Future I with ‚going to‘ is used for conclusions or decisions made for the future that have derived from analysing a present situation.
Examples:
Our costs were too high last year. This year, we are going to reduce our costs.
We are going to recruit more staff.
in one year, next week, tomorrow
Future I with ‚will‘ is used for spontaneous decisions and assumptions with regard to the future.
Decision made from one moment to the next.
Example: Wait, I will help you.
I will get myself a cup of coffee.
Say what might happen in the future.
Example: They will probably deliver the goods tomorrow.
Things will hopefully be better next year.
Action that will happen in the future if a certain situation is given.
Example: If you do not do this, we will take legal steps.
If we receive your order before noon and if we have it in stock, we will ship it the same day.
in a year, next …, tomorrow, If Clause Type I (If you ask her, she will help you.), assumption: I think, probably, we might …, perhaps
Past Perfect Simple is used for actions taking place before a certain time in the past.
Examples:
I had typed five pages when my computer suddenly crashed.
Before 2002, I had not worked abroad.
already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day, If Clause Type III (If I had talked, …)
Present Perfect Simple is used for actions that started in the past and stopped recently or are still going on. The focus is on the course or duration of the action (not on the result).
Action that started in the past and is still going on. We want to emphasize how long the action has already been going on..
Examples: We have been successfully working in this field since 1990.
I have been working in this company for over five years now.
Action that has been going on for a certain period of time and is the reason for a present situation.
Examples: I am so tired – I have been working all night.
I have been trying to change the toner cartridge – now my fingers are dirty.
all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week
→ Detailed Explanation and Exercises on Present Perfect Progressive
Present Perfect Simple is used for actions that started in the past and stopped recently or are still going on. The focus is on the result.
Situation that is still the same as it was in the past. We want to emphasise that the situation has not changed.
Examples: Your advice has always been extremely helpful.
We have not yet received a remittance for the goods supplied to you.
Action that has just been completed. We want to emphasise the result.
Examples: I have typed five letters.
I have just received your mail.
Action that was completed in the past, but has an influence on a present situation. Note that you must not give a certain time for the action in the past (if you want to use a time expression, you must use Simple Past).
Examples: I have lost Misses Wilde’s phone number.
We have agreed on the following points:
Action that happened / did not happen in the past. We want to emphasise how often the action has taken place so far.
Examples: I have never been to our New York subsidiary.
Misses Newton has already phoned three times to inquire about the delivery of her goods.
already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now
Past Progressive is used for actions in the past and focusses on the course or duration of the action.
Being in the middle of doing something at a certain time in the past.
Examples: At two o’clock, Carla was preparing the contract.
Yesterday I was looking for Mister Miller’s phone number.
Actions in the past happening at the same time (over a longer period of time).
Examples: While Claire was preparing her presentation, Tom was showing the customer around.
While Sarah was looking for the documents, I was keeping the customer on the line.
Action taking place over a longer period of time in the past when (suddenly) another (shorter) action set in. (see also: Simple Past)
Beispiele: I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
When I came in, John was playing solitaire.
when, while, as long as
Simple Past is used for actions and situations in the past.
Expresses a fact or given situation in the past.
Beispiele: Our secretary worked very hard.
I did not agree with you.
Actions in the past that took place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)
Examples:Mister Brown never attended any meeting. He always sent me.
Actions in the past that took place one after the other.
Examples: Mister Sanders came into the office, checked his mailbox and went straight to the briefing.
What a horrible day: first my computer crashed, then our best customer cancelled their order and on my way home my car broke down.
(Sudden) action that took place in the middle of another action. (see also: Past Progressive)
Examples: I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
When I came in, John was playing solitaire.
yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, If Clause Type II (If I talked, …)
Present Progressive is used for actions in the present and focusses on the course or duration of the action.
Being in the middle of doing something at the time of speaking.
Examples: Carla is preparing the briefing.
I am looking for Mister Miller’s phone number.
Actions that don't take place regularly, but only temporarily.
Examples: Mister Thomson is on sick leave, that's why I am doing his job.
Three temporary employees are helping out this month.
Future actions that are already arranged (and maybe even jot down in a diary)
Beispiele: I am meeting Misses Walker at 5 pm.
Bob is doing overtime tomorrow.
at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now
Simple Present is used for actions and situations in the present.
Expresses a fact or given situation.
Examples: Our secretary works very hard.
I do not agree with you.
Actions that take place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)
Beispiele:Mister Brown never attends a meeting. He always sends me.
Actions in the future that we cannot influence, as their course is set by a timetable or schedule.
Examples: The train leaves at 6:24.
The conference starts at 9:30.
always, every …, never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually If Clause Type I (If I talk, …)
| tense | Affirmative/Negative/Question | Use | Signal Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | A: He speaks. N: He does not speak. Q: Does he speak? |
| always, every …, never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually if sentences type I (If I talk, …) |
| Present Progressive | A: He is speaking. N: He is not speaking. Q: Is he speaking? |
| at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now |
| Simple Past | A: He spoke. N: He did not speak. Q: Did he speak? |
| yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday if sentence type II (If I talked, …) |
| Past Progressive | A: He was speaking. N: He was not speaking. Q: Was he speaking? |
| when, while, as long as |
| Present Perfect Simple | A: He has spoken. N: He has not spoken. Q: Has he spoken? |
| already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now |
| Present Perfect Progressive | A: He has been speaking. N: He has not been speaking. Q: Has he been speaking? |
| all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week |
| Past Perfect Simple | A: He had spoken. N: He had not spoken. Q: Had he spoken? |
| already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day if sentence type III (If I had talked, …) |
| Past Perfect Progressive | A: He had been speaking. N: He had not been speaking. Q: Had he been speaking? |
| for, since, the whole day, all day |
| Future I Simple | A: He will speak. N: He will not speak. Q: Will he speak? |
| in a year, next …, tomorrow If-Satz Typ I (If you ask her, she will help you.) assumption: I think, probably, we might …, perhaps |
| Future I Simple (going to) | A: He is going to speak. N: He is not going to speak. Q: Is he going to speak? |
| in one year, next week, tomorrow |
| Future I Progressive | A: He will be speaking. N: He will not be speaking. Q: Will he be speaking? |
| in one year, next week, tomorrow |
| Future II Simple | A: He will have spoken. N: He will not have spoken. Q: Will he have spoken? |
| by Monday, in a week |
| Future II Progressive | A: He will have been speaking. N: He will not have been speaking. Q: Will he have been speaking? |
| for …, the last couple of hours, all day long |
| Conditional I Simple | A: He would speak. N: He would not speak. Q: Would he speak? |
| if sentences type II (If I were you, I would go home.) |
| Conditional I Progressive | A: He would be speaking. N: He would not be speaking. Q: Would he be speaking? |
| |
| Conditional II Simple | A: He would have spoken. N: He would not have spoken. Q: Would he have spoken? |
| if sentences type III (If I had seen that, I would have helped.) |
| Conditional II Progressive | A: He would have been speaking. N: He would not have been speaking. Q: Would he have been speaking? |
|
