English Self learning Lesson (Ethiopian)

Chapter 1: Tenses in English

Introduction to Tenses
 Tenses - the way we communicate about time. It is the way we refer to time in
a language.
 are 12 in English
 Can be basic and advanced
 Basic tenses include
Present simple
Present continous
Past simple
Past continous
Future simple
Future continous

 Advances tenses include

Present Perfect
Present perfect contnous
Past Perfect
Past perfect contnous
Future perfect
Future perfect contnous
A) Present Simple tense
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A.1) When to use it?

(1) Used to talk about thinks that are more or less permanent or more or less
always true.

Eg. I live in New York.

He works at bank.

(2) To talk about things that are normal routine (something you do regularly.

Eg. I wake up at 6:00AM every day.

(3) To talk about fact

Eg. The sun rises in the east

(4) To talk about Schedules

Eg. Our class start at 9:00 AM( i.e the class always starts at 9 AM)

(5) To talk about frequency of event following adverb of frequency like never
(0%),rarely(10 to 20%), sometimes(50%),often(75%) and always(100%) etc.

Eg. She always takes a bus.

A.2) Structure of present simple

Structure of present simple

Part 1) Positive sentence

A Subject (I,you, we or they) +V1(base verb which is the form of the verb that
appears in the dictionary)

Eg.I work at the bank.

B Subject (she,he or it) +V1+(es or s)

Eg.she works at the bank.

Part 2) Negative sentence

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A Subject (I,you, we or they)+do not (don't) +V1(base verb which is the form of
the verb that appears in the dictionary)

Eg.I don't work at the bank.

B Subject (she,he or it) +does not ( doesnot)+V1+(es or s)

Eg.she works at the bank

Part 3) Questions in simple present

Can be formed by using helping verb do or does before a sentence.

A Do+Subject (I, you, we or they) +V1 (base verb)

Eg.Do you work at the bank?

B Does+Subject (she, he or it) +V1 (base verb).NB There is no need to add ‘s or

es’ at end of v1 during question formation.

Eg.Does she works at the bank?

NB. If there is wh question words (like where,when,what,how etc) you can add
these words directly before do or does at the beginning of a sentence.

Eg. Where do you work?

Part 4) Spelling changes in present simple

When we are using she,he or it as subject in present simple you need to add ‘s or
es’ at end of verb depending of the nature of base verb.

a) add ‘s’ at the end of a base verb for most verbs.

Eg. Cook—cooks

b) add ‘es’ if the verb end with ch,sh, s or x.

teach—teaches

wash---washes

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kiss---kisses

fix---fixes

c) If the verb end with consonant and y, then drop y and add ‘ies’ at the end of the
verb.

Eg.study---studies

Try---tries

d) Miscllanous verbs like irregular verbs

eg. Go---goes

Do---does

Have—has

A.3) How to give short answer in English

When answering to a question, we donot repeat the whole question rather we give
short answer.

Eg1. A) Do they need help?

B) Yes, they do. Or No, they don’t.

Both the above answers are correct. It is not expected to say: Yes, the do need help
or No, they don’t need help.

Eg2. A) Does he smoke cigarette?

B) Yes, he does. Or No, he doesn’t.

Both the above answers are correct. It is not expected to say: Yes, he does smoke
cigarette or No, he doesn’t smoke cigarette.

Part 5) Common mistake in present simple.

Eg. I am living in Tokyo. This statement is wrong if the person lives in Tokyo city
permanently and he should say I live in Tokyo.

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B) Present continuous tense

To talk about the present we can use either present simple or present continuous as
shown in the following example.

Eg1. I work in this company (present simple).

Meaning of the above example1: Present simple talks about things that are true in
general. In this case you are the company’s employee you may not be working at
that given moment.

Eg2. I am work in the company (present continuous).

Meaning of the above example2: In this case you are working at this given
moment.

B.1) When to use it?

1) To talk about things that is happening right now.

Eg. The baby is sleeping, don’t make noise.

2) To talk about things happening around now.

Eg. He is writing a book (meaning he may not be writing at this moment but he is
writing at around now. book may take weeks or months to finish).

3) To talk about something temporary,

Eg. We are staying at a hotel (meaning we live in our home permanently but for
the time being we are living in the hotel).

4) To talk about trend at present moment.

Eg. The price of barley is increasing this year.

5) To talk about repeated actions in the negative sentence/to talk about negative
habits. NB. For positive repeated action/habits, we use present simple.

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Eg. They are always complaining

They are always making noise.

6) Sometimes to talk about the future. But in this case you should add future time
indicators.

Eg. She is flying to Mexico next week.

B.2) Structure of present continuous

Part 1) Positive sentence

Subject (I, you, we or they) +Verb to be (am, are or is)+ verb1+ing

NB.Verb to be depends on the subject and is matched as follows:

The verb to be ‘am’ is used for subject I. The verb to be ‘are’ is used for subject
we, they and you. The verb to be ‘is’ is used for subject she, he and it.

Eg.I am studying.(subject is I,verb to be is am and the verb is study).

Part 2) Negative sentence

You just add not before verb+ing in the sentence.

A Subject (I, you, we or they) +Verb to be (am, are or is)+not+ verb1+ing

Eg. She is not working.

Part 3) Question in present continuous

Verb to be+subject+verb+ing

Eg. Is he working today?

NB. You add wh question word before verb to be if needed.

Eg. Where are you working?

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NB. Contracted forms of verb to be can be used in the informal communication but
should be avoided in the formal setting, academic writing or professional
document.

Example of contracted verb to be are as follows:

She is not working (with out contraction of verb to be). Yhis can be written as

She isn’t working. Or

She’s not working.

B.3 Spelling changes in present continuous

1) add ‘ing’ to the end of most of the verbs.

Eg eat---eating

Work---working

2) for the verb ending with ‘e’ drop ‘e’ and add ing.

Eg. Use---using

Take---taking

3) for the verb ending with ‘ie’,drop ‘ie’ and add ‘y and ing’.

Eg lie---lying

Tie---tying

Die---dying

4) for the verb ending with consonant vowel consonant (C-V-C) pattern, double the
last letter and add ing.

Eg. Drop---dropping

Sit---sitting

Jog---jogging

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Run---running

Plan---planning

Swim---swimming

Control---controlling

B.4) common mistake in present continuous

1. Do not use it for stative verbs in present continuous or in any continuous tense
form which could be in present ,past or future . Stative verb describe state of mind
or situation. We have 4 types of stative verbs (that show sense, emotion, being or
possession)

Eg need, understand, like ,want,hate,feel,adore,appreciate,believe,

doubt,taste,forget,look,prefer,hear,recognize,weigh,envy,satisfy,own have etc.

It is wrong to say we are liking this show. Instead say we like this show.

NB. ‘Have’ can be used as stative verb or action verb (in this case can be used in
continuous tense) depending on the context.

Eg1. He was having a party last night. In this case have is used as action verb.

Eg2.It is wrong to say: He was having a computer. Instead say: He had a computer.

NB. Difference between present simple and present continuous

1) Present simple talks about things that are true in general or something that is
more or less permanent (that last for a long time). On the other hand present
continuous talks about things that is happening right now or something temporary
(that last for short period of time).

2) Stative verbs can be used in present simple but not used in present continuous.

Eg. He knows them (correct).

It is in correct to say: He is knowing them.

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Nb. Verbs can be stative verb or action verb (eg. Jump,study).

Eg. She is living in Brazil. This sentence is wrong because there is no time
indicator that shows she is living in Brazil temporarily. So, we assume Brazil is her
permanent residence and in this case we should use present simple and say: She
lives in Brazil.

3) Sometime we may use both tense in one sentence to express unusual event.

Eg. Usually I drink tea, but today I am drinking coffee.

C) Past Simple tense

Used to talk about action that started and ended in the past.

Anything before now is considered as past.

C.1) When to use it?

(1) Used with or without time expression.

1.1) Use with time expression (talk about past event with time expression)

Eg. Robert called last week.

1.2) used without time expression about when the event happened.

Eg. I cooked dinner.(there is no time indicators but the sentence by default

indicate past event)

2) used for recent or distant past

2.1) Recent past

Eg. We visited her yesterday.

2.2) Distant past

Eg. She lived in London a long time a go.

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3) To talk about an action or multiple actions in one sentence but all the verbs
should be im past simple form.

3.1) one action

She talked to her manager.

3.2) many actions

They invited their friends, ordered pizza and watched the game.

C.2) Structure of past simple

Verbs can be regular or irregular.

Regular verbs: the past tense form of the verb is obtained by adding d or ed to the
end of the base verb(v1).

Eg. Work---worked

Clean—cleaned

Watch---watched

Irregular verbs: the past tense (past participle form of the verb) has no regular
pattern and may change shape partially or completely or sometime do not change
at all.

Eg. Go—went

Buy---bought

See---saw

Hurt---hurt

Part 1) Positive sentence

Subject (I,you, we, they,she,he or it) +pat tense form of the verb(V2).

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Eg.I worked at the bank.

Part 2) Negative sentence

Subject (I,you, we, they,she,he or it) +helping verb ‘did not’+base verb(V1)

Eg.I did not work at the bank.

Part 3) Questions in past simple

Can be formed by using helping verb ‘did or did not’ before a sentence.

A ‘Did or did not’ +Subject (I, you, we or they) +V1 (base verb)

Eg1. Did they work yesterday?

Eg2. Did not they work yesterday?

NB. If there is wh question words (like where,when,what,how etc) you can add
these words directly before helping verbs at the beginning of a sentence.

Part 4) Spelling changes in past simple

 For regular verbs use the following pattern:

a) add ‘ed’ at the end of a base verb for most regular verbs.

Eg. Cook—cooked

Walk—walked

b) add ‘d’ if the verb end with ‘e’.

bake—baked

use---used

3) drop ‘y’ and add ‘ied’ if the verb end with y.

Eg. Cry---cried

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Study---studied

4) Double the last letter and ad ‘ed’ if the verb end with consonant vowel
consonant (C-V-C)

Eg. Stop---stopped

Plan---planned

 For irregular verbs: you need to study the past tense and past participle form
of the verbs.
Eg. Teach---taught
Forget---forgot
Speak—spoke
Go---went
Sell—sold
Sleep---slept
Buy—bought
Know—knew
Meet-met
Give—gave
Write--wrote

D) Past continuous tense

Past simple used to talk about event that happened at specific point in the past but
past continuous used to talk about event that continues for some period in the past.

D.1) When to use it?

1) To talk about event that was continuing during a period in the past.

Eg. Sara was studying all day. ‘All day’ indicate a period of time.
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2) 1) To talk about event that was continuing during a moment in the past.

Eg. At 11 PM, I was sleeping. ‘At 11 PM’ is moment indicator.

3) To talk about event that was continuing when interrupted by something. The
event that interrupts is in past simple form.

Eg. They were having dinner when we arrived. ‘when we arrived’ is indicator of
interruption.

4) To talk about planned action in the past.

Eg. I was planning to call john but I did not have time.

5) To talk about polite request for something

Eg. I was wondering if you would help me.

NB. Past continuous cannot be used with stative verbs.

D.2) Structure of past continuous

Part 1) Positive sentence

A) Subject (I,she,he or it) +Verb to be in past form (was)+ verb1+ing

Eg.I was working.

B) Subject (we,you or they) +Verb to be in past form (were)+ verb1+ing

Eg.We were working.

Part 2) Negative sentence

You just add not after verb to be and before verb+ing in the sentence.

Eg. She was not working.

Part 3) Question in present continuous

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Verb to be+ subject+ verb+ ing

Eg. Was he working?

NB. You add wh question word before verb to be if needed.

Eg. Where were you working?

D.3) Spelling changes in past continuous

Similar to present continuous (check it if needed).

D.4) How to give short answer in English with past continuous questions

When answering to a question, we do not repeat the whole question rather we give
short answer as follows:

Eg1. A) Was he playing video game?

B) Yes, he was. Or No, he was not (wasn’t).

Both the above answers are correct. It is not expected to say: Yes, he was playing
video game or No, he wasn’t playing video game.

E) Future simple tense

When talking about the future using will, you can also use shall in British English
because they both have similar use. NB, Shall is not used in American English and
should be avoided.

E.1) When to use it?

(1) Used to talk about offer to do something for someone.

Eg1. Sara: The phone is ringing.

David: I will answer it.

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Eg2. Sara: I am really tired, I am falling sleep.

David: I will make you a coffee.

(2) To talk about refusal to do something

Eg. I will not help you with your homework.

I will not do the washing up by myself.

(3) To talk about promise or threat

Eg1 if you help me cook dinner, I will do the washing up.

I will return your book tomorrow.

Eg2. Stop doing that or I will call the police.

(4) To talk about prediction that we are not sure.

Eg. I think man city will beat Arsenal.

NB. If we are talking about prediction where we are sure, we should use going to.

(5) To talk about possibility

Eg. May be I will take break and watch movies tonight.

(6) To talk about formal and planned activities

Eg. The doctor will see you at 9 AM.

(7) To talk about informal and unplanned action (for a decision that are made at the
moment of speaking)

Eg I will call you later.

NB. If the decision is planned before or ahead of time we should use going to.

(8) To talk order in restaurant

Eg. I will have small cheese pizza.

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(9) To talk about event that will happen at some point in time in the future

Eg. The ceremony will begin at 4 PM.

(10) To talk about polite suggestions (in British English with subject I and we)

Eg. Shall I close the door?

Shall we begin the classs?

(11) To talk type I conditional together with present simple

Eg. When I arrive at the cinema, I will call you.

E.2) Structure of future simple

Part 1) Positive sentence

Subject (all subjects) +will+V1(base verb)

Eg.I will work.

You will work.

Part 2) Negative sentence

Add not after will and before the base verb in the sentence.

Eg.I will not work.

Part 3) Questions in future simple

Bring will before the subject in the sentence to form question.

Eg. Will you work tomorrow?

E.3) How to give short answer in English in future simple

When answering to a question, we do not repeat the whole question rather we give
short answer.

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Eg1. A) Will he be in Madrid tomorrow?

B) Yes, he will. Or No, he will not (won’t).

E.4) To talk about future we have the following options.

A) Informal conversation (with friend and families)

A.1) Event Planned in advance-use going to or present continuous.

Eg. Sara: what are you planning to do on Sunday?

David: I visiting my family on Sunday. This sentence shows that you have already
decided to visit your family on Sunday previously and every family is waiting for
you.

A.2) Event unplanned ahead of time - use future simple.

B) Formal conversation (academic and business setting) - use future simple.

E.5) Going to or present continuous to talk about future

Part 1) when to use it?

a) to talk about arrangement

eg. We are going to meet at the mall.

b) to talk about your intension(something that you want or intend to do)

eg. I am going to exercise daily.

c) to talk about some planned event in the future with time marker

eg we are flying to Lisbon in July.

They are having a party on Saturday night.

Part 2) structure of ‘going to’ to talk about future

 Subject(I,we,you,they)+verb to be(am or are)+going to+base verb

 Subject(she,he,it)+verb to be(is)+going to+base verb

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Eg. I am going to work (positive sentence)

I am not going to work (negative sentence)

Am I going to work (question)

Part 2) structure of ‘present continuous’ to talk about future

Structure of present continuous (subj+verb to be+verb+ing) + time indicators.

Eg. I am working next week.

I am not working next week.

They are moving in May.

Am I working next week?

E.6) Will and going to comparisons in usage

 Going to is used in the following cases:

a) planned event eg. I am gong to call john at 3 AM.
b) to talk about something certain eg. We are going to Spain next month. Or
he is going to get his test result today.
c) already decided event
eg. I am going to have lunch at noon.
d) about prediction
eg. The weather channel says it is going to be snow tomorrow.

 Will is used to talk about the future in the following cases:

a) Unplanned event eg. Okay, I will call him in a few minutes.
b) to talk about something uncertain eg. We will probably visit Spain next
month. Or he is going to get his test result today.
c) Just decided event
eg. I think I will have a lunch now.
d) About prediction (used in the same way as going to)
eg. The weather channel says it will snow tomorrow.

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NB. Will and going to can be used in one sentence when you want to
indicate two activities, one is you are sure and the other event you are not
sure if you will carry out or not. The event that you are sure is expressed in
going to and the event that you are not sure is expressed with will.

Eg. Sara: what are you doing tonight?

David: I am going to study for my exam and then maybe I will watch a
show.

F) Future continuous tense

Used for activities that will continue for some period of time in the future.

F.1) When to use it?

1) To talk about activities that will continues for a period of time in the
future.
e.g. Our team will be attending a conference from 5 to 8 of March.

2) To talk about activities that will continues during a moment in the future
e.g. At 2:30, I will be taking my English exam (i.e. the exam start before
2:30 and last after 2:30 or at 2:30 you are taking the exam).

3) To talk about two or more event that will continues together in the future.
Eg. On Tuesday, Jack will be giving a presentation and Steve will be
meeting a client.

4) To talk about polite questions

eg. Will you be checking in early?

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NB. For stative verb don't use future continuous, rather use future simple.
eg1. You will love this car.
it's wrong to say: you will be loving this car.

eg2. The phone will cost 50 birr more next week.

it's wrong to say: the phone will be costing 50 birr more next week.

F.2) Structure of future continuous tense

Part 1) Positive sentence
Subject(all subjects)+will be+ base verb+ ing.
The subjects are I,you,we,they she,he and it.

eg. I will be working on Sunday.

Part 2) Negative sentence

Add not after will and before be in the sentence

eg. I will not be working on Monday.

Part 2) Question sentence

Bring will before subject.
eg. Will you be working on Monday?

NB. You can add wh question words before a sentence if needed.

eg. Where will you be working on Monday?

F.3) Spelling changes in future continuous

It's similar to present continuous (refer it if needed)

F.4) How to give short answer in English in future continuous question?

Eg. A:Will Jack be working on Monday?
B: Yes,he will or No,he will not.

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G) Present perfect tense

It connects the present and the past. It shows that the action in the past has a
result in the present.

Example1. I have lost my book (That means the book is lost in the past, and
still I didn't find it).
Example 2. I lost my book (That means I lost my book in the past, but
doesn't indicate whether you found it or not). It only tells the fact that you
lost your book at some point in the past.

G.1) When to use present perfect tense?

1) To talk about something that happened in the past and is still true now.
That means to talk about past events that have present consequence.
Example1. I have seen that movie (That means you have seen the movie,
and you do not need to see it again because it is still true that you already
saw it).
Example 2. I have found my keys. That means you already found your key,
and you don't need to search for them anymore because the key are with you
now.

2) To talk about event that is finished in the past and is true still now.
Example: I have finished my homework. That means you already completed
your homework, and you don't need to work to do any homework anymore.

3) To talk about events that happened in the past but not finished. Example1.
I have worked here for 5 years. That means I start to work 5 years ago, and I
still work here.
Example 2. I have lived here since 2012. That means I started living here in
2012, and still I live here.

4) To talk about event that happened in recent past. That means short time
ago, which has some kind of result or effect now. Example1. Sarah: would
you like to go for lunch?

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 David: oh, it's very nice of you to say that, but I have just eaten lunch. That
means I have eaten my lunch recently, and I don't need to go for lunch again.

5) To talk about event that happened in the past, but they happened often or
repeatedly.
Example1. I have shopped here for many years. That means you have
shopped at that specific shop repeatedly at different time over the years.

NB. Common words that are used in present perfect to show finished or
unfinished event include the following:
 Unfinished event indicators: for, since, yet, ever, never, how long, and recently.
 Example 1. He has worked here for 3 months. That means he started
working 3 months back and is still working there.
 Example 2. She has worked here since January. That means she
started working in January and is still working there.
 Example 3. The flight has not arrived yet.

 Example 4. Have you ever been to Italy? That means in all your life
until now, did you visited Italy?
 Example 6. He has never eaten sushi.That means in all of his life till
now and including now, he hasn't eaten sushi.
 Example 7. How long have you known each other?

 Finished event indicators: already and just. Example for finished event,
Example 1.
I have already read that book. That means you finished reading that book,
and you know what is in it. You don't need to read it again now.
Example 2. Our team has just won the game.

NB. You shouldn't use present perfect in the following scenario.

1. Finished event with time expression (Example of such word include last week,
last month, last year, in 1960). In this case, use past simple. Example 1. I spoke to
him 3 times last week.

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Example 2. When did you meet John? (It is finished time because it asked a point
in time in the past when that event happened).

NB. You can use present perfect with past event, with an unfinished time
expression (include today, this week, this month, this year), or no time expression.

Example 1. Today is unfinished because we are in the middle of it, and it will be
finished once 24 hour has passed. The same works for this week, this month, etc.

Example 2. I have spoken to John 3 times this week.

Example 3. How long have you known John? How long is unfinished time
expression (that means how many years since you and John known each
other).

G.2) The structure of present perfect.

Part 1) Positive sentence.

Subject (I, you, we, they) + have + past participle form of the verb(V3).

Example. I have worked. She he it plus has, plus this 3. Example. She has
worked.
Subject (she, he, it) + has + past participle form of the verb (V3).
Eg. He has worked at the bank for 3 years.

Part 2) Negative sentence.

Add ‘not’ after have or has in the sentence.
Example. He hasn't worked.

Part 3) Question sentence.

Bring the have or has before the subject to make question. Example. Has she
worked today?

NB.You can add question words except when to ask question in present
perfect
Example: where have you worked?
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NB. any given action verb has 3 forms.
V1(base verb) , V2( Past Tense form of the verb), and V3(past participle
form of the verb).
NB. any given action verb is either regular or Irregular. Example for regular
verbs are work and take.
Example for irregular verbs include know, go and put.

G.3) How to give short answer to a question in present perfect tense

form?

Example 1. Sara: Have you visited New York?

David :Yes. I have. Or no,I haven't.

G.4) Difference between past simple and present perfect tense.

 Past simple is used for,

1. Actions that started and ended in the past.
Example. I worked.

Example 2. They forgot my birthday.

Example 3. He lost his bag. That means he lost his bag in the past, but we do
not know whether he found the bag or is still lost.

2. Both the action and the focus is in the past.

Example. She did her homework. That means she did it in the past, and it
has no link with the now.
3. We can use past simple with definite time of the past.
Example. I visited New York in 2021.

4. Past simple can be used for finished time.

Example. She lived in London for from 2015 to 2018. This is finished time
because we are now on 2024.

5. Past simple can be used to ask ‘when did you….’?

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(You ask specific point in time).
Example. When did you get married?
Example 2. When did you start this job?

 Present perfect is used for

1. Connect past and present.
Example 1. I have worked all day. Hence, I am tired. That means due to the
effect of the work, I am tired now.
Example 2. They have forgotten my birthday. That means they forgot it in
the past and still they forgot it.
Example 3.He has lost his bag. That means the bag is lost in the past and is
still lost.
2. The action is in the past, but the focus is now.
Example. She has done her homework. That means she completed her
homework, and she is free now.
3. Present perfect cannot be used with definite time expression.
Example, I have visited New York (You do not specify when you visited but
you said you have done it).
4. Present perfect can be used with unfinished time or with no time
expression.
Example. She lived in London since 2015.
That means since 2015 is unfinished time because it show she is still living
there.
5. Present perfect can be used to ask ‘how long have you…’? (That means
you ask the length of time).
Example 1. How long have you been married?
Example 2. How long have you had this job?

H) Present perfect continuous tense

It connects present and the past. That means action started in the past and
continues to the present.

Example1. I have cooked dinner. That means I cooked it in the past, and
now it is ready, and I do not have to cook anymore now.
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That means the action is completed in the past, but the result is continued up
to present in this case. The focus is more on the result.

Example 2. I have been cooking dinner. That means I started cooking in the
past, and still, I am cooking, and I didn't finish cooking yet.
In this case, the focus is more on the process, not that much on the result.

H.1) When to use present perfect continuous tense?

1. To talk about the action that started in the past, and the action itself (not
the consequence) is continuing till the present. That means to talk about
things we have been doing uninterrupted that haven't finished.

It emphasizes how long something has been happening.

Example 1, we have been working on this project for 6 months. That means
we have started working on the project 6 months back, and we have been
working still now.

Example 2. Sea level has been rising due to global warming.

2. to talk about the action that started in the past, and it just finished very
recently.
Example 1, I have been calling you for hours. That means I have been
calling you repeatedly until just now.

Example 2: If you were at restaurant and you were supposed to wait for your
friend and you were waiting for a long time, and he didn't come. And when
finally your friend showed up, then you say: where have you been? We have
been waiting for you. It is a present perfect continuous. That means you
were waiting for him starting from the past until just he arrived now.

3. Present perfect continuous is used with some common expression like for,
since, all day, all night, all year, recently, and lately.

Example: I have been studying for 3 hours.

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Recently or lately indicate that the short time before now and continues till
now. The actions that started very recently and is still continuing.

Since all day, all night, all year, Indicator of period of time on which some
event can continue during that period.

Example 2: She has been exercising lately.

Example 3. It has been raining all day.

NB.Like all continuous tense, you cannot use present perfect continuous
with a stative verb.
Example: It is wrong to say, I have been knowing John for 2 years. Rather,
you should say, I have known John for 2 years. That means you use present
perfect, not present perfect continuous.

H.2) Structure of present perfect continuous.

Part 1) For positive sentence

Subject (I, you, they, we) +, have been+V3+ ing.

Example. I have been working.
Subject (she,he,it) +has been+V3+ ing.

Example. She has been working.

Part 2) Negative sentence

Add not after have or has in the sentence.

Example: We haven't been working.

Part 3) Question sentence

Bring have or has before subject in the sentence.
Example. Have you been working?

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NB. You can add question word to the question of the present perfect
continuous tense.
Example, where have you been working?
H.3) Spelling change in the present perfect continuous
Is similar to present continuous (check it out).

H.4) How to give short answer for present perfect continuous questions?
Example, Sarah: have you been going to the gym?
David: yes. I have, or no. I haven't.

H.5) Comparison between present perfect versus present perfect

continuous.
They both link past with the present, and both can be used to describe an
action that started in the past and continued to the present or the activities
that stopped recently.

Present perfect continuous is used when you want to focus on unfinished

activity.
Example: I have been fixing the car. That means you started fixing the car in
the past and still you are fixing it.

Present perfect is used when we want to focus on finished result (That means
result has impact on present).
Example, I have fixed the car. That means you have finished fixing the car,
and you are free now to do other things.

I) Past perfect tense

It is sometimes called the past or the past.
Example: When we arrived, the meeting had started.
Past perfect tense is used to talk about 2 or more things that happened in the
past, and we want to show which of that past event happened first in the
past.

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The other part of the event in the sentence that happened later is expressed in
past simple tense.

I.1) When to use past perfect tense?

1, to talk about 2 or more events that happened in the past and you want to
show which of those event happened first. In this case, you can use past
perfect. The other part of the sentence that means the event that happened
later is expressed in past simple tense.

That means past perfect is used to describe the first action or event from the
past.
Example 1. Before the guest arrived,
We had cleaned the house, we had ordered pizza, and we had made dessert.
The three things that happened first before the guest arrived are expressed in
past perfect tense in this example.

Example 2. By the time Maria moved to Canada, she had graduated from
university, had learned English, and had worked as a teacher. The earlier
events in the above example 2 are: she had graduated from university, she
had learned English, and she had worked as a teacher. So they are expressed
in the past perfect form.
The later event in this sentence is the travel of Maria to Canada. So it is
expressed in the past simple form.

NB. Past perfect is used to indicate actions in the past that happened before
another action in the past. That means past perfect is used to describe an
action in the past before another action in the past.

Example 3. She passed the exam because she had studied hard. Example 4.
When she arrived at the station, the train had already left.
Example 5: Mark was happy because he had found a new job.

2), Past perfect is used to talk about reported speech.

In English, to talk about other people's speech, there are two methods.
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A) Direct speech: You report the exact word that the person said.

Example: “Mark said ‘I like chocolate’”.

B) Indirect or reported speech. We report what the person said in our own
words. It is from our perspective.
Example.The above example of direct speech can be reported as: Mark said
that he liked chocolate.

Principles of Direct and indirect speech

a) If the direct speech is in present simple, then use past simple for reported
speech.
b) If the direct speech is in present perfect, then use past perfect for reported
speech.
c) If the direct speech is in past simple, then use past perfect in reported
speech.

Example 1 Direct speech is in present perfect.

Mark said, I have lost my key.
Indirect speech or reported speech is in past perfect. Mark said that he had
lost his key.
Example 2. Direct speech is in the present perfect tense form, Mark said,
Johnny has gone to London.

The indirect speech or reported speech for the above example is Mark said
that Johnny had gone to London.
Example 3. Direct speech is in past simple. Mark said I bought a car.
The indirect speech or reported speech for the above sentence is Mark said
that he had bought a car.

3) Past perfect tense is to talk about conditional sentence. Past perfect can be
used to describe unreal or imaginary situation in the past.
Example1: If he had walked to work, he could have been late.
Example 2: If I had had more money, I could have bought you a watch.
Example 3: If you had invited me to the party, I would have come.

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I.3) Structure of past perfect tense

Part 1) Positive sentence.

Subject (all subjects) + had + V3.
Example. I had worked.

Part 2) Negative sentence

Add ‘not’ after had in the sentence.
Example. We had not worked.
I had not had breakfast when I left home.
Part 3) Question sentence.
Bring ‘had’ before the subject to form question.
Example: had they worked?
NB. You can add question word in front of ‘had’.
Example, where had they worked?

NB. Common expression in past perfect include: already, yet, for, since,
never, just, ever etc.
Example1. Before we moved, we had already sold the house. Example 2.
When she arrived home, she hadn't heard the news yet.

Example 3. At the time I joined the company, I had been a salesperson for 5
years.
Example, 4, before they visited the US, they had never seen snow.

I.4) How to give short answer to English question in past perfect?

Example: Maria: Had she finished the report?

David: Yes, she had. Or, no, she hadn't?

I.5) Comparison between past simple and past perfect

Past simple is used to talk about 1 or more action that happened in the past.
That means they are finished and they are over.
Example:
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  I took shower.
 I ate breakfast.
 I left for work.

On the other hand, past perfect tense is used to talk about past event that
happened before another past event in the past. That means used to describe
the first event of 2 or more events in the past.
Example:
Before I left for work, I had eaten breakfast and had taken a shower.

J) Past perfect continuous tense

Used to talk about something that started in the past and continued in the past.
Example: I had been living in Florida before I moved to California.

J.1) When to use it?

1, to talk about past events that have been happening.
Example: it had been snowing all week.
2, to talk about past event that have been happening before another event
happened.
Example: We had been playing golf before it started to rain.

3, to talk about past activity or action that have been happening in the past, and we
want to show the duration of the event or how long it has been happening.
Example: They had been working on that project for 6 months, or they have been
working on that project since January.
4, to talk about activities that had been happening in the past, and they have some
kind of pattern or routine.

Example: We had been going to the gym regularly.

5, to talk about an activities that has been happening, plus you want to include the
reason or cause for that event.
Example. She was tired because she had been studying all night.

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NB. Past perfect continuous tense should not be used in presence of a stative verb.
Rather, we can use past perfect tense in this case.
Example. It is wrong to say: They had been knowing each other for many years.
Instead, say: They had known each other for many years.

J.2) Structure of past perfect continuous tense.

Part 1) Positive sentence

Subject (all subjects) +had been +base verb +ing
Example: I had been working.

Part 2) Negative sentence

Add not after had in the sentence.
Example: We had not been working.

Part 3 ) Question sentence

Bring had before the subject in the sentence.
Example: Had you been working?

NB. you can also add WH question words before had when forming question
sentence.
Example: Where had you been working?

J.3) Spelling changes in past perfect continuous

Is similar to present continuous (Check it).

J.3) How to give short answer for past perfect continuous questions? Example.
Sarah: had you been waiting for a long time?
David: Yes, I had/ No, I hadn't.

NB. In general, when giving short answer to questions,

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1. Use the structure: yes/no +subject +helping verb (used in the question which
could be do,is,have etc).
2. You can use contraction, especially for negative answer, but not for positive
answers.

J.4) Comparisons between past perfect versus past perfect continuous tense.

Both tense are used to show an earlier of past events. That means when 2 or more
actions happened in the past, Both of these tense refer to the action or event that
comes first.
 Past perfect tense is used with action verbs to emphasize the completion of an
event.
 Whereas, we use past perfect continuous to show the event or action in the
past was still continuing( That means incomplete and continuing activity).

Example1: The plumber had installed the pipe in the bathroom before he went
home. That means, in this case, past perfect show the earlier of the past 2 events,
but that event is completed one.that means by the time the plumber went home,
pipe installation were already finished. That means he finished installation and
went home.

Example 2. The plumber had been installing the pipes in the bathroom when the
accident happened. That means by the time the accident happened, the pipe
installation was ongoing.
 We use past perfect continuous when we want to focus on duration of an
activity or event, and we use past perfect when we want to show or focus on
completion of the activity.

Example 1: He had waited an hour for the train before it arrived.

That means in this case, we want to focus on completion of the activity. That
means waiting for the train is over or completed.
Example 2. He had been waiting an hour for a train before it arrived. Here, you are
emphasizing on the duration of an activity (That means waiting for train). You
mean, 1 hour waiting is a long time to wait for a train.

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 J.5) Comparison between present perfect continuous and past perfect
continuous tense.

A. Present perfect continuous tense.

It link past and the present.

It talks about something that is started in the past, and it continues to the present.
Example. I have been working all day, so I am tired. That means I have started
working in the past, and still I am working. And because of it, I am tired now.

B.Past perfect continuous tense.

It link the past and the past.

It talks about something that started in the past and continued in the past. It has no
link with the present.
Example: I had been working hard all day, so I was tired. That means at some
point in the past, It may be yesterday or maybe last week. I had been working all
day at that time in the past, So I was tired at that given time in the past.

K) Future perfect tense

It can be used in 2 ways.

1, to talk about an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future.
2, to talk about an action that will be completed before specific another action in
the future. Example, next year, by this time, I will have finished university.

K.1) When to use future perfect?

1. To talk about event that will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Example: By next July, they will have moved to the States, They will have started
new job and they will have bought a a home.
2. To to talk about an action that will be completed before another action in the
future.
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Example: Before you arrive, we will have eaten dinner, and the kid will have gone
to bed.

NB. Common expression used in future perfect include before, by the time, by 9
PM, by Monday, by next summer, e t c.

K.2) Structure of future perfect

Part 1) Positive sentence

Subject + will have + v3.

Example. Tomorrow by this time, I will have arrived to Tokyo.
Part 2) Negative Sentence

Add not after 'will' in the sentence

Example. You'll not have arrived.

Part 3) Question sentence

Bring ‘will’ before the subject in the sentence.
Example. Will they have left by that time?

NB. You can add WH question words before will while forming question.
Example: By what time will they have arrived?

L) Future perfect continuous tense

To talk about an action that will have been going on for certain period of time in
the future. That means we want to express how long will an event be going on
before particular event in the future or before particular time in the future.

Eg1. By next July, I will have been working in this company for 1 year. Or By next
July I will have been working in this company for 10 years.
where to use future perfect

L.1) When to use it?

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1) To talk about how long will something will have been going on at specific time
in the future.
Eg. Next November, we will have been living in this house for 15 years

2) To talk about how long will something will have been going on before another
action in the future.
Example: By the time the guest arrived,I will have been cooking all day.
So, I will be exhausted.
NB. Common expression in the future perfect continuous tense include
by this other day, by next month, this week next summer, by 2025 etc.

NB. Future perfect continuous tense cannot be used in the presence of a stative
verbs.Instead you can use future perfect tense.
Example: it is wrong to say: by next year we will have been knowing
their family for 30 years. Rather you can say: By next year we will have known
their family for 30 years

L.2) Structure of future perfect continuous tense

Part 1) Positive sentence

Subject(all subject)+will have been+base verb+ing

Example: I will have been flying to Tokyo.
Part 2) Negative sentence
add not after will in the sentence
Example: I will not have been flying
Part 3) Question sentence
Bring will before the subject in the sentence
Example: will they have been flying?

NB. you can also add WH question word before will to form questions
In future perfect continuous tense
Example: how long will you have been flying by the time you reach Tokyo?

NB. spelling changes in future perfect continuous tense

It is similar to present continuous so check it.
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L.3) Comparison between future perfect and future perfect continuous tense
Part 1) future perfect
is used to express an action in the future that will happen by specific time in the
future. that means to talk about an action that will be completed before certain
point in the future.
Example1:
I will have retired by the time I am 65.
Example 2: you will have finished that popcorn before the film is start.

Part 2) future perfect continuous tense

is used to express an ongoing action or situation that will last for a specified time
in the future. that means it is used to talk about ongoing situation that will be in the
progress for a period of time at specific point in time in the future. that means to
talk about an action that will be continuing at certain point in the future.
Example 1:
when I retired next month, I will have been working here for three years.
Example 2:
she will have been living in Cardiff for three months in August.

Chapter 2 Conditional sentence

It is a sentence that express one thing is contingent on something else.

It has 2 clause (If clause and main clause).
Structure can have either of the following sequence.
A) If clause followed by main clause (in his case comma is needed in the middle
of the two clauses).
Example If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
B) Main clause followed by if clause (In this case, no comma is needed between
the 2 clauses).
Example, You will pass the exam if you study hard.

Types of conditional sentences

There are 4 types of conditional sentences.

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A) Zero conditional sentence

Used to talk about general truths where there is a guarantee for the result (Like
scientific facts).
Example, if you boil water, it evaporates.

 Structure of zero conditional

Both the if clause and main clause are present simple.

 Use of zero conditional

1.To talk about general truths and facts.
Example 1: if you boil ice, you get water.
Example 2. If you do not eat enough, you lose weight.

2. To give instruction with the imperative in the main clause.

Example 1: if she rings doorbell, tell her to go away.
Example 2: Taxt me if you get lost.

B) First conditional (possible or probable conditional sentence)

Is used to talk about events that may happen in the future. That means, there is a
real or high possibility for that event to happen, but we cannot be 100% sure of the
result.
Example: If you study hard, you will pass the exam. That means if somebody study
hard, there is high chance for him or her to pass the test, but there is no 100%
guarantee to pass the test.

 Structure of first conditional

If clause is made of present simple and the main clause is made of future simple.
NB. modal verbs like could, might, should, etc can be used in place of will to
express recommendation, permission, certainty.

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Example1: If we do not leave now, we might miss the train.
Example 2: If you study hard, you could pass the exam.

 Use of first conditional sentence

To talk about things or events that have a high chance to happen in the future but
not 100% sure.

C) Second conditional (improbable condition)

In this case, the meaning is present.
It is used to talk about unreal or hypothetical situation in the present.
Example: if I ate meat, I would get fat (That means, I do not eat meat so I am not
fat).
Example 2: if I were the president, I would be happy (That means I am not the
president and hence I am not happy).
Example 3: If I were a bird, I could fly (that means I am not a bird and hence I can
not fly).
Example 4: If I were you, I would study hard.
Example 5: If I were not with you, I would be happy (That means I am with you,
and hence, I'm not happy).

 Structure of second conditional

If close is made of (if+past simple) and
the main clause is made of (would/should/ could + base verb(v1)).

 Uses of second conditional

1, The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the
present or future that are unlikely or impossible to happen. It often expresses
wishes, dreams, or unreal scenarios.
2. to talk about things in the present that are impossible to happen. In this case, we
use ‘I were’ instead of I was.
Example: If I were younger, I would ask him out. That means I am not young and
I'm not going to ask him out.
3. to talk about when we want to imagine the present situation is different.
Example. If I were sick, I would go to a doctor. That means I am not sick, so I am
not going to a doctor.
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D) Third conditional (impossible conditions)

In this case, the meaning is in simple past.

 Structure of third conditional sentence
The if clause is made of (if+Past Perfect) and
the main clause is made of (would have/ could have/ should have+ v 3).
Example. If I had eaten meat, I would have been fat(That means I didn't eat meat
so I didn't get fat).

 Uses of third conditional

1. To talk about hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen. It reflects
on how things could have been different if certain conditions had been met.
2. To talk about missed opportunity or chance in the past.
Example 1: If I had studied harder , I would have passed the exam.That means I
didn’t study hard in the past and I didn’t pass the exam. This sentence implies that
the speaker did not study hard enough and, as a result, did not pass the exam. It
reflects on a past situation that cannot be changed.

Example 2: If I hadn't heard about the wedding, I wouldn't have come (This
sentence expresses a conditional situation in the past. It suggests that the speaker's
knowledge of the wedding was a crucial factor in their decision to attend. If the
speaker had not been informed about the wedding, they would not have made the
effort to go. Essentially, it's indicating that the attendance was contingent on the
prior knowledge of the event).It simply means they heard about the wedding and
they did attend it.

Chapter 3: Modal verb

They add information to other verb(the main verb).

Help to express possibility, uncertainty, obligation to the main verbs.

Structure can be positive or negative.

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Structure for positive sentence is (subject +modal verbs +v 1).
Structure for questions is (modal verb +Subject +v 1).

Rules of modal verbs

A. They are followed by the base form of the verb(V1). That means without ‘past
tense, ing or s’ addition to the verb.
Example 1: She can speak English (It is correct).
Example 2. She can speaks English( This is incorrect because ‘s’ is added on
speak, which come after the modal verb can).
B. They are helping or auxiliary verbs and they work with the main verb. You can
make negative sentences by adding not to them.
Example, Can---can't.

C. They do not change their form.

Example 1. She can swim. This is correct.
Example 2. She cans swim. This is incorrect. Because we do not add ‘s’ to the
modal verbs.

Types of modal verbs

There are 9 modal verbs. These include can, could, will, would, may, might, and
must. But there are many other semi-modal verbs.

Part 1) Can /can't

Is used in the following scenario
A. To express ability or possibility in the present or future.
Example. She can speak English.
B. To give permission or express prohibition.
Example. You can park here. Or you can't park here.
C. To express informal request. That means with family and friends.
Example. Can you turn the music down?

D. To express general possibility with positive verb.

Example. Interest rate can go up or down.

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E. to express negative deduction(conclusion). That means, to express something
that can't be true.
Example1. She look very young. She can't be 18 yet.
Example 2. The grass is dry. It can't have rained last night.

Part 2) Could /couldn't

Is used in the following scenario
A. To express ability or possibility in the past.
Example1: She couldn't find her glass last night.
Example 2: He could play piano when he was a child.
B. to express polite request.
Example: Could you spell your surname, please?

C. Making suggestion with affirmative verbs.

Example, Sarah: How do you suggest we contact him?
David: We could call his office.

D. The negative deduction. In the same way as can't.

Example. She look very young. She couldn't be 18 yet.

Part 3) May
Is used in the following scenario
A. to ask permission politely. It is even more polite than might.

Example. May I borrow your car?

B. to give or refuse permission. But this look more authoritative. Therefore, could
or can are best fit in this case.

C. to express things that we are not certain to do in the future. That means less
certain than will.
Example, I may go to Dubai next week.

Part 4) Might
Is used in the following scenario

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Used to talk about future activity that you are less certain or not sure. It is less
certain than may.
Example. I might come.

Part 5) Shall
Is used in the following scenario
A. used in the future tense, but more formal and less commonly used, and this
expression should be avoided in American English.
Example, you look tired, I shall let you rest.
B. offering to do something with the pronoun I in question.
Example, shall I make you a cup of tea?
C. Making suggestion or asking for suggestion with pronoun we in question form.
Example1: It is too hot indoor. Shall we go outside?
Example 2. How shall we go resolving these issues?
D. To express duty in the formal document and contact.
Example, the borrower shall pay the money in arrears.

Part 6) Should
Is used in the following scenario
A, to express opinion, give or ask for advice in present and future.
Example1, his birthday is coming up. I think we should send him card.
Example 2, should I take this offer?
B. to express expectation.
Example, the negotiation should end soon. That means I expect the negotiate
negotiation to end soon.

C. to express your regret or criticizing someone about past action. In this case, use
the structure ‘should +have been’.
Example1, I should have answered the phone. That means I regret not answering
the phone now.
Example 2, you should not have laughed at her. That means I am upset that you
laughed at her.

NB. ought to is synonym to should, but it sound more formal than should, and it is
less commonly used especially in question form.
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Example1, we ought to send him card.
Example 2, the negotiation ought to end soon.

Part 7) Must
Is used in the following scenario
A. To express necessity felt by a speaker to do or not to do something in present
and future.
Example1. I am beginning to get headache, I must take a break now.
Example 2, we must double check the information.

NB. To express the necessity felt by the speaker in the past, we use ‘hard to’
because there is no past form for must.
Example, I was beginning to get headache. I had to take break.

B. To express positive deduction: deducing or assuming that something is true,

which is a positive sentence.
Example1, she must be thrilled with this high mark on her test.
Example 2, no one is answering the door. They must all have left the house.

NB. For negative deducing or to deduce that something is not true or impossible,
use can /could not, which is a best option in this case.
Example, She can or couldn't be happy with this low mark on her test.

Part 7) Have to
Is used in the following scenario
A. To express external obligation in all tense. That means positive sentence.
Example. She has to check all the light are off before she leaves office.

B. To remove necessity felt by speaker or external obligation. That means negative

sentence.
Example. I am sure the information is accurate, we do not have to double check it.

NB. Have to and must may be used interchangeably if the above distinction is not
important.

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Part 9) Need to
May be used in place of must or have to if the distinction between speaker's
opinion and external obligation is not important.
Example 1. I am exhausted, so I must take a break.
Example 2. I must take break. Or I need need to take break.

Part 10) Will

A. Used in future tense. All four types of future tense.

Part 11) Would

A. Used for conditional sentence.
B To express habitual actions in the past similar to used to.
Example, When she was a child, she would sit under a tree and draw for hours.
C. To make polite request (alternative to could you) to ask for willingness, or
interest to do something.
Example1. Would you hold a line for a moment, please?
Example 2. Could you hold a line for a moment, please?
Example 3: Would you help me?
Example 4: Could you help me?

Chapter 4: Preposition

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