Contrasted verbs

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PRESENTS

Contrasted Verbs

Past Perfect - Simple Past - contrasted

Past Tenses in English -

contrasted

Present Perfect -

Simple Past - contrasted

Simple Past - Past

Progressive - contrasted

Past - Contrasted

Exercises

Past Tenses in English - contrasted

1) Use

Simple Past Past Progressive Past Perfect Past Perfect

Progressive Present Perfect* Present Perfect Progressive*

- action finished in the past

- action was in progress at special time in the past

- the past equivalent of the Present Perfect

- how long something had been happening before something else happened

- result of an action in the past is important in the present- recently completed action- state beginning in the past and still continuing

- action beginning in the past and still continuing (focus is on the action)

2) Signal words


ProgressivePresent Perfect*

Present Perfect

Progressive*

last ...... ago

in 1990yesterday

while no definite ones

justyet

neverever

alreadyso far

up to nowsince

forrecently

all daythe whole

dayhow long

sincefor

3) Form

Simple Past

Past Progressive Past Perfect Past Perfect


Present Perfect

Progressive*

regular:infinitive + edirregular:

was, were + infinitive + -ing

had + past participle

had + been + infinitive + ing

have/has + past participle

have/has + been + infinitive + -ing

4) Examples



Present Perfect Progressive*

4-1 Affirmative sentences

We were in the USA and visited Alaska last year.

Joe was writing an e-mail at 5 o'clock yesterday evening.

She had read a comic before she went to bed.

She had beenwaiting for Jack for 30 minutes when he arrived.

He has lived in Melbourne since 2010.

They have beenwaiting for him for two hours.

* Both the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Progressive are Present Tenses. But they also refer to the Past. That is the reason why they are listed here



Present Perfect

Progressive*

4-2 Negative sentences

We were not in the USA and did not visit Alaska last year.

Joe was not writing an e-mail at 5 o'clock yesterday evening.

She had not read a comic before she went to bed.

She had not beenwaiting for Jack for 30 minutes when he arrived.

He has not lived in Melbourne since 2010.

They have not been waiting for him for two hours.




Present Perfect

Progressive*

4-3 Questions

Were you in the USA and did you visit Alaska year?

Was Joe writing an e-mail at 5 o'clock yesterday evening?

Had she read a comic before she went to bed?

Had she beenwaiting for Jack for 30 minutes when he arrived?

Has he lived in Melbourne since 2010?

Have they been waiting for him for two hours?


Past Perfect - Simple Past - contrasted

1) Use

Past Perfect Simple Past

together with the Simple PastWhen two past actions are combined - the first action, which was completed before the second one began, is put into Past Perfect.

action finished in the past

the past equivalent of the Present Perfect series of completed actions in the past

2) Signal words


no definite ones yesterday, last week, a month ago, in 2002

3) Form


havd + past participleregular verbs: infinitive + ed

irregular verbs:2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

4) Examples

We use the same form of the auxiliary (had) every time regardless the subject.



He had played hockey.He'd played hockey. He played hockey.



He had not played hockey.He'd not played hockey.

He hadn't played hockey.

He did not play hockey.He didn't play hockey.


4-3 Questions

Had he played hockey? Did he play hockey?

5) Spelling (Past Perfect and Simple Past)

stopped (Double the consonant after a short vowel.)

loved (one -e at the end of the word -> Leave out the -e and add -d.)

worried (consonant before -y ->Change to -ie.)

Present Perfect - Simple Past - contrasted

1) Use

Present Perfect Simple Past

Result of an action in the past is important in the present action finished in the past

Recently completed actions series of completed actions in the past

Actions beginning in the past and still continuing

together with the Past Progressive/Continuous - The Simple Past interrupted an action which was in progress in the past.

together with lately, recently, yet

2) Signal words


just, yet, never, already, ever, so far, up to now, recently, since, for

yesterday, last week, a month ago, in 2002

3) Form


have/has + past participleregular verbs: infinitive + edirregular verbs:2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

4) Examples



I have played football.I've played football. I played football.

You have played football.You've played football. You played football.

He has played football.He's played football. He played football.



I have not played football.I've not played football.I haven't played football.

I did not play football.I didn't play football.

You have not played football.You've not played football.You haven't played football.

You did not play football.You didn't play football.

He has not played football.He's not played football.He hasn't played football.

He did not play football.He didn't play football.


4-3 Questions

Have I played football? Did I play football?Have you played football? Did you play football?Has he played football? Did he play football?

5) Spelling (both tenses)


loved (one -e at the end of the word -> Leave out the -e and add -d.)

worried (consonant before -y ->Change to -ie.)

1) Use

Simple Past - Past Progressive - contrasted

Simple Past Past Progressive

action finished in the past (single or repeated)

action was in progress at a special time in the past

series of completed actions in the pasttwo actions were happening at the same time (the actions do not influence each other)

2) Form


regular verbs: infinitive + -ed irregular verbs: 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

(was or were) + infinitive + -ing

3) Examples



He played football. He was playing football.

We played football. We were playing football.

He sang songs. He was singing songs.

We sang songs. We were singing songs.



He did not play football. He was not playing football.

We did not play football. We were not playing football.

He did not sing songs. He was not singing songs.

We did not sing songs. We were not singing songs.


3-3 Questions

Did he play football? Was he playing football?Did you play football? Were you playing football?Did he sing songs? Was he singing songs?Did you sing songs? Were you singing songs?

4) Spelling


sitting (double consonant after short vowel)

loved (one -e at the end of the word -> Leave out the -e and add -d.) writing (leave out one -e at the end)

worried (consonant before -y ->Change to -ie.) lying (change -ie to -y)

5) Use

Both tenses are often used in one sentence:

While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang.

We were sitting at the breakfast table when the telephone rang.

The signal word while is in the part with the Past Progressive, the signal word when is in the part with the Simple Past.

Past Progressive: we were sitting at the tableSimple Past: the telephone rang.

The action in the Simple Past (pink) interrupts the action in the Past Progressive (blue).

ATTENTION!

Exercises

Simple Past or the Past Progressive

Present Perfect - Simple Past

Past Perfect or Simple Past

Practice with the exercises below. Just click on the exercises you want to try.

Past Perfect or Simple Past

Put the verbs in brackets into the gaps in the correct tense Past Perfect or Simple Past.

Example: Pat _________ (to live) in London before he _________ (to move) to Rome.

Answer: Pat had lived in London before he moved to Rome.

1) After Fred (to spend) his holiday in Italy he (to want) to learn Italian.

2) Jill (to phone) Dad at work before she (to leave) for her trip.

3) Susan (to turn on) the radio after she (to wash) the dishes.

1) After Fred had spent his holiday in Italy he wanted to learn Italian.

Check Answers

2) Jill had phoned Dad at work before she left for her trip.

3) Susan turned on the radio after she had washed the dishes.

4) When she (to arrive) the match already (to start).

4) When she arrived the match had already started.

5) After the man (to come) home he (to feed) the cat.

5) After the man had come home he fed the cat.

6) Before he (to sing) a song he (to play) the guitar.

6) Before he sang a song he had played the guitar.

7) She (to watch) a video after the children (to go) to bed.

7) She watched a video after the children had gone to bed.

Check Answers

Check Answers

10) They (to ride) their bikes before they (to meet) their friends.

8) After Eric (to make) breakfast he (to phone) his friend.

9) I (to be) very tired because I (to study) too much.

10) They had ridden their bikes before they met their friends.

8) After Eric had made breakfast he phoned his friend.

9) I was very tired because I had studied too much.

Simple Past or Present Perfect

Choose the correct words or phrases.

1) Peter football yesterday.

2) They the car. It looks new again.

3) Last year we to Italy.

4) John and Peggy the book. Now they can watch the film.

5) I my friend two days ago.

1) played

2) have cleaned

3) went

4) have just read

5) met

Check Answers

6) We another country before.

7) She a new car in 2011.

8) I'm sorry, but I my homework.

9) the game of chess?

10) The girls their lunch yet.

6) have never visited

7) bought

8) have forgotten

9) Did you win

10) have not eaten

Check Answers

Simple Past or the Past Progressive

1) We at the breakfast table when the doorbell .

2) He a lot of friendly people while he in California.

3) When they the museum, the sun .

4) The students cards when the teacher in.

5) While the children , their parents TV.

1) We were sitting at the breakfast table when the doorbell rang.

2) He met a lot of friendly people while he was working in California.

3) When they left the museum, the sun was shining.

4) The students were playing cards when the teacher came in.

5) While the children were sleeping, their parents were watching TV.

Check Answers

6) It to rain while she the flowers in her garden.

7) When I the door, it .

8) While Henry a drink at the bar, his wife in the sea.

9) He a loud bang while he to his friend.

10) While he a shower, his dogs his steaks.

Check Answers

6) It started to rain while she was watering the flowers in her garden.

7) When I opened the door, it was raining.

8) While Henry was having a drink at the bar, his wife was swimming in the sea.

9) He heard a loud bang while he was talking to his friend.

10) While he was taking a shower, his dogs were eating his steaks.

Present Perfect - Present

Perfect Progressive - contrasted

Present Tenses in English -

contrasted

Exercises

Simple Present –

Present Progressive / Continuous - contrasted

Present Tenses in English - contrasted

1) Use

Simple Present Present Progressive Present Perfect Present Perfect Progressive

- repeated actions- sequence of actions in the present- things in general

- action happening at the moment of speaking

- result of an action in the past is important in the present- recently completed action- state beginning in the past and still continuing

- action beginning in the past and still continuing (focus is on the action)

2) Signal words

Simple Present Present Progressive Present Perfect Present Perfect

Progressive

every daysometimesalwaysoftenusuallyseldomneverfirst ... then

nowat the momentLook!Listen!

justyetnevereveralreadyso farup to nowsinceforrecently

all daythe whole dayhow longsincefor

3) Form


infinitive 3rd person singular (he, she, it) infinitive + -s

to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing

have/has + past participle

have/has + been + infinitive + -ing

4) Examples



They often play computer games.

They are playing computer games now.

They have just played computer games.

They have been playing computer games for 4 hours.



They do not play computer games very often.

They are not playing computer games now.

They have not played computer games.

They have not been playing computer games for 4 hours.


4-3 Questions

Do they play computer games very often?

Are they playing computer games now?

Have they played computer games?

Have they been playing computer games for 4 hours?

Present Perfect - Present Perfect Progressive - contrasted

1) UseBoth tenses are very similar. There are sentences where we can use the Present Perfect or the Present Perfect Progressive. The focus in the progressive form is on the course of the action.

It has rained since Monday.(It has rained - at least once or now and then.)

It has been raining since Monday.(It has been raining every day since Monday.)

There are verbs which are normally not used with the progressive forms. Have a look at these words on this page: Present Progressive.

2) Form

Present Perfect Present Perfect Progressive

have/has + past participle have/has + been + infinitive + -ing

3) Examples



I have cleaned my room.I've cleaned my room.

I have been playing volleyball.I've been playing volleyball.

You have cleaned your room.You've cleaned your room.

You have been playing volleyball.You've been playing volleyball.

He has cleaned his room.He's cleaned his room.

He has been playing volleyball.He's been playing volleyball.



I have not cleaned my room.I've not cleaned my room.I haven't cleaned my room.

I have not been playing volleyball.I've not been playing volleyball.I haven't been playing volleyball.

You have not cleaned your room.You've not cleaned your room.You haven't cleaned your room.

You have not been playing volleyball.You've not been playing volleyball.You haven't been playing volleyball.

He has not cleaned his room.He's not cleaned his room.He hasn't cleaned his room.

He has not been playing volleyball.He's not been playing volleyball.He hasn't been playing volleyball.


3-3 Questions

Have I cleaned my room? Have I been playing volleyball?Have you cleaned your room? Have you been playing volleyball?Has he cleaned his room? Has he been playing volleyball?

4) Spelling


sitting (double consonant after short vowel)

loved (one -e at the end of the word -> Leave out the -e and add -d.) writing (leave out one -e at the end)

worried (consonant before -y ->Change to -ie.) lying (change -ie to -y)

Special verbs in the Present Progressive

There are verbs which are normally not used in the Present Progressive, like:be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem, smell, think, understand, want, wish

We sometimes use these words in the Present Progressive in the following situations:

He's seeing his father tomorrow. (fixed date)

The group is seeing the sights of Paris. (see in connection with tourists)

They are having a great time in Kapstadt. (have as an activity verb)

What's the matter with you? What are you thinking? - (to be worried about sth.)

If you are not sure with these verbs, use a good dictionary.

1) have as a full verb

affirmative sentence negative sentence question

I am having a bath. I am not having a bath. Am I having a bath?he, she, it:He is having a bath. He is not having a bath. Is he having a bath?we, you, they:We are having a bath. We are not having a bath. Are we having a bath?

1) do as a full verb

affirmative sentence negative sentence question

I am doing an exercise. I am not doing an exercise. Am I doing an exercise?he, she, it:He is doing an exercise. He is not doing an exercise. Is he doing an exercise?we, you, they:We are doing an exercise. We are not doing an exercise. Are we doing an exercise?

We often use the short forms with these verbs

Simple Present - Present Progressive / Continuous - contrasted

1) Use

Simple Present Present Progressive/Continuous

repeated actions actions happening at the moment of speaking or around the moment of speaking

fixed arrangements, scheduled events (e.g. timetable) fixed plan in the near future

sequence of actions in the present (first - then, after that) temporary actions

instructions trends

things in general repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)

after special verbs

2) Signal words


always, often, usually, sometimes, seldom, never, every day, every week, every year, on Mondays now, at the moment, Look!, Listen!

3) Form


infinitive3rd person singular (he, she, it) infinitive + -s to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing

4) Examples



I play football. I am playing football.

You play football. You are playing football.

He plays football. He is playing football.



I do not play football. I am not playing football.

You do not play football. You are not playing football.

He does not play football. He is not playing football.


4-3 Questions

Do I play football? Am I playing football?Do you play football? Are you playing football?Does he play football? Is he playing football?

5) Spelling


watches (-es after sibilant) sitting (double consonant after short vowel)

goes (-es after -o) writing (leave out one -e at the end)

hurries (-y to -ie after consonant) lying (change -ie to -y)

Exercises


Simple Present or the Present Progressive – A, B, C

Simple Present or the Present Progressive – Fill in

Use the verbs in brackets in the Simple Present or the Present Progressive.Example: Steve always ____ his bike in the afternoon. (to ride)

Answer: Steve always rides his bike in the afternoon.

1) Andy sometimes comics. (to read)

2) We never TV in the morning. (to watch)

3) Listen! Sandy in the bathroom. (to sing)

4) My sister usually in the kitchen. (to help)

5) My mother breakfast now. (to make)

1) reads

2) watch

3) is singing

4) helps

5) is making

Check Answers

6) They often the bathroom. (to clean)

7) Look! The boys home. (to come)

8) Every day his grandfather for a walk. (to go)

9) I with my friend at the moment. (to chat)

10) Cats mice. (to eat)

6) clean

7) are coming

8) goes

9) am chatting

10) eat

Check Answers

Choose the correct verb form from the dropdown menu and form sentence in the Simple Present or the Present Progressive.

1) John football at the moment.

2) We often tests at our school.

3) I to my teacher now.

4) Look! Mandy and Susan a film on TV.

5) Olivia her uncle every weekend.

6) Now the sun .

7) They sometimes poems in the lessons.

8) Listen! The band the new guitar.

9) First I , then I dress.

10) Every morning my mother up at 6 o'clock.

Check Answers

1) is playing

2) write

3) am talking

4) are watching

5) visits

6) is shining.

7) read

8) is testing

9) wash

10) gets

The Future Tenses

Future tense contrasts – will v

future continuous v future perfect

Future tense contrasts – will / won’t v present

simple

Future tense contrasts – future perfect simple v

continuous

Exercises

Future tense contrasts – will / won’t v going to

v present continuous

Future Tenses in English - contrasted

Future Tenses in English - contrasted

1) Use

will-future going to-future

Simple Present

Present Progressive

Future Progressive

Future Perfect

prediction, assumption;

spontaneous action

planned action in the future;logical consequence (sth. is going to happen)

future action is fixed (e.g. timetable)

planned action in the near future

action will definitely happen (it usually happens)

sth. will already have happened before a certain time in the future

There is often very little difference between the future tenses. It often depends where you live (in Britain or the USA) and when you use the sentence (in spoken or written communication).

In newspapers we often use the will-future, when the going to-future is used in oral communication.

newspaper:The headmaster will close the old gym.

oral:The headmaster is going to close the old gym.

We can substitute the going to-future with the Present Progressive when using an expression of time.

She is going to see Frank at the airport at 8.30.

She is seeing Frank at the airport at 8.30.

2) Signal words

There are no unambiguous signal words for the future tenses. That's why one must watch the actions carefully and then define the tense.

3) Form

will-future going to-future Simple Present

Present Progressive

Future Progressive Future Perfect

will + infinitive

to be(am, are, is) + going to + infinitive

infinitive 3rd person singular (he, she, it) infinitive + -s

to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing

will + be + infinitive + -ing

will + have + past participle

4) Examples

will-future going to-future Simple Present Present

ProgressiveFuture

Progressive Future Perfect


He will carry this bag for you.

We are going to fly to Leeds in summer.

The train leaves at 6.45.

I am going to a party tonight.

They will be playing football on Sunday afternoon.

She will have written the letter by tomorrow.

will-future going to-future Simple Present Present

ProgressiveFuture

Progressive Future Perfect


He will not carry this bag for you.

We are not going to fly to Leeds in summer.

The train does not leave at 6.45.

I am not going to a party tonight.

They will not be playing football on Sunday afternoon.

She will not have written the letter by tomorrow.

will-future going to-future

Simple Present

Present Progressive

Future Progressive

Future Perfect

4-3 Questions

Will he carry this bag for you?

Are we going to fly to Leeds in summer?

Does the train leave at 6.45?

Am I going to a party tonight?

Will they be playing football on Sunday afternoon.

Will she have written the letter by tomorrow.

will / won’t v present simple

With will

a) We use the future with will to give information about the future: It will be sunny tomorrow.

b) We also use the future with will to make predictions of future events and to say what we think will happen: I think life will be even more complicated in the future.

c) We often use the future with will when we decide to do something at the time of speaking, for example when we agree to do something: OK, we'll meet up on Wednesday.

d) We can also use the future with will in threats and promises: Stop annoying me or I'll tell your mother.

Present simple

a) We use the present simple when we talk about events as part of a timetable: The maths lesson starts at 4 p.m.

b) The present simple is also used to refer to the future after when, while, as soon as, after, before, until, if, unless, as / so long as and provided/providing (that): We’ll leave as soon as the match finishes. We won’t leave until the end of the film. We’ll go for a meal after the concert finishes. Don’t smoke before we leave the restaurant. Provided that you’ve finished your homework you can play out.

will / won’t v going to v present continuous

Will / won't

We use will / won't (the future simple) in the following ways:

a) to give facts and information about the future: Tea will be ready in half an hour.

b) to make predictions of future events and to say what we think will happen: Global warming will completely alter civilization.

c) when we decide to do something at the time of speaking, for example when we agree to do something: OK, we'll go for a game of golf, then.

d) in threats and promises: I promise you I'll be a good boy, mum.

Present continuous

We use the present continuous to talk about arrangements and fixed plans, especially when the time or place has been decided: I’m playing cricket tomorrow.

Going to + infinitive

We use going to in the following ways:

a) to talk about plans, especially when we have already decided to do something: I’m going to post the parcel in the morning.

b) to talk about a future event on the basis of present evidence: Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.

Note

We use will / won't to talk about facts or what we think is true about the future: She won’t be happy if she has to make the meal.

We generally use the present continuous to talk about arrangements: I'm meeting her parents next week.

We use going to when we have some evidence for what we say: Look how they’re playing. They’re going to lose.

will v future continuous v future perfect

Future with will

Use

a) to give information about the future: It will be Christmas in two weeks.

b) to make predictions of future events and to say what we think will happen: I think I’ll be too tired to go out if I work late.

c) when we decide to do something at the time of speaking, for example when we agree to do something: OK, I'll do the washing up, then.

d) in threats and promises: If you don’t do your homework I’ll send you to bed..

Future continuous

Use

a) to talk about something which will be in progress at a time in the future: Don't call round after lunch. I’ll be out.

b) to talk about future events which are already planned or which are part of a routine: Would you like me to buy you some bread? I'm going to the baker’s later on.

c) to ask about someone's plans in a polite way, especially if we want someone to do something for us. When we use the future continuous in this way, we often suggest that we don't want the other person to change their plans: Will you be going shopping this afternoon? I was wondering if you could get me a paper.

Future perfect

We can use the future perfect to talk about something that will be completed by (= not later than) a certain time in the future:By the time you call round I’ll have finished cleaning the house.

When we use the future perfect we refer to a time in the future and look back from that time to say that something will be complete.

Note

We often use by or by the time with the future perfect.

By Friday I will have finished reading the book.

future perfect simple v continuous

a) We can use both the future perfect simple and the future perfect continuous to talk about something that will be completed by (= not later than) a certain time in the future: We'll have lived in Spain for five years next June. We'll have been living in Spain for five years next June.

b) We use the future perfect continuous to emphasize the continuity of the action: I'll have been driving for six hours by lunchtime.

There are certain verbs in English that cannot be used in the future perfect continuous because they are never used in the continuous form, e.g. be, become, own, cost, love, like, hate, understand, think (= have the opinion), realize, etc.

Note

Future tenses in English 1

will-future or going to-future

Exercises


Future tenses in English 2

Use the verbs in brackets in the correct future tenses.

Use will-future, going to-future, Simple Present or Present Progressive.Example: The weather ______ nice on Sunday. (to be)

Answer: The weather will be nice on Sunday.

1) The train at 11:45. (to leave)

2) We dinner at a nice restaurant on Saturday. (to have)

3) It in the mountains tomorrow evening. (to snow)

4) On Sunday at 8 o'clock I my friend. (to meet)

1) leaves

2) are going to have

3) will snow

4) am meeting

Check Answers

Future tenses in English Exercise 1

5) They to London on Friday evening. (to fly)

6) Wait! I you to the station. (to drive)

7) The English lesson at 8:45. (to start)

8) I my sister in April. (to see)

9) Look at the clouds - it in a few minutes. (to rain)

10) Listen! There's someone at the door. I the door for you. (to open)

Check Answers

5) are flying

6) will drive

7) starts

8) am going to see

9) going to rain

10) will open

Check Answers

Future tenses in English Exercise 2Put in the verbs in brackets into the gap. Use will-future, going to-future, Simple Present, Present Progressive, Future Progressive or Future Perfect.

Example: The steward says: "We ______________ in Stansted in about 20 minutes." (to land)

Answer: The steward says: "We will be landing in Stansted in about 20 minutes."

1) Lisa has sold her car. She a bike. (to buy)

2) The museum at 10 am daily. (to open)

3) How old in 2050? (Harry/to be)

4) What time ? (the show/to begin)

1) is going to buy

2) opens

3) will Harry be

4) does the show begin

Check Answers

5) What tomorrow evening? (you/to do)

6) These boxes are so heavy. them for me, please? (you/to carry)

7) What time Gerry? (he/to meet)

8) This lesson at 11:30 but at 11:40. (not/to end)

9) This time tomorrow we to York. (to drive)

10) The students their essays by the end of next week. (to write)

5) are you going to do

6) Will you carry

7) is he going to meet

8) does not end

9) will be driving

10) will have written

Check Answers

will-future or going to-future - Exercise

Put in the verbs in brackets into the gap. Use will-future or going to-future.

Example: I hope, that the sun ________ tomorrow. (to shine)

Answer: I hope, that the sun will shine tomorrow.

1) Philipp 15 next Wednesday. (to be)

2) They a new computer. (to get)

3) I think my mother this CD. (to like)

4) Paul's sister a baby. (to have)

1) will be

2) are going to get

3) will like

4) is going to have

Check Answers

5) They at about 4 in the afternoon. (to arrive)

6) Just a moment. I you with the bags. (to help)

7) In 2020 people more hybrid cars. (to buy)

8) Marvin a party next week. (to throw)

9) We to Venice in June. (to fly)

10) Look at the clouds! It soon. (to rain)

5) will arrive

6) will help

7) will buy

8) is going to throw

9) will fly

10) is going to rain

Education

Contrasted verbs