Uses of Simple Present Tense

a) For habitual actions and routines

i. I wake up at 7 a.m.
ii. She usually takes the bus to work every day.
iii. Despite his busy schedule, he finds time to meditate before sunrise every morning.

b) For general truths and facts

i. The sun rises in the east.
ii. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
iii. Light travels faster than sound, which is why we see lightning before hearing thunder.

c) For future events that are part of a fixed timetable or a fixed program
i. The train leaves at 6 p.m.
ii. My flight departs from Terminal 3 at noon tomorrow.
iii. According to the official schedule, the conference begins at 9 a.m. sharp and includes
keynote speeches before lunch.

d) To create a vivid narrative in storytelling (historical or dramatic present)

i. The hero enters the cave and finds the treasure.
ii. Suddenly, the lights go out, and everyone starts screaming.
iii. He walks into the courtroom, all eyes fixed on him, and without hesitation, he declares
his innocence.

e) In exclamatory sentences beginning with “Here” and “There”

i. Here comes the bus!
ii. There goes your last chance!
iii. Here stands the man who defied an empire with nothing but his courage and words.

f) For future time clauses with time expressions (if, unless, when, while, as, before, after, until,
by the time, as soon as)
i. I will call you when he arrives.
ii. We won’t start the meeting until the manager joins us.
iii. By the time she finishes her degree, most of her classmates will already be working in
the field.
 Present Continuous Tense
Uses of Present Continuous Tense

a) For actions that are happening at the present moment

i. She is eating lunch.
ii. They are discussing the project in the meeting room.
iii. The scientists are currently analyzing the data to confirm their hypothesis.

b) For a temporary situation

i. I’m staying with my cousin this week.
ii. He’s working at a café until he finds a full-time job.
iii. Due to the renovation at the main office, the staff is operating from a temporary
location.

c) For actions that have already been arranged to take place in the near future
i. We are meeting the teacher tomorrow.
ii. She is flying to Dubai next weekend for a conference.
iii. The prime minister is addressing the nation tonight regarding the new reforms.

d) For actions that we can control – usually temporary once again

i. I’m reading a new book these days.
ii. He’s learning French to prepare for his internship in Paris.
iii. We are currently redesigning the website to improve user experience and accessibility.

e) Present Continuous + always for an annoying habit

i. She is always losing her keys!
ii. You’re always interrupting when I’m trying to concentrate.
iii. He’s always complaining about his job, yet he never takes steps to change anything.
 Present Perfect Tense
Uses of Present Continuous Tense

a) Past actions or events with consequences in the present

i. I’ve lost my keys. (I can’t open the door now.)
ii. She has broken her arm, so she can’t play in the match.
iii. The company has missed the deadline, which is now affecting their reputation among
clients.

b) Events that started in the past but are still going on

i. I have lived here for five years.
ii. They’ve worked at this hospital since 2018.
iii. He has served as the head of the department for over a decade, and he still continues to
innovate.

c) Completed activities in the immediate past (with just)

i. She has just finished her homework.
ii. We’ve just had lunch, so we’re not hungry.
iii. The pilot has just announced a delay due to unexpected technical issues.

d) Describe our life experiences up to the present

i. I have visited India.
ii. She has tried sushi several times before.
iii. They’ve climbed the Himalayas and explored remote villages during their travels.

e) Past actions whose time is not given and not definite.

i. I have seen that movie.
ii. He has read many books by that author.
iii. She has written articles for several international journals, though she rarely talks about
it.
 Uses of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

a) Actions or situations that started in the past, are still ongoing in the present, and may
continue into the future
i. I have been studying English for two years.
ii. She has been living here since January.
iii. They have been working on the new project since last month.
iv. We have been waiting for the bus for over 30 minutes.
v. The government has been implementing new policies to reduce pollution for the past
three years.
vi. Scientists have been observing the changes in climate patterns since the early 2000s.

b) Things that have been happening recently or actions taking place lately
i. He has been watching a lot of TV lately.
ii. I have been feeling tired this week.
iii. She has been spending more time at the library these days.
iv. We have been hearing strange noises from the attic lately.
v. The team has been receiving numerous inquiries from international clients over the past
few days.
vi. Experts have been raising concerns about the increasing rate of inflation in recent
months.

Uses of Simple Past Tense

a) Used for past completed actions

i. I watched a movie last night.
ii. She called me in the morning.
iii. They finished the project before the deadline.
iv. He visited his grandparents during the vacation.
v. The company launched a new product that revolutionized the market.
vi. After months of planning, the event finally took place without any issues.

b) Used with adverbs of time like "yesterday," "last week," "two days ago"
i. I went to the park yesterday.
ii. She cleaned her room two days ago.
iii. We attended a seminar last week on digital marketing.
iv. He started his new job three months ago.
v. They held the final round of interviews last Friday at the head office.
vi. The scientist published her research findings two years ago, changing the field
completely.
c) Used for past habits – usually with ‘always’ and ‘never’

i. I always walked to school when I was a kid.

ii. He never ate vegetables as a child.
iii. She always helped her classmates with homework in school.
iv. We never missed a single match during the football season.
v. My grandfather always told fascinating stories from his youth that inspired me deeply.
vi. She never backed down from a challenge, no matter how tough the situation was.

Uses of Past Continuous Tense

a) A continuing action at some point in the past
i. I was reading a book at 9 p.m. last night.
ii. She was cooking dinner when I arrived.
iii. They were playing football while it started raining.
iv. We were studying all night for the exam.
v. The company was expanding its operations during the economic downturn of 2008.
vi. He was preparing a complex presentation while managing multiple client meetings.

b) An ongoing action/event, which is often interrupted by another action/event

i. I was sleeping when the phone rang.
ii. She was watching TV when the lights went out.
iii. They were having dinner when the guests arrived.
iv. We were walking in the park when it suddenly started to rain.
v. The team was discussing the proposal when the CEO unexpectedly joined the meeting.
vi. I was writing my thesis when I discovered a major flaw in my research data.

c) Used with “always,” “continually,” etc. for persistent or annoying habits in the past

i. He was always forgetting his homework.

ii. She was continually talking during the class.
iii. They were always borrowing things without asking.
iv. My neighbor was constantly playing loud music at night.
v. The manager was always criticizing the team, even when they performed well.
vi. He was continually arriving late, despite repeated warnings from his supervisor.
 Uses of Past Perfect Tense

a) Describe an action or event completed before a certain moment or action in the past

i. I had eaten before he came.

ii. She had left the house before the rain started.
iii. We had finished the test before the teacher collected the papers.
iv. He had already gone to bed when I reached his home.
v. By the time the manager arrived, the team had already resolved the issue.
vi. She had memorized all the answers before the exam began, which gave her an edge.

b) Establish a clear sequence of events in the past

i. He had cooked dinner before his guests arrived.

ii. I had locked the door before I went to sleep.
iii. They had practiced for weeks before the performance.
iv. The bus had left when we reached the station.
v. The author had completed several drafts before submitting the final manuscript.
vi. After the company had signed the deal, they launched their new product line.

c) Time expressions like “before,” “after,” “by the time” indicate the order of events
i. She had left before I called her.
ii. I had finished my homework by the time my friends came.
iii. After they had eaten, they went out for a walk.
iv. By the time the show started, we had taken our seats.
v. He had completed his research before the committee asked for additional details.
vi. By the time the storm hit, the villagers had already moved to safer ground.
 Uses of Past Perfect Continuous Tense
a) Describe ongoing, repeated, or continuous actions that started in the past and
continued up until another point/event in the past

i. I had been studying before the exam started.

ii. She had been working all day when her friend called.
iii. They had been living in that house for five years before they moved.
iv. We had been waiting for the bus when it suddenly began to rain.
v. The students had been attending extra classes regularly until the exams were cancelled.
vi. He had been running his own business for a decade before deciding to sell it and retire.

b) Time expressions like “for,” “since,” “all day,” “until” help indicate the duration of the
action
i. I had been sleeping for six hours when the alarm rang.
ii. She had been crying since morning.
iii. They had been working on the project for three months before it was submitted.
iv. We had been playing outside until it got dark.
v. The company had been expanding its services since the new CEO joined in 2015.
vi. He had been writing articles all night before the magazine’s deadline at 6 a.m.

Uses of Future Tense

a) Future events or actions – making predictions

i. It will rain tomorrow.
ii. She will visit us next week.
iii. The team will probably win the match.
iv. Prices will go up if inflation continues.
v. Based on current trends, global temperatures will rise dramatically by 2050.
vi. With the launch of this product, the company will dominate the market.

b) What we think or believe will happen in the future

i. I think she will pass the exam.
ii. He will be late, I’m sure.
iii. I believe they will come to the party.
iv. You’ll find it hard to convince him.
v. People will eventually understand the importance of mental health.
vi. Historians will likely view this era as a turning point in global politics.
c) To make an offer, a promise, a threat, or a request
i. I will help you with your homework. (offer)
ii. I will never leave you. (promise)
iii. I’ll call you when I get there. (promise)
iv. Will you please open the window? (request)
v. If you don’t stop lying, I will report you. (threat)
vi. I promise I’ll support your decision no matter what. (promise)
d) Spontaneous decision or prediction – deciding at the moment of speaking
i. I’m tired. I’ll go to bed now.
ii. Someone’s at the door. I’ll open it.
iii. We’re out of milk! I’ll buy some.
iv. You look sick. I’ll call a doctor.
v. I hadn’t planned anything, but I’ll join the meeting just to observe.
vi. I don’t know the answer now, but I’ll check and let you know.

e) 'Going to' – intentions or actions that have already been arranged

i. I’m going to visit my grandmother this weekend.
ii. She’s going to start a new job on Monday.
iii. We’re going to meet the principal at 4 p.m.
iv. They’re going to launch the website next month.
v. The board is going to announce a major decision after the meeting.
vi. I’m going to resign next week, and I’ve already informed HR.

f) 'Going to' – for what seems likely (based on present evidence)

i. Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain.
ii. He’s coughing a lot. He’s going to be sick.
iii. The baby is crying. She’s going to wake everyone up.
iv. The car isn’t stopping – it’s going to crash!
v. Judging by the traffic, we’re going to be late for the show.
vi. The economy is going to collapse if this trend continues.

g) 'Going to' – an action on the point of happening

i. Watch out! You’re going to fall.
ii. It’s going to start any minute now.
iii. The train is going to leave. Hurry!
iv. The match is going to begin soon. Take your seats.
v. The experiment is going to explode if the pressure rises further.
vi. The meeting is going to commence the moment the CEO arrives.
 Uses of Future Continuous Tense

i. Actions which will be in progress at a time in the future

i. I will be studying at 10 o’clock tonight.

ii. She will be sleeping when you arrive.
iii. They will be watching a movie by the time we reach home.
iv. He will be working on the report all afternoon.
v. At 9 AM tomorrow, the scientists will be conducting the final phase of the experiment.
vi. When you visit next month, I’ll be staying at a resort in the mountains.

ii. Time expressions often used – “at this time tomorrow,” “next week at 5 PM,” “in a month”

i. At this time tomorrow, I will be traveling to Dhaka.

ii. Next week at 5 PM, we’ll be meeting with our new teacher.
iii. In a month, they will be preparing for their final exams.
iv. This time next year, I’ll be living in a new city.
v. At 3 PM on Friday, the team will be presenting their project to the board of directors.
vi. By the end of this year, we will be launching operations in three new countries.

iii. Actions in the future that are already planned or expected to happen in the normal course of
things

i. She will be attending school as usual tomorrow.

ii. I’ll be taking my regular evening walk later.
iii. The shop will be closing at 9 PM as it always does.
iv. He will be driving to work, like every Monday.
v. The Prime Minister will be addressing the nation on Independence Day, as scheduled.
vi. The factory will be running at full capacity next month due to increased demand.
 Uses of Future Perfect Tense
a) Actions or events that will be completed before a specific point or action in the future

i. I will have finished my homework before dinner.

ii. She will have cleaned the room by 5 PM.
iii. They will have reached the station before the train leaves.
iv. He will have completed the assignment before the deadline.
v. By the time you arrive, I will have already packed everything.
vi. The engineers will have designed the blueprint before the investors’ meeting begins.

b) Time references are used to provide additional context

(Examples include: by tomorrow, by next week, before 2026, by the time she comes, etc.)

i. By tomorrow, I will have submitted the form.

ii. By 10 a.m., they will have left the house.
iii. By next week, the workers will have finished the painting.
iv. By this time next year, she will have graduated from college.
v. By the end of the decade, scientists will have discovered more Earth-like planets.
vi. By the time the new law takes effect, most companies will have adjusted their policies.

Uses of Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Describe ongoing or continuous actions or events that will continue up until a specific point or action
in the future

i. By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for an hour.
ii. She will have been studying for three hours by the time the exam starts.
iii. By 5 PM, they will have been working on the project for 12 hours.
iv. By next week, he will have been living in this city for two years.
v. By the time the concert begins, we will have been rehearsing for over six months.
vi. By the time you return, I will have been traveling around Europe for two months.