Past perfect & past perfect continuous

The Past Perfect is used: For an action which happened before another action or before a stated time in the past. E.g. they had already examined the witness when they heard this terrible news. For an action which finished in the past and whose result was visible in the past. E.g. Dan had injured his legs in a car accident, so he had to use a wheelchair for six months. Note: the past perfect is the past equivalent of the present perfect. Compare the examples. a) He had broken his leg, so he couldn’t walk. b) He has broken his leg, so he can’t walk. The Past Perfect is used with the following time expressions: before, after, already, for, since, just, till / until, when, by, by the time, never, etc.

The Past Perfect Continuous is used: To put emphasis on the duration of an action which started and finished in the past before another past action or a stated time in the past usually with since or for? E.g. they had been discussing the question for у few hours before they came to agreement. For an action which lasted for some time in the past and whose result was visible in the past. E.g. she had been working hard that day, so she was tired. Note: the past perfect continuous is the past equivalent of the present perfect continuous. Compare the examples. a) He had been waiting for hours, so he was bored. b) He has been waiting for hours, so he is bored. The Past Perfect Continuous is used with the time expressions: for, since, how long, before, until, etc.

We can use the past perfect or the past simple with before and after without any difference in meaning. E.g. she left after she had finished her work. She left after she finished her work.

The past simple is used for actions which happened immediately one after another in the past. E.g. Last Monday Lisa and her huband fed the children when he came home.

The past continuous is used for a past action which was in progress when another action interrupted it. E.g. Last Tuesday, Lisa was feeding the children when her husband came.

The past perfect is used for an action which happened before another past action. E.g. Last Friday, Lisa had fed the children when her husband came.

Ways of expressing future future simple

The Future Simple is used:

• in predictions about the future situations usually with the verbs think, believe, expect, to be sure, to be afraid: to be certain and the adverbs perhaps, probably, certainly. E.g. I’m afraid we won’t be on time for the meeting.

• for on-the-spot-decisions. E.g. I’ll close the window. It is clod in here.

• for promises (with the verbs promise, swear, guarantee, etc.), threats, warnings, requests, hopes (with hope), and offers. E.g. I don’t understand this exercise. Will you explain it to me?

• for actions / events/ situations which will definitely happen in the future and which we cannot control. E.g. The temperature will reach 40 C tomorrow.

• The future simple is used with the following expressions: tomorrow; the day after tomorrow; tonight; soon; next week; in a week; in two days, etc.

The Present Simple is used for future actions when we refer to programmes, timetables, etc. E.g. The bus arrives at 7:13.

We use the Present Continuous for actions we have decided and arranged to do in the near future. E.g. I’m flying to Lisbon tomorrow morning.

We use to be going to:

• When we make a prediction based on what we can see (evidence) or what we know. E.g. The clouds are black. It’s going to rain.

• for actions we have already decided to do in the future. E.g. I’m going to meet my friends at the entrance to Kyiv University at 2 o’clock.

Subordinate Clauses of Time and Condition

• The future simple is not used in subordinate clauses of time and condition after while, before, till, until, as soon as, by the time, as, if, unless. We use the present simple or present perfect instead. E.g. I’ll wait until you finish / have finished. If you see him, tell him about the party.

• When and if can be followed by the future simple in the object clauses. E.g. I can’t tell you when he will be ready. I wonder if he will be on time.