TENSES

Prepared by Mr. John

 What is a tense?
Generally, tense tell us the time of the action or
state expressed by the verb in a sentence.
Whether the action or state takes place in past,
present or future time.

EXAMPLES:
1. I met Jemal in the cafeteria yesterday( past)
2. Lydia always watches movies( present tense)
3. I will come and see you tomorrow( future)
 KINDS OF TENSES
In English Grammar there are three main tenses. And each tense is divided into four categories, namely:
1. PRESENT TENSE
-Simple present tense.
-Present continuous.
-Present perfect tense.
-Present perfect continuous tense.

2.PAST TENSE
-Simple past tense.
-Past continuous.
-Past perfect tense.
-Past perfect continuous tense.

3.FUTURE TENSE
-Simple future tense.
-Future continuous tense.
-Future perfect tense.
-Future perfect continuous tense.
 Chapter seven: PRESENT TENSE
When a verb refers to the present time, it is said to be in the present tense.

EXAMPLES:
-Mr. Ibrahim speaks Arabic very well.
-They always play tennis here.
-My parents live in America.
Note: verbs( speaks, play, live, etc.) tell us all the actions are in the present time.

THE USE OF PRESENT TENSE.

They are various uses of simple present tense.

A.FOR HABITUAL ACTIONS.

Examples:
-Ethiopians celebrate many holidays.
-I get up early in the morning.
-A nurse treats patients.
-Children need love.
 B .For repeated/ regular actions
*ALWAYS
EXAMPLES:
-I always read a story book.
-My father always goes to work by car.
-Do you always drink tea?
Note: always means at all times; on every occasion.

*often:
-How often do you say your prayer?
-She doesn’t often make her bed.
-Ahmed often writes letters.

Note: often means: many times; frequently.

 *SOMETIMES
EXAMPLES:
-I sometimes drink coffee.
-They sometimes go by train.
-Do you sometimes watch horror film?
Note: sometimes means( once in a while or not always)

*Everyday/ week/morning/ month/ year.

-We play football everyday after school.
-They go to the movie on Saturdays.
-The new year is celebrated every year.

*NEVER:
Never means: not at any time
-I never drink alcohol
-My mother never let me go out at night.
-Never touch un galvanized wire.

*USUALLY: Means most of time.

-I usually go to school on foot.
-In my dreams I’m usually in trouble.
 C. To express general truth.
General truth is the statement which exist for ever more(unaltered or
unchanged facts.)
Examples:
-Lion is the king of the forest.(unchanged)
-Man is mortal.(unaltered)
-Dog is a faithful animal.
-The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

D. To express scientific facts.(=which has been proved by scientists)

-Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
-The earth revolves round the sun.
-Water boils at 100 degree cent grade.
-Water freezes at zero degree cent grade.
 E. To express ability(with can and be able
to
-He is strong man; he can lift up a load of 200kgs.
- I’m able to speak over 5 languages.
-I can’t read doctor’s handwriting.

F. To express speaker’s opinion or beliefs.

- I think he is a very good student.
- I don’t agree with that at all.

- G. To express condition in if clause(likely condition)

- If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
- If she comes, call me please.
- If you don’t hurry up , you will be late.

- H. For instruction:
- First, activate the power; then take a photograph.
- First I put a lump of butter into the frying pan and light the gas; then while the butters melting I
break three eggs into a bowl…
 I. To introduce quotations.
-Shakespeare says,” Love is not a time’s fool.”
-Keats says,” A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

J. In exclamatory sentences beginning with ‘here’ and’ there. ‘

-Look! How Justin sings.
-There the bus stops!
-Here comes Kemal!

K. With state verbs(= verbs with no-ing form, non- continuous verbs.(forget, hear,
like, love, understand, trust, believe, need, prefer, see, hate, want, remember,
taste, etc.)

-She remembers his name.

-Imran believes Aarif.
 L. For planned future actions/ activities.

With time adverbs. For example to talk about

travel plans/ arrangements or official programs.
The simple present is used primarily with verbs
such as open/ close, begin/ arrive, end/ leave
and expresses an established fact.
-Classes begin next week.
-Our plane arrives at 12:30 next Monday.
-The train leaves at 2:40.
M. With adverbs of time like( when, till, as
soon as)
-I will phone you when I know something.
-She will have lunch as soon as she gets home.
-Don’t go till/ until I return back.

Note: We don’t use” will/ shall” after when, till, as soon as. Although we use the
simple present verb in the above examples, we know that the meaning is of future.

RULES AND FORMS WITH SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE:

1Use singular verbs with third person singular.

The third person singulars singular: he/ she/ it ( adds ’s’ on the verb)
-He writes/ drives/ reads/ works/ does…
-She cooks/ runs/ plays/ speaks/ does…
-It jumps/ plays/ shouts/ eats/ works/ does…
 2. Use plural verbs with first person
singular/ plural( I/ we),second
Person singular/ plural(you) and third person plural.(they).
-I write/ read/ play/ eat/ work/ do…
-We write/ read/ play/ eat/ work/ do…
-You play/ swim/ eat/ learn/ work/ do…
-They write/ play/ eat/ work/ do..

*Use do/ does to make questions and negatives sentences:

{-Do I /we/ you/ they learn, work, speak?} Questions
{-Does he/ she/ it work, speak, play?}

{-I /we / you/ they don’t play, speak, work} Negatives

{-He/ she/ it doesn’t play, speak, work}

Note: use does/ doesn’t with third persons singular followed by plural verb.(not singular verb). Use do/ don’t with plural
persons/ singular persons( I /you/ they)

-Rice doesn’t grow in cold climate.

-What does this word mean?
-I live in Hawassa . Where do you live?
-What do you do?
-I don’t go away very often.
 REVIEW EXERCISE.
Choose the letter which contains the correct answer.

1.Doctor: I see, let me ask you some questions.

________________?
Patient: I used to smoke but not any longer.
A. Do you smoke. B. Were you smoking. C. Have you smoked. D. Are you smoking.
2.Please tell her to phone me when she___ back.
B. Came. B. Will come. C. Comes. D. Come.
3.Mother wouldn’t let us go to school until we___ eating our breakfast.
C. Finishes. B. Have finished. C. Finishing. D. Finish.
4. When you get to the office, you___ up to the first and you___ to the first door.
D. Are going/ are knocking. B. Go/ knock. C. Went/ knocked. D. Have gone/ have knocked.
5.________ at 9:30 or 10:30?
E. Is the film begin. B. Does the film begin. C. Does the film begins. D. Do the film begins.
6. Which sentence tell us about times tables( future)?
F. Next term starts on 6th April.
G. Our train leaves at 9:15.
H. Do you have classes next Saturday?
I. All are correct.
7. Which sentence is wrong?
J. Do Mohammed play tennis?
K. Ahmed doesn’t drink coffee.
L. She always receives letter from her boss.
M. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
 REVIEW EXERCISE
Decide the following sentences if they are permanent truth, the present
period, habitual action, future reference, instruction, repeated action.
1. I getup at 1:00_______.
2. The concert begins at 1:30 next Friday_____.
3. My mother works in the hospital_________.
4. Gases expand when heated_________.
5. Water boils at 100 degree cent grade________.
6. First you weigh the ingredients__________.
7. The earth revolves around the sun_______.
8. Joyce goes to church every morning________.
9. The meeting ends tomorrow evening_________.
10. I sometimes stay up till midnight___________.
 REVIEW EXERCISE.
Give the correct form of the simple present tense of each verb in the
bracket().
1.The children ______ a lot of sweets.( eat)
2. I always _____out on Saturday. (go)
3. My uncle______ in the factory. (work)
4. I occasionally_____ meat.( eat)
5. She never _____ up very early. (get)
6. She _____ to London once a week.(drive)
7.The concert ______ at 1:00 next Friday.(start)
8. The coach___ at 12 this evening.( leave)
9.He only______ at weekends.( work)
10. Mike and Vanessa ____ glasses.( wear)
Chapter six. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Present continuous tense or present progressive talks about actions which are
in progress during a particular time. ( action begins before, is in progress
during, and continues after another time or action.)
The present progressive is therefore, expresses an activity that is in progress at
the moment of speaking/ right now/ round now/ at these seconds/ minutes.
(at the time when we are talking)
It began in the recent past, is continuing at present, and will probably end at
some point in the future.

FORM: IS/AM/ARE +V-ING.

Examples:
-I need an umbrella because it is raining.
-Elham and Afnan are talking on the phone.
 REMEMBER:
I+ AM+ v -ING FORM OF THE VERB.
WE/YOU/THEY+ARE+ v -ING FORM OF THE
VERB.
SHE/ HE/ IT + IS + v -ING FORM OF THE VERB.
 Use of present continuous tense.
A. For the action in progress now.
-My mother is cooking dinner .
-Look! Two boys are fighting .
-Don’t disturb me. I am studying for exam.

B .For a habitual action. (usually, always, often, constantly, etc.

are used)

-He is always talking in class.

-They are always coming to my home when I’m at table.
-She is constantly presenting me with senseless questions.
 C. Often the activity is of general nature:
Something generally in progress( this week, this month, this
year, these days) temporary situation.
(here, we can’t see the action happening)
-I am taking five courses this semester.
-She is writing another book this year.
-They are painting that buildings this month.

Note: The sentence means that writing a book is a general activity

she is engaged in a present, but it doesn’t mean that at the
moment of speaking she is sitting at her desk with pen in hand.
( see the rest of examples)
D. To express the beginning, progression or
end of action.
-It is beginning to rain. (beginning)
-His condition is getting worse.( progression)
-He is completing his college study. (an end)

E. To express a situation that is in the process of changing.

-The cost of things are becoming more expensive.
-The number of cars is increasing from time to time.
F. To talk about a definite/ fixed arrangement for future events.
(future time expression such as this evening/ afternoon, next week, tonight, tomorrow
morning, on Tuesday, etc. are used)
*Verbs like leave, go, see, drive, meet, etc. are used
-I am flying to Asosa next week.
-I am driving to Addis tonight.
-I am meeting mike tomorrow.
-We are leaving for Mekele next week.
 Note: the present progressive is used
To express time when the idea of the sentence concerns a planned event
or definite intention.

-Samuel has already made his plan. He is leaving at noon tomorrow.

-My father has an appointment with a doctor. He is seeing doctor Tom next
Monday.

(present continuous form but future meaning)

G. Non- continuous/ progressive verbs

( state verbs like understand, love, like, want, hate, dislike, need, taste,
see, etc. are not used with present continuous tense and all continuous
forms.
 REVIEW EXERCISE.(choose the letter which contains the correct answer)

1.I have lost my pen. I _____things.

A . Lose. B. am always losing. C. Have been losing. D. Was always losing.
2.Look ! That man_____ to open the door of your car.
A. tried. B. trying. C. is trying. D. tries.
3. Paul never late. He _____ to work on time.
B. Is always getting. B. will be getting. C. gets. D. got.
4.My brother’s birthday is next week. I ____him a sweater.
C. Will give. B. will be giving. C. am giving. D. Have given.
5. I am hungry. I ______ something to eat.
D. Am wanting. B. want. C. will want. D. wanted.
6.Which pattern is wrongly used?

E. You are looking well today.

F. Are you believing in God?
G. This sauce is tasting great. It’s really good.
H. B and C are wrongly used
7. _______ that lady over there?
I. Do you see. B. Are you seeing. C. Seeing. D. Have you seen.
8. After lunch I _____ a friend of mine. We _____ shopping.
A. meet/ go. B. Am meeting/ are going. C. Will meet/ will go. D. Have met/ have gone.
 REVIEW EXERCISE.
Indicate the meaning expressed by the bold type/ face verbs
by writing( now, in the future, or habitually) in the blanks.

1. I am taking four courses next semester._____

2. I am tired. I am going to bed early tonight__
3. Robert : what are doing?____
4. Joy : I am writing a letter to my friend.____
5. Students usually take four courses every semester.______
6. When I graduate, I am going to return home.___
7. Emmy is arriving at eight tomorrow evening_____
 Chapter five: Present perfect tense.
(present or before present)
There are two tenses in the present perfect tense (past and present)
Present perfect tense by definition: is the tense which is used to talk about things that
happened and continue in the past, or at an indefinite time in the past.
EXAMPLES:
-They have already bought their tickets.
-Has Musab finished his homework yet?
-You haven’t gone to school. Why?

FORMS OF PRESENT PERFECT:

All tenses can have three forms:
Positive: I have seen Mubarak recently.
Negative : we haven’t heard that news.
Question: Have you read this story?
:Haven’t you read this story?
 To make the present perfect:
has/have + v3
V3 means: the past participle form of a verb.
Examples: ( work= worked, help= helped, move= moved, jump= jumped, etc. which are
regular verbs, and irregular verbs are for example write= written, eat= eaten, go= gone, sit=
sat, sleep= slept, buy= bought, rise= risen, etc.)

-I have written five letters since morning.

-She has slept for an hour.
-Have you ever heard about his story?
-Have the students cleaned the chalkboard?
-I have used this laptop for ages.

-He has moved to Mekelle since 2007.

Note: use has with third persons singular( he/she/it) or any singular form of nouns (Sami,
student, teacher, a cat, a school, etc.)
-It/she/ he has worked.
-I /we/ you/ they have worked.
 Use of present perfect tense:
A. To talk about past actions with some importance now.( the result is being
seen now.)
- I have cleaned the windows.
=( so the windows are cleaned now.)
- He has hurt his leg.
=( so he has a bad leg now.)
- She has lost her keys.
=(she is looking for them; she can’t find them)
- They have learned French.
=(so they know or can speak French.)

Note: Here, in the above examples, the present perfect is used to connect the
past to the present. ( for finished actions that are important now. They have
result now, they are new information.)
 B To talk about the recently completed or
finished actions.
(already, just, and yet)

1. Already:
We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected.
(already= sooner than expected)
Position: Between has/ have and past participle( has/have + already + V3)
A: Don’t forget to read this interesting book.
B: I have already read it.(= before expected time)
X: What the time is the train leaving?
Y: It has already left.( = left before expected time)
A: When is Ahmed going to home town?
B: He has already gone.( = sooner than you expected)

Note: Already can also be used with present tense ( we have already seen it in chapter
two)
 2: JUST
We often use the present perfect with just.
-Just= A short time ago.
-It comes after has/ have + just + past participle.
-Samiya: Are you hungry?
-Seada: No I have just had lunch.( I had it a short time ago)
-The snow has just stopped. ( It stopped a short time ago)
-I have just heard the news from Alex. ( I heard it a few minutes ago)
-A famous pop star has just died.( He died a short time ago)

3 YET:
We also use the present perfect with yet.
-Yet= up to now.
-Use yet in question and negatives.
-Yet usually comes at the end of a sentence.
 Examples:
-Have you paid the electrician yet? (Question)
-No, he hasn’t sent his bill yet. (Negative)
-Has it stopped raining yet?
-I have written letter, but I haven’t sent it yet.

Note: Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen, and use it in
questions and negatives.
-In American English, the simple past is often used with just, already and yet.

Examples:
-Afrah: Where is my sister?
-Afya: She went home already.( She has already gone home)
-Did you eat yet? (Have you eaten yet?)
-I just had a great idea. ( I have just had a great idea.)
 Just has several meanings:
1. Right now.
2. A short time ago (with present perfect)
3. Exactly .
4. Really.
5. Only.
Examples:
- I can’t talk now- I am just going out.(just =right now)
- The plane has just landed. (just= a short time ago)
- It is just two o’clock. ( just= exactly)
- I just hate the way he talks to people. ( just= really)
- Can I help you, sir? No, I am just looking round, thanks .( just = only)
 C. We can also use the present perfect to
ask if things
Have happened up to now, or to say that they haven’t happened up to
now.
This often happens with words for unfinished time.
1. (today/ this year/ ever/ never/ yet/ this year.)
-Have you seen Imran today?
-We haven’t been to Addis Ababa this year.
-I have drunk four cups of tea today.
Ever: - means at any time (throughout life)
-is used mostly in questions.
-placed between has/ have and V3 with present perfect.
*Have you ever broken your leg in your life?(= in your life)
*Have you ever eaten caviar? (=throughout your life)
*Have you ever driven a motorbike? (= in your life)
 Ever with present perfect + superlative.
-This is the worst meal I have ever eaten.
-This is the most interesting job I have ever had.
-This is the best harvest we have ever gained.

Ever with in ( the first, second, third time + present perfect)

-Nuredin is having a driving lesson. It is the first one. (= it is the first time he
has driven a car. He has never driven a car before)

-Ismael is phoning his girlfriend again. ( that is the third time he has
phoned her this morning.)

-Aarif has lost her passport again. (it is the second time this has happened)
 Never:
Is to mean not at any time up to now( in your life,
or ,not ever)
*it is positioned between has/ have and V3. (has/
have + never + V3)
*Use never with affirmative sentences.
EXAMPLES:
-My family has never quarreled.
-She has never given him flower before.
-I have never ridden a bike in my life.
 (Recently, lately, before, so far)
*These words can also be used in the same way as the above with present perfect
tense.
• The speaker uses these adverbs of time to talk about a period that continues until
now.
Recently: Have you seen any good films recently?
Lately: Has Alex spoken to you lately?
Before: Have you driven a car before?
So far: We haven’t had any problems so far.( so far= up to know)
Note: These words( adverbs) are often used at the end of a sentence.

D: To express repeated actions( often, several times, many times…)

-Teacher: How many tests have you taken since the beginning of the semester?
-Students: We have taken three/ several/ many tests since the beginning of the
semester.
 E: FOR AND SINCE.
FOR: Is used to talk about a period of time.
(for + duration of time)
- For two years.
- For a long time.
- For ages.
- For three weeks.
- For 30 minutes.
- For an hour.
- For five days.
- For years.
- For many years.
- For several years, etc.
Examples: I have known him for many years.( still I know him)
I have been here for ages.( I still live here)
Note: ‘ for’ is also possible with past tense,
but not since
- I saw this movie for several times(= the speaker sees no longer the movie)
- She lived in Hawassa for 10 years.( she doesn’t live in Hawassa now)
- I read this fiction for hours.( but I no longer read it now)
SINCE: Is used to talk about the length of time from a particular point. (since + a
particular time)
-Since last week/ year.
-Since the school days.
-Since 2018/ 2019…
-Since September/ October…
-Since Christmas/ new year.
-Since the last summer.
-Since I knew him.
-Since her birthday.
-Since six o’clock.
 Examples
-I have been here since seven o’clock.( =I am still here)
-I am hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. (= from breakfast
until now)
-It is nice to see you again. We haven’t seen each other since last year.
-We haven’t spoken to each other since we quarreled. (we are still in
quarrel)

Note: Don’t use since with past simple like that of for.
- We learned English since grade one.( wrong)
- We have learned English since grade one.( right)
- We learned English for 10 years. ( right)
*Generally, both terms ( since and for) express a situation that began in the
past and continues to the present)
 REVIEW EXERCISE
I. Put in ‘since’ or ‘for’ where necessary.

1. ____ two weeks.

2. ____ Monday.
3. ____2006,
4. ____ eight years.
5. ____ yesterday.
6. ____ august.
7. ____ last week.
8. ____ a day.
9. ____ this afternoon.
10. ____ ages.
Make present perfect.( use has/have + V3)

1. Everyone _____ dessert. (order)

2. I _____ too far to turn back now.( travel)
3. The mosquitoes____ us all weekend.(bother)
4. Dawd ___ always_____ to move to Adama.(hope)
5. We ___ this movie three times.( watch)
6. They ___ early for the concert.( arrive)
7. How long___ they____ the car?( use)
8. How long___ she___in that shop?( be)
9. I ____ her for several times.(meet)
10. _____you_____ to Eritrea?( ever be)
Chapter eight: present perfect continuous.

Is also called present perfect progressive.

*We use the present perfect progressive to show/ say
how long things have been continuing up to now.
*We don’t use a present tense with this meaning.
Form: (has/ have been + v- ing)
Examples:
-We have been living here since last year.
-What have you been doing? You seems tired.
-My brother has been working in the hospital for five
years
 Use of present perfect continuous tense
A . To say how we have been filling out time( up to now), especially when we talk
about present result.
-You are out of breath. Have you been running?
-I have been helping Emebet with her home work.
-Where have you been? I have been looking for you everywhere.
B: To indicate the duration of an activity that began in the past and continues to the
present.
*it is used with time words such as for, since, all morning, all day, all week.
-I have been sitting here since six o’clock.
-You have been studying for five straight hours why don’t you take a break?
-It has been raining all day.
Note: In the above examples, all sentences answer the question ‘how long’.

-How long have you been learning English?

Etc.
 C: When the tense is used without any
specific mention of time,
It expresses a general activity in progress
recently, lately.
-All of students have been studying hard.
-My back hurts, so I have been sleeping on the
floor lately.
Note: Verbs always used with present perfect
progressive are: wait, rain, snow, work, learn, sit,
study, stand, lie.(please , practice them by
yourself)
 REVIEW EXERCISE.
I. Choose the letter which contains the correct answer.
1. Eman is my best friend. I ____her since Christmas.
A. Have been knowing. B. have known C. can know. D. know.
2. The president is on meeting in China. The president____ China.
B. Went to. B. has been to. C. Has gone to.
D. Will go to.
3. John: What are you going to order for dinner?
Tom: Well, I ____ kifto, so I think I’ll order that.
C. Have never had. B. am never had. C. had never had. D. Don’t have.
4. Now the president has come back from China. The president___ China.
D. Has been. B. has gone. C. went to. D. will go to.
II: Complete the following sentences with present perfect or present perfect continuous.

5.It ____ all day. (snow). I wonder when it will stop.

6. We ___ three major snowstorms so far this year.(have) I wonder how many more we’ll have.
7. I ______ them three times, but I still haven’t received a reply. (write)
8. I ______ here since last march. (live)
9. The telephone_____ for almost a minute. Why doesn’t someone answer it. (ring)
10. The little boy is dirty from head to foot because he _____( play) in the mud.
 CHAP nine: SIMPLE PAST TENSE
Is the action which took place sometime in the past, and
completed with no special connection with the present.
Generally it is about finished action.
Form: subject + V2.
Note: the past form of a verb is either regular or irregular.
Regular= v+ -d/ -ed (worked, helped, used, looked, added..)
Irregular= doesn’t take- ed (wrote, rose, spoke, slept…)
Examples:
-My grandfather worked for newspaper.
-my friend helped me with my homework.
- I wrote five letters last week.
 USES OF PAST TENSE
A. To express a ‘finished time’ with words:( yesterday, last week, in 2001, ago, then, when..)
-I saw mike yesterday.
-Sara phoned three days ago.
-We finished the job last week.
-Sadam was sentenced in 2001.

B. To express ‘past habit’ with:

*Used to ( used to +infinitive)

-she used to live in Gondar.( but now she doesn’t)

*Did u use to( this is the normal question)

-Did you use to drink too much milk when you were a child?
-Did you use to play football at school?
We can also say:
-Used you to play football at school?

*I didn’t use to( this is the negative form, ‘ used not to’ is also possible)
- She didn’t use to like him.( or she used not to like him.)
- I didn’t use to sleep late. ( or I used not to sleep late.)
 *I used to do and I was doing.
COMPARE:
- I used to play chess a lot.(= I played chess regularly in the past, but I no longer do
this.)
- I was playing chess when you called.(= I was in the middle of playing chess.)
• I used to do and I am used to doing.( don’t confuse between two structures. The
structure and meaning are different.)
-She used to live alone.( =she lived alone in the past, but she no longer live alone.)
- She is used to living alone.(= she live alone, and she doesn’t find it strange or
difficult because she has been living alone for sometime.)
- I am used to doing something= it is not strange or new for me.
*I used to do ( not : I am used to do)
I used to do something: I did it regularly in the past but no longer do it. You can use
this only for the past not for the present.
- I used to drive to work everyday, but these days I usually go by motorbike.
- We used to live in a small town, but now we in city.
 C. PAST WITH CONJUNCTIONS.
• Before, after, until, as soon as.
*After.
-I went to Bahir Dar after I left school.
- He did military service after he went to university.
*Before.
He did military service before he went to university.
*Until.
The road outside our house will be closed from 6 am until 6 pm.
*As soon as.
As son as I finished my homework, I went to church.
D I WISH + PAST TENSE.
Use this structure to express the wish/ regret in the present.
-I wish I did my best. (= but I don’t.)
-I wish I were rich. (= but I’m not.)
-I wish I could play guitar. (= but I can’t.)
- I wish I wrote to her. (= but I don’t.)

E. IF + PAST.
This is to express a conditional type two(improbable condition or unlikely condition.)
- If you studied hard, you would pass the exam.
- If I went to the party. I would see the guests.
- If I were a bird, I would fly.

F. PAST TO TELL’ STORIES’.

A man walked into a café and sat down at table. The waiter asked him…

G. PAST FOR DETAILS (TIME, PLACE ETC.)

The cat has eaten your supper. She took it off the table.
 PAST CONTINOUS.( PAST PROGRESSIVE.)
Is the type of progressive tenses which is basically to talk about things/ actions that were in progress or going on at a certain time in the past. It indicates that the
action was in the middle of happening or not finished at that time.
FORM: Be( was/were + v-ing)
Look! – yesterday Elham and Eman played chess. They began at 4 o’clock and finished at 5:30.
=So at 4:30 they were playing chess.
They were playing= they in the middle of playing.
USES OF PAST CONTINOUS TENSE.
There are five basic uses of the past continuous tense. We use it for.
A. Temporary actions in progress in the past.
- I was living abroad in 1998.
- She was studying additional courses last year.
Note: We often use ‘all’ to emphasize continuity.(all day, all night, all summer)
- It was raining all night.
- Mohammed and ahmed were learning French all summer.
- B. ACTIONS WHICH WERE IN PROGRESS WHEN SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED. ( WITH JUST AS/ WHEN)
- Just as I was leaving, the phone rang.
- When I was cooking, the power cut off.
C. ACTIONS IN PROGRESS AT THE SAME TIME.
-I was waiting for a bus, and she was standing next to me.
- While I was reading, Alex was playing the piano.
D. T SHOW REPEATED ACTIONS IN THE PAST. ( e.g. Always.)
- When I worked here, I was always making mistakes.
- She was always coming to me.
- E FOR POLITE INQUIRIES.
- I was wondering if you could give me a lift.(= could you give me a lift)
- F. USED TO DESCRIBE A SCIENCE IN THE PAST, ESPECIALLY I A STORY.
- The tress were beginning to lose their leaves.
 PAST PERFECT TENSE.
This tense is used to talk about things that happened in the past before something else happened or before a particular time.
Form: had + past participle (V3)
*had: is common for all kinds of persons.( I, you, she, he, we, they + had)
*the negative form of had is hadn’t.
-Had you seen her before the?
=No, I hadn’t . (= No, I hadn’t seen her.)
-She had just made some coffee when I arrived.

USES OF PAST PERFECT.

A. We use the past perfect to refer to an earlier past, that is to describe the first of the two or more actions.
-First the thief escaped. Then the police arrived.
=the thief had escaped when the police arrived.(= the thief had escaped before the police arrived.)
Note: we often introduce the past perfect with conjunctions like( when, after, as soon as, by the time that), we use adverbs like ( already, ever, never…
before)
-I had locked the gates before I got there.
-By the time we arrived , the party had finished.
- After we have discussed it on the phone, I wrote her a letter about it.
- When she rang the office this morning, Abel had already gone out.
- Before we took Hayat to the theatre, she had never seen a stage play before.
- Note: when we have two past reference, we are not obliged to use the simple past perfect.
- After I finished work, I went home.(= simple past + simple past)
But we often need the past perfect for the event that happened first to avoid ambiguity/ confusion.
- When I arrived , he left. ( at that moment)
- When I arrived, he had left. (= before I got there.)
B. PAST PERFECT WITH A TIME EXPRESSION SUCH AS ALWAYS, OR, FOR, SEVERAL DAYS.
We had always wanted to visit sodare, so last year we decided to go.
 PAST PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE(CONTINUOUS.)
The past perfect continuous is the ‘past’ form of the present perfect continuous.
The progressive forms have the effect of emphasizing continuity.
Form: had been + v- ing.( this form is possible for all types of persons.
USE OF PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS:
A. We use it to describe actions in progress throughout a period.
Compare:
- She is very tired. She has been typing all day.(present perfect continuous)
-She was very tired. She had been typing all day.

Note: Depending on context, she was still typing, or had recently stopped. ( then not now)
B. Some verbs like learn, lie, live, wait, work, naturally suggest continuity
-I have been waiting for two hours.(= I’m still waiting.)
-I had been waiting for two hours before he arrived.
C For drawing conclusions.
Her eyes were red. It was clear she had been crying.
 REVIEW EXERCISE.
Choose the correct answer.

1. The road was wet because it______.

A. Was raining. B. Is raining. C. Had been raining. D. Has been raining.

2.Ato Abraham used to work in military service. Now Ato Abraham________

B. Works in military service.
C. Doesn’t work in military service.

3. The train______ the rail way station by the time we arrived.

D. Had been left. B. Has been left. C. Had left. C. Has left.

4.I don’t understand why they suspended him from school last month; he ____ actually______ anything wrong before.
E. Has/ done. B. Hasn’t/ done. C. Had/ done. D.. Hadn’t/ done.

5. I _____ to school yesterday.

F. Walked. B. Is going. C. Walk. D. Walking.

6. I ______ in class at this time yesterday.

A. Am sitting. B. Was sitting. C. Had been sitting. D. Have been sitting.

7. When I _____ my cup, the coffee______ on my laptop.

B. Drop/ spill. B. Was dropping/ was spilling. C. Dropped/ spilled. D. Dropping/ spilling.

8.He ______ a newspaper reporter before he______ a business man.

C. Has been/ become. B. Had been/ became. C. Was/ became. D. Is/ became.

9.Her skin was burnt because she______ on beach all afternoon.

D. Was swimming. B. Is swimming. C. Had been swimming. C. Has been swimming.

10. Alex ______ play basketball. Now she plays volleyball.

A. Uses to. B. Was used to. C. Used to. D. Was using to.
 Chapter ten: SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE.
Verbs can also show actions that is going to happen in the future. this is called the future tense.
- Mohammed will bring his new book about birds nest.
- Mohammed and Ahmed will look for some nests.
• The verbs will look and will bring show the future tense.
• Form: To form the future tense of a verb, use the helping verb will with the main verb.
Will + main verb.

Note: you can use the future tense with both singular and plural subjects (I / we/ you/ they/ she/ it/ he + will work)
The negative form of will= will not ( won’t- contraction)

Shall may be used with i/ we, but will and be going to more commonly used to talk about future.
There are three common ways to talk about future in English :

A. With “going to” structure for plans and intentions.

This structure is used to talk about plans that we have already made or somebody else has decided to do in the near future-( be going to)

- I am really going to tell her what I think of her.

- We are going to get a new car soon.
- When are you going to get your hair cut?
- X: Are you going to watch the late film on TV tonight?
- Y: No, I am going to have an early night.
- A: I hear Sarah has won some money. What is she going to do with it?
- B: She is going to buy a laptop. ( = meaning she has decided to do so.)
 OTHER USE OF “BE GOING TO”
We often present verb- forms to talk about the future. For example , we say that something is going to happen.
This happens when we can see the future in the present.
- When a future situation is starting , or clearly on the way.
- Look! It is going to rain.(= the sky is full of black clouds)
- Look ! The cars are going to crash!
- My mother is going to have a new baby in may.(= she is pregnant)
B. WITH THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE(CONTINUOUS)
(be + v – ing)
This structure is used to talk about plans that we have already made or somebody else has decided to do in the
near future – ( be going to)
- I am really going to tell her what I think of her.
For future arrangements
We often use the present progressive to talk about future personal arrangements and plans that are already
fixed now, especially when we give the time , date, and/ or place.
-X: What are you doing this evening ?
-Y: I am washing my hair.(= this is my personal schedule/ program)
- My car is having a service next week.
- She is going to Hawassa in June.
- I am meeting my boss tomorrow.
 C. WITH” WILL”
-The director will be in the office from 3: 00 till 8:00.
-I will/ shall be late this evening.
Note: we don’t use will to say what somebody has already decided or arranged to do. ( rather we use be going to do and be doing.)
*use will when we decided to do something at the same time of speaking.
- Oh , I have left the door open, I will go and shut it.( Not : I am going to/ I am shutting it.)
- Waiter: what would you like do drink?
- Guest: I will have an orange juice please.( Not: I am going to have / I am having)

Will can also be used when we promise, agree, or refuse, and in request.
-I will not tell anyone what happened . I promise ( promise)
- She will not come out of the bed room. ( refuse)
- Will you get some coffee while you are out?( request)
- X: please write everyday.
- Y: of course I will ( agree)
will with the verb” think”

(I think I will/ I don’t think I will.)

-I feel a bit hungry. I think I will have something to eat.

- I don’t think I will go out tonight. I’m too tired.

Note: Shall is used mostly in the questions. (Shall I ?/ shall we ?)

=This is used to ask somebody’s opinion. ( especially in offers and or suggestions.)

-Shall I open the window? (= do you want to open the window?)

- I have no money. What shall I do? (= what do you suggest?
- Shall we go? ,’ just a minute. I am not ready yet’.
 SHALL I…?/ WILL I…?
COMPARE:
Shall I shut the door? (= do you want me to shut the
door?)
Will you shut the door ?(= I want you to shut it.)
Note: don’t use shall with( he/she/ it/ you/ they), use it
with ( i/ we + shall)
Will with words like ( probably/ expect/ sure/ wonder.)
-I will probably be home late tonight.
-you study hard. I am sure you will pass.
-I wonder what will happen.
 FUTURE PROGRESSIVE/ CONTINUOUS.
Form: will be + v- ing.

To talk about a certain action which will be in progress ( going on) in the future ( not finished)
- This time tomorrow I will be lying on the beach.
- I will begin to study at one. You will come at two. I will be studying when you come.
- Right now I am sitting in class. At this time tomorrow , I will be sitting in class.

FUTURE PERFECT:

We can use the future perfect to say that something will have been completed by a certain time in the future. ( will be over before
another future time.)
Form: will/ shall have + past participle (V3)

- The builder says he will have finished the roof by Saturday.

- I won’t have finished the report by Monday . And it is needed for Monday morning.
- I hope I will have had enough money for a road bike by Christmas.
- By the time you return. I will have been in my bed.
- I will graduate in June . I will see you in July.(= by the time I see you, I will have graduated.)
Note: the future perfect expresses an activity that will be completed before another time or event in the future.
Time references such as by tomorrow, by next month, by June, by the time you come back, etc. Are very important to show the
action will be over/ completed before.
 FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
Is the continuous form of future time which emphasizes the duration of
an activity that will be in progress before another time or event in the
future.
Form: will/ shall have been + v – ing.
- When professor David retires next month, he will have been
teaching for 35 years.
- I will go to bed at 4 pm. He will get home at midnight. At midnight I
will be sleeping.(= I will have been sleeping for two hours by the
time he gets home)
- Next Christmas my father will have been teaching for twenty years.
Note: use the future perfect progressive to say how long something
will have continued by a certain time in the future.
 REVIEW EXERCISE.
1. I think it ____ about 50,000 birr to rebuild the garage.
A. Will cost. B. Is going to cost. C. Can cost. D. Will have cost.

2. Here is the builder’s estimate . It _____ 50, 000 birr to repair the roof.
B. Will cost. B. Can cost. C. Is costing. D. Will be costing.

3. It ______. Look at those clouds.

C. Will rain. B. Is going to rain. C. Is raining. D. Rains.

4. Don’t give him a watch. He _____ it.

D. Is going to break. B. Will be breaking. C. Is raining. D. Breaks.

5. I have decided. I ___ smoking.

E. Will stop. B. May stop. C. Am stopping. D. Am going to stop.

6. you____ your homework before you watch TV.

F. Are to do. B. Are going to do. C. Will do. D. Do.

7. This time tomorrow, I _____ in the mountain.

G. Will work. B. Will be walking. C. Will have worked. Am going to work.

8.Next summer my brother _____ medicine for six years.

H. Have studied . B. Will be studying. C. Will study. D. Will have been studying.

9. Tell the children they _____ their room.

I. Will be tidying. B. Would tidy. C. Are to tidy. D. Will tidy.

10. I ______ you the date when I know myself.

J. Am going to tell. B. Will be telling. C. Will tell. D. Will have told.