Tenses

for an action that began in the past and that has continued up to the
present or still continues. (unfinished past)

We’ve lived in the same house for 25 years. (For is used with a
period of time.)
We have known each other since 1995. (Since is used with a point in
time.)

for an activity which has a result in the present (often with just, recently,
already or yet). (indefinite past)

I’ve lost my key. (I haven’t got it now.)
I’ve just had lunch. (I’m not hungry now.)
I’ve seen John recently.
I’ve already done the washing up. (The dishes are clean.)
He hasn’t arrived yet. (He is not there now.)

to express a past experience (often with the adverbs ever, never or before).
(indefinite past)
Have you ever been to Australia?
I have never had a car.
I haven’t tried sushi before.

a past situation or habit.
When I was a child, we lived in a small house by the sea. Every day I
walked for miles on the beach with my dog.

This use is often expressed with used to or would.
When I was a child, we used to live in a small house …
Every day I would walk for miles …

actions that follow each other in a story.
Mary walked into the room and stopped. She heard a noise from
behind the curtain. She threw the curtain open, and then she saw …

a finished action in the past.
I went to Manchester last week.

behaviour at the moment of speaking with the verb be.
I can’t understand why she’s being so selfish. She isn’t usually like that.

an annoying habit (with always) (too often, more often than normal)
You’re always losing your keys!

a trend or a change.
Summers are getting hotter due to climate change.

a temporary situation.
Peter is a student, but he’s working as a waiter during the holidays.

an activity or situation that is true now but is not necessarily happening at the
moment of speaking (around now).
I’m doing a French evening class this year.

an activity that is happening now.
Don’t turn the TV off. I’m watching a football match.

fact that is true for a long time / a permanent situation.
He works in a bank.

a fact that is always true.
Some birds fly south in winter.

an action that happens again and again (a habit / a routine).
I go to work by bus.

is used to describe a complete event or action at a point in the future.
Call me at six thirty – I’ll have finished work by then.

is used for something that will happen as part of a routine.
Trevor will be cleaning the house tomorrow. He always does it on
Saturday.

is used for something we expect to be happening at a particular time in the
future. (in the middle of doing something)
This time next week, we’ll be lying on the beach!

We use the present simple to talk about timetables and fixed programmes.
My train leaves at 09:15.
The first lesson starts at 07:35.

We use the present continuous to talk about arrangements (= fixed plans,
usually involving other people and specific times and places)
I’m playing tennis with Sue on Monday evening at the sports centre.

Sometimes there is no difference between an arrangement (present
continuous) and an intention (going to).
I’m visiting / going to visit my sister this weekend.

We use will to make offers and promises.
I’ll help you if you like.
I’ll always be here when you need me.

We use shall + I / we in questions to make offers or suggestions
Shall I carry this bag for you?
Shall we go swimming on Saturday?

for predictions based on a
present fact / present evidence
It’s not going to rain. There isn’t a
cloud in the sky.

for future facts
I will be away for two weeks.

for predictions based more on
an opinion than a fact
I think that the inflation will fall to
three percent next year.

for future plans, decisions and
intentions made before the
moment of speaking
We are going to paint this room
blue.

for decisions made at the
moment of speaking
(spontaneous)
OK, I’ll come for a run with you.

to stress the activity or the duration (in a similar way as in the present perfect
continuous)

We had been playing tennis for about half an hour when it started to
rain heavily.

to make clear that one action in the past happened before another action in
the past.

When I got home, I found that someone had broken into my apartment
and had stolen my laptop, so I called the police.

to express an incomplete activity in the past in order to contrast with the
past simple that expresses a completed activity.
I was reading a book during the flight. (I didn’t finish it.)
I watched a film during the flight. (the whole film)

to express an interrupted past activity.
While we were playing tennis, it started to rain.