Using the correct tense and verb form is important in English grammar. Here's a simple rule to help you choose which tense to use – which tense you use depends on how you see the event or action.
Routine or permanent situations
- use the simple form. For example, "I live in London" tells you that "live" is true all the time – London is my home.
"I lived in the countryside when I was a child" – this was a long-term situation in the past.
Temporary or continuing situations
- use the continuous form. For example, "I'm working as a secretary at the moment" – the job isn't permanent and maybe I'm doing it for a while until I get another job.
"House prices are rising" – they are continuing to rise and haven't stopped rising yet.
"She was wearing a black dress" – she put it on before I saw her and she still wore it after I saw her – wearing the dress continued over a period of time.
Connecting different times
- use the perfect form to show that one event was completed before another, or to show that one situation continues from one time to another.
For example, "I have lived here for two years" – I started to live here two years ago and I still live here.
"I will have finished the report before next week" – some time before next week, but I don't know exactly when.
"He had studied law before he met her" – he studied law before he met her, but we don't know when.
33 comments on “How to choose your English tenses”
This lesson is actually helping me a lot as a Secretary.
This web site is very useful and I really have learnt a lot of things, but sometimes still I have problems with choosing the correct tenses.
i have an english grammar exam next week and i really need help in grammar i found the web so easy in explaination
never thought of this. it's a really good way to choose the tenses. thanks
I did a lot of mistake in how to use the tenses. Now I see the good way to guide me in how to use it and following this advise through this web site.
Thanks a lot!
really this is agreat effort
I have a test tomorrow and this page helped me vey much
what did you do last night?The answer is I read a book or I was reading a book.
sammani » I'd say "I read a book" even if you didn't finish it.
I will go to the bank tomorrow.
I am going to the bank tomorrow.
The above sentenses are Future Simple Tense.
Which one is the correct to use in what situation.? Please recommend.
Thks & regs.
Panchar » The first is "will" future, and the second is present continuous. We use "will" for predictions, and the first continuous for fixed arrangements. See the page on future forms in the grammar section of the site for more information.
this web site is a great help for me. i learned many rules through these lesoons.
After viewing this webside I got some easy methods to chose the right tense.
Thanks for designing it & request to put some more efforts for make it more easy to learn.
Thank You
It is can improve my english, especialy in tenses.
Thank You Very Much
Actually thank you for your highly appreciated efforts in this side. Can I ask you if we merged tow tenses together what will happen ? fror example , My car have been being repaired .
what is the time for this sentence, and thank you.
Your sentence isn't grammatically correct. I think you're trying to do a present perfect continuous passive (My car has been being repaired) but we just wouldn't say this in English. There are too many auxiliaries! Instead:
My car is being repaired
My car has been repaired
It is clear and informative but is n't it too simple?
I don't think that choosing tenses needs to be any more complicated than this!
good, i am always looking this site , its really so good for new advancement , and its very easy to know grammer then we can solve our error when we speak with anyone we can rectify error Thanks a lot !
Since i found this site, I open and read this site everyday, because its very interestiing and helpful..i would suggest and endorse this site to my friend who struggle in english like me.
I would like you to help me out with this.
Thank you.
GRAMMAR:
1. Study the following examples of mistakes made by learners of English.
Identify the error in each case.
Why was the mistake made? What does the student not know?
Example: ³I`ve seen that film two weeks ago².
This should read ³ I saw that film two weeks ago². The student does not know
that the Present Perfect form is not used to talk about specific times in
the past. In this case the simple past is needed.
A. ³She`s getting up at seven o`clock every day.
B. Maria: ³Why don`t you join us for dinner this evening?
Ingrid: I`d love to do but I`ll see OHamlet at the National Theatre.
A: For habits and routines we use the Present Simple (not Present Continuous).
B: For planned future intentions we use the "going to" future or the Present Continuous, not "will".
This is a very good site for english learner.
I just came across this site after lot of frustration concerning my English. I really wish I can speak fluently as everybody does, But it been quite difficult. But this site has been helping alot.
my real broblemes in english thant I don't no how to choose a correct tenses particularly in perfect and continuouse tenses . what is the solution . please somebody answer to my question
Hi clare.
when i say "i lost my wallet" could it mean that i lost the wallet last week and luckily someone returned it back to me?
when i say "i have lost my wallet" does it mean that up to now i still dont have my wallet since the day i lost it?
:)
"I lost my wallet" = a past action, but there isn't any idea that someone has returned it to you.
"I've lost my wallet" = a past action with a result in the present. You'd say it when you can't find your wallet now, or when someone asks you to pay for something, you look in your pocket, and realise that the wallet is no longer there.
Thanks. Well explained.
Dear Clare.
I have read an article from a megazine of a prominent company in my country.The article says: "I remain firmly commited to continuing this policy and when a new building comes on-stream………….."
My question is:
Why the writer use "to continuing" instead of "to continue"?Is that sentence gramatically correct?
As far as i'm concerned, the root verb should be used after the word of 'to'…
Tq very much.
After the verb "commit" you need "to" + gerund-
"I am committed to continuing…" is correct.
Am I right to say, The prime minister, together with his advisers, is going to Australia. Is or are going?
Thanks for your help.
Yes – use "is".
i need some help because my english is not so good. i want to know more about tenses ,i want to speak sb in english and when i say someyhing wrong to correct me…help!!!
