. . . t h a t . . .

We generally use a past perfect after it was the first/second . . . th a t. . . and
similar structures (► 56).
It was the f ir s t tim e that I h a d h ea rd her sing.
It was the fifth tim e she h a d asked the same question.
It was only the secon d opera I h a d seen in m y life.

For the past perfect with before (e.g. He went out before I had finished my sentence), ►250.3.

gram m ar • 54 past perfect: advanced points

55 past perfect progressive
1 forms
had been + -ing
I had been working. Where had she been staying?
They h a d n ’t been listening.
For double letters in words like sitting, stopping, ►347.

2 use
We use the past perfect progressive to talk about actions or situations which
had continued up to the past m om ent that we are thinking about, or shortly
before it.
A t that time we h a d been living in the caravan fo r about six months.
When I fo u n d Emily, I could see that she h a d been crying.
I went to the doctor because I h a d been sleeping badly.

past perfect progressive: actions or situations which had

continued up to the past moment that we are thinking about,
or shortly before it

3 h ow long? past perfect progressive, not past progressive

We use a past perfect progressive, not a past progressive, to say how long
som ething had been happening up to a past m om ent.
We’d been w alking since sunrise, and we were hungry, ( n o t Wc were walking

When she arrived, she h a d been travelling fo r twenty hours, (n o t . . . she was
travelling. . .)

For the difference between since and for, ►469.

gram m ar • 55 past perfect progressive

 Past and Perfect Tenses Section 5

4 progressive and simple: differences

Progressive forms are mostly used to talk about m ore tem porary actions and
situations. W hen we talk about longer-lasting or perm anent situations we prefer
simple forms. Compare:
M y legs were stiff because I ha d been standing still fo r a long time.
The tree that blew dow n h a d stood there fo r 300 years.
Progressive forms generally em phasise the continuation of an activity; we use
simple tenses to em phasise the idea of com pletion. Compare:
I h a d been reading science fiction, and m y m ind was fu ll o f strange images.
I h a d read all m y magazines, a nd was beginning to get bored.
Some verbs are not normally used in progressive forms (► 4), even if the
m eaning is one for which a progressive form would be m ore suitable.
I h a d n 't kn o w n her fo r very long when we got married, ( n o t I h a d n ’t been
knowing h e r . ..)

56 This is the first/last • • -I etc

1 This is the first time, etc
We use the present perfect in sentences constructed with this/it/that is the first/
second/third/only/best/worst, etc.
This is the first time that I ’ve heard her sing, ( n o t This is the first time that-4

This is the first time I ’ve seen a volcano.

volcano.)
This is the fifth time yo u ’ve asked me the same question ( n o t This is the fifth
...)
That's the third cake yo u ’ve eaten this morning.
It's one o f the m ost interesting books I've ever read.
I ’m flying to New York tomorrow. It'll be the first time I ’ve travelled by plane.
W hen we talk about the past, we generally use the past perfect in these
structures.
It was the third time he h a d been in love that year.

2 tenses with This is the l as t . . . , etc

Present (simple or progressive) and future tenses are both possible with This is
the la s t. . . and similar structures.
This is the last time I pay / I ’m paying fo r you. ( or This is the last time I ’ll pay
fo r you.)
That’s the last email he gets / he’s getting fro m me. ( or That's the last email
h e’ll get fro m me.)
This is the last thing I ’m going to say to you.

gram m ar • 56 This is the first/last. . ., etc