ALL TENSES – 2nd Bachillerato

STRUCTURE USE EXAMPLES KEYWORDS

Routines / Habits I get up early in the morning.
Always, usually, often,
Truths / Facts The Earth goes around the Sun. sometimes, seldom, never, in
PRESENT SIMPLE Sub + v. infinitive or +S + C. the morning/ afternoon/
With stative verbs I understand what you’re saying.
evening, at night, once, twice,
Timetables (future meaning) The film starts at 5 pm. three times, at 3 pm

Actions happening at the moment John is listening to music right now.

Actions in progress (not finished) My mother is reading an interesting book. At present, at the moment,
PRESENT Sub + verb BE (am/is/are) + now, today, this weekend
CONTINUOUS verb in gerund (v + ING) + C. Temporary / Exceptional actions This month it is raining more than usual in /week / month / year,
Valencia. tonight, tomorrow
Arrangements (future meaning) I’m flying to Rome tonight.

Action that started in the past and I’ve lived in Valencia for 27 years.
continues at present
Sub + HAS / HAVE + verb in News of recent events My best friend has passed his test. For, since, already, just, yet,
PRESENT PERFECT
past participle (3rd column / ever, never, always, recently,
SIMPLE Past action that is connected or has a I’ve lost my keys (I can’t open the door).
+ED) + C. lately, How long…?
result at present
To talk about life experiences I’ve been to Rome nine times.

Action that started in the past and

continues at present. The action is I usually work in Valencia but I’ve been
viewed as temporary. working in Alicante for 2 weeks.
for a month/year, since
PRESENT PERFECT Sub + HAS / HAVE + BEEN + Action that is connected to the I’ve been reading the book you gave me. I’ve 2004, all
CONTINUOUS verb in gerund (v + ING) + C. present, but it’s not finished. got 60 more pages to read.. night/morning/afternoon/d
ay/week, etc. How long…?
To talk about how long something has He’s been writing emails for 5 hours.
been happening. She’s been competing for 5 years.

Finished actions. Yesterday I ate two hamburgers.

Successive actions in the past. Last Sunday I woke up at 6, I had breakfast The day before yesterday,
Sub. + verb in past and I had a shower.
PAST SIMPLE yesterday, last night/week/
(+ED/2nd column) + C.
A short action that happened/ My parents were watching TV when the thief month/year, ago
interrupted an action that was in broke in.
progress.
ALL TENSES – 2nd Bachillerato
Action that was happening (in I was running to the cinema when it started
progress) when another action pouring.
Sub. + verb BE in past (was/ happened.
PAST CONTINUOUS were) + verb in gerund (v + Simultaneous actions in the past. He was swimming in the sea while I was While, as, yesterday at 6.00
ING) + C. working.
Action that was in progress at a My parents were flying to Rome yesterday at
specific moment/ time in the past. this time.
Finished action that happened before I wasn’t hungry because I had eaten a lot of
Sub. + HAD + verb in past
another past action. ice cream. After, already, before, by the
PAST PERFECT SIMPLE participle (+ED/3rd column)
An action that was completed by a By the age of 25, she had become the best time
+ C.
specific time in the past. paid actress.
Action that continued for some time She had been reading for seven hours when
for hours, since last March,
up to another action in the past. she fell asleep.
when, until, before, all
PAST PERFECT Sub. + HAD + BEEN + v.+ING This action happened earlier than
night/morning/day/week,
CONTINUOUS + C. another and we reinforce the idea of How long had they been running when they
etc.
duration. took a break?

To talk about general predictions / Robots will rule the world in a hundred years. Next Tuesday/
uncertain things. week/month/ year, later,
Sub. + WILL + verb infinitive
FUTURE SIMPLE Spontaneous decisions (we decide Of course I’ll help you do it! this evening/month/
+ C.
(WILL) something while we talk) week, tomorrow, tonight, in
the future
To talk about a plan / intention He is going to do his homework in the Next Tuesday/
afternoon. week/month/ year, later,
Sub. + BE (am/is/are)+
BE GOING TO Predictions based on an evidence Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain this evening/month/
GOING TO + v. infinitive + C.
today. week, tomorrow, tonight, in
the future
Action that will be in progress at a She will be playing tennis tomorrow at 7.30 At this time tomorrow/ next
specific time in the future. pm. week, at nine in the
FUTURE CONTINUOUS Sub. + WILL BE + v.+ING + C. morning, tomorrow
Plans for the future Steven will be studying abroad next year. evening, in the next decade,
in 50 years’ time, etc.
Action that will have finished/ My father will have retired by the age of 65.
Sub. + WILL HAVE + By ten o’clock tonight, by
FUTURE PERFECT happened before a specific time in the
participle (+ED/3rd column) the end of, by next Monday,
SIMPLE future. They will have refurbished my mobile next
+ C. by 2050, etc.
Monday.