Tenses

TENSES

By :

Fianti Damayanti ( X MIA-1 )

SMAN 2 MOJOKERTO

Present Tense Simple Present Tense Present Continuous Tense Present Perfect Tense Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Past Tense Simple Past Tense Past Continuous Tense Past Perfect Tense

Present Tense

Simple Present Tense

It is used to express an action in present time, habitual or usual actions or daily event or universal fact. It is used to express an action in present time which is usually done on a regular basis. For example a student says, “I go to school”. It is a daily activity of a student to go to school, so such actions are expressed by present simple tense. Another example is, “I work in a factory”. It tells about a usual action of a person that he works in a factory on regular basis.

Nominal Form :

I/You/We/They + To Be (am/are)

He/She/It + To Be (is)

Examples : I am here every Sunday. They are at home every morning. We are love INSCADA. He is very smart.

Verbal Form :

I/You/We/They + VERB 1

He/She/It + VERB 1 (s/es)

Examples : I go to the school every day We study English at school She watches TV in the evening He loves me very much

When should we use the simple present tense?

Now we know how to make the present simple sentences. We use simple present tense in several different situations.

USE 1 : Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or regular. The action can be a daily event, a habit, a hobby, a scheduled event or something that often happens.

Example : I walk to work every day.

I always come to school by car. She frequently arrives here before me. He never forgets to do his homework. I often catch the late bus home. Once a year I fly back to visit my family in Korea. The classrooms are cleaned every evening after school. She sometimes loses her temper, but it doesn't happen

very often. Do you ever eat in the cafeteria? Does your father speak English every day?

USE 2 : Facts or Generalizations

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 : We come from Switzerland. Summer follows spring. The moon travels around the earth..

It rains a lot in Germany. I don't like horror films! Do you smoke? Does your sister have any children? How much does it cost to buy an apartment in Frankfurt? Birds do not like milk. California is in America. California is not in the United Kingdom. Windows are made of glass. Windows are not made of wood.

USE 3 : World Truths The sun sets in the West. Most babies learn to speak when they are about two years

old. Water boils at 100° Celsius. Trees lose their leaves in the fall. Few people live to be 100 years old. Wood floats on water. Does it snow in the Sahara desert? Do elephants live longer than humans?

USE 4 : Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Examples: The train leaves tonight at 6 PM. The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM. The party starts at 8 o'clock. When does class begin tomorrow?

USE 5 : Verbs of the senses and mental processes

The present simple tense is used for many verbs of thinking, feeling and sensing. The most common words are:

I love lying in bed late on Sunday mornings. I need to know right now. She says she doesn't know who did it, but I don't believe

her. He doesn't want to speak to you again. This doesn't taste very good, does it?

USE 6 : Observations and declarations

We commonly use the Simple Present with other verbs to make observations and declarations in the course of conversation:

I hope/assume/suppose/promise everything will be all right.

I declare this exhibition open.

Structure of sentence – Rules  

Positive Sentence

     • Subject + Main verb + Object     • Subject + 1st form of verb (or base verb) + Object

Note : If the subject in a sentence is “he, she, it, singular or proper noun” then “s” or “es” is added to the first form of verb or base form in the sentence.

Examples :

I write a letter. He gets up early in the morning. Sun rises in east. I sing a song. He drinks water. They read lessons. John reaches home in time. Water maintains its surface level.

Negative Sentences

   • Subject + auxiliary verb +NOT + Main verb +object   • Subject + Do not/Does not + 1st form of verb (or base form) + object

Examples :

I do not write a letter. He does not get up early in the morning. Sun does not rise in east.

Note : In negative sentence auxiliary verb “do or does” along with “not” is used. If the subject in a sentence is “he, she, it, singular or proper noun”, then “Does not” is used after subject in sentence. If subject is “I, we, they, you or plural” then “Do not” is used after subject in sentence. “s” or “es” is not added to main verb in negative sentence.

Interrogative Sentence

   • Auxiliary verb + Subject + Main verb + Object   • Do/Does + Subject + 1st for of verb (or base verb) + Object

Examples :

Do I write a letter? Does he get up early in the morning? Does sun rise in east?

Note: If the subject in a sentence is “he, she, it, singular or proper noun” the sentence is started with Auxiliary verb “Does”. If the subject in a sentence is “I, we, they, you or plural” the sentence is started with auxiliary verb “Do”. “s” or “es” is not added to main verb in Interrogative sentence.

Time signal : Always Often Every day When Seldom Usually Sometimes Generally Etc

Present Continuous Text

It is used to express a continued or ongoing action at present time. It expresses an action which is in progress at the time of speaking. For example, a person says, “I am writing a letter”. It means that he is in the process of writing a letter right now. Such actions which are happening at time of speaking are expressed by present continuous tense. Present Continuous tense is also called Present progressive tense.

Formula :

I/You/They/We + To Be (am/are) + V 1 (ing)

He/She/It + To Be (is) + V 1 (ing)

Examples :

I am playing volley ball now. We are studying English now. He is falling in love with me now.

When should we use the Present Continuous Tense ?

USE 1 : Now

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 : You are learning English now. You are not swimming now. Is he sitting or standing?

USE 2 : Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean : this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

Examples :

I am studying to become a doctor. I am not studying to become a dentist.

USE 3 : Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples :

I am meeting some friends after work. Is he visiting his parents next weekend? Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 : Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

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.“

Example : She is always coming to class late. He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

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 :

She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples : You are still watching TV. Are you still watching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples : Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

Structure of sentence

 Positive Sentence

    • Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object    • Subject + am/is/are + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object

If the subject is “I” then auxiliary verb “am” is used after subject in sentence.If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then auxiliary verb “is” is used after subject in sentence.

If subject is “You, They or plural” then auxiliary verb “are” is used after subject in sentence.The participle “ing” is added to the 1st form of verb i.e. going (go) writing (write).

Examples :

I am playing cricket. He is driving a car. They are reading their lessons.

Negative Sentence      • Subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object      • Subject + am/is/are + not + (1st form of verb + ing) + object

Rules for using auxiliary verbs (am or is or are) after subject in negative sentences are same as mentioned above.

Examples : I am not playing cricket. He is not driving a car. They are not reading their lessons.

Interrogative Sentences      • Auxiliary verb + Subject + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object      • Am/is/are + Subject + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object

For making interrogative sentences, the sentence is started with auxiliary verb rather than putting auxiliary verb inside the sentence. If the subject is “I” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “am”. If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “is”. If subject is “You, They or plural” the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “are”.

Examples : Am I playing cricket? Is he driving a car? Are they reading their lessons?

Time Signal : Now Right now At present To day

Present Perfect Tense

It is used to expressed an action which happened or completed in past but usually the action which happened or completed at a short time before now (near past) not a very long time before now. Specific time such as two years ago, last week or that day is usually not used in the sentences of in this tense. It means that this tense expresses the action whose time when it happened, is not exactly specified but it sounds to refer to some action that happened or completed in near past.

Nominal Form :

I/We/You/They + Have + been

He/She/It + Has + been

Examples : I have been to China before. She as been shot by me just now. He has been married. We have been to Indonesia before.

Verbal Form :

I/We/You/They + Have + V 3

He/She/It + Has + V 3

Examples : I have eaten. We have sung Indonesia Raya together.

When should we use the Present Perfect Tense ?

USE 1 : Unspecified Time Before Now

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 : I have seen that movie twenty times. I think I have met him once before. There have been many earthquakes in California. People have traveled to the Moon People have not traveled to Mars. Have you read the book yet? Nobody has ever climbed that mountain. A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?

B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

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: I have been to France.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.

I have been to France three times.You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.

I have never been to France.This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.

I think I have seen that movie before.

TOPIC : 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples : The government has become more interested in arts

education. Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at

the university since the Asian studies program was established.

My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 : Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples : Man has walked on the Moon. Our son has learned how to read. Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.

TOPIC 4 : An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

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 : James has not finished his homework yet. Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can

communicate. The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 : Multiple Actions at Different Times

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 : We have had many major problems while working on this

project. She has talked to several specialists about her problem,

but nobody knows why she is sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

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: Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

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 : I went to Mexico last year.

I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one. I have been to Mexico in the last year.

I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 : Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-

Continuous Verbs)

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 : Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples : You have only seen that movie one time. Have you only seen that movie one time?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples : Many tourists have visited that castle. Active That castle has been visited by many tourists. Passive

Structure of Sentence

Positive Sentence         • Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (past participle) + Subject         • Subject + has/have + 3rd form of verb or past participle + subject

If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then auxiliary verb “has” is used after subject in sentence.If subject is “You, They or plural” then auxiliary verb “have” is used after subject in sentence.

Examples :

I have eaten meal She has learnt a lesson

Negative Sentence

        • Subject + Auxiliary verb + NOT + main verb (past participle) + Subject        • Subject + has/have + NOT + 3rd form of verb or past participle + subject

Examples : I have not eaten meal. She has not learnt a lesson. They have not bought a new car.

Interrogative Sentences         • Auxiliary verb + Subject + main verb (past participle) + Subject         • Has/have + Subject + 3rd form of verb or past participle + subject

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb. If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “has”.If subject is “You, They or plural” then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “have”.

Examples : Have I eaten meal? Has she learnt a lesson? Have they gone to school? Have they bought a new car? Have I started a job? Has it rained?

Time Signal : Once Already As yet Since 1970 At last Since Since yesterday Finally Just

Present Perfect Continuous

It is used to express a continued or ongoing action that started in past and is continued until now. There will be a time reference, such as “since 1980, for three hours etc” from which the action has been started. A sense of time reference is found in these sentences which gives an idea that action has been continued from some time in past till now.  Such time reference or sense of time reference is the identity of Present perfect continuous tense because it tells that action has started from a particular time in past. For example, “He has been reading in this school since 2005”, so the it means that he has started his education in this school in 2005 and he is studying in this school till now.

Note: If there is not time reference or sense of time reference then it is not Present perfect continuous tense because there is no hint about the time of action when it started in past and it seems just an ongoing action at present time which resembles “present Continuous tense. So the reference of time differentiates between Present perfect continuous tense and Present continuous tense.

Rules: An auxiliary verb “has been or have been” is used in sentence. 1st form of verb (base verb) +ing (present participle) is used as main verb in sentence.

“Since” or “for” is used before the “time reference” in sentence. If the time reference is exactly known such as 1995, 4 O’clock then “since” is used before the time in sentence. If the time reference is not exactly known such as three hours, six years, four days, then “for” is used before the time in sentence. Time reference such as 3 hours or 5 days is not exactly known because we don’t know that about which three hours a day is told in sentence or about which 5 days in a month is told in sentence. While the 1995 is exactly known time

Formula :

I/We/You/They + Have + Been + V 1 + ing

He/She/It + Has + Been + V 1 + ing

Example : I have been working here for two days They have been trainig English for year She has been looking fior me since morning Have you been waiting here for two hours? You have not been waiting here for two hours.

When should we use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

USE 1 : Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous 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 Continuous.

Examples : What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes? Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last

three days?

USE 2 : Recently, Lately

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: She has been watching too much television lately. Have you been exercising lately? Mary has been feeling a little depressed.

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

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

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 :

You have only been waiting here for one hour. Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples :

Recently, John has been doing the work. Active Recently, the work has been being done by John. Passive

NOTE : Present Perfect Continuous is less commonly used in its passive form.

                  Structure of sentence

Positive Sentence.• Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (Present participle) + Object + Time reference• Subject + has been/have been + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object +    time reference

If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then auxiliary verb “has been” is used after subject in sentence.If subject is “You, They or plural” then auxiliary verb “have been” is used after subject in sentence.

Examples :

He has been watering the plants for two hours. I have been studying since 3 O’clock. It has been raining for three days. I have been living in America since 2003. He has been playing cricket for two hours. They have been watching television since 6 O’clock. She has been working in this office since 2007.

Negative Sentence.

• Subject +”Not” between the Auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle) +     Object + Time reference• Subject + has not been/have not been + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) +    object + time reference

To make negative sentence, the word “not” is written between the auxiliary verbs, so it becomes like “has not been or have not been”. The rule for using auxiliary verb “has been or have been” in negative sentences is as same as mentioned above.

Examples :

He has not been watering the plants for two hours. I have not been studying since 3 O’clock. It has not been raining for three days. I have not been living in America since 2003.  He has not been playing cricket for two hours. They have not been watching television since 6 O’clock.  She has not been working in this office since 2007.

Interrogative Sentence.• Auxiliary verb + Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle) + object + time reference

• Has/have + Subject + been + (1st form of verb or base verb+ing) + object + time reference

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb. If the subject is “He, She, It, singular or proper name” then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “has” and auxiliary verb “been” is used after subjectIf subject is “You, They or plural” then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “have” and “been” is used after subject.

Examples :

Has he been watering the plants for two hours? Have I been studying since 3 O’clock? Has it been raining for three days? Have I been living in America since 2003? Has he been playing cricket for two hours? Have they been watching television since 6 O’clock? Has she been working in this office since 2007?

Time signal : To night If Before Next When While Until Soon After

Past Tense

Simple Past Tense

It is used to express an action that happened or completed in past, usually a very little time before speaking, or action which is just completed. Time of action is not specified in terms of long time ago or short ago but it make a sense that the action has done a little time ago. For example, a person says, “I watched a movie”, it means the speaker of this sentence watched a movie a little time ago or little time ago in the same day.

Nominal Form :

You/They/We + To be (were)

I/He/She/It + To be (was)

Examples : I was here last night. They were happy last week. Did you call Debbie? You did not call Debbie.

Verbal Form :

I/You/We/They/He/She/It + V 2

Examples :

I went last week. She went to Bali yesterday. He bought sugar yesterday.

When should we use the Simple Past Tense?

USE 1 : Completed Action in the Past

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 : I saw a movie yesterday. I didn't see a play yesterday. Last year, I didn't travel to Korea. Did you have dinner last night?

USE 2 : A Series of Completed Actions

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?

USE 3 : Duration in Past

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 : I lived in Brazil for two years. They sat at the beach all day. They did not stay at the party the entire time. A: How long did you wait for them?

B: We waited for one hour.

USE 4 : Habits in the Past

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 : I studied French when I was a child. He didn't play the piano. Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid? They never went to school, they always skipped class.

USE 5 : Past Facts or Generalizations

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 : She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing. He didn't like tomatoes before. Did you live in Texas when you were a kid? People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the

past.

IMPORTANT When-Clauses Happen First

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are often not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when I dropped my pen..." or "when class began..." These clauses are called when-clauses, and they are very important. The examples below contain when-clauses.

Examples : When I paid her one dollar, she answered my question. She answered my question when I paid her one dollar.

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 : I paid her one dollar when she answered my question.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples : You just called Debbie. Did you just call Debbie?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples : Tom repaired the car. Active The car was repaired by Tom. Passive

                       Structure of sentences

Positive Sentence      • Subject + main verb (past simple) + object      • Subject + 2nd form of verb (past simple) + object

Examples : I killed a snake. He ate a mango. He gave me a gift. They went to cinema.

Negative sentences       • Subject + (auxiliary verb + not) main verb (base form) + object       • Subject + did not + 1st form of verb or base form + object

In negative sentence “did not” is written and the 1st form of verb (base verb) is used instead of using 2nd form (or past simple verb).

Examples :       I did not kill a snake.       He did not eat a mango.

Interrogative sentences     • Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (base verb) + object     • Did + subject + 1st form of verb (or base verb) + object

Interrogative sentence starts with “did” and the 1st form of verb (base verb) is used instead of using 2nd form (or past simple verb).

Examples : Did I kill a snake? Did he eat a mango?

Time Signal : Yesterday Last night An hour ago Two days ago Last Monday Last year

Past Continuous Tense

It is used to express a continued or ongoing action in past, an ongoing action which occurred in past and completed at some point in past. It expresses an ongoing nature of an action in past.  For example, “he was laughing.” This sentence shows ongoing action (laughing) of a person which occurred in past. Past continuous tense is also called past progressive. 

Formula :

I/He/She/It + was + V 1 + ing

We/You/They + were + V 1 + ing

Examples : You were studying when she called. Were you studying when she called? You were not studying when she called. I was writing a lesson all day, yesterday.

When should we use the Past Continuous Tense?

USE 1 : Interrupted Action in the Past

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 : I was watching TV when she called. When the phone rang, she was writing a letter. While we were having the picnic, it started to rain. What were you doing when the earthquake started?

I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm. You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the

oven off. While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car. Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane. While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly

went off. A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?

B: I was snowboarding.

USE 2 : Specific Time as an Interruption

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: Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. At midnight, we were still driving through the desert. Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.

IMPORTANT

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 : Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.

I started eating at 6 PM. Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.

USE 3 : Parallel Actions

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 : I was studying while he was making dinner. While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television. Were you listening while he was talking?

What were you doing while you were waiting? Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either. They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and

having a good time. I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so

I made several mistakes.

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.

USE 5 : Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing.“

Examples : She was always coming to class late. He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.

While vs. When

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 : I was studying when she called. While I was studying, she called

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

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 : Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not

Correct Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples : You were just studying when she called. Were you just studying when she called?

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

Structure of sentence

Positive sentences          • Subject + auxiliary verb + Main Verb (present participle) + object          • Subject + was/were + (1st form of verb or base verb +ing) +object

If the subject is “he, she, It, I, singular or proper noun” then auxiliary verb “was” is used. If subject is “you, we, they or plural” then auxiliary verb “were” is used.

Examples :

She was crying yesterday. They were climbing on a hill. They were laughing at the joker. He was taking exam last month You waiting for him yesterday She was working in a factory. It was raining yesterday.

Negative sentences         • Subject + auxiliary verb + NOT + Main verb (present participle) + object         • Subject + was/were + NOT + (1st form of verb or base verb +ing) +object

Rules for using auxiliary verb after subject are same as mentioned above.

Examples : She was not crying yesterday. They were not climbing on a hill.

Interrogative sentences         • Auxiliary verb + Subject + Main verb (present participle) + object         • Was/were + Subject + (1st form of verb or base verb +ing) +object

The interrogative sentence starts with the auxiliary verb. If the subject is “he, she, It, I, singular or proper noun” then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “was”. If subject is “you, we, they or plural” then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb “were”.

Examples :

Was she crying yesterday? Were they climbing on a hill? Were they laughing at the joker? Was he taking exam last month? Were you waiting for him yesterday? Was she working in a factory? Was it raining yesterday?

Time Signal : When While As All day Etc.

Past Perfect Tense

It is used to express an action which has occurred in past (usually, a long time ago) and action which has occurred in past before another action in past.

For example,I had lived in America. (The sense of time in this sentence refers to a completed action in past and especially a long time ago)

The students had gone before the teacher came.  (The first part of sentence “The student has gone” is sentence of past perfect tense, it says about an action which occurred before another action in past which is “the teacher came”. The second part “the teacher came” is sentence of past simple tense. So such a sentence which express an action in past before another action in past comprises two parts where the first part of sentence is past perfect tense)

Rules. Auxiliary verb “had” is used in sentence. 3rd form of verb (past participle) is used as main verb in sentence

Nominal Form :

I/You/They/We/She/It + Had + Been

Examples :

He had been at home You had been there a long time

Verbal Form :

I/You/They/We/He/She/It + Had + V 3

Examples :

I had left before my parents come They had left before you arrived

When should we use the Past Perfect Tense ?

USE 1 : Completed Action Before Something in the Past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples : I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to

Kauai. I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet. Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the

city several times.

Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?

She only understood the movie because she had read the book.

Kristine had never been to an opera before last night. We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not

booked in advance. A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?

B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.

USE 2 : Duration Before Something in the Past (Non- Continuous Verbs)

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 :

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.

IMPORTANT Specific Times with the Past Perfect

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

Structure of sentence

Positive sentence        • Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (past participle) + object        • Subject + had + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

Examples : He had taken the exam last year. A thief had stolen my watch.

Negative sentence        • Subject + auxiliary verb + NOT + main verb (past participle) + object        •Subject + had + not + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

   “Not” is written after auxiliary verb in negative sentence.

Examples : He had not taken the exam last year. A thief had not stolen my watch. They had not visited a doctor.

Interrogative sentence       • Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (past participle) + object       • Had + subject + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

     Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb “had”

Examples : Had he taken the exam last year Had a thief stolen my watch? Had it rained heavily last month?

Time Signal : Before After Until As soon as

Thank you

By : fianti