ENGLISH LANGUAGE GRAMMAR - PARTS OF SPEECH
VERBS AND VERB TENSES
ENGLISH VERBS AND VERB TENSES
Introduction
It is important to understand the meaning and use of tenses in English. The
form may be like that of a tense in your own language, but the meaning may
be different, so be very careful!
Present tenses
Simple present
Present continuous
Past tenses
Simple past
Past continuous
Perfect tenses
Present Perfect
Present perfect continuous
Past perfect
Past perfect continuous
Future perfect
Future perfect continuous
Future tenses
Simple future
Future continuous
Conditional tenses
Present conditional
Present continuous conditional
Perfect conditional
Perfect continuous conditional
TENSES
SUMMARY OF VERB TENSES
Present tenses
Simple present: She wants a drink.
Present continuous: They are walking home.
Past tenses
Simple past: Peter lived in China in 1965.
Past continuous: I was reading when she arrived.
Perfect tenses
Present Perfect: I have lived here since 1987.
Present perfect continuous: I have been living here for years.
Past perfect: We had been to see her several times before she visited us.
Past perfect continuous: He had been watching her for some time when she
turned and smiled.
Future perfect: We will have arrived in the States by the time you get this
letter.
Future perfect continuous: By the end of your course, you will have been
studying for five years.
Future tenses
Simple future: They will go to Italy next week.
Future continuous: I will be travelling by train.
Conditional tenses
Present conditional: If he had the money he would go
Present continuous conditional: He would be getting up now if he was in
Australia.
Perfect conditional: She would have visited me if she had had time.
Perfect continuous conditional: I would have been playing tennis if I hadn't
broken my arm.
TENSES
SIMPLE PRESENT
(See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present')
Simple present, third person singular
Note:
1. he, she, it: in the third person singular the verb always ends in -s:
he wants, she needs, he gives, she thinks.
2. Negative and question forms use DOES (=the third person of the
auxiliary'DO') + the infinitive of the verb.
He wants. Does he want? He does not want.
3. Verbs ending in -y : the third person changes the -y to -ies:
fly flies, cry cries
Exception: if there is a vowel before the -y:
play plays, pray prays
4. Add -es to verbs ending in:-ss, -x, -sh, -ch:
he passes, she catches, he fixes, it pushes
See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present', and 'Be, do & have'
Examples:
1. Third person singular with s or -es
a. He goes to school every morning.
b. She understands English.
c. It mixes the sand and the water.
d. He tries very hard.
e. She enjoys playing the piano.
2. Simple present, form
Example: to think, present simple
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I think Do I think ? I do not think.
You think Do you think? You don't think.
he, she, it thinks Does he, she, it think? He, she, it doesn't think.
we think Do we think? We don't think.
you think Do you think? You don't think.
The simple present is used:
1. to express habits, general truths, repeated actions or unchanging
situations, emotions and wishes:
I smoke (habit); I work in London (unchanging situation); London is a
large city (general truth)
2. to give instructions or directions:
You walk for two hundred metres, then you turn left.
3. to express fixed arrangements, present or future:
Your exam starts at 09.00
4. to express future time, after some conjunctions: after, when,
before, as soon as, until:
He'll give it to you when you come next Saturday.
BE CAREFUL! The simple present is not used to express actions happening
now. See Present Continuous.
Examples:
1. For habits
He drinks tea at breakfast.
She only eats fish.
They watch television regularly.
2. For repeated actions or events
We catch the bus every morning.
It rains every afternoon in the hot season.
They drive to Monaco every summer.
3. For general truths
Water freezes at zero degrees.
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
Her mother is Peruvian.
4. For instructions or directions
Open the packet and pour the contents into hot water.
You take the No.6 bus to Watney and then the No.10 to Bedford.
5. For fixed arrangements
His mother arrives tomorrow.
Our holiday starts on the 26th March
6. With future constructions
She'll see you before she leaves.
We'll give it to her when she arrives.
TENSES
SIMPLE PRESENT FOR FUTURE EVENTS
1. Form - see Simple Present section.
2. Simple present for future events - function
The simple present is used to make statements about events at a time later
than now, when the statements are based on present facts, and when these
facts are something fixed like a time-table, schedule, calendar.
Examples:
a. The plane arrives at 18.00 tomorrow.
b. She has a yoga class tomorrow morning.
c. The restaurant opens at 19.30 tonight.
d. Next Thursday at 14.00 there is an English exam.
Note the difference between:
a. The plane leaves in ten minutes (= statement of fact)
b. The plane's going to leave in ten minutes (= prediction
based on present situation, meaning "...and if you don't hurry
up you're going to miss it!")
TENSES
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1. Present continuous, form
The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts - the present
tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb.
(The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing,
moving, smiling)
Affirmative
Subject + to be + base+ing
she is talking
Negative
Subject + to be + not + base+ing
she is not (isn't) talking
Interrogative
to be + subject + base+ing
is she talking?
Example: to go, present continuous
Negative Interrogative
Affirmative
I am going I am not going Am I going?
You are going You aren't going. Are you going?
He, she, it is going He, she, it isn't going Is he, she, it going?
We are going We aren't going Are we going?
You are going You aren't going Are you going?
They are going They aren't going Are they going?
Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's
not going etc.
2. Present continuous, function
As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the
time of the action or event. When someone uses the present continuous,
they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete.
The present continuous is used:
• to describe an action that is going on at this moment
e.g. You are using the Internet. You are studying English grammar.
• to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend
e.g. Are you still working for the same company? More and more people are becoming
vegetarian.
• to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or
prepared (See also 'Ways of expressing the future)
e.g. We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight.
Are they visiting you next winter?
• to describe a temporary event or situation
e.g. He usually plays the drums, but he's playing bass guitar tonight.
The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the moment.
• with 'always, forever, constantly', to describe and emphasise a continuing series of
repeated actions
e.g. Harry and Sally are always arguing! You're forever complaining about your mother-in-law!
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not used in the continuous form - see below.
3. Verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form, because
they refer to states, rather than actions or processes:
List of common verbs normally used in simple form:
Senses / Perception
feel*, hear, see*, smell, taste
Opinion
assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (= think), find (= consider),
suppose, think*
Mental states
forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognise, remember, understand
Emotions / desires
envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want,
wish
Measurement
contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh
Others
look (=resemble), seem, be (in most cases), have (when it means to
possess)*
Notes:
1. 'Perception' verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with 'can':
e.g. I can see...
2. * These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different
meaning, compare:
a. This coat feels nice and warm. (= your perception of the coat's qualities)
b. John's feeling much better now (= his health is improving)
a. She has three dogs and a cat. (=possession)
b. She's having supper. (= She's eating)
a. I can see Anthony in the garden (= perception)
b. I'm seeing Anthony later (= We are planning to meet)
Examples:
• I wish I was in Greece now.
• She wants to see him now.
• I don't understand why he is shouting.
• I feel we are making a mistake.
• This glass holds half a litre.
TENSES
PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE EVENTS
1. Present continuous for the future, form
See notes on form in section on Present Continuous.
Subject + to be + base-ing
She is meeting
2. Future: Present continuous for the future, function
The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for events at a
time later than now.
There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and
that some preparation has already happened. e.g.
a. I'm meeting Jim at the airport = and both Jim and I have discussed this.
b. I am leaving tomorrow. = and I've already bought my train ticket.
c. We're having a staff meeting next Monday = and all members of staff have
been told about it.
More examples:
a. Is she seeing him tomorrow?
b. He isn't working next week.
c. They aren't leaving until the end of next year.
d. We are staying with friends when we get to Boston.
Note: in example (a), seeing is used in a continuous form because it means
meeting.
BE CAREFUL! The simple present is used when a future event is part of a
programme or time-table. Notice the difference between:
a. We're having a staff meeting next Monday.
b. We have a staff meeting next Monday.(= we have a meeting every
Monday, it's on the time-table.)
TENSES
SIMPLE PAST
BE CAREFUL! The simple past in English may look like a tense in your own
language, but the meaning may be different.
1. Simple past, form
Regular verbs: base+ed
e.g. walked, showed, watched, played, smiled, stopped
Irregular verbs: see list in verbs
Simple past, be, have, do:
Verb
Subject
Be Have Do
I was had did
You were had did
He, she, it was had did
We were had did
You were had did
They were had did
Affirmative
a. I was in Japan last year
b. She had a headache yesterday.
c. We did our homework last night.
Negative and interrogative
Note: For the negative and interrogative simple past form of "do" as an
ordinary verb, use the auxiliary "do", e.g. We didn't do our homework last
night. The negative of "have" in the simple past is usually formed using the
auxiliary "do", but sometimes by simply adding not or the contraction "n't".
The interrogative form of "have" in the simple past normally uses the
auxiliary "do".
• They weren't in Rio last summer.
• We hadn't any money.
• We didn't have time to visit the Eiffel Tower.
• We didn't do our exercises this morning.
• Were they in Iceland last January?
• Did you have a bicycle when you were a boy?
• Did you do much climbing in Switzerland?
Simple past, regular verbs
Affirmative
Subject verb + ed
I washed
Negative
Subject did not infinitive without to
They didn't visit ...
Interrogative
Did subject infinitive without to
Did she arrive...?
Interrogative negative
Did not subject infinitive without to
Didn't you like..?
Example: to walk, simple past.
Negative Interrogative
Affirmative
I walked I didn't walk Did I walk?
You walked You didn't walk Did you walk?
He,she,it walked He didn't walk Did he walk?
We walked We didn't walk Did we walk?
You walked You didn't walk Did you walk?
They walked They didn't walk Did they walk?
Note: For the negative and interrogative form of all verbs in the simple past,
always use the auxiliary 'did''.
Examples: Simple past, irregular verbs
to go
a. He went to a club last night.
b. Did he go to the cinema last night?
c. He didn't go to bed early last night.
to give
d. We gave her a doll for her birthday.
e. They didn't give John their new address.
f. Did Barry give you my passport?
to come
g. My parents came to visit me last July.
h. We didn't come because it was raining.
i. Did he come to your party last week?
2. Simple past, function
The simple past is used to talk about a completed action in a time before
now. Duration is not important. The time of the action can be in the recent
past or the distant past.
• John Cabot sailed to America in 1498.
• My father died last year.
• He lived in Fiji in 1976.
• We crossed the Channel yesterday.
You always use the simple past when you say when something happened, so
it is associated with certain past time expressions
Examples:
• frequency:
often, sometimes, always;
• a definite point in time:
last week, when I was a child, yesterday, six weeks ago.
• an indefinite point in time:
the other day, ages ago, a long time ago etc.
Note: the word ago is a useful way of expressing the distance into the past.
It is placed after the period of time e.g. a week ago, three years ago, a
minute ago.
Examples:
a. Yesterday, I arrived in Geneva.
b. She finished her work at seven o'clock.
c. We saw a good film last week.
d. I went to the theatre last night.
e. She played the piano when she was a child.
f. He sent me a letter six months ago.
g. Peter left five minutes ago.
TENSES
PAST CONTINUOUS
1. Past continuous - form.
The past continuous of any verb is composed of two parts : the past tense of
the verb to be (was/were), and the base of the main verb +ing.
Subject was/were base-ing
They were watching
Affirmative
She was reading
Negative
She wasn't reading
Interrogative
Was she reading?
Interrogative negative
Wasn't she reading?
Example: to play, past continuous
Negative Interrogative
Affirmative
I was playing I was not playing Was I playing?
You were playing You were not playing Were you playing?
He, she, it was playing She wasn't playing Was she playing?
We were playing We weren't playing Were we playing?
You were playing You weren't playing Were you playing?
They were playing They weren't playing Were they playing?
2. Past continuous, function
The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which
began in the past and was still going on at the time of speaking. In other
words, it expresses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past.
It is used:
• often, to describe the background in a story written in the past tense,
e.g. "The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant
came out of the jungle. The other animals were relaxing in the
shade of the trees, but the elephant moved very quickly. She was
looking for her baby, and she didn't notice the hunter who was
watching her through his binoculars. When the shot rang out, she was
running towards the river..."
• to describe an unfinished action that was interrupted by another
event or action: "I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm
clock rang."
• to express a change of mind: e.g. "I was going to spend the day at
the beach but I've decided to go on an excursion instead."
• with 'wonder', to make a very polite request: e.g. "I was wondering if
you could baby-sit for me tonight."
More examples:
a. They were waiting for the bus when the accident
happened.
b. Caroline was skiing when she broke her leg.
c. When we arrived he was having a bath.
d. When the fire started I was watching television.
Note: with verbs not normally used in the continuous form, the simple past is
used. See list in Present continuous
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT
1. Present perfect - form
The present perfect of any verb is composed of two elements : the
appropriate form of the auxiliary verb to have (present tense), plus the past
participle of the main verb. The past participle of a regular verb is base+ed,
e.g. played, arrived, looked. For irregular verbs, see the Table of irregular
verbs in the section called 'Verbs'.
Affirmative
Subject to have past participle
She has visited
Negative
Subject to have + not past participle
She hasn't visited
Interrogative
to have subject past participle
Has she visited..?
Interrogative negative
to have + not subject past participle
Hasn't she visited...?
Example: to walk, present perfect
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I haven't walked Have I walked?
I have walked
You haven't walked Have you walked?
You have walked
He, she, it hasn't walked Has he,she,it walked
He, she, it has walked
We haven't walked Have we walked?
We have walked
You haven't walked Have you walked?
You have walked
They haven't walked Have they walked?
They have walked
2. Present perfect, function
The Present Perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the
past. The time of the action is before now but not specified, and we are
often more interested in the result than in the action itself.
BE CAREFUL! There may be a verb tense in your language with a similar
form, but the meaning is probably NOT the same.
The present perfect is used to describe:
1.An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present.
Example: I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
2. An action performed during a period that has not yet finished.
Example: She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
3. A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now.
Example: We have visited Portugal several times.
4. An action that was completed in the very recent past, (expressed by 'just').
Example: I have just finished my work.
5. An action when the time is not important.
Example: He has read 'War and Peace'. (the result of his reading is important)
Note: When we want to give or ask details about when, where, who, we use the simple past.
Example: He read 'War and Peace' last week.
Examples:
1. Actions started in the past and continuing in the present.
a. They haven't lived here for years.
b. She has worked in the bank for five years.
c. We have had the same car for ten years.
d. Have you played the piano since you were a child?
2. When the time period referred to has not finished.
a. I have worked hard this week.
b. It has rained a lot this year.
c. We haven't seen her today.
3. Actions repeated in an unspecified period between the past and now.
a. They have seen that film six times.
b. It has happened several times already.
c. She has visited them frequently.
d. We have eaten at that restaurant many times.
4. Actions completed in the very recent past (+just).
a. Have you just finished work?
b. I have just eaten.
c. We have just seen her.
d. Has he just left?
5. When the precise time of the action is not important or not known.
a. Someone has eaten my soup!
b. Have you seen 'Gone with the Wind'?
c. She's studied Japanese, Russian and English.
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT + ever, never, already, yet
The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before
now e.g. Have you ever visited Berlin?
'Ever' is used
a. in questions. e.g.
Have you ever been to England?
Has she ever met the Prime Minister?
b. in negative questions e.g.
Haven't they ever been to Europe?
Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
c. and in negative statements using the pattern
nothing.......ever, nobody.......ever e.g.
Nobody has ever said that to me before.
Nothing like this has ever happened to us.
d. 'Ever' is also used with 'The first time.... e.g.
It's the first time (that) I've ever eaten snails.
This is the first time I've ever been to England.
'Never' means at no time before now, and is the same as not ..... ever:
I have never visited Berlin
BE CAREFUL!
You must not use never and not together:
I haven't never been to Italy.
I have never been to Italy.
Position: 'Ever' and 'never' are always placed before the
main verb (past participle).
Already and yet:
Already refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before
now. It suggests that there is no need for repetition, e.g.
a. I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (and you're offering me
another one!)
b. Don't write to John, I've already done it.
It is also used in questions:
a. Have you already written to John?
b. Has she finished her homework already?
Position: already can be placed before the main verb (past
participle) or at the end of the sentence:
a. I have already been to Tokyo.
b. I have been to Tokyo already.
yet is used in negative statements and questions, to mean (not) in the period
of time between before now and now, (not) up to and including the present.
e.g.
a. Have you met Judy yet?
b. I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet.
c. Has he arrived yet?
d. They haven't eaten yet.
Position: Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Present perfect continuous, form
The present perfect continuous is made up of two elements: (a) the present
perfect of the verb 'to be' (have/has been), and (b) the present participle of
the main verb (base+ing).
Subject has/have been base+ing
She has been swimming
Affirmative
She has been / She's been running
Negative
She hasn't been running
Interrogative
Has she been running?
Interrogative negative
Hasn't she been running?
Example: to live, present perfect continuous
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I haven't been living Have I been living?
I have been living
You haven't been living Have you been living?
You have been living
He, she, it has been living He hasn't been living Has she been living?
We haven't been living Have we been living?
We have been living
You haven't been living Have you been living?
You have been living
They haven't been living Have they been living?
They have been living
Present perfect continuous, function
The present perfect continuous refers to an unspecified time between
'before now' and 'now'. The speaker is thinking about something that started
but perhaps did not finish in that period of time. He/she is interested in the
process as well as the result, and this process may still be going on, or may
have just finished.
Examples:
1. Actions that started in the past and continue in the present.
a. She has been waiting for you all day (=and she's still waiting now).
b. I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (=and I
still haven't finished it).
c. They have been travelling since last October (=and they're not home
yet).
2. Actions that have just finished, but we are interested in the results:
a. She has been cooking since last night (=and the food on the table looks
delicious).
b. It's been raining (= and the streets are still wet).
c. Someone's been eating my chips (= half of them have gone).
Note:
Verbs without continuous forms
With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, use the present perfect
simple. See list of these verbs under 'Present Continuous':
• I've wanted to visit China for years.
• She's known Robert since she was a child.
• I've hated that music since I first heard it.
• I've heard a lot about you recently.
• We've understood everything we've heard this morning.
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT + for, since
Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by
considering its duration, with for + a period of time, or by considering its
starting point, with since + a point in time.
For + a period of time:
for six years, for a week, for a month, for hours, for two
hours.
I have worked here for five years.
Since + a point in time:
since this morning, since last week, since yesterday,
since I was a child, since Wednesday, since 2 o'clock.
I have worked here since 1990.
More examples:
present perfect with for:
a. She has lived here for twenty years.
b. We have taught at this school for a long time.
c. Alice has been married for three months.
d. They have been at the hotel for a week.
present perfect with since:
a. She has lived here since 1980.
b. We have taught at this school since 1965.
c. Alice has been married since March 2nd.
d. They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.
Note:
1. For and since can both be used with the past perfect.
2. Since can only be used with perfect tenses, for can also be used with the
simple past.
TENSES
PAST PERFECT
Past perfect, form
The Past Perfect tense in English is composed of two parts: the past tense of
the verb to have (had) + the past participle of the main verb.
Subject had past participle
We had decided...
Affirmative
She had given.
Negative
We hadn't asked.
Interrogative
Had they arrived?
Interrogative negative
Hadn't you finished?
Example: to decide, Past perfect
Negative Interrogative
Affirmative
I had decided I hadn't decided Had I decided?
You had decided You hadn't decided Had you decided?
He, she, it had decided He hadn't decided Had she decided?
We had decided We hadn't decided Had we decided?
You had decided You hadn't decided Had you decided?
They had decided They hadn't decided Had they decided?
Past perfect, function
The past perfect refers to a time earlier than before now. It is used to make
it clear that one event happened before another in the past. It does not
matter which event is mentioned first - the tense makes it clear which one
happened first.
In these examples, Event A is the first or earliest event, Event B is the
second or latest event:
John had gone out when I arrived in the office.
a.
Event B
Event A
had saved my document before the computer crashed.
b.
Event A Event B
When they arrived we had already started cooking
c.
Event B Event A
He was very tired because he hadn't slept well.
d.
Event B Event A
Past perfect + just
'Just' is used with the past perfect to refer to an event that was only a short
time earlier than before now, e.g.
a. The train had just left when I arrived at the station.
b. She had just left the room when the police arrived.
c. I had just put the washing out when it started to rain.
TENSES
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Past perfect continuous, form
The past perfect continuous is composed of two elements - the past perfect
of the verb to be (=had been) + the present participle (base+ing).
Examples:
Subject had been verb-ing
I had been walking
Affirmative
had been trying
She
Negative
hadn't been sleeping
We
Interrogative
Had you been eating
Interrogative negative
Hadn't they been living
Example: to buy, past perfect continuous
Negative Interrogative
Affirmative
I had been buying I hadn't been buying Had I been buying?
You had been buying You hadn't been buying Had you been buying
He,she,it had been buying He hadn't been buying Had she been buying?
We had been buying We hadn't been buying Had we been buying?
You had been buying You hadn't been buying Had you been buying
They had been buying They hadn't been buying Had they been buying
Past perfect continuous, function
The past perfect continuous corresponds to the present perfect continuous,
but with reference to a time earlier than 'before now'. Again, we are more
interested in the process.
Examples:
a. Had you been waiting long before the taxi arrived?
b. We had been trying to open the door for five minutes when Jane found
her key.
c. It had been raining hard for several hours and the streets were very wet.
d. Her friends had been thinking of calling the police when she walked in.
This form is also used in reported speech. It is the equivalent of the past
continuous and the present perfect continuous in direct speech:
Jane said "I have been gardening all afternoon." Jane said she had been
gardening all afternoon.
When the police questioned him, John said "I was working late in the office
that night." When the police questioned him, John told them he had
been working late in the office that night.
TENSES
SIMPLE FUTURE
Simple future, form
The 'simple' future is composed of two parts: will / shall + the infinitive
without 'to'
Subject will infinitive without to
He will leave...
Affirmative
I will go
I shall go
Negative
They will not see
They won't see
Interrogative
Will she ask?
Interrogative
negative
Won't she take?
Contractions:
I will I'll We will we'll
You will you'll You will you'll
He,she, will he'll, she'll They will they'll
NOTE: The form 'it will' is not normally shortened.
Example: to see, simple future
Negative Interrogative
Affirmative
I'll see I won't see/ Will I see?/
*I will/shall see I shan't see Shall I see?
You'll see You won't see Will you see?
He, she, it will see He won't see Will she see?
We'll see We won't see/ Will we see?/
*We will/shall see We shan't see Shall we see?
You will see You won't see Will you see?
They'll see They won't see Will they see?
*NOTE: shall is slightly dated but can be used instead of will with I / we.
Simple future, function
The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or
certainty. In this case there is no 'attitude'.
The simple future is used:
a. to predict a future event: It will rain tomorrow.
b. (with I/we) to express a spontaneous decision: I'll pay for the tickets by
credit card.
c. to express willingness: I'll do the washing-up. He'll carry your bag for
you.
d. (in the negative form) to express unwillingness: The baby won't eat his
soup. I won't leave until I've seen the manager!
e. (with I in the interrogative form) to make an offer: Shall I open the
window?
f. (with we in the interrogative form) to make a suggestion: Shall we go to
the cinema tonight?
g. (with I in the interrogative form) to ask for advice or instructions: What
shall I tell the boss about this money?
h. (with you) to give orders: You will do exactly as I say.
i. (with you) to give an invitation: Will you come to the dance with me?
Will you marry me?
NOTE: In modern English will is preferred to shall.
Shall is mainly used with I and we to make an offer or suggestion (see
examples (e) and (f) above, or to ask for advice (example (g) above).
With the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is only used in literary or
poetic situations, e.g.
"With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music
wherever she goes."
TENSES
FUTURE FORMS
Introduction
There are a number of different ways of referring to the future in English. It
is important to remember that we are expressing more than simply the time
of the action or event. Obviously, any 'future' tense will always refer to a
time 'later than now', but it may also express our attitude to the future
event.
All of the following ideas can be expressed using different tenses:
a. Simple prediction
b. Arrangements
c. Plans and intentions
d. Time-tabled events
e. Prediction based on present evidence
f. Willingness
g. An action in progress in the future
h. An action or event that is a matter of routine
i. Obligation
j. An action or event that will take place immediately or very
soon
k. Projecting ourselves into the future and looking back at a
completed action.
The example sentences below correspond to the ideas above:
a. There will be snow in many areas tomorrow.
b. I'm meeting Jim at the airport.
c. We're going to spend the summer abroad.
d. The plane takes off at 3 a.m.
e. I think it's going to rain!
f. We'll give you a lift to the cinema.
g. This time next week I'll be sun-bathing.
h. You'll be seeing John in the office tomorrow, won't you?
i. You are to travel directly to London.
j. The train is about to leave.
k. A month from now he will have finished all his exams.
It is clear from these examples that several tenses are used to express the
future. The sections that follow show the form and function of each of these
tenses.
TENSES
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
Future continuous, form
The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the
verb 'to be' + the present participle (base+ing)
Subject simple future, 'to be' base+ing
You will be watching
Affirmative
I will be asking
Negative
She won't be leaving
Interrogative
Will they be retiring?
Interrogative negative
Won't we be staying?
Example: to stay, future continuous
Negative Interrogative
Affirmative
I will be staying I won't be staying Will I be staying?
You will be staying You won't be staying Will you be staying?
He, she, it will be staying He won't be staying Will she be staying?
We will be staying We won't be staying Will we be staying?
You will be staying You won't be staying Will you be staying?
They will be staying They won't be staying Will they be staying?
Future continuous, function
The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in
progress at a time later than now. It is used:
a. to project ourselves into the future and see something happening: This
time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.
b. to refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events:
I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
c. in the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a
simple request for information and an invitation: Will you be coming to the
party tonight? (= request for information) Will you come to the party? (=
invitation)
d. to predict or guess about someone's actions or feelings, now or in the
future: You'll be feeling tired after that long walk, I expect.
More examples:
a. events in progress in the future:
When you are in Australia will you be staying with friends?
This time next week you will be working in your new job.
At four thirty on Tuesday afternoon I will be signing the
contract.
b. events/actions in normal course of events:
I'll be going into town this afternoon, is there anything you
want from the shops?
Will you be using the car tomorrow? - No, you can take it.
I'll be seeing Jane this evening - I'll give her the message.
c. asking for information:
Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
Will Jim be coming with us?
d. predicting or guessing:
You'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.
He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.
You'll be missing the sunshine now you're back in England.
TENSES
FUTURE PERFECT
Future perfect, form
The future perfect is composed of two elements: the simple future of the
verb to have (will have) + the past participle of the main verb:
Subject will have past participle
He will have finished
Affirmative
I will have left
Negative
They won't have gone
Interrogative
Will we have seen?
Interrogative negative
Won't he have arrived?
Example: to arrive, future perfect
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I'll have arrived I won't have arrived Will I have arrived?
You'll have arrived You won't have arrived Will you have arrived?
He'll have arrived She won't have arrived Will it have arrived?
We'll have arrived We won't have arrived Will we have arrived?
You'll have arrived You won't have arrived Will you have arrived?
They'll have arrived They won't have arrived Will they have arrived?
Future perfect, function
The future perfect refers to a completed action in the future. When we use
this tense we are projecting ourselves forward into the future and looking
back at an action that will be completed some time later than now.
It is often used with a time expression using by + a point in future time.
Examples:
a. I'll have been here for six months on June 23rd.
b. By the time you read this I'll have left.
c. You will have finished your work by this time next week.
TENSES
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Future perfect continuous, form
This form is composed of two elements: the future perfect of the verb to be
(will have been) + the present participle of the main verb (base+ing):
Subject will have been base+ing
We will have been living
Affirmative
I will have been working
Negative
I won't have been working
Interrogative
Will I have been working?
Interrogative negative
Won't I have been working?
Example: to live, Future Perfect continuous
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I'll have been living I won't have been living Will I have been living?
You'll have been You won't have been living Will you have been
living?
living
He'll have been living He won't have been living Will she have been
living?
We'll have been We won't have been living Will we have been
living?
living
You'll have been You won't have been living Will you have been
living?
living
They'll have been They won't have been Will they have been
living living?
living
Future perfect continuous, function
Like the future perfect simple, this form is used to project ourselves forward
in time and to look back. It refers to events or actions in a time between
now and some future time, that may be unfinished.
Examples:
a. I will have been waiting here for three hours by six o'clock.
b. By 2001 I will have been living here for sixteen years.
c. By the time I finish this course, I will have been learning English for twenty
years.
d. Next year I will have been working here for four years.
TENSES
OTHER WAYS OF TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
1. IS TO + INFINITIVE
Form:
This form is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of the verb to
be + to (am to, are to, is to), and the infinitive of the main verb without
'to'..
Subject to be to infinitive without to
We are to leave
Affirmative
She is to travel
Negative
You are not (aren't) to travel
Interrogative
Am I to travel?
Interrogative negative
Aren't they to travel?
Function:
This form refers to an obligation to do something at a time later than now.
It is similar to 'must', but there is a suggestion that something has been
arranged or organised for us. It is not normally used in spoken English, but
might be found in spy stories, e.g.
"You are to leave this room at once, and you are to travel by
train to London. In London you are to pick up your ticket
from Mr Smith, and you are to fly to your destination alone.
When you arrive, you are to meet our agent, Mr X, who will
give you further information. You are to destroy this message
now."
2. BE + ABOUT TO + INFINITIVE
Form:
This form is composed of three elements : the appropriate form of the verb
to be, present tense, + 'about to' + the infinitive of the main verb without
'to':
Subject be about to infinitive without to
I am about to leave
She is about to arrive
Function:
This form refers to a time immediately after the moment of speaking, and
emphasises that the event or action will happen very soon:
Examples:
a. She is about to leave.
b. You are about to see something very unusual.
c. I am about to go to a meeting - can I talk to you later?
It is often used with the word 'just', which emphasises the immediacy of the
action:
We are just about to go to sleep.
Sally is just about to take an exam.
This form can also be used in the simple past tense to refer to an action that
was imminent, but was interrupted. In such cases it is often followed by a
'when - clause':
She was about to leave when he arrived.
I was just about to telephone her when she walked into the house.
TENSES
FUTURE WITH GOING TO
1. Future with Going to - form
This form is composed of three elements: the appropriate form of the verb
'to be' + going to + the infinitive of the main verb:
Subject 'to be' going to infinitive
She is going to leave
2. Future with Going to - function
The use of 'going to' to refer to future events suggests a very strong
association with the present. The time is not important - it is later than now,
but the attitude is that the event depends on a present situation, that we
know about. So it is used:
a) to refer to our plans and intentions:
We're going to move to London next year. (= the plan is in our minds now.)
b) to make predictions based on present evidence:
Look at those clouds - it's going to pour with rain! (= It's clear from what I
can see now.)
Note: In everyday speech, 'going to' is often shortened to 'gonna', especially
in American English.
More examples:
Plans and intentions:
a. Is Freddy going to buy a new car soon?
b. Are John and Pam going to visit Milan when they are in Italy?
c. I think Nigel and Mary are going to have a party next week.
Predictions based on present evidence:
a. There's going to be a terrible accident!
b. He's going to be a brilliant politician.
c. I'm going to have terrible indigestion.
NOTE: It is unusual to say 'I'm going to go to...'
Instead, we use 'going to' + a place or event:
Examples:
We are going to the beach tomorrow.
She is going to the ballet tonight.
Are you going to the party tomorrow night?
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT OR SIMPLE PAST?
Always use the present perfect when the time is not important, or not
specified.
Always use the simple past when details about the time or place are
specified or asked for.
Compare:
Simple past
Present perfect
I lived in Lyon in 1989.
I have lived in Lyon.
They ate Thai food last night.
They have eaten Thai food.
Have you seen 'Othello'?. Where did you see 'Othello'?
We have been to Ireland. When did you go to Ireland?
There is also a difference of attitude that is often more important than the
time factor.
"What did you do at school today?" is a question about activities, and
considers the school day as finished.
"What have you done at school today?" is a question about results - "show
me", and regards the time of speaking as a continuation of the school day.
'IF' SENTENCES AND THE 'UNREAL' PAST
In this section you will find information on sentences containing the word 'if',
the use of conditional tenses, and the 'unreal past', that is, when we use a
past tense but we are not actually referring to past time.
IF AND THE CONDITIONAL
There are four main types of 'if' sentences in English:
1. The 'zero' conditional, where the tense in both parts of the sentence is
the simple present:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present simple present
If you heat ice it melts.
If it rains you get wet
In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and
possible. They are often used to refer to general truths.
2. The Type 1 conditional, where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple
present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present Simple future
If it rains you will get wet
If you don't hurry we will miss the train.
In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is
real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result.
3. The Type 2 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple
past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past Present conditional
If it rained you would get wet
If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal.
They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical
condition and its probable result.
4. The Type 3 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past
perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect Perfect conditional
If it had rained you would have got wet
If you had worked harder you would have passed the exam.
In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality.
The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed, and they
refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result.
A further type if 'if' sentence exists, where Type 2 and Type 3 are mixed. The
tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is
the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect Present conditional
If I had worked harder at I would have a better job now.
school we wouldn't be lost.
If we had looked at the map
In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the
main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result
in the present.
TYPE 1 CONDITIONAL
1. Form
In a Type 1 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if clause is the simple
present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future
'IF' CLAUSE (CONDITION) MAIN CLAUSE (RESULT)
If + simple present Simple future
If it rains you will get wet
If you don't hurry we will miss the train.
2. Function
In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is
real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result. They are
based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world,
and about particular situations. We often use such sentences to give
warnings:
• If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
• If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot!
Examples:
• If you drop that glass, it will break.
• Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.
• If I have time, I'll finish that letter.
• What will you do if you miss the plane?
NOTE: We can use modals to express the degree of certainty of the result:
• If you drop that glass, it might break.
• I may finish that letter if I have time.
TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
1. Form
In a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple
past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past Present conditional
If it rained you would get wet
If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.
Present conditional, form
The present conditional of any verb is composed of two parts - the modal
auxiliary would + the infinitive of the main verb (without 'to'.)
Subject would infinitive without to
She would learn
Affirmative
I would go
Negative
I wouldn't ask
Interrogative
Would she come?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't they accept?
Would: Contractions of would
In spoken English, would is contracted to 'd.
I'd We'd
you'd you'd
he'd, she'd they'd
The negative contraction = wouldn't.
Example: to accept, Present conditional
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I would accept I wouldn't accept Would I accept?
You would accept You wouldn't Would you accept?
accept
He would accept She wouldn't Would he accept?
accept
We would accept We wouldn't Would we accept?
accept
You would accept You wouldn't Would you accept?
accept
They would accept They wouldn't Would they accept?
accept
2. Function
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal.
They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical
condition and its probable result. The use of the past tense after 'if'
indicates unreality. We can nearly always add a phrase starting with "but",
that expresses the real situation:
• If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park (...but it is
bad, so we can't go)
• If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone £100. (...but
I'm not, so I won't)
Examples of use:
1. To make a statement about something that is not real at present, but is
possible:
I would visit her if I had time. (= I haven't got time but I might have some
time)
2. To make a statement about a situation that is not real now and never
could be real:
If I were you, I'd give up smoking (but I could never be you)
Examples:
a. If I was a plant, I would love the rain.
b. If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
c. If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
d. You wouldn't need to read this if you understood English grammar.
e. Would he go to the concert if I gave him a ticket?
f. They wouldn't invite her if they didn't like her
g. We would be able to buy a larger house if we had more money
NOTE: It is correct, and very common, to say "If I were" instead of "If I was".
TYPE 3 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
1. Form
In a Type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past
perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect Perfect conditional
If it had rained you would have got wet
If you had worked harder you would have passed the
exam.
Perfect conditional - form
The perfect conditional of any verb is composed of two elements: would +
the perfect infinitive of the main verb (=have + past participle):
Subject would perfect infinitive
He would have gone...
They would have stayed...
Affirmative
I would have believed ...
Negative
She wouldn't have given...
Interrogative
Would you have left...?
Interrogative
negative
Wouldn't he have been...?
Example: to go, Past conditional
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I wouldn't have gone Would I have gone?
I would have gone
You wouldn't have gone Would you have gone?
You would have gone
Would it have gone?
He would have gone She wouldn't have gone
We wouldn't have gone Would we have gone?
We would have gone
You wouldn't have gone Would you have gone?
You would have gone
They wouldn't have gone Would they have gone?
They would have gone
In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to
reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed.
Type 3 conditional sentences, are truly hypothetical or unreal, because it is
now too late for the condition or its result to exist. There is always an
unspoken "but..." phrase:
• If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam
(but I didn't work hard, and I didn't pass the exam).
• If I'd known you were coming I'd have baked a cake
(but I didn't know, and I haven't baked a cake).
NOTE: Both would and had can be contracted to 'd, which can be confusing.
Remember that you NEVER use would in the IF-clause, so in the example
above, "If I'd known" must be "If I had known", and "I'd have baked" must be "I
would have baked.."
Examples:
a. If I'd known you were in hospital, I would have visited you.
b. I would have bought you a present if I'd known it was your birthday.
c. If they'd had a better goalkeeper they wouldn't have lost the game.
d. If you had told me you were on the Internet, I'd have sent you an e-mail.
e. Would you have bought an elephant if you'd known how much they eat?
UNREAL PAST
The past tense is sometimes used in English to refer to an 'unreal' situation.
So, although the tense is the past, we are usually talking about the present,
e.g. in a Type 2 conditional sentence:
If an elephant and a mouse fell in love, they would have many problems.
Although fell is in the past tense, we are talking about a hypothetical
situation that might exist now or at any time, but we are not referring to the
past. We call this use the unreal past.
Other situations where this occurs are:
• after other words and expressions like 'if' (supposing, if only, what if);
• after the verb 'to wish';
• after the expression 'I'd rather..'
Expressions like 'if'
The following expressions can be used to introduce hypothetical situations:
- supposing, if only, what if. They are followed by a past tense to indicate
that the condition they introduce is unreal:
• Supposing an elephant and a mouse fell in love? (= but we know this is unlikely or
impossible)
• What if we painted the room purple? (= that would be very surprising)
• If only I had more money. (= but I haven't).
These expressions can also introduce hypothetical situations in the past and
then they are followed by the past perfect.
Examples:
• If only I hadn't kissed the frog (= I did and it was a mistake because
he turned into a horrible prince, but I can't change it now.)
• What if the elephant had trodden on the mouse? (She didn't, but we
can imagine the result!)
• Supposing I had given that man my money! (I didn't, so I've still got
my money now.)
The verb to wish
The verb to wish is followed by an 'unreal' past tense when we want to talk
about situations in the present that we are not happy about but cannot
change:
• I wish I had more money (=but I haven't)
• She wishes she was beautiful (= but she's not)
• We wish we could come to your party (but we can't)
When we want to talk about situations in the past that we are not happy
about or actions that we regret, we use the verb to wish followed by the
past perfect:
• I wish I hadn't said that (= but I did)
• He wishes he hadn't bought the car (= but he did buy it.)
• I wish I had taken that job in New York (= but I didn't, so I'm stuck in
Bristol)
NOTE: When we want to talk about situations we are not happy about and
where we want someone else to change them, we use to wish followed by
would + infinitive:
• I wish he would stop smoking. (= I don't like it, I want him to change
it)
• I wish you would go away. (= I don't want you here, I want you to
take some action)
• I wish you wouldn't squeeze the toothpaste from the middle! (= I
want you to change your habits.)
I'd rather and it's time...
These two expressions are also followed by an unreal past. The verb is in the
past tense, but the situation is in the present.
When we want to talk about a course of action we would prefer someone
else to take, we use I'd rather + past tense:
• I'd rather you went
• He'd rather you called the police
• I'd rather you didn't hunt elephants.
NOTE: the stress can be important in these sentences, to show what our
preference is:
• I'd rather you went = not me,
• I'd rather you went = don't stay
• He'd rather you called the police = he doesn't want to
• He'd rather you called the police = not the ambulance service
Similarly, when we want to say that now is a suitable moment to do
something, either for ourselves or for someone else, we use it's time + past
tense:
• It's (high) time I went.
• It's time you paid that bill.
• Don't you think it's time you had a haircut?
UNLESS
Unless means the same as if...not. Like if, it is followed by a present tense, a
past tense or a past perfect (never by 'would'). It is used instead of if + not
in conditional sentences of all types:
Type 1: (Unless + present)
a. You'll be sick unless you stop eating. (= You will be sick if you
don't stop eating)
b. I won't pay unless you provide the goods immediately. (= If
you don't provide them I won't pay)
c. You'll never understand English unless you study this grammar
carefully. (= You'll never understand if you don't study...)
Type 2: (Unless + past)
a. Unless he was very ill, he would be at work.
b. I wouldn't eat that food unless I was really hungry.
c. She would be here by now unless she was stuck in the traffic.
Type 3: (Unless + past perfect)
a. The elephant wouldn't have seen the mouse unless she'd had
perfect eyesight.
b. I wouldn't have phoned him unless you'd suggested it.
c. They would have shot her unless she'd given them the
money.
MIXED CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
It is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different
times, and the resulting sentence is a "mixed conditional" sentence. There
are two types of mixed conditional sentence:
A. Present result of past condition:
1. Form
The tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main
clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect Present conditional
If I had worked harder at I would have a better job now.
school we wouldn't be lost.
If we had looked at the map
2. Function
In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the
main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result
in the present. They express a situation which is contrary to reality both in
the past and in the present:
'If I had worked harder at school' is contrary to past fact - I didn't work hard
at school, and 'I would have a better job now' is contrary to present fact - I
haven't got a good job.
If we had looked at the map (we didn't), we wouldn't be lost (we are lost).
Examples:
• I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job.
• If you'd caught that plane you'd be dead now.
• If you hadn't spent all your money on CDs, you wouldn't be broke.
B. Past result of present or continuing condition.
1. Form
The tense in the If-clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main
clause is the perfect conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past Perfect conditional
If I wasn't afraid of I would have picked it up.
spiders we would have sacked him months
If we didn't trust him ago.
2. Function
In these sentences the time in the If-clause is now or always, and the time
in the main clause is before now. They refer to an unreal present situation
and its probable (but unreal) past result:
• 'If I wasn't afraid of spiders' is contrary to present reality - I am afraid of spiders,
and 'I would have picked it up' is contrary to past reality - I didn't pick it up.
• 'If we didn't trust him' is contrary to present reality - we do trust him, and 'we
would have sacked him' is contrary to past reality - we haven't sacked him.
Examples:
a. If she wasn't afraid of flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.
b. I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.
c. If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to lunch.
d. If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd have trodden on him by now.
PERFECT CONDITIONAL, CONTINUOUS
1. Perfect conditional, continuous - Form
This tense is composed of two elements: the perfect condtional of the verb
'to be' (would have been) + the present participle (base+ing).
Subject would have been base+ing
I would have been sitting
We would have been swimming
Affirmative
I would have been studying.
Negative
You wouldn't have been living.
Interrogative
Would we have been travelling?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't it have been working?
Examples: to work, Past continuous conditional
Affirmative Negative
I would have been working I wouldn't have been working
You would have been working You wouldn't have been working.
He would have been working She wouldn't have been working
We would have been working We wouldn't have been working
You would have been working You wouldn't have been working
They would have been working They wouldn't have been working
Interrogative Interrogative negative
Would I have been working? Wouldn't I have been working?
Would you have been working? Wouldn't you have been working?
Would he have been working? Wouldn't she have been working?
Would we have been working? Wouldn't we have been working?
Would you have been working? Wouldn't you have been working?
Would they have been working? Wouldn't they have been working?
2. Function
This tense can be used in Type 3 conditional sentences. It refers to the
unfulfilled result of the action in the if-clause, and expresses this result as
an unfinished or continuous action. Again, there is always an unspoken
"but.." phrase:
• If the weather had been better (but it wasn't), I'd have been sitting
in the garden when he arrived (but I wasn't and so I didn't see him).
• If she hadn't got a job in London (but she did), she would have been
working in Paris (but she wasn't).
Examples:
• If I'd had a ball I would have been playing football.
• If I'd had any money I'd have been drinking with my friends in the
pub that night.
• If I had known it was dangerous I wouldn't have been climbing that
cliff.
• She wouldn't have been wearing a seat-belt if her father hadn't told
her to.
PRESENT CONDITIONAL, CONTINUOUS
In type 2 conditional sentences, the continuous form of the present
conditional may be used:
If I were a millionaire, I wouldn't be doing this job!
1. Present continuous conditional - form
This form is composed of two elements:
the present conditional of the verb
'to be' (would be) + the present participle of the main verb (base+ing).
Subject would be base+ing
He would be going
They would be living
Affirmative
We would be coming
Negative
You wouldn't working
be
Interrogative
Would you be sharing?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't they be playing?
Example: to live, Present continuous
conditional.
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I would be I wouldn't be Would I be
living living?
living
You would You wouldn't Would you be
be living living?
be living
He would be She wouldn't Would he be
living?
living be living
We would We wouldn't Would we be
be living living?
be living
You would You wouldn't Would you be
be living living?
be living
They would They Would they
wouldn't be be living?
be living
living
2. Present continuous conditional - function
This form is common in Type 2 conditional sentences. It expresses an unfinished or
continuing action or situation, which is the probable result of an unreal condition:
• I would be working in Italy if I spoke Italian.
(but I don't speak Italian, so I am not working in Italy.
• She would be living with Jack if she wasn't living with her parents.
(but she is living with her parents so she's not living with Jack).
More examples:
• I wouldn't be eating this if I wasn't extremely hungry.
• If I had an exam tomorrow, I'd be revising now.
• You wouldn't be smiling if you knew the truth.
NOTE: This form is also found in: mixed conditional sentences
(See section on Mixed Conditional Sentences); in indirect speech:
She said "I'll be working in the garden."
She said she would be working in the garden.
(See section on Indirect Speech)
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