Verb tenses andmodal auxiliaries.

Rivera Maravilla, Miguel Angel

Simple PresentWe use the Present Simple when something is generally true:• The sun rises in the east.• People need food.• It snows in winter.

We use this tense for a situation that we think is more or less permanent:• Where do you live?• She works in a bank.• They love coffee.

Present ContinuousWe use it for things that are happening at the moment of speaking.• I'm working at the moment.• Please call back as– we are eating dinner now.• Julie is sleeping.

We can also use this tense for temporary situations, when we feel something won't continue for a long time.• She's staying with her friend for a week.• I'm living in London for a few months.

We can use the present continuous for habits but they have to be temporary or new habits.• You're always losing your keys!• She's constantly missing the train.

Present PerfectWe use to tell Life experience • I have been to Tokyo.• She has lived in Germany.• Have you ever read 'War and Peace'?

A finished action with a result in the present (focus on result)• I've lost my keys (so I can't get into my house).• She's hurt her leg (so she can't play tennis today).• I've cooked dinner (so you should come and eat).

With an unfinished time word (this month, this week, today, in the last year)• I haven't seen her this month.• She's drunk three cups of coffee today.• This week they've been shopping four times.

Present Perfect ContinuousWe use it to say how long for unfinished actions which started in the past and continue to the present. We often use this with for and since. • I've been living in London for two years.• She's been working here since 2004.• We've been waiting for the bus for hours.

Actions which have just stopped (though the whole action can be unfinished).• I'm so tired, I've been studying.• I've been running, so I'm really hot.• It's been raining, the pavement is wet

Simple PastWe use it to Finish events in the past with no connection to the present:• Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa.• The Vikings invaded Britain.

With a finished time word (yesterday, last week, at 2 o'clock, in 2003):• I went to the cinema yesterday.• We visited Japan in 2007.

For stories / lists of events:• He went to a café, sat down and lit a cigarette.• Yesterday I went to the library, met a friend for lunch, and played tennis.

Past ContinuousWe use past continuous when a continuous action in the past which is interrupted by another action or a time:• I was taking a bath when the telephone rang.• At three o'clock, I was working.

Background information, to give atmosphere to a story:• It was a beautiful day. The birds were singing, the sun was shining and in the cafes people

were laughing and chatting.

An annoying and repeated action in the past, usually with 'always':• He was always leaving the tap running.• (In the same way as the Present Continuous)

For two actions which happened at the same time in the past:• I was watching TV and he was reading.

Past Perfect Countinuous.A completed action before something else in the past.• When we arrived, the film had started. (= first the film started, then later we arrived)

To explain or give a reason for something in the past.• I'd eaten dinner so I wasn't hungry.• It had snowed in the night, so the bus didn't arrive.

Stative verbs only: something that started in the past and continued up to another action in the past.• When he graduated, he had been in London for six years.

As part of the third conditional.• If I had known you were ill, I would have visited you.

Simple FutureWe use the simple future for:A decision at the moment of speaking:• A: 'I'm cold'.• B: 'I'll close the window'.

Prediction based on opinion:• I think the Conservatives will win the next election.

A future fact:• The sun will rise at 7am.

Promises / requests / refusal / willingness:• I'll help you with your homework.• Will you give me a hand?• I will give up smoking!

Present ContinuousWe use it to say a continuous action in the future which is interrupted by a time or by another action.• I’'ll be waiting when you arrive.• At eight o’clock, I’'ll be eating dinner. (see the past continuous which is used

in a similiar way).

A complete action in the future that will happen in the normal course of events.• The Government will be making a statement later. • Because this talks about something that will happen if everything is as we

planned, we often use this tense to ask politely about what someone is going to do.

• Will you be taking your car to the meeting? (=I'm asking very indirectly and politely - perhaps I want to get a lift).

CAN is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use can to:

• talk about possibility and ability: I can dance.• make requests: Can you help me?• ask for or give permission: Can I tell you something?

COULD is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use could to:

• talk about past possibility or ability• make requests.

"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. We can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests.

• Your purse might be in the living room. • If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. • You might visit the botanical gardens during your

visit. • Might I borrow your pen?

"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission.

• Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. • Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your

dinner. give • May I use your bathroom?

"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to."• This must be the right address! certainty• Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. • You must take some medicine for that cough.

"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved.

• You ought to stop smoking.• Jim ought to get the promotion. It is expected because he deserves

it.• This stock ought to increase in value.

"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions.• Shall I help you? • I shall never forget where I came from. • He shall become our next king.

"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice

• When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam.• You should focus more on your family and less on work. • I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM

"Will" is used with promises or voluntary actions that take place in the future. "Will" can also be used to make predictions about the future

• I promise that I will write you every single day. • I will make dinner tonight. • He thinks it will rain tomorrow

"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the past form of the modal verb "will." Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the past

• If he were an actor, he would be in adventure movies. • I knew that she would be very successful in her career.• When they first met, they would always have picnics on the beach.