Verb tenses Tóm tắt các thì của động từ Past tenses Simple Past Past Perfect [VERB+ed] [HAD] + [PAST PARTICIPLE] Usage Examples Usage Examples To express that an action started and finished at a specified time in the past. 1) I watched television last night. 2) I didn't watch a movie yesterday. 3) Last year, I travelled to Thailand. To express that something occurred before another action or specified time in the past. 1) I had never studied English before I visited the U.S. 2) Had you ever visited China before your trip in 2000? 3) Yes, I had been to China once before in 1996. To list a series of completed actions in the past. 1) I finished work, met a friend, and ate dinner. 2) He arrived into Hong Kong on Saturday, attended the conference on Monday, and flew back to Beijing on Tuesday. To show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past. 1) By the time I got to the office, the seminar had already begun. 2) We had had troubles with the computer system before it broke down. To express something completed over a duration of time in the past. 1) I lived in Japan for one and a half years. 2) Ian studied German for three years. 3) We waited for two hours. 4) How long did you wait for me? • Unlike the Present Perfect, specific time words or phrases may be used with the Past Perfect. However, this is usually not necessary. e.g. I had visited her parents once in 2003 before I moved to Beijing in 2004. • 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. e.g. I visited her parents once in 2003 before I moved to Beijing in 2004. To describe a habit which stopped in the past. 1) I played the piano when I was a child. 2) He often arrived at school late. Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous [WAS / WERE] + [VERB+ing] [HAD BEEN] + [VERB+ing] Usage Examples Usage Examples To indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. 1) I was revising the file when he called. 2) While we were hiking, it started to rain. 3) When the earthquake hit, I was sitting in my chair. To show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. 1) They had been working for an hour before Pat arrived. 2) He had been planning the trip for more than two months before he left for Germany. To indicate that an action in the past was interrupted by a specific time. 1) At midnight, I was still driving on the highway. 2) Last night at 7 p.m., I was eating dinner. To show a cause and effect relationship in the past. 1) Carol was tired because she had been running. 2) He missed his bus because he had been sleeping. To express that two actions were happening at the same time. 1) I was working while she was making dinner. 2) While Diana was reading, Ian was studying. 3) They were eating lunch, reviewing the budget, and discussing future projects. • If you do not include a duration such as "for an hour", many English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous. Please note that there is a difference in meaning as highlighted in the examples below. e.g. I was working when my co-workers returned to the office. • Emphasizes the interruption of “working”. e.g. I had been waiting at the restaurant for half an hour before my friend arrived. • Emphasizes the amount of time “for half an hour” To describe atmosphere in the past. 1) When I walked into the restaurant, some people were eating their meals while others were complaining about the bad service. To express that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. 1) He was always coming to work late. 2) She was constantly interrupting others in class. 3) I didn't enjoy the trip because it was always raining. Present tenses Simple Present Present Perfect [TO BE] or [VERB] [has/have] + [past participle] Usage Examples Usage Examples To express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. 1) I play badminton. 2) She does not play badminton. 3) Work starts at 8:30 am. To show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. 1) I have had a cold for a two weeks. 2) He has been in Canada for six months. 3) Susan has enjoyed travelling since she was a girl. To indicate a speaker's belief that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. *Can also be used for generalizations. 1) Cat likes milk. 2) Birds do not like milk. 3) The Great Wall is in China. 4) Windows are made of glass. To indicate that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. *Cannot use the Present Perfect with time expressions such as "yesterday". 1) I have read that report already. 2) There have been many earthquakes in Japan. 3) Has there ever been an earthquake in Hong Kong. To express the idea than an action is happening or is not happening now. 1) I am here now. 2) He is not here now. 3) She needs help now. 4) He does not need help now. The Present Perfect is often used to: - Describe your experience: say that an action which we expected has not happened - Talk about a change over a period of time: talk about several different actions which occurred in the past at different times - List the accomplishments of individuals and humanity Present Continuous Present Perfect Continuous [am/is/are] + [VERB+ing] [has/have] + [been] + [VERB+ing] Usage Examples Usage Examples To express that something is or is not happening now, at this very moment. 1) I am learning English now. 2) You are not eating lunch now. 3) What are you doing? To show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. 1) They have been talking for the past thirty minutes. 2) He has been working at KPMG for two years. 3) She has been working at KPMG since January. To express when we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; although we might not be doing it at this exact moment. 1) I am studying to be an accountant. 2) I am not studying to be a doctor. 3) Are you working on the audit report? 4) Aren't you working at KPMG? To give a more general meaning of something having occurred "lately", without a duration such as "for five minutes". 1) Recently, I have been feeling really tired. 2) He has been working a lot of overtime lately. 3) Scott has been feeling a little sad. To indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future. 1) I am meeting some friends for lunch. 2) I am not going to lunch. 3) 3) Is she going to lunch? 4) 4) Isn't he joining us for lunch. * Please 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 suggests that the person looks sick or unhealthy. To express that something irritating or shocking often happens. 1) He is always coming to work late. 2) She is constantly working overtime. 3) They are always complaining. Future tenses Simple Future Future Perfect 1) [WILL] + [VERB] 2) [AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO] + [VERB] 1) [WILL HAVE] + [PAST PARTICIPLE] 2) [AM / IS / ARE] + GOING TO HAVE] + PAST PARTICIPLE] Usage Examples Usage Examples To express a voluntary action the speaker offers to do for someone else. 1) I will prepare dinner for us. 2) I will buy you a cup of coffee. 3) I will get the phone. To express that something will occur before another action or a specific time in the future. 1) By next month, I will have finished the exam. 2) By the time I finish work, the shop will have closed. To express a promise. 1) I will call you when I arrive. 2) 2) I promise I will not go alone. 3) 3) If I am elected Mayor, I will increase funding for public transit system. To show that something will continue up until another action in the future. 1) I will have lived in the U.S. for eight months by the time I leave. 2) By Saturday, he is going to have been in Hong Kong for two weeks. To express that someone intends to do something in the future. 1) She is going to visit her parents this weekend. 2) We are going to eat dinner together tonight. •Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with “when”, “while”, “before”, “after”, “by the time”, “as soon as”, “if”, and “unless”. Correct e.g. I am going to read a book tonight after I have finished studying. Incorrect e.g. I am going to read a book tonight when I will have finished studying. To express a prediction about the future. 1) Paul Smith will be the next Prime Minister. 2) England will win the tournament. 3) England is going to win the tournament. Future Continuous Future Perfect Continuous 1) [WILL BE] + [VERB+ing] 2) [AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO] + [VERBing] 1) [WILL HAVE BEEN] + [VERB+ing] 2) [AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO HAVE BEEN] + [VERB+ing] Usage Examples Usage Examples To indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted. 1) He will be waiting for you when your train arrives. 2) I am going to be staying at the hotel if you need to contact me. 2) She is going to have been teaching at the University for more than two years when she leaves. 1) John will have been working at the Beijing office for five years by the time he is transferred to Hong Kong. To indicate that a specific time will interrupt an action in the future. 1) At ten tonight, I will still be visiting with my friends. 2) Today at 1pm, I am going to be eating lunch. To express that two actions will be happening at the same time. 1) While I will be reading, she will be watching television. 2) I am going to be working overtime while he is visiting with his friends. To show a cause and effect relationship between one action and another action in the future. 1) Carol will be hungry when she gets home because she will have been working for eight hours straight. 2) Ian will be fluent in German when he returns to Canada because he is going to have been studying German in Germany for three years. To describe the atmosphere in the future. 1) When I get to the office everybody will be busy working on training course material. . Verb tenses Tóm tắt các thì của động từ Past tenses Simple Past Past Perfect [VERB+ed] [HAD] + [PAST PARTICIPLE] Usage Examples