Simple Past Timeline
For example:
"Last year I took my exams."
"I got married in 1992."
It can be used to describe events that happened over a period of time in the past but not now.
For example:
"I lived in South Africa for two years."
The simple past tense is also used to talk about habitual or repeated actions that took place in the past.
For example:
"When I was a child we always went to the seaside on bank holidays."
Past Continuous Tense
Overview | Simple Present | Simple Future | Simple Past Present Continuous | Continuous Future Present Perfect Simple | Present Perfect Future | Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Simple | Past Perfect Continuous The Future
We use the past continuous tense to describe a past action over a period of time.
Past Continuous Timeline
For example:
Q) "What were they doing yesterday?" A) "They were working all day."
It can be used to describe what someone was doing at a particular point in time.
For example:
Q) "What were you doing at 7.30 last night?" A) "I was watching television."
The past continuous can also be used to show that an activity frequently took place over a period of time.
Q) "What did you do on holiday?" A) "I went skiing a lot."
Often the past continuous is mixed with the past simple to show what was happening when something happened. The past continuous refers to the longer event and the simple past to the event that interrupted it.
For example:
"I was driving to work when I crashed my car."
or
As I was driving to work, I crashed my car."
Future Continuous Tense
Overview | Simple Present | Simple Future | Simple Past Present Continuous | Past Continuous Present Perfect Simple | Present Perfect Future | Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Simple | Past Perfect Continuous The Future
Using the present continuous for the future
The future continuous tense is the present continuous tense recycled. It is often used to ask about and discuss future arrangements or plans with just the addition of a future time, but you only use it when these arrangements are certain.
For example:
Q) What are you doing next week?" A) "I'm working."
Q) What's he doing tomorrow?" A) "He's playing tennis."
The present continuous tense is also used to talk about and make future appointments and arrangements using the words go or come....
For example:
Q) When are you coming to see me?" A) "Next week."
Q) What are you doing tomorrow?" A) "I'm going to the dentist."
...and using verbs of arrival and departure.
"We're arriving in London at 2.30."
"The train leaving from platform one is the 2.45 to Edinburgh."
The Future Continuous (will be doing)
The use of 'will be doing' in a sentence is often referred to as the future continuous. It is used to talk about activities that will be happening at a particular time or over a particular time in the future.
For example:
Next week we will be having a party. Can you come?
You can also use it (or the present continuous form) to talk about future plans.
For example:
We will be leaving here at 7.30pm.
Present Perfect Simple Tense
Overview | Simple Present | Simple Future | Simple Past Present Continuous | Continuous Future | Past Continuous Present Perfect Future | Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Simple | Past Perfect Continuous The Future
The present perfect simple tense is used to talk about a past time, which has very strong meaning for the present.