Tenses

is used to stress the activity going on up to a point in the future.
I’ll have been learning to play tennis for a year in May.

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.

for descriptions.
She was wearing a green cotton dress. Her eyes were shining in the
light of the candles that were burning nearby.

to express activities in progress before, and probably after, a particular time
in the past.
At 7 o’clock this morning I was having my breakfast.

We ask or say how long an activity
has been going on.

How long have you been reading that
book?
She has been writing letters all day.
They’ve been playing tennis since two
o’clock.

We ask or say how much, how
many or how many times an
activity has been carried out.

How many pages of that book have you
read?
She has written five letters.
They’ve played tennis three times this
week.

The activity is temporary.

I’ve been living with friends for two
months.

The activity is permanent.

I’ve lived here all my life.

The action has not finished.

I’ve been waiting for half an hour. (I’m still
waiting now.)

The action has finished.

I’ve waited long enough. (I’m leaving now.)

We are interested in the duration.

I’ve been ironing my shirts this morning.

We are interested in the
achievement.

I’ve ironed five shirts this morning.

We are interested in the activity.

My hands are dirty. I’ve been repairing the
car.

We are interested in the fact that
something has been finished.

The car is OK again now. I’ve repaired it.

to express a past activity that has recently stopped and has caused a
present result.
Have you been crying? Your eyes are red.

to express a temporary activity that began in the past.
I’ve been living with my friends for the last two months, but next month
I’m going to move to my own flat.

to express an incomplete activity.
I’ve been cleaning the house, but I still haven’t finished.

to emphasise duration.
I’ve been writing letters all morning.

to express an activity that began in the past and is continuing now.
I’ve been studying English for three years.

for finished actions

I lived in Texas for six years.
(Now I live in California.)

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays.
(He can't write anymore.)

for unfinished actions
(actions that began in the past and have
continued up to the present or still
continue)

I've lived in Texas for six years.
(I still live there.)

I've written three books.
(I can still write more.)

definite time
with time reference
(We know when.)

I was in London in 1997.

indefinite time
no time reference
(It is not important when.)

I have been to London.

when we say: ‘It’s the first/second/third… time something has happened.’
It’s the first time he has driven a car.
It’s the second time I have lost my passport.
It’s the third time you have asked this question.

with today, this morning, this evening etc. when these periods are not
finished at the time of speaking.

I’ve had three cups of coffee this morning. (It is still morning.)
I had three cups of coffee this morning. (It is afternoon or evening.)

with been to express that the person is back again.
He has been to Spain. (He is back now.)

with gone to express that the person has left.
He has gone to Spain. (He is in Spain now, or on his way to Spain.)