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Notes - Tenses & Functions

This document provides an overview of tenses and their functions in English. It lists the present, past, and future tenses and examples of when each would be used. The present tenses are used to describe present time actions. The past tenses describe past time actions. And the future tenses refer to future time actions. For each tense, it gives the grammatical function such as to state a recurring action, describe a completed action, or indicate an ongoing action.

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Syerifaizal Hj. Mustapha
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390 views1 page

Notes - Tenses & Functions

This document provides an overview of tenses and their functions in English. It lists the present, past, and future tenses and examples of when each would be used. The present tenses are used to describe present time actions. The past tenses describe past time actions. And the future tenses refer to future time actions. For each tense, it gives the grammatical function such as to state a recurring action, describe a completed action, or indicate an ongoing action.

Uploaded by

Syerifaizal Hj. Mustapha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ELU: Using Tenses Correctly (22 March 2023)

Overview - Tenses & Their Functions

Time Tense Function Example

Present Simple States a recurring action/event, or timeless habits or facts She writes a lot of letters for her department.
To show an
action/event Present Perfect Describes an action/event that began in the past and is She has written several letters already, but she still has a
happening expected to continue; Emphasizes the relevance of a past few more to go.
in the action/event to the present moment She has written the letter. (so we can send it off now)
present time
Present Indicates a currently ongoing (usually temporary) action She is writing a letter to the Client.
Progressive
Present Perfect Describes an event/action started in the past and continues She has been writing the important submission letter the
Progressive up to the present moment; Usually emphasizes duration an whole night.
action/ event has been taking place

Past Simple States an action/event completed in the past She wrote the letters to the Client yesterday.
To show an
action/event Past Perfect Indicates the first of two sequential action/event in the past She had written the letter before she went for a meeting.
happening
in the Past Progressive Describes an ongoing past action/event, often in relation to She was writing the letter when the blackout happened.
past time the occurrence of another action/event
Past Perfect Indicates an action/event that began, continued, and ended She had been writing the important submission letter all
Progressive in the past, emphasising its relevance to a past moment night, and she needed to get some sleep.

Future Simple Describes an action/event to be completed in the future She will write the letter on behalf of her boss later.
To show an
action/event Future Perfect States an action/event that will be completed between now She will have written many letters for her department by
happening and a specific point in the future the end of this week.
in the
future time Future Indicate a future action/event that is expected to continue She will be writing a lot of letters for her department next
Progressive over a period of time week.
Future Perfect Describe an action/event that will continue up to a point in She will have been writing the letters for a few days
Progressive the future, emphasising its expected duration before she sends them off.

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