TENSES

Summary of Verb Tenses in English

SUMMARY OF VERB TENSES

Present tenses

Simple present: She wants a drink.
Present continuous: They are walking home.

Past tenses

Simple past: Peter lived in China in 1965.
Past continuous: I was reading when she arrived.

Perfect tenses

Present Perfect: I have lived here since 1987.
Present perfect continuous: I have been living here for years.
Past perfect: We had been to see her several times before she visited us.
Past perfect continuous: He had been watching her for some time when she turned and smiled.
Future perfect: We will have arrived in the States by the time you get this letter.
Future perfect continuous: By the end of your course, you will have been studying for five years.

Future tenses

Simple future: They will go to Italy next week.
Future continuous: I will be travelling by train.

Conditional tenses

Present conditional: If he had the money he would go
Present continuous conditional: He would be getting up now if he was in Australia.
Perfect conditional: She would have visited me if she had had time.
Perfect continuous conditional: I would have been playing tennis if I hadn't broken my arm.

Verb Tenses: Simple Present

SIMPLE PRESENT

(See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present')

Simple present, third person singular

Note:

1. he, she, it: in the third person singular the verb always ends in -s:
   he wants, she needs, he gives, she thinks.
2. Negative and question forms use DOES (=the third person of the auxiliary'DO') + the infinitive of the verb.
   He wants. Does he want? He does not want.
3. Verbs ending in -y : the third person changes the -y to -ies:
   fly flies, cry cries
   
   Exception: if there is a vowel before the -y:
   play plays, pray prays
4. Add -es to verbs ending in:-ss, -x, -sh, -ch:
   he passes, she catches, he fixes, it pushes

See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present', and 'Be, do & have'

Examples:

1. Third person singular with s or -es

• He goes to school every morning.
• She understands English.
• It mixes the sand and the water.
• He tries very hard.
• She enjoys playing the piano.

2. Simple present, form

Example: to think, present simple

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I think	Do I think ?	I do not think.
You think	Do you think?	You don't think.
he, she, it thinks	Does he, she, it think?	He, she, it doesn't think.
we think	Do we think?	We don't think.
you think	Do you think?	You don't think.

The simple present is used:

1. to express habits, general truths, repeated actions or unchanging situations, emotions and wishes:
   I smoke (habit); I work in London (unchanging situation); London is a large city (general truth)
2. to give instructions or directions:
   You walk for two hundred metres, then you turn left.
3. to express fixed arrangements, present or future:
   Your exam starts at 09.00
4. to express future time, after some conjunctions: after, when, before, as soon as, until:
   He'll give it to you when you come next Saturday.

BE CAREFUL! The simple present is not used to express actions happening now. See Present Continuous.

Examples:

1. For habits
   He drinks tea at breakfast.
   She only eats fish.
   They watch television regularly.
2. For repeated actions or events
   We catch the bus every morning.
   It rains every afternoon in the hot season.
   They drive to Monaco every summer.
3. For general truths
   Water freezes at zero degrees.
   The Earth revolves around the Sun.
   Her mother is Peruvian.
4. For instructions or directions
   Open the packet and pour the contents into hot water.
   You take the No.6 bus to Watney and then the No.10 to Bedford.
5. For fixed arrangements
   His mother arrives tomorrow.
   Our holiday starts on the 26th March
6. With future constructions
   She'll see you before she leaves.
   We'll give it to her when she arrives.

Present Continuous or Present Progressive

Present Continuous or Present Progressive Verb Form

1. Present continuous, form

The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts - the present tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb.

(The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving, smiling)

Affirmative
Subject	+ to be	+ base+ing
she	is	talking
Negative
Subject	+ to be + not	+ base+ing
she	is not (isn't)	talking
Interrogative
to be	+ subject	+ base+ing
is	she	talking?

Example: to go, present continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I am going	I am not going	Am I going?
You are going	You aren't going.	Are you going?
He, she, it is going	He, she, it isn't going	Is he, she, it going?
We are going	We aren't going	Are we going?
You are going	You aren't going	Are you going?
They are going	They aren't going	Are they going?

Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's not going etc.

2. Present Continuous, function

As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action or event. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete.

The present continuous is used:

• to describe an action that is going on at this moment e.g.
  You are using the Internet. You are studying English grammar.
• to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend, e.g.
  Are you still working for the same company? More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
• to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or prepared (See also 'Ways of expressing the future) e.g.
  We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?
• to describe a temporary event or situation, e.g.
  He usually plays the drums, but he's playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the moment.
• with 'always, forever, constantly', to describe and emphasise a continuing series of repeated actions, e.g.
  Harry and Sally are always arguing! You're forever complaining about your mother-in-law!

BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not used in the continuous form - see below.

3. Verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form

The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form, because they refer to states, rather than actions or processes:

List of common verbs normally used in simple form:

Senses / Perception

feel*, hear, see*, smell, taste

Opinion

assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (= think), find (= consider), suppose, think*

Mental states

forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognise, remember, understand

Emotions / desires

envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want, wish

Measurement

contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh

Others

look (=resemble), seem, be (in most cases), have (when it means to possess)*

Notes:

• 'Perception' verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with 'can': e.g.
  I can see...
• * These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different meaning, compare:

• This coat feels nice and warm. (= your perception of the coat's qualities)
• John's feeling much better now (= his health is improving)
• She has three dogs and a cat. (=possession)
• She's having supper. (= She's eating)
• I can see Anthony in the garden (= perception)
• I'm seeing Anthony later (= We are planning to meet)

Examples

• I wish I was in Greece now.
• She wants to see him now.
• I don't understand why he is shouting.
• I feel we are making a mistake.
• This glass holds half a litre.

Present Perfect Verb Tense

PRESENT PERFECT

1. Present Perfect - Form

The present perfect of any verb is composed of two elements : the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb to have (present tense), plus the past participle of the main verb. The past participle of a regular verb is base+ed, e.g. played, arrived, looked. For irregular verbs, see the Table of irregular verbs in the section called 'Verbs'.

Affirmative
Subject	to have	past participle
She	has	visited
Negative
Subject	to have + not	past participle
She	hasn't	visited
Interrogative
to have	subject	past participle
Has	she	visited..?
Interrogative negative
to have + not	subject	past participle
Hasn't	she	visited...?

Example: to walk, present perfect

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I have walked	I haven't walked	Have I walked?
You have walked	You haven't walked	Have you walked?
He, she, it has walked	He, she, it hasn't walked	Has he,she,it walked
We have walked	We haven't walked	Have we walked?
You have walked	You haven't walked	Have you walked?
They have walked	They haven't walked	Have they walked?

2. Present perfect, function

The Present Perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before now but not specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the action itself.

BE CAREFUL! There may be a verb tense in your language with a similar form, but the meaning is probably NOT the same.

The Present Perfect is used to describe:

1. An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present. Example: I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
2. An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. Example: She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
3. A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now. Example: We have visited Portugal several times.
4. An action that was completed in the very recent past, (expressed by 'just'). Example: I have just finished my work.
5. An action when the time is not important. Example: He has read 'War and Peace'. (the result of his reading is important)

Note: When we want to give or ask details about when, where, who, we use the simple past. Example: He read 'War and Peace' last week.

Examples:

1. Actions started in the past and continuing in the present.

• They haven't lived here for years.
• She has worked in the bank for five years.
• We have had the same car for ten years.
• Have you played the piano since you were a child?

2. When the time period referred to has not finished.

• I have worked hard this week.
• It has rained a lot this year.
• We haven't seen her today.

3. Actions repeated in an unspecified period between the past and now.

• They have seen that film six times.
• It has happened several times already.
• She has visited them frequently.
• We have eaten at that restaurant many times.

4. Actions completed in the very recent past (+just).

• Have you just finished work?
• I have just eaten.
• We have just seen her.
• Has he just left?

5. When the precise time of the action is not important or not known.

• Someone has eaten my soup!
• Have you seen 'Gone with the Wind'?
• She's studied Japanese, Russian and English.

Present perfect + ever,never,already,yet

PRESENT PERFECT + ever, never, already, yet

The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before now e.g. Have you ever visited Berlin?

'Ever' is used

• in questions. e.g.
  Have you ever been to England?
  Has she ever met the Prime Minister?
• in negative questions e.g.
  Haven't they ever been to Europe?
  Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
• and in negative statements using the pattern nothing.......ever, nobody.......ever e.g.
  Nobody has ever said that to me before.
  Nothing like this has ever happened to us.
• 'Ever' is also used with 'The first time.... e.g.
  It's the first time (that) I've ever eaten snails.
  This is the first time I've ever been to England.

'Never' means at no time before now, and is the same as not ..... ever:

• I have never visited Berlin

BE CAREFUL!

You must not use never and not together:

• I haven't never been to Italy.
• I have never been to Italy.

Position

'Ever' and 'never' are always placed before the main verb (past participle).

Already and yet

Already

refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests that there is no need for repetition, e.g.
a. I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (and you're offering me another one!)
b. Don't write to John, I've already done it.

It is also used in questions:

• Have you already written to John?
• Has she finished her homework already?

Position

already can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence:

• I have already been to Tokyo.
• I have been to Tokyo already.

Yet

is used in negative statements and questions, to mean (not) in the period of time between before now and now, (not) up to and including the present. e.g.

• Have you met Judy yet?
• I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet.
• Has he arrived yet?
• They haven't eaten yet.

Position

Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence

Present Perfect of Simple Past?

How to choose between the Present Perfect and Simple Past Tenses

• Always use the Present Perfect when the time is not important, or not specified.
• Always use the Simple Past when details about the time or place are specified or asked for.

Compare:

Present Perfect	Simple Past
I have lived in Lyon.	I lived in Lyon in 1989.
They have eaten Thai food.	They ate Thai food last night.
Have you seen 'Othello'?.	Where did you see 'Othello'?
We have been to Ireland.	When did you go to Ireland?

There is also a difference of attitude that is often more important than the time factor.

• "What did you do at school today?" is a question about activities, and considers the school day as finished.
• "What have you done at school today?" is a question about results - "show me", and regards the time of speaking as a continuation of the school day.

Present Perfect + for and since

PRESENT PERFECT + for, since

Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by considering its duration, with for + a period of time, or by considering its starting point, with since + a point in time.

For + a period of time

• for six years, for a week, for a month, for hours, for two hours.
• I have worked here for five years.

Since + a point in time

• since this morning, since last week, since yesterday,
• since I was a child, since Wednesday, since 2 o'clock.
• I have worked here since 1990.

present perfect with for

• She has lived here for twenty years.
• We have taught at this school for a long time.
• Alice has been married for three months.
• They have been at the hotel for a week.

present perfect with since

• She has lived here since 1980.
• We have taught at this school since 1965
• Alice has been married since March 2nd.
• They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.

Note:

• For and since can both be used with the past perfect.
• Since can only be used with perfect tenses, for can also be used with the simple past.

Present Perfect Continuous

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Present Perfect Continuous, Form

The present perfect continuous is made up of two elements:

1. the present perfect of the verb 'to be' (have/has been), and
2. the present participle of the main verb (base+ing).

Subject	has/have been	base+ing
She	has been	swimming

Affirmative
She has been / She's been	running
Negative
She hasn't been	running
Interrogative
Has she been	running?
Interrogative negative
Hasn't she been	running?

Example: to live, present perfect continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I have been living	I haven't been living	Have I been living?
You have been living	You haven't been living	Have you been living?
He, she, it has been living	He hasn't been living	Has she been living?
We have been living	We haven't been living	Have we been living?
You have been living	You haven't been living	Have you been living?
They have been living	They haven't been living	Have they been living?

Present perfect continuous, function

The present perfect continuous refers to an unspecified time between 'before now' and 'now'. The speaker is thinking about something that started but perhaps did not finish in that period of time. He/she is interested in the process as well as the result, and this process may still be going on, or may have just finished.

Examples

1. Actions that started in the past and continue in the present.

• She has been waiting for you all day (=and she's still waiting now).
• I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (=and I still haven't finished it).
• They have been travelling since last October (=and they're not home yet).

2. Actions that have just finished, but we are interested in the results:

• She has been cooking since last night (=and the food on the table looks delicious).
• It's been raining (= and the streets are still wet).
• Someone's been eating my chips (= half of them have gone).

Verbs without continuous forms

With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, use the present perfect simple. See list of these verbs under 'Present Continuous':

• I've wanted to visit China for years.
• She's known Robert since she was a child.
• I've hated that music since I first heard it.
• I've heard a lot about you recently.
• We've understood everything we've heard this morning.

Simple Past

SIMPLE PAST

BE CAREFUL!

The simple past in English may look like a tense in your own language, but the meaning may be different.

1. Simple Past: Form

Regular verbs: base+ed
e.g. walked, showed, watched, played, smiled, stopped

Irregular verbs: see list of verbs

Simple past, be, have, do:

Subject	Verb
	Be	Have	Do
I	was	had	did
You	were	had	did
He, she, it	was	had	did
We	were	had	did
You	were	had	did
They	were	had	did

Affirmative

• I was in Japan last year
• She had a headache yesterday.
• We did our homework last night.

Negative and interrogative

Note:

For the negative and interrogative simple past form of "do" as an ordinary verb, use the auxiliary "do", e.g. We didn't do our homework last night. The negative of "have" in the simple past is usually formed using the auxiliary "do", but sometimes by simply adding not or the contraction "n't".

The interrogative form of "have" in the simple past normally uses the auxiliary "do".

• They weren't in Rio last summer.
• We hadn't any money.
• We didn't have time to visit the Eiffel Tower.
• We didn't do our exercises this morning.
• Were they in Iceland last January?
• Did you have a bicycle when you were a boy?
• Did you do much climbing in Switzerland?

Simple past, regular verbs

Affirmative
Subject	verb + ed
I	washed
Negative
Subject	did not	infinitive without to
They	didn't	visit ...
Interrogative
Did	subject	infinitive without to
Did	she	arrive...?
Interrogative negative
Did not	subject	infinitive without to
Didn't	you	like..?

Example: to walk, simple past.

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I walked	I didn't walk	Did I walk?
You walked	You didn't walk	Did you walk?
He,she,it walked	He didn't walk	Did he walk?
We walked	We didn't walk	Did we walk?
You walked	You didn't walk	Did you walk?
They walked	They didn't walk	Did they walk?

Note: For the negative and interrogative form of all verbs in the simple past, always use the auxiliary 'did''.

Examples: Simple past, irregular verbs

to go

• He went to a club last night.
• Did he go to the cinema last night?
• He didn't go to bed early last night.

to give

• We gave her a doll for her birthday.
• They didn't give John their new address.
• Did Barry give you my passport?

to come

• My parents came to visit me last July.
• We didn't come because it was raining.
• Did he come to your party last week?

2. Simple past, function

The simple past is used to talk about a completed action in a time before now. Duration is not important. The time of the action can be in the recent past or the distant past.

• John Cabot sailed to America in 1498.
• My father died last year.
• He lived in Fiji in 1976.
• We crossed the Channel yesterday.

You always use the simple past when you say when something happened, so it is associated with certain past time expressions

Examples

• frequency:
  often, sometimes, always;
• a definite point in time:
  last week, when I was a child, yesterday, six weeks ago.
• an indefinite point in time:
  the other day, ages ago, a long time ago etc.

Note: the word ago is a useful way of expressing the distance into the past. It is placed after the period of time e.g. a week ago, three years ago, a minute ago.

Examples

• Yesterday, I arrived in Geneva.
• She finished her work at seven o'clock.
• We saw a good film last week.
• I went to the theatre last night.
• She played the piano when she was a child.
• He sent me a letter six months ago.
• Peter left five minutes ago.

Verb Tenses: Past Continuous

PAST CONTINUOUS

Past continuous - form.

The past continuous of any verb is composed of two parts : the past tense of the verb to be (was/were), and the base of the main verb +ing.

Subject	was/were	base-ing
They	were	watching

Affirmative
She	was	reading
Negative
She	wasn't	reading
Interrogative
Was	she	reading?
Interrogative negative
Wasn't	she	reading?

Example: to play, past continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I was playing	I was not playing	Was I playing?
You were playing	You were not playing	Were you playing?
He, she, it was playing	She wasn't playing	Was she playing?
We were playing	We weren't playing	Were we playing?
You were playing	You weren't playing	Were you playing?
They were playing	They weren't playing	Were they playing?

Past continuous, function

The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and was still going on at the time of speaking. In other words, it expresses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past.

It is used:

• often, to describe the background in a story written in the past tense, e.g. "The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant came out of the jungle. The other animals were relaxing in the shade of the trees, but the elephant moved very quickly. She was looking for her baby, and she didn't notice the hunter who was watching her through his binoculars. When the shot rang out, she was running towards the river..."
• to describe an unfinished action that was interrupted by another event or action: "I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang."
• to express a change of mind: e.g. "I was going to spend the day at the beach but I've decided to go on an excursion instead."
• with 'wonder', to make a very polite request: e.g. "I was wondering if you could baby-sit for me tonight."

More examples

• They were waiting for the bus when the accident happened.
• Caroline was skiing when she broke her leg.
• When we arrived he was having a bath.
• When the fire started I was watching television.

Note: with verbs not normally used in the continuous form, the simple past is used. See list in Present continuous

Verb Tenses: The Past Perfect

PAST PERFECT

Past perfect, form

The Past Perfect tense in English is composed of two parts: the past tense of the verb to have (had) + the past participle of the main verb.

Subject	had	past participle
We	had	decided...
Affirmative
She	had	given.
Negative
We	hadn't	asked.
Interrogative
Had	they	arrived?
Interrogative negative
Hadn't	you	finished?

Example: to decide, Past perfect

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I had decided	I hadn't decided	Had I decided?
You had decided	You hadn't decided	Had you decided?
He, she, it had decided	He hadn't decided	Had she decided?
We had decided	We hadn't decided	Had we decided?
You had decided	You hadn't decided	Had you decided?
They had decided	They hadn't decided	Had they decided?

Past perfect, function

The past perfect refers to a time earlier than before now. It is used to make it clear that one event happened before another in the past. It does not matter which event is mentioned first - the tense makes it clear which one happened first.

In these examples, Event A is the first or earliest event, Event B is the second or latest event:

Event B Event B

a.	John had gone out	when I arrived in the office.
	Event A	Event B
b.	I had saved my document	before the computer crashed.
	Event A
c.	When they arrived	we had already started cooking
	Event B	Event A
d.	He was very tired	because he hadn't slept well.
	Event B	Event A

Past perfect + just

'Just' is used with the past perfect to refer to an event that was only a short time earlier than before now, e.g.

• The train had just left when I arrived at the station.
• She had just left the room when the police arrived.
• I had just put the washing out when it started to rain.

Verb Tenses: Past Perfect Continuous

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Past Perfect Continuous Form

The past perfect continuous is composed of two elements - the past perfect of the verb to be (=had been) + the present participle (base+ing).

Examples

Subject	had been	verb-ing
I	had been	walking

Affirmative
She	had been	trying
Negative
We	hadn't been	sleeping
Interrogative
Had you	been	eating
Interrogative negative
Hadn't they	been	living

Example: to buy, past perfect continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I had been buying	I hadn't been buying	Had I been buying?
You had been buying	You hadn't been buying	Had you been buying
He,she,it had been buying	He hadn't been buying	Had she been buying?
We had been buying	We hadn't been buying	Had we been buying?
You had been buying	You hadn't been buying	Had you been buying
They had been buying	They hadn't been buying	Had they been buying

Past Perfect Continuous: Function

The past perfect continuous corresponds to the present perfect continuous, but with reference to a time earlier than 'before now'. Again, we are more interested in the process.

Examples

• Had you been waiting long before the taxi arrived?
• We had been trying to open the door for five minutes when Jane found her key.
• It had been raining hard for several hours and the streets were very wet.
• Her friends had been thinking of calling the police when she walked in.

This form is also used in reported speech. It is the equivalent of the past continuous and the present perfect continuous in direct speech:

• Jane said "I have been gardening all afternoon." Jane said she had been gardening all afternoon.
• When the police questioned him, John said "I was working late in the office that night." When the police questioned him, John told them he had been working late in the office that night.

Verb Tenses: Future Forms Introduction

FUTURE FORMS

Introduction

There are a number of different ways of referring to the future in English. It is important to remember that we are expressing more than simply the time of the action or event. Obviously, any 'future' tense will always refer to a time 'later than now', but it may also express our attitude to the future event.

All of the following ideas can be expressed using different tenses:

• Simple prediction
• Arrangements
• Plans and intentions
• Time-tabled events
• Prediction based on present evidence
• Willingness
• An action in progress in the future
• An action or event that is a matter of routine
• Obligation
• An action or event that will take place immediately or very soon
• Projecting ourselves into the future and looking back at a completed action.

The example sentences below correspond to the ideas above:

• There will be snow in many areas tomorrow.
• I'm meeting Jim at the airport.
• We're going to spend the summer abroad.
• The plane takes off at 3 a.m.
• I think it's going to rain!
• We'll give you a lift to the cinema.
• This time next week I'll be sun-bathing.
• h. You'll be seeing John in the office tomorrow, won't you?
• You are to travel directly to London.
• The train is about to leave.
• A month from now he will have finished all his exams.

It is clear from these examples that several tenses are used to express the future. The sections that follow show the form and function of each of these tenses.

Verb Tenses: The Simple Future

SIMPLE FUTURE

Simple future, form

The 'simple' future is composed of two parts: will / shall + the infinitive without 'to'

Subject	will	infinitive without to
He	will	leave...

Affirmative
I	will	go
I	shall	go
Negative
They	will not	see
They	won't	see
Interrogative
Will	she	ask?
Interrogative negative
Won't	she	take?

Contractions
I will I'll	We will we'll
You will you'll	You will you'll
He,she, will he'll, she'll	They will they'll

NOTE: The form 'it will' is not normally shortened.

Example: to see, simple future

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I'll see	I won't see	Will I see?
*I will / shall see	I shan't see	Shall I see?
You'll see	You won't see	Will you see?
He, she, it will see	He won't see	Will she see?
We'll see	We won't see	Will we see?
*We will / shall see	We shan't see	Shall we see?
You will see	You won't see	Will you see?
They'll see	They won't see	Will they see?

*NOTE: shall is slightly dated but can be used instead of will with I or we.

Simple future, function

The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or certainty. In this case there is no 'attitude'.

The simple future is used:

• to predict a future event:
  It will rain tomorrow.
• (with I/we) to express a spontaneous decision:
  I'll pay for the tickets by credit card.
• to express willingness:
  I'll do the washing-up. He'll carry your bag for you.
• (in the negative form) to express unwillingness:
  The baby won't eat his soup.
  I won't leave until I've seen the manager!
• (with I in the interrogative form) to make an offer:
  Shall I open the window?
• (with we in the interrogative form) to make a suggestion:
  Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
• (with I in the interrogative form) to ask for advice or instructions:
  What shall I tell the boss about this money?
• (with you) to give orders:
  You will do exactly as I say.
• (with you) to give an invitation:
  Will you come to the dance with me? Will you marry me?

NOTE: In modern English will is preferred to shall.

Shall is mainly used with I and we to make an offer or suggestion (see examples (e) and (f) above, or to ask for advice (example (g) above).
With the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is only used in literary or poetic situations, e.g.

• "With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes."

Future with Present Continuous

PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE EVENTS

1. Present Continuous for the Future: Form

See notes on form in section on Present Continuous.

Subject	+ to be	+ base-ing
She	is	meeting

2. Future: Present Continuous for the Future: Function

The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for events at a time later than now.
There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. e.g.

• I'm meeting Jim at the airport = and both Jim and I have discussed this.
• I am leaving tomorrow. = and I've already bought my train ticket.
• We're having a staff meeting next Monday = and all members of staff have been told about it.

More examples

• Is she seeing him tomorrow?
• He isn't working next week.
• They aren't leaving until the end of next year.
• We are staying with friends when we get to Boston.

Note: in example (a), seeing is used in a continuous form because it means meeting.

BE CAREFUL! The simple present is used when a future event is part of a programme or time-table. Notice the difference between:

a. We're having a staff meeting next Monday.
b. We have a staff meeting next Monday.(= we have a meeting every Monday, it's on the time-table.)

Verb Tenses: Simple Present for Future Events

SIMPLE PRESENT FOR FUTURE EVENTS

Simple Present for Future Events: Form

See Simple Present section.

Simple Present for Future Events: Function

The simple present is used to make statements about events at a time later than now, when the statements are based on present facts, and when these facts are something fixed like a time-table, schedule, calendar.

Examples

• The plane arrives at 18.00 tomorrow.
• She has a yoga class tomorrow morning.
• The restaurant opens at 19.30 tonight.
• Next Thursday at 14.00 there is an English exam.

Note the difference between:

• The plane leaves in ten minutes (= statement of fact)
• The plane's going to leave in ten minutes (= prediction based on present situation, meaning "...and if you don't hurry up you're going to miss it!")

Verb Tenses: Future with 'Going to'

FUTURE WITH GOING TO

1. Future with Going to - form

This form is composed of three elements: the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + going to + the infinitive of the main verb:

Subject	'to be'	going to	infinitive
She	is	going to	leave

2. Future with Going to - function

The use of 'going to' to refer to future events suggests a very strong association with the present. The time is not important - it is later than now, but the attitude is that the event depends on a present situation, that we know about. So it is used:

• to refer to our plans and intentions:
  We're going to move to London next year. (= the plan is in our minds now.)
• to make predictions based on present evidence:
  Look at those clouds - it's going to pour with rain! (= It's clear from what I can see now.)

Note: In everyday speech, 'going to' is often shortened to 'gonna', especially in American English.

Plans and intentions:

• Is Freddy going to buy a new car soon?
• Are John and Pam going to visit Milan when they are in Italy?
• I think Nigel and Mary are going to have a party next week.

Predictions based on present evidence:

• There's going to be a terrible accident!
• He's going to be a brilliant politician.
• I'm going to have terrible indigestion.

NOTE: It is unusual to say 'I'm going to go to...'
Instead, we use 'going to' + a place or event:

Examples

• We are going to the beach tomorrow.
• She is going to the ballet tonight.
• Are you going to the party tomorrow night?

Verb Tenses:Future Continuous

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

Future continuous, form

The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the verb 'to be' + the present participle (base+ing)

Subject	simple future, 'to be'	base+ing
You	will be	watching

Affirmative
I will be asking

Negative
She won't be leaving

Interrogative
Will they be retiring?

Interrogative negative
Won't we be staying?

Example: to stay, future continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I will be staying	I won't be staying	Will I be staying?
You will be staying	You won't be staying	Will you be staying?
He, she, it will be staying	He won't be staying	Will she be staying?
We will be staying	We won't be staying	Will we be staying?
You will be staying	You won't be staying	Will you be staying?
They will be staying	They won't be staying	Will they be staying?

Future continuous, function

The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. It is used:

To project ourselves into the future and see something happening:

• This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.

To refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events:

• I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.

In the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a simple request for information and an invitation:

• Will you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for information)
  Will you come to the party? (= invitation)

To predict or guess about someone's actions or feelings, now or in the future:

• You'll be feeling tired after that long walk, I expect.

Events in progress in the future:

• When you are in Australia will you be staying with friends?
• This time next week you will be working in your new job.
• At four thirty on Tuesday afternoon I will be signing the contract.

Events/actions in normal course of events:

• I'll be going into town this afternoon, is there anything you want from the shops?
• Will you be using the car tomorrow? - No, you can take it.
• I'll be seeing Jane this evening - I'll give her the message.

Asking for information:

• Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
• Will Jim be coming with us?

Predicting or guessing:

• You'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.
• He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.
• You'll be missing the sunshine now you're back in England.

Verb Tenses: Future Perfect

FUTURE PERFECT

Future Perfect: Form

The future perfect is composed of two elements: the simple future of the verb to have (will have) + the past participle of the main verb:

Subject	will have	past participle
He	will have	finished

Affirmative
I will have left
Negative
They won't have gone
Interrogative
Will we have seen?
Interrogative negative
Won't he have arrived?

Example: to arrive, future perfect

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I'll have arrived	I won't have arrived	Will I have arrived?
You'll have arrived	You won't have arrived	Will you have arrived?
He'll have arrived	She won't have arrived	Will it have arrived?
We'll have arrived	We won't have arrived	Will we have arrived?
You'll have arrived	You won't have arrived	Will you have arrived?
They'll have arrived	They won't have arrived	Will they have arrived?

Future perfect, function

The future perfect refers to a completed action in the future. When we use this tense we are projecting ourselves forward into the future and looking back at an action that will be completed some time later than now.
It is often used with a time expression using by + a point in future time.

Examples

• I'll have been here for six months on June 23rd.
• By the time you read this I'll have left.
• You will have finished your work by this time next week.

Verb Tenses: Future Perfect Continuous

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Future Perfect Continuous: Form

This form is composed of two elements: the future perfect of the verb to be (will have been) + the present participle of the main verb (base+ing):

Subject	will have been	base+ing
We	will have been	living

Affirmative
I	will have been	working
Negative
I	won't have been	working
Interrogative
Will	I have been	working?
Interrogative negative
Won't	I have been	working?

Example: to live, Future Perfect Continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I'll have been living	I won't have been living	Will I have been living?
You'll have been living	You won't have been living	Will you have been living?
He'll have been living	He won't have been living	Will she have been living?
We'll have been living	We won't have been living	Will we have been living?
You'll have been living	You won't have been living	Will you have been living?
They'll have been living	They won't have been living	Will they have been living?

Future Perfect Continuous: Function

Like the future perfect simple, this form is used to project ourselves forward in time and to look back. It refers to events or actions in a time between now and some future time, that may be unfinished.

Examples:

• I will have been waiting here for three hours by six o'clock.
• By 2001 I will have been living here for sixteen years.
• By the time I finish this course, I will have been learning English for twenty years.
• Next year I will have been working here for four years.

Other ways of talking about the future

OTHER WAYS OF TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE

1. IS TO + INFINITIVE

Form

This form is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of the verb to be + to (am to, are to, is to), and the infinitive of the main verb without 'to'..

Subject	to be to	infinitive without to
We	are to	leave

Affirmative
She	is to	travel
Negative
You	are not (aren't) to	travel
Interrogative
Am	I to	travel?
Interrogative negative
Aren't	they to	travel?

Function

This form refers to an obligation to do something at a time later than now. It is similar to 'must', but there is a suggestion that something has been arranged or organised for us. It is not normally used in spoken English, but might be found in spy stories, e.g.

• "You are to leave this room at once, and you are to travel by train to London. In London you are to pick up your ticket from Mr Smith, and you are to fly to your destination alone. When you arrive, you are to meet our agent, Mr X, who will give you further information. You are to destroy this message now."

2. BE + ABOUT TO + INFINITIVE

Form

This form is composed of three elements : the appropriate form of the verb to be, present tense, + 'about to' + the infinitive of the main verb without 'to':

Subject	be	about to	infinitive without to
I	am	about to	leave
She	is	about to	arrive

Function

This form refers to a time immediately after the moment of speaking, and emphasises that the event or action will happen very soon:

Examples

• She is about to leave.
• You are about to see something very unusual.
• I am about to go to a meeting - can I talk to you later?

It is often used with the word 'just', which emphasises the immediacy of the action:

• We are just about to go to sleep.
• Sally is just about to take an exam.

This form can also be used in the simple past tense to refer to an action that was imminent, but was interrupted. In such cases it is often followed by a 'when - clause':

• She was about to leave when he arrived.
• I was just about to telephone her when she walked into the house.

'IF' SENTENCES AND THE 'UNREAL' PAST

In this section you will find information on sentences containing the word 'if', the use of conditional tenses, and the 'unreal past', that is, when we use a past tense but we are not actually referring to past time.

IF AND THE CONDITIONAL

There are four main types of 'if' sentences in English:
1. The 'zero' conditional, where the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present If you heat ice If it rains	simple present it melts. you get wet

In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are often used to refer to general truths.
2. The Type 1 conditional, where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present If it rains If you don't hurry	Simple future you will get wet we will miss the train.

In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result.
3. The Type 2 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past If it rained If you went to bed earlier	Present conditional you would get wet you wouldn't be so tired.

In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result.
4. The Type 3 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect If it had rained If you had worked harder	Perfect conditional you would have got wet you would have passed the exam.

In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed, and they refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result.
A further type of 'if' sentence exists, where Type 2 and Type 3 are mixed. The tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect If I had worked harder at school If we had looked at the map	Present conditional I would have a better job now. we wouldn't be lost.

In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present.

THE 'ZERO' CONDITIONAL

1. Form

In 'zero' conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present:

'IF' CLAUSE (CONDITION)	MAIN CLAUSE (RESULT)
If + simple present If you heat ice If it rains	simple present it melts. you get wet

NOTE: The order of the clauses is not fixed - the 'if' clause can be first or second:

Examples

• Ice melts if you heat it.
• You get wet if it rains.

2. Function

In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are used to make statements about the real world, and often refer to general truths, such as scientific facts.

Examples

• If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.
• Plants die if they don't get enough water.
• If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it.
• If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
• If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

This structure is often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main clause:

Examples

• If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.
• Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.

TYPE 1 CONDITIONAL

1. Form

In a Type 1 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future

'IF' CLAUSE (CONDITION)	MAIN CLAUSE (RESULT)
If + simple present If it rains If you don't hurry	Simple future you will get wet we will miss the train.

2. Function

In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result. They are based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about particular situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings:

• If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
• If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot!

• If you drop that glass, it will break.
• Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.
• If I have time, I'll finish that letter.
• What will you do if you miss the plane?

NOTE: We can use modals to express the degree of certainty of the result:

• If you drop that glass, it might break.
• I may finish that letter if I have time.

TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

1. Form

In a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past If it rained If you went to bed earlier	Present conditional you would get wet you wouldn't be so tired.

Present conditional, form
The present conditional of any verb is composed of two parts - the modal auxiliary would + the infinitive of the main verb (without 'to'.)

Subject   +	would  +	infinitive without to
She	would	learn

Affirmative
I	would	go
Negative
I	wouldn't	ask
Interrogative
Would	she	come?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't	they	accept?

Would: Contractions of would
In spoken English, would is contracted to 'd.

I'd	We'd
you'd	you'd
he'd, she'd	they'd

The negative contraction = wouldn't.

Example: to accept, Present conditional

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I would accept	I wouldn't accept	Would I accept?
You would accept	You wouldn't accept	Would you accept?
He would accept	She wouldn't accept	Would he accept?
We would accept	We wouldn't accept	Would we accept?
You would accept	You wouldn't accept	Would you accept?
They would accept	They wouldn't accept	Would they accept?

 

2. Function

In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. The use of the past tense after 'if' indicates unreality. We can nearly always add a phrase starting with "but", that expresses the real situation:

• If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park (...but it is bad, so we can't go)
• If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone �100. (...but I'm not, so I won't)

Examples of use:

1. To make a statement about something that is not real at present, but is possible:
   I would visit her if I had time. (= I haven't got time but I might have some time)
2. To make a statement about a situation that is not real now and never could be real:
   If I were you, I'd give up smoking (but I could never be you)

Examples:

a. If I was a plant, I would love the rain.
b. If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
c. If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
d. You wouldn't need to read this if you understood English grammar.
e. Would he go to the concert if I gave him a ticket?
f. They wouldn't invite her if they didn't like her
g. We would be able to buy a larger house if we had more money
NOTE: It is correct, and very common, to say "If I were" instead of "If I was".

PRESENT CONTINUOUS CONDITIONAL

In type 2 conditional sentences, the continuous form of the present conditional may be used:

If I were a millionaire, I wouldn't be doing this job!

1. Present continuous conditional - form.

This form is composed of two elements: the present conditional of the verb 'to be' (would be) + the present participle of the main verb (base+ing).

Subject	would be	base+ing
He They	would be would be	going living
Affirmative
We	would be	coming
Negative
You	wouldn't be	working
Interrogative
Would	you be	sharing?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't	they be	playing?

Example: to live, Present continuous conditional.

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I would be living	I wouldn't be living	Would I be living?
You would be living	You wouldn't be living	Would you be living?
He would be living	She wouldn't be living	Would he be living?
We would be living	We wouldn't be living	Would we be living?
You would be living	You wouldn't be living	Would you be living?
They would be living	They wouldn't be living	Would they be living?

2. Present continuous conditional - function

This form is common in Type 2 conditional sentences. It expresses an unfinished or continuing action or situation, which is the probable result of an unreal condition:

• I would be working in Italy if I spoke Italian.
  (but I don't speak Italian, so I am not working in Italy.
• She would be living with Jack if she wasn't living with her parents.
  (but she is living with her parents so she's not living with Jack).

More examples:

• I wouldn't be eating this if I wasn't extremely hungry.
• If I had an exam tomorrow, I'd be revising now.
• You wouldn't be smiling if you knew the truth.

NOTE: This form is also found in: mixed conditional sentences (See section on Mixed Conditional Sentences); in indirect speech:

She said "I'll be working in the garden." She said she would be working in the garden. (See section on Indirect Speech)

TYPE 3 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

1. Form

In a Type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect If it had rained If you had worked harder	Perfect conditional you would have got wet you would have passed the exam.

Perfect conditional - form

The perfect conditional of any verb is composed of two elements: would + the perfect infinitive of the main verb (=have + past participle):

Subject	would	perfect infinitive
He They	would would	have gone... have stayed...
Affirmative
I	would	have believed ...
Negative
She	wouldn't	have given...
Interrogative
Would	you	have left...?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't	he	have been...?

Example: to go, Past conditional

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I would have gone	I wouldn't have gone	Would I have gone?
You would have gone	You wouldn't have gone	Would you have gone?
He would have gone	She wouldn't have gone	Would it have gone?
We would have gone	We wouldn't have gone	Would we have gone?
You would have gone	You wouldn't have gone	Would you have gone?
They would have gone	They wouldn't have gone	Would they have gone?

In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed.

Type 3 conditional sentences, are truly hypothetical or unreal, because it is now too late for the condition or its result to exist. There is always an unspoken "but..." phrase:

• If I had worked harder I would have passed the exam
  (but I didn't work hard, and I didn't pass the exam).
• If I'd known you were coming I'd have baked a cake
  (but I didn't know, and I haven't baked a cake).

NOTE: Both would and had can be contracted to 'd, which can be confusing. Remember that you NEVER use would in the IF-clause, so in the example above, "If I'd known" must be "If I had known", and "I'd have baked" must be "I would have baked.."

Examples:

a. If I'd known you were in hospital, I would have visited you.
b. I would have bought you a present if I'd known it was your birthday.
c. If they'd had a better goalkeeper they wouldn't have lost the game.
d. If you had told me you were on the Internet, I'd have sent you an e-mail.
e. Would you have bought an elephant if you'd known how much they eat?

PERFECT CONDITIONAL, CONTINUOUS

1. Perfect conditional, continuous - Form

This tense is composed of two elements: the perfect condtional of the verb 'to be' (would have been) + the present participle (base+ing).

Subject	would have been	base+ing
I We	would have been would have been	sitting swimming
Affirmative
I	would have been	studying.
Negative
You	wouldn't have been	living.
Interrogative
Would	we have been	travelling?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't	it have been	working?

Examples to work, Past continuous conditional

Affirmative	Negative
I would have been working	I wouldn't have been working
You would have been working	You wouldn't have been working.
He would have been working	She wouldn't have been working
We would have been working	We wouldn't have been working
You would have been working	You wouldn't have been working
They would have been working	They wouldn't have been working
Interrogative	Interrogative negative
Would I have been working?	Wouldn't I have been working?
Would you have been working?	Wouldn't you have been working?
Would he have been working?	Wouldn't she have been working?
Would we have been working?	Wouldn't we have been working?
Would you have been working?	Wouldn't you have been working?
Would they have been working?	Wouldn't they have been working?

2. Function

This tense can be used in Type 3 conditional sentences. It refers to the unfulfilled result of the action in the if-clause, and expresses this result as an unfinished or continuous action. Again, there is always an unspoken "but.." phrase:

Examples

• If the weather had been better (but it wasn't), I'd have been sitting in the garden when he arrived (but I wasn't and so I didn't see him).
• If she hadn't got a job in London (but she did), she would have been working in Paris (but she wasn't).

• If I'd had a ball I would have been playing football.
• If I'd had any money I'd have been drinking with my friends in the pub that night.
• If I had known it was dangerous I wouldn't have been climbing that cliff.
• She wouldn't have been wearing a seat-belt if her father hadn't told her to.

MIXED CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

It is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different times, and the resulting sentence is a "mixed conditional" sentence. There are two types of mixed conditional sentence:

A. Present result of past condition:

1. Form

The tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect If I had worked harder at school If we had looked at the map	Present conditional I would have a better job now. we wouldn't be lost.

2. Function

In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. They express a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past and in the present:
'If I had worked harder at school' is contrary to past fact - I didn't work hard at school, and 'I would have a better job now' is contrary to present fact - I haven't got a good job.
If we had looked at the map (we didn't), we wouldn't be lost (we are lost).

Examples

• I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job.
• If you'd caught that plane you'd be dead now.
• If you hadn't spent all your money on CDs, you wouldn't be broke.

B. Past result of present or continuing condition.

1. Form

The tense in the If-clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past If I wasn't afraid of spiders If we didn't trust him	Perfect conditional I would have picked it up. we would have sacked him months ago.

2. Function

In these sentences the time in the If-clause is now or always, and the time in the main clause is before now. They refer to an unreal present situation and its probable (but unreal) past result:

• 'If I wasn't afraid of spiders' is contrary to present reality - I am afraid of spiders, and 'I would have picked it up' is contrary to past reality - I didn't pick it up.
• 'If we didn't trust him' is contrary to present reality - we do trust him, and 'we would have sacked him' is contrary to past reality - we haven't sacked him.

Examples

a. If she wasn't afraid of flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.
b. I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.
c. If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to lunch.
d. If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd have trodden on him by now.

UNLESS

Unless means the same as if...not. Like if, it is followed by a present tense, a past tense or a past perfect (never by 'would'). It is used instead of if + not in conditional sentences of all types:

Type 1: (Unless + present)

You'll be sick unless you stop eating. (= You will be sick if you don't stop eating) I won't pay unless you provide the goods immediately. (= If you don't provide them I won't pay) You'll never understand English unless you study this grammar carefully. (= You'll never understand if you don't study...)

Type 2: (Unless + past)

Unless he was very ill, he would be at work. I wouldn't eat that food unless I was really hungry. She would be here by now unless she was stuck in the traffic.

Type 3: (Unless + past perfect)

Our marketing director would not have signed the contract unless she'd had the company legal expert present. I wouldn't have phoned him unless you'd suggested it. They would have shot her unless she'd given them the money.

Conditional : Unreal Past

The past tense is sometimes used in English to refer to an 'unreal' situation. So, although the tense is the past, we are usually talking about the present, e.g. in a Type 2 conditional sentence:

If an elephant and a mouse fell in love, they would have many problems.

Although fell is in the past tense, we are talking about a hypothetical situation that might exist now or at any time, but we are not referring to the past. We call this use the unreal past.

Other situations where this occurs are:

• after other words and expressions like 'if' (supposing, if only, what if);
• after the verb 'to wish';
• after the expression 'I'd rather..'

Expressions like 'if'

The following expressions can be used to introduce hypothetical situations:
- supposing, if only, what if. They are followed by a past tense to indicate that the condition they introduce is unreal:

• Supposing an elephant and a mouse fell in love? (= but we know this is unlikely or impossible)
• What if we painted the room purple? (= that would be very surprising)
• If only I had more money. (= but I haven't).

These expressions can also introduce hypothetical situations in the past and then they are followed by the past perfect.

Examples

• If only I hadn't kissed the frog (= I did and it was a mistake because he turned into a horrible prince, but I can't change it now.)
• What if the elephant had trodden on the mouse? (She didn't, but we can imagine the result!)
• Supposing I had given that man my money! (I didn't, so I've still got my money now.)

The verb to wish

The verb to wish is followed by an 'unreal' past tense when we want to talk about situations in the present that we are not happy about but cannot change:

• I wish I had more money (=but I haven't)
• She wishes she was beautiful (= but she's not)
• We wish we could come to your party (but we can't)

When we want to talk about situations in the past that we are not happy about or actions that we regret, we use the verb to wish followed by the past perfect:

• I wish I hadn't said that (= but I did)
• He wishes he hadn't bought the car (= but he did buy it.)
• I wish I had taken that job in New York (= but I didn't, so I'm stuck in Bristol)

NOTE: When we want to talk about situations we are not happy about and where we want someone else to change them, we use to wish followed by would + infinitive:

• I wish he would stop smoking. (= I don't like it, I want him to change it)
• I wish you would go away. (= I don't want you here, I want you to take some action)
• I wish you wouldn't squeeze the toothpaste from the middle! (= I want you to change your habits.)

I'd rather and it's time...

These two expressions are also followed by an unreal past. The verb is in the past tense, but the situation is in the present.

When we want to talk about a course of action we would prefer someone else to take, we use I'd rather + past tense:

• I'd rather you went
• He'd rather you called the police
• I'd rather you didn't hunt elephants.

NOTE: the stress can be important in these sentences, to show what our preference is:

• I'd rather you went = not me,
• I'd rather you went = don't stay
• He'd rather you called the police = he doesn't want to
• He'd rather you called the police = not the ambulance service

Similarly, when we want to say that now is a suitable moment to do something, either for ourselves or for someone else, we use it's time + past tense:

• It's (high) time I went.
• It's time you paid that bill.
• Don't you think it's time you had a haircut?