A.

Present Time - Present Tenses

Tense &Aspect = VERBAL CATEGORIES
The Category of TENSE
+locate the event in time
+time reference: -Present
(time-sphere)
- Past
-Future

I.

The Category of ASPECT

+describe the action
=> +DURATIVE =/= Non Durative
+Actions that fall within the time-sphere
of present (=PRES.PERF.)

Present Simple->Characteristics:

1. +Short forms/lack of aux(for the affirmative)

2. +non durative actions:
3. General Uses: I. Neutral-Iterative-Actual PRESENT:
a. Neutral present=used when NO Particular time is thought of
GENERAL STATEMENTS
Ex.: Dogs make better pets than cats.
b. The Iterative present=used for REPEATED actions/frequent
actions=> +ADV. of frequency
c. The actual present=used for actions occurring at the moment of
speaking=>+cases that do NOT require the progressive aspect
d. The Historic(dramatic) present = mainly used as a literary device ( in
stories, commentaries, literary analysis, essays, etc)
II.

Pres.S-> used with REFERENCE to FUTURE TIME(ex: future action

considered part of a programme already fixed)
Ex:He comes back next week->!!!the presence of an adverb or adjunct
expressing FUTURE time is mandatory here.
III. Pres.S-> used in TIME-CLAUSES and If.Clauses(expressing/implying
future time)
Ex; We shall go as soon as you are ready

II.

Present Continuous (Progressive)

Characteristics:
1. + aux. BE + Present Participle
2. + DURATIVE actions/ on-going process
3. General uses: a. actions IN PROGRESS at a certain moment in the present
time
b. Temporary present actions (ex.: Im staying in a hotel until I
find a flat.)
c. used to express the idea of gradual change(ex.: The plane is
landing at gate no. 2; I am growing old.)
d. used to express the speakers irritation related to sth. that
regularly happens ( + adv. of frequency)
e. used with future reference to express a personal arrangement/
plan for future (ex.: We are visiting London next year)
f. used to refer to repetitive short actions within a process
(ex.: Hes kicking the door).

III. Present Perfect

(perfect tense=link between past and present)
a. The Continuative Perfect
+an action/state beginning at some time in the past and continuing up to the
present(=mom. of speaking)
Ex: Weve known each other for years
Ive been living here since 1928
b. The Resultative Perfect
+a past action with present results(effects)
Ex.: Ive bought a new car
c. The Perfect of Experience
+expresses what has happened, once or more than once, within the speakers
experience
Ex: Mens hairs have grown grey in a single night (=>+use of adjuncts expressing
REPETITION)
d. Pres Perf. of Recent Activities
+ completed activities in the immediate past ( + advs. like: just, already, yet,
etc.)
+ used when the reference is to a period of time that is not yet over
(+advs. like: this morning/afternoon/evening/ week/month/year, today)

e. + used in subordinate clauses dependent on a main clause expressing or

implying future time ( ex. Wait till Ive finished my coffee; As soon as I
have saved 50 E I will buy the book.)

B. Past Time - Past Tenses

I. Past Simple
+ general functions:
1. to express a contrast between PAST and PRESENT time ( + The
Indicative Mood => Past Simple) USES:
1a. used with ITERATIVE meaning
ex.: We always went to a pantomime at Christmas.
Whenever he went abroad, he took his son with him.
1b. used to report a present tense in Indirect Speech
1c. used to refer to past habits ( + USED TO)
2. to express a contrast between reality and desirability or mere
supposition (+ The Subjunctive Mood => Present Subjunctive)
2a. used in subordinate clauses to express sth. desirable or
conceivable in the present time)
ex. Its high time you did your homework.
Id rather you paid me now.
Suppose we went to a show.
2b. used after I wish expressing an unrealized or unrealizable
desire in the present time( ex. I wish you were here now(<=>
but, actually, you are not).
2c. used after if, as if/ as though, in clauses denoting a condition
not likely to be fulfilled, or a state of things contrary to reality.
ex.: If I were you, I wouldnt do that.
He acts as if he were the manager of the company.
(<=> he isnt the manager)
!!!: In these cases, the subjunctive (I or He) were is often
used instead of was.
+ USED TO (vs.) WOULD
A. USED TO refers to past habits; it often contrasts with the present. The
contrast may be stated or understood (ex.: I used to go swimming a lot (but I
dont now)

B. WOULD is used to describe repeated actions, not states. It describes a

habitual activity which was typical of a person (ex.: Every week hed buy
his mother a bunch of flowers) -> Used To would also be possible here

II. Past Continuous/ Progressive

+ Uses: 1. it refer to actions IN PROGRESS at a certain moment in the past
2. it expresses actions IN PROGRESS often interrupted by events (ex.: I
was doing my homework when the phone rang)
3. used for background description in narrative
4. used to refer to changing states (ex. The car was getting worse all the
time[...])
5. (+ adv. of frequency) => used to express repeated actions - criticism
!!
6. Unfulfilled past events: These describe events intended to take place, but
which did not happen
ex.: I was going to phone you, but I forgot.
I was thinking of going to Italy this year, but I havent decided.
I was about to do it, but I started doing something else.
The contrasting past event is often understood.
ex.: How are you? I was going to phone you...(but I didnt).
7. (+ wonder) => Polite forms (ex.: I was wondering if you wanted to
come to the cinema.

III. Past Perfect

+ General uses: 1. Past perfect tenses generally refer to anteriority in the past
(an event in the past which happens before another event in the past, where there
is no time expression to make this clear)
ex:By the time I got to the station, the train had left.
Compare this with:
The train left five minutes before I got to the station.
2. Past Perfect is also common in Indirect speech
3. it is used to express UNREAL past time ( + The Subjunctive
mood => Perfect Subjunctive)
ex.: I wish I had known the truth yesterday.
If I had known the truth I could have helped him.

He speaks as if he had made an important discovery.

Suppose we had been relatives, would you have shared the secret with me?
Its high time he had left the house.