VERB FORMS

Verb form Uses Examples Notes

Repeated or habitual events/ actions She has a shower every morning.
(in the present)
Permanent states/ situations My parents live in Ho Chi Minh City. NOT My parents are living…
I study at USSH. or I am studying…
Present Simple
General facts The earth rotates around the sun.
Schedules The train leaves at 9.30 p.m. Present Simple is still used
even though the action has a
future reference.
Actions in progress at the moment of She is playing the piano, and it sounds “You are always coming
speaking really great. late” is different from “You
Actions in progress around the You are spending a lot these days. always come late.” The
moment of speaking (not exactly the former entails the speaker’s
time of speaking) negative attitude (annoyance,
or complaint).
Present Temporary actions (in the present) She’s staying with us until she finds
“She always helps other
Progressive another place to live.
people” is different from
She’s usually happy, but she’s being a “She is always helping other
little upset today. people.” The former involves
Changing situations It’s getting colder and colder. ‘something happening more
than expectation’.
Future plans/ arrangements They’re visiting us next week.
 Completed states/ actions (occurring I lived in London when I was a child. è no present reference
in the past) è a definite past time
States/ actions occurring at a I lived in London in 1992.
definite past time
Past Simple
Repeated or habitual states/ actions I used to swim very well. (Now I’m not a
in the past good swimmer any more.)
A present supposition (unreal), a Would you mind if I borrowed your car
polite request today?
Actions in progress at a past time I was watching TV at 8 o’clock last night.
(The action had started but it had not
finished at that time.)
Past Progressive
To emphasize the duration or The kids were playing outdoors all Sunday
continuation of an action in progress afternoon.
at a past time
States/ Actions occurring in the past I have learned English for ten years. è with present reference
and continuing up to the present è at an indefinite past time
States/ Actions occurring in the past Look at the glass on the floor. Somebody The focus is on the result of
Present Perfect whose result is in the present has broken the window. the action/state (to answer
questions with How many,
States/ Actions occurring at an She’s been to Canada twice.
How much, How far, How
indefinite past time
often).
Similar to Present Perfect I’ve been learning English for ten years. The focus is on the process of
Present Perfect
To emphasize the duration/ the action (to answer
Progressive
continuation/ process of an action questions with How long).
 States/ Actions occurring before a Had you got a driver’s license before you
Past Perfect
past time moved to Sydney?
Similar to Past Perfect She’d been running the whole afternoon
To emphasize the duration/ before she came home.
Past Perfect
continuation/ process of an action
Progressive
Causes of past actions/ states When I saw her this morning, her eyes
were red. I think she had been crying.
Future expressions

IS/ARE TO-Inf Formal arrangements All the students are to assemble in the hall at 9 a.m.
Schedules (fixed) The flight takes off at 10 a.m.
Fixed events that are not the speaker’s Tim retires in three years.
wishes
Present Simple
In future time clauses We’ll have dinner when we get there.
BUT: We’ll go out when we’ve had a rest.
Calendar references Christmas is on a Tuesday next year.
Present Progressive Future plans/ arrangements I’m going to Paris next week.
Future intentions I’m going to be a doctor when I grow up.
BE GOING + to-Infinitive
Prediction: with clear evidence
Immediate decisions The phone’s ringing. I’ll answer it.
WILL + Infinitive Supposition The company will make a profit next year.
Prediction: without clear evidence
WILL + BE + V-ing Actions in progress at a future time We’ll be staying in Hanoi at this time next week.
WILL + HAVE + past participle Actions completing before a future time She’ll have been married for 40 years next month.
Actions completing before a future time, We’ll have been working here for ten years next
with an emphasis on the duration of the week.
WILL + HAVE + BEEN + V-ing actions
Causes of future actions/ states He’ll be exhausted when he comes home, for he’ll
have been working for 24 hours then.