2.5. Past Perfect versus Past Perfect Continuous.

Past Perfect

Past Perfect Continuous.

Form

Form

I / you / / she / he / they/ we had arrived / gone

Had I / you / he / she / they / we arrived / gone?

I / you / he / she / they / we hadn’t arrived / gone

I / We / he / she / they / you had been studying

Had I/ we / she / he / they / you been studying?

I / We / she / he / they / you had not been studying

• for an action which happened before another past action or before a stated time in the past.

E.g. They had already reserved the table when they went to the restaurant. (They made a reservation first and then they went to the restaurant.). They had already sat down for dinner by 8 pm.

• to put emphasis on the duration of an action which started and finished in the past before another past action or a stated time in the past, usually with since or for.

E.g. They had been skating together for five years before they entered the competition.

• for an action which finished in the past and whose result was visible in the past.

Bill had injured his legs in a car accident, so he had to use a wheelchair for six months.

(The action finished in the past and its result was visible in the past, too.)

• for an action which lasted for some lime in the past and whose result was visible in the past.

E.g. She had been work­ing hard that day, so she was tired. (She spent all day working hard and the result of the action was visible in the past, too.)

Note:

The past perfect is the past equivalent, of the pres­ent perfect.

a) He had broken his leg, so he couldn't walk.

(The action “had broken” happened in the past, and the result “couldn't walk” was visible in the past, too.)

b) He has broken his leg, so he can't walk. (The action “has broken” happened in the past, and the result “cant walk” is still visible in the present.)

Note:

The past perfect continuous is the past equiva­lent of the present perfect continuous.

a) He had been waiting for hours, so he was bored. (The action “had been waiting” lasted for some rime in the past, and the result “was bored” was visible in the past.)

b) He has been waiting for hours, so he is bored. (The action “has been waiting” started in the past, and the result “is bored” is still visible in the present.)

Time expressions

before, after, already, for, since, just, till / until, when, by, by the time, never, etc

for, since, how long, before, until etc.

Affirmative

Negative

Interrogative

Long form

Short form

I will work

You will work

He will work

She will work

It will work

We will work

You will work

They will work

I will not work

You will not work

He will not work

She will not work

It will not work

We will not work You will not work

They will not work

I won’t work

You won’t work

He won’t work

She won’t work

It won’t work

We won’t work

You won’t work

They won’t work

Will I work?

Will you work?

Will he work?

Will she work?

Will it work?

Will we work?

Will you work?

Will they work?

Rule

The Future Simple is used for:

• in predictions about the future usually with the verbs think, believe, expect. etc., the expressions be sure, be afraid etc., and the adverbs perhaps, certainly, probably, etc.

E.g. His parents think he will become an artist one day.

• for on-the-spot decisions, and offers.

E.g. Since it’s your birthday, I will pay for lunch.

• for actions / events / situations which will definitely happen in the future and which we cannot control.

E.g. Jill will be two years old next month (We cannot control this future event; it will definitely happen)

• for promises (usually with the verbs promise, swear, guarantee, etc, for threats, for warnings, for requests, for hopes (usually with I hope).

E.g. I hope pollution levels will drop soon, (hope) Factories must stop polluting the air or else we won’t be able to breathe. (warning).

tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next week / month / year, tonight, soon, in a week month / year, etc.

Will

Shall

We use Will you…? When we ask somebody to do something for us

We use Shall I..? when we offer somebody to do something for them.

Shall we..? when we suggest somebody to do something together

(request)

(offer)

(suggestion)

E.g. Will you post these letters for me, please?

E.g. Shall I help you with the home task?

Shall we dance?

Affirmative

Negative

Interrogative

I am going to work

You are going to work

He is going to work

She is going to work

It is going to work

We are going to work

You are going to work

They are going to work

I am not going to work

You are not going to work

He is not going to work

She is not going to work

It is not going to work

We aren’t going to work

You aren’t going to work

They aren’t going to work

Am I going to work?

Are you going to work?

Is he going to work?

Is she going to work?

Is it going to work?

Are we writing?

Are you going to work?

Are they going to work?

Rule

Be going to is used for:

• for plans, intentions or ambitions we have for the future.

E.g. I'm going to employ more staff, (intention / plan) I'm going to expand my company, (intention / plan).

• in predictions when there is evidence that something will happen in the near future.

E.g. Look at him. He is going to win the race. (There is evi­dence. - he is ahead of the other runners.)

The present simple is used with a future meaning when we refer to programmes or timetables (trains, buses, etc.).

E.g. The film starts in ten minutes. (cinema programme)