Verb Tense Tutorial: The Tutorial Should Be Completed As Follows
Verb Tense Tutorial: The Tutorial Should Be Completed As Follows
Verb Tense Tutorial: The Tutorial Should Be Completed As Follows
Verb tenses are tools that English speakers use to express time in their language. You may find
that many English tenses do not have direct translations in your language. That is not a problem.
By studying this verb tense tutorial, you will learn to think like a native English speaker. If you
prefer to use the verb tense pages as a reference only and do not want to complete the tutorial,
Click Here.
2. Prepare for the exercises by reading: Types of Verbs, Active vs. Passive, and the verb tense
descriptions that you want to practice.
3. Complete the exercises below. After each exercise, we have listed the tenses covered. Just
click on the name of a tense to learn more about its use.
Types of Verbs
Before you begin the verb tense lessons, it is extremely important to understand that NOT all
English verbs are the same. English verbs are divided into three groups: Normal Verbs, Non-
Continuous Verbs, and Mixed Verbs.
Most verbs are "Normal Verbs." These verbs are usually physical actions which you can see
somebody doing. These verbs can be used in all tenses.
Normal Verbs
The second group, called "Non-Continuous Verbs," is smaller. These verbs are usually things
you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They include:
Abstract Verbs
Possession Verbs
Emotion Verbs
Examples:
The third group, called "Mixed Verbs," is the smallest group. These verbs have more than one
meaning. In a way, each meaning is a unique verb. Some meanings behave like "Non-
Continuous Verbs," while other meanings behave like "Normal Verbs."
Mixed Verbs
to appear:
to have:
to hear:
to look:
to miss:
to see:
to smell:
to taste:
to think:
to weigh:
to be:
NOTICE: Only rarely is "to be" used in a continuous form. This is most commonly done when a
person is temporarily behaving badly or stereotypically. It can also be used when someone's
behavior is noticeably different.
to feel:
NOTICE: The second meaning of "feel" is very flexible and there is no real difference in
meaning between "I don't feel well today" and "I am not feeling well today."
Active Form
In active sentences, the thing doing the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing
receiving the action is the object. Most sentences are active.
Examples:
Passive Form
In passive sentences, the thing receiving the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing
doing the action is optionally included near the end of the sentence. You can use the passive
form if you think that the thing receiving the action is more important or should be emphasized.
You can also use the passive form if you do not know who is doing the action or if you do not
want to mention who is doing the action.
[Thing receiving action] + [be] + [past participle of verb] + [by] + [thing doing action]
Examples:
Active / Passive Overview
Active Passive
Once a week, Tom cleans the Once a week, the house is cleaned by
Simple Present
house. Tom.
Present Right now, Sarah is writing the Right now, the letter is being written
Continuous letter. by Sarah.
Simple Past Sam repaired the car. The car was repaired by Sam.
The salesman was helping the The customer was being helped by
Past
customer when the thief came into the salesman when the thief came into
Continuous
the store. the store.
Many tourists have visited that That castle has been visited by many
Present Perfect
castle. tourists.
Present Perfect Recently, John has been doing the Recently, the work has been being
Continuous work. done by John.
George had repaired many cars Many cars had been repaired by
Past Perfect before he received his mechanic's George before he received his
license. mechanic's license.
Simple Future Someone will finish the work by The work will be finished by 5:00
will 5:00 PM. PM.
Future
At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be
Continuous
washing the dishes. being washed by John.
will
Future At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are
Continuous to be washing the dishes. going to be being washed by John.
be going to
Future Perfect They will have completed the The project will have been
will project before the deadline. completed before the deadline.
Future Perfect They are going to have completed The project is going to have been
be going to the project before the deadline. completed before the deadline.
Future Perfect The famous artist will have been The mural will have been being
Continuous painting the mural for over six painted by the famous artist for over
will months by the time it is finished. six months by the time it is finished.
The famous artist is going to have The mural is going to have been
Future Perfect
been painting the mural for over being painted by the famous artist for
Continuous
six months by the time it is over six months by the time it is
be going to
finished. finished.
Used to Jerry used to pay the bills. The bills used to be paid by Jerry.
Future in the
I knew John would finish the work I knew the work would be finished
Past
by 5:00 PM. by 5:00 PM.
Would
Future in the
I thought Sally was going to make I thought a beautiful dinner was going
Past
a beautiful dinner tonight. to be made by Sally tonight.
Was Going to
Simple Present
FORM
Examples:
Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a
habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be
something a person often forgets or usually does not do.
Examples:
I play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The train does not leave at 9 AM.
When does the train usually leave?
She always forgets her purse.
He never forgets his wallet.
Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
Does the Sun circle the Earth?
The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now,
and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also
used to make generalizations about people or things.
Examples:
Examples:
Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is
not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.
Examples:
I am here now.
She is not here now.
He needs help right now.
He does not need help now.
He has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport with you?
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Present Continuous
FORM
Examples:
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening
now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.
Examples:
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not
happen in the near future.
Examples:
The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that
something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present,
but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be"
and "verb+ing."
Examples:
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.
Examples:
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Simple Past
FORM
Examples:
Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the
past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one
specific time in mind.
Examples:
We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st,
2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
Examples:
I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.
He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the others at
10:00.
Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?
The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a
longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all
year, etc.
Examples:
The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the
same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add
expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.
Examples:
The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer
true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to."
Examples:
Examples:
When-clauses are important because they always happen first when both clauses are in the
Simple Past. Both of the examples above mean the same thing: first, I paid her one dollar, and
then, she answered my question. It is not important whether "when I paid her one dollar" is at the
beginning of the sentence or at the end of the sentence. However, the example below has a
different meaning. First, she answered my question, and then, I paid her one dollar.
Example:
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Past Continuous
FORM
Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The
interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real
interruption or just an interruption in time.
Examples:
In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple
Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past
Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.
Examples:
When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea
that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
USE 4 Atmosphere
In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular
time in the past.
Example:
When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the
phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One
customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each
other about the bad service.
Examples:
Clauses are groups of words which have meaning, but are often not complete sentences. Some
clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when she called" or "when it bit me." Other clauses
begin with "while" such as "while she was sleeping" and "while he was surfing." When you talk
about things in the past, "when" is most often followed by the verb tense Simple Past, whereas
"while" is usually followed by Past Continuous. "While" expresses the idea of "during that time."
Study the examples below. They have similar meanings, but they emphasize different parts of the
sentence.
Examples:
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Past.
Examples:
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store. Active
The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store. Passive
Present Perfect
FORM
Examples:
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The
exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time
expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in
Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific
expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to
associate Present Perfect with the following topics:
TOPIC 1 Experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the
experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience.
The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You
cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened.
Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
Examples:
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the
past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are
possible.
Examples:
When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives
before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.
Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with
expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now,
etc.
Examples:
NOTICE
"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year
before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year"
means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present
Perfect.
Examples:
With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present
Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five
minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the
Present Perfect.
Examples:
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Examples:
Examples:
You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks."
Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words
"lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.
Examples:
IMPORTANT
Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or "recently." If you
use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright?", it can
suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?"
can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you
can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this
tense incorrectly.
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Present Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Present Perfect.
Examples:
Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct
Sam has had his car for two years. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
NOTE: Present Perfect Continuous is less commonly used in its passive form.
Past Perfect
FORM
Examples:
Examples:
With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Past
Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the
past.
Examples:
We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years.
They felt bad about selling the house because they had owned it for more than forty years.
Although the above use of Past Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous
uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even
though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.
Unlike with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past
Perfect. Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary.
Example:
She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.
MOREOVER
If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple Past can be used instead of the
Past Perfect when "before" or "after" is used in the sentence. The words "before" and "after"
actually tell you what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional. For this reason, both
sentences below are correct.
Examples:
She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.
She visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.
HOWEVER
If the Past Perfect is not referring to an action at a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional.
Compare the examples below. Here Past Perfect is referring to a lack of experience rather than
an action at a specific time. For this reason, Simple Past cannot be used.
Examples:
She never saw a bear before she moved to Alaska. Not Correct
She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You had previously studied English before you moved to New York.
Had you previously studied English before you moved to New York?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license. Active
Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license. Passive
Examples:
You had been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.
Had you been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived?
You had not been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.
We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up
until another time in the past. "For five minutes" and "for two weeks" are both durations which
can be used with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect
Continuous; however, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in
the past.
Examples:
They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.
She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business.
How long had you been waiting to get on the bus?
Mike wanted to sit down because he had been standing all day at work.
James had been teaching at the university for more than a year before he left for Asia.
A: How long had you been studying Turkish before you moved to Ankara?
B: I had not been studying Turkish very long.
Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause
and effect.
Examples:
Jason was tired because he had been jogging.
Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.
Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.
If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday,"
many English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous rather than the Past Perfect
Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the sentence. Past Continuous
emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Past Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of time
before something in the past. Study the examples below to understand the difference.
Examples:
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Past Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Past Perfect.
Examples:
The motorcycle had been belonging to George for years before Tina bought it. Not Correct
The motorcycle had belonged to George for years before Tina bought it. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You had only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived.
Had you only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Chef Jones had been preparing the restaurant's fantastic dinners for two years before he moved
to Paris. Active
The restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef Jones for two years before
he moved to Paris. Passive
NOTE: Passive forms of the Past Perfect Continuous are not common.
Simple Future
Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two
forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings.
These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the
differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.
FORM Will
[will + verb]
Examples:
FORM Be Going To
Examples:
Examples:
Examples:
"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do
something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:
Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future.
Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the
subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the
following examples, there is no difference in meaning.
Examples:
IMPORTANT
In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is
more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.
Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of
Simple Future, Simple Present is used.
Examples:
When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You will never help him.
Will you ever help him?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Future Continuous
Future Continuous has two different forms: "will be doing " and "be going to be doing." Unlike
Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.
Examples:
You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
Examples:
You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
REMEMBER: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Continuous
with little difference in meaning.
Complete List of Future Continuous Forms
Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted by a
shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in
time.
Examples:
Notice in the examples above that the interruptions (marked in italics) are in Simple Present
rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot
use future tenses in time clauses.
In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short action in the future.
In addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a specific time as an
interruption.
Examples:
REMEMBER
In the Simple Future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or end. In the
Future Continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.
Examples:
Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner.
I am going to start eating at 6 PM.
Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process of eating dinner at 6 PM.
When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea
that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
In English, we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere at a specific point in
the future.
Example:
When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. Others
are going to be talking. A few people will be eating pizza, and several people are going to be
drinking beer. They always do the same thing.
Like all future tenses, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of
Future Continuous, Present Continuous is used.
Examples:
While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Not Correct
While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct
Examples:
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You will still be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
Will you still be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
You are still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
Are you still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Future Perfect
Future Perfect has two different forms: "will have done" and "be going to have done." Unlike
Simple Future forms, Future Perfect forms are usually interchangeable.
You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Examples:
You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Are you going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
You are not going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect with little or
no difference in meaning.
The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another action in the
future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific time in the future.
Examples:
Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present
rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot
use future tenses in time clauses.
Examples:
I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.
By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week.
Although the above use of Future Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-
continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes
used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.
Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of
Future Perfect, Present Perfect is used.
Examples:
I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not Correct
I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
They will have completed the project before the deadline. Active
The project will have been completed before the deadline. Passive
They are going to have completed the project before the deadline. Active
The project is going to have been completed before the deadline. Passive
Examples:
You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Examples:
You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect Continuous
with little or no difference in meaning.
We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until a particular
event or time in the future. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Friday" are all
durations which can be used with the Future Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the
Present Perfect Continuous and the Past Perfect Continuous; however, with Future Perfect
Continuous, the duration stops at or before a reference point in the future.
Examples:
They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Thomas arrives.
She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it finally closes.
James will have been teaching at the university for more than a year by the time he leaves for
Asia.
How long will you have been studying when you graduate?
We are going to have been driving for over three days straight when we get to Anchorage.
A: When you finish your English course, will you have been living in New Zealand for over a
year?
B: No, I will not have been living here that long.
Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present
rather than Simple Future. This is because these future events are in time clauses, and you cannot
use future tenses in time clauses.
Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good way to show
cause and effect.
Examples:
Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for over an hour.
Claudia's English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she is going to have
been studying English in the United States for over two years.
If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday,"
many English speakers choose to use the Future Continuous rather than the Future Perfect
Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the sentence. Future Continuous
emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Future Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of
time before something in the future. Study the examples below to understand the difference.
Examples:
Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with
time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc.
Instead of Future Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous is used.
Examples:
You won't get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as Tim. Not Correct
You won't get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim. Correct
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Future Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Future Perfect .
Examples:
Ned will have been having his driver's license for over two years. Not Correct
Ned will have had his driver's license for over two years. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never,
ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You will only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
Will you only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?
You are only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
Are you only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is
finished. Active
The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it
is finished. Passive
The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is
finished. Active
The mural is going to have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the
time it is finished. Passive
NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Perfect Continuous are not common.
Used To
FORM
[used to + VERB]
Example:
It is better not to use "used to" in questions or negative forms; however, this is sometimes done
in informal spoken English. It is better to ask questions and create negative sentences using
Simple Past.
"Used to" expresses the idea that something was an old habit that stopped in the past. It indicates
that something was often repeated in the past, but it is not usually done now.
Examples:
Examples:
Both Simple Past and "Used to" can be used to describe past habits, past facts and past
generalizations; however, "used to" is preferred when emphasizing these forms of past repetition
in positive sentences. On the other hand, when asking questions or making negative sentences,
Simple Past is preferred.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Would Always
FORM
[would always + VERB]
Examples:
You would always take your surfboard with you when you went to the beach.
Would you always take your surfboard with you when you went to the beach?
You would not always take your surfboard with you when you went to the beach.
Like "used to" and Simple Past, "would always" expresses the idea that something was an old
habit which stopped in the past. It says that an action was often repeated in the past, but it is not
usually done now. Unlike "used to" and Simple Past, "would always" suggests that someone
willingly acted that way and sometimes expresses annoyance or amusement at the habit. It also
often suggests the habit was extreme. To express the opposite idea, we can say "would never" to
indicate that someone never did something in the past, but now they do.
Examples:
"Would always" is not exactly the same as "used to" or the Simple Past. "Would always" cannot
be used to talk about past facts or generalizations. It can only be used for repeated actions.
Examples:
In addition to "would always," English speakers often use "would constantly," "would often,"
"would forever" or simply "would." Although the last form "would" is correct, it is not suggested
because it can easily be confused with other verb forms such as the Conditional or Future in the
Past. Similarly, speakers can use "would rarely," "would occasionally" and "would seldom" to
express the idea that an action was not often repeated.
Examples:
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
FORM Would
[would + VERB]
Examples:
Future in the Past is used to express the idea that in the past you thought something would
happen in the future. It does not matter if you are correct or not. Future in the Past follows the
same basic rules as the Simple Future. "Would" is used to volunteer or promise, and "was going
to" is used to plan. Moreover, both forms can be used to make predictions about the future.
Examples:
Like all future forms, Future in the Past cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of
using Future in the Past, you must use Simple Past.
Examples:
I already told Mark that when he would arrive, we would go out for dinner. Not Correct
I already told Mark that when he arrived, we would go out for dinner. Correct