English tenses and their companions. Present perfect words pointers and helpers for applying the aspect
As you know, English tenses are divided into 4 groups: simple (Simple / Indefinite), continued (Continuous / Progressive), perfect (Perfect) and continued perfect (Perfect Continuous) tenses. What will help us choose the right option?Time marker words in English language help to correctly determine the species-temporal form, therefore it is recommended to memorize them. An asterisk* marks ambiguous indicators of time, which can occur in different cases.
1. Companion words Present Simple
Used to describe actions in the present that occur regularly, with repetition, and not just at the moment of speech. Used to describe routines, schedules, habits, etc. Read more...
Usually - usually
I usually wake up at 7 o'clock. I usually wake up at 7 o'clock.
Always - always
Alice always gets good marks at school. Alice always gets good grades at school.
Often - often
Terry often drinks tea in the morning. Terry often drinks tea in the morning.
Every day / morning / week - every day / every morning / every week
Every week Rob goes to the gym. Rob goes to the gym every week.
Sometimes / from time to time / occasionally - sometimes
Sometimes I visit my Granny in the suberbs of Moscow. Sometimes I visit my grandmother in the suburbs of Moscow.
At the weekend / on weekends / on Saturdays / on Friday - At the weekend / on Saturdays / on Friday
We have a party on Fridays. On Fridays we have a party.
Seldom / rarely - rarely
We rarely go to the swimming pool. We rarely go to the pool.
Never * / hardly ever - never / almost never
Ann never watches horror films. Ann never watches horror movies.
2. Companion words past simple
Used to describe actions that happened in the past. Read more...
Yesterday - yesterday
Yesterday we were at home. Yesterday we were at home.
A week / a year ago
Alex moved to the USA a week ago. Alex moved to the US a week ago.
Last month / year - last month/year
Last month Fred sold his car. Fred sold his car last month.
When* - when
I was in the kitchen when you came. I was in the kitchen when you arrived.
3. Companion words Future Simple
Used to describe actions that will take place in an indefinite future. Read more...
Tomorrow - tomorrow
Tomorrow Jared will go to London. Tomorrow Jared will leave for London.
Next month / year - next month / year
Jack will finish school next year. Jack will finish school next year.
In ... days / years - after ... days / years
Ronald will arrive in 2 days. Ronald will arrive in 2 days.
4. Companion words Present Continuous
Used to describe actions that take place in this moment, at the moment of speaking.
Now - now
Mary is playing the guitar now. Now Mary plays the guitar.
At the moment - at the moment
The refrigerator isn't working at the moment. The refrigerator is not working at the moment.
Still* - still
John is still washing the dishes. John is still washing the dishes.
5. Companion words Past Continuous
It is used to describe actions that took place at some point or period in the past.
From … till …* - from … to …
Helen was watching a movie at the cinema yesterday from 5 till 7. Helen was watching a movie at the cinema yesterday from 5 to 7.
He was working hard all day long. He worked hard all day.
6. Companion words of Future Continuous
Used to describe actions that will take place at a particular moment or period in the future.
from … till …* - from … to …
Tony will be working in the office tomorrow from 9 to 11 o'clock. Tony will be working in the office tomorrow from 9 am to 11 am.
All day long* / for the whole day* - all day
He will be writing an article all night long. He will be writing the article all night.
7. Companion words Present Perfect
Used to describe actions completed by the time of speech or by the present as a whole.
just - just now
Harry has just made a cake. Harry just made a cake.
Already - already
I have already done my homework. I have already done my homework.
Yet - still
Liza hasn't chosen the flowers yet. Lisa still hasn't picked flowers.
Since - since
I haven't played football since finishing the university. I haven't played football since graduating from university.
Recently - recently
Sally has recently been at the theatre. Sally was at the theater recently.
Never * / ever * - never / ever
I have never been to London. I've never been to London.
8. Companion words Past Perfect
Used to describe an action that has completed at some point in the past.
Before* / after* - before / after
I had brushed my teeth before I went to bed. I brushed my teeth before going to bed.
By* - to
Ann had spoken with her boss by 12 o'clock yesterday. By 12 o'clock yesterday Ann had spoken to her boss.
9. Companion words of Future Perfect
Used to describe actions that will last until a specific moment or period in the future.
By* - to
I will have been finished my project by the end of the month. I will finish my project by the end of the month.
Before* - before
Chris will have found a job before Christmas. Chris will find a job before Christmas.
10. Perfect Continuous Marker Words
As you might guess from the name, the Perfect Continuous tenses are a mixture of Perfect and Continuous. Therefore, their function is long-term action, which led to a result in the past / present / future.
for* - during
I had been reading for 5 hours. I have been reading for 5 hours.
I have been reading for 5 hours. I have been reading for 5 hours now.
I will have been reading for 5 hours. I will be reading for 5 hours already.
WARNING: marker words are not a panacea! As we can see, some of them occur in several times at once. Often this can be explained like this: let's take the phrase "from ... till ..." and see that it is a sign of the duration of the action, and the duration can be in the past, present and future tenses. However, the presence of a satellite word is very a good sign correct temporal form.
“Temporal markers” are words that help determine that a sentence needs to use the Present Simple tense (Simple Present). Let's see how it works with the example of marker words Present Simple.
Time Present Simple
When learning English grammar, one of the first topics is Present Simple. This is the Present Simple tense, which is used in the following cases:
- to indicate a state, habitual, repeating action;
- to describe scientific facts, generally accepted statements, common truths, laws of nature;
- when transferring following friend after another action;
- in instructions, operating manuals, instructions;
- in various schedules (trains, buses, cinema screenings, etc.);
- in newspaper headlines;
The English language itself helps to understand all cases of using the Present Simple temporary form. It offers special signals - time indicators.
Helper words
Along the road are numerous road signs. They help the driver navigate the terrain and drive correctly. The same can be observed in language. If you look closely, you can see these assistants - time indicators. One has only to move along them, and you will definitely “get” at the “right time”, because they pay attention to the period of time during which the action takes place, the starting point and the regularity of this very action.
With each "time indicator" only one specific time is used.
Companion words Present simple
The following list of Present simple time markers will help you understand the use of the Present Simple:
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- Always (Always): I always brush my teeth in the morning - I always brush my teeth in the morning.
- Often(often): We often go fishing with my father in summer - We often go fishing with my father in the summer.
- Usually(usually): He usually has a cup of black coffee for breakfast - He usually drinks a cup of black coffee for breakfast.
- Sometimes(Sometimes): Sometimes they go for a wall late at night - Sometimes they go for a walk late at night.
- Regularly (constantly): She regularly polishes her shoes - She constantly cleans her shoes.
- Seldom (occasionally): She seldom goes shopping - She occasionally goes shopping.
- Never(never): I never open the window in the evening - I never open the window in the evening.
- From time to time (occasionally): From time to time they travel to Europe - From time to time they travel to Europe.
- Rarely(rarely): He rarely gets up early in the morning - He rarely gets up early in the morning.
- Every day/week/month/year (every day/week/month/year): Every year my family goes to the sea in summer - Every year in the summer my family goes to the sea.
- On Mondays (on Mondays): On Mondays my brother has English lessons - On Mondays my brother has English lessons.
- At the weekend/ at weekends (on weekends / weekends): At the weekend we go to the cinema - At the weekend we go to the cinema.
The time indicator "always" is used in two tenses. In Present Simple (simple present), he acts in the meaning of "always" to describe actions that occur constantly, often. In Present Perfect (Present Perfect) - for actions that are no longer performed in the present, but were constantly performed in the past.
What have we learned?
So, for each tense in the English language there are auxiliary words - hints that show what kind of temporary form we have in front of us. Present Simple (Simple Present) is no exception, and has its own list of auxiliary words.
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Time English verb - the basis of the grammar of this language. Many are faced with such a problem: they seem to have memorized the rules, use and education, but in practice they still find it difficult to determine what time to set. When we first started studying tenses, we said that the key to success is special words that indicate a specific time. We called these words markers. Markers are words that designate periods of time. Only one specific time is used with each marker.
Simple tenses - Simple (Indefinite) tenses
Table 1. Time markers in English. simple time
Action in general: something that happens all the time/regularly/usually
| PRESENT present tense |
PAST Past tense |
FUTURE Future |
|
every day/ week/ month |
yesterday |
tomorrow |
|
usually |
the day before yesterday |
the day after tomorrow |
|
sometimes |
last month* |
next month* |
|
often |
two days ago |
in two days |
|
seldom/rarely |
the other day** |
one of these days** |
|
from time to time |
* Although in Russian we say “Last month”, “Next week”, in English you cannot put prepositions before the words next and last.
** Please note that "the other day" for the past and future tense is translated differently. In no case should they be interchanged and used one instead of the other.
Extended tenses -
Continuous (Progressive) tenses
Present Continuous (Progressive) tense —
action in development, unfinished, occurring at the moment of speech.
Past Continuous (Progressive) tense —
a long-term action that began before a certain moment in the past and is still going on at that moment. A moment can be indicated by the notation of time.
Future Continuous (Progressive) tense —
a long-term action that will take place at some point or time in the future. The moment of an action can be indicated by the notation of time.
Table 2. Time markers in English. extended time
* It is known that continuous past and future tenses can also denote simultaneous actions. At the same time, it is not necessary that they all be long, just one is enough. Therefore, in the Past Continuous and Future Continuous, you can often see unions when (when) and while (while).
- When my mother was talking on the phone, I switched the TV on.
- While/ When my mother was talking on the phone, I was having dinner.
Complete tenses - Perfect tenses
Remember these definitions of completed time:
present perfect tense
an action that has already taken place; the speaker pays attention to the result arising from the action at the moment of speaking.
past perfect tense
an action or state that ended up to a certain point in the past.
future perfect tense
an action that will be completed before a certain point in the future.
Table 3 Time markers in English. Completed time
* In the Present Perfect, as many as 6 equivalent expressions are used to mean "for some period of time": over the last/ past two weeks, in the last/ past two weeks, during the last/ past two weeks.
** Always can also be used with simple tenses, but with a difference in meaning. Take, for example, Present Simple.
- We always book tickets in advance.
- We have always booked tickets in advance.
*** To put it simply, yet is the interrogative and negative form of already.
- The twins have already arrived.
- The twins haven't arrived yet.
- Have the twins arrived yet?
Note that already is placed directly next to the verb, and yet is only placed at the end of the sentence.
Although you can often meet already and in interrogative sentences:
- Have they already gone to Spain?
Extended completed tenses -
Perfect continuous tenses
We recall the definitions, after which we will study the markers of this time:
Present Perfect continuous tense —
an action or state that began before the present moment, lasted for some period of time and continues at the moment of speech, or ended immediately before the moment of speech.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense -
expresses a long action or state that began before another action or state, usually expressed by the Past Simple form, and upon the onset of this action or state, it continued or was interrupted for some time.
Future Perfect Continuous tense
an action or state that will begin up to a certain point in the future and will continue up to that moment (or continuing at this moment), indicating the entire period of the action or state.
Table 4 Time markers in English. Extended completed tense
* Note that all day long in the present requires Present Perfect Continuous, not just Present Continuous, despite the fact that the action is happening at the moment.
Verb tenses in English table.
Legend:
S - subject,
V - verb
Let's start from now.
|
present simple |
Present Continuous |
Present Perfect |
Present Perfect Continuous |
|
How to form? V/V(e)s I go to school every day. Molly goes to school every day Don't/doesn't V I don't go to school every day. Molly doesn't go to school every day. Do/Does + S + V Do you go to school every day? |
How to form? Am/is/are Ving. They are playing. Am/is/are not +Ving I am not playing. He isn't watching. We are not listening. Am / Is /Are + S+ Ving |
How to form? Have/has +V3 I have watched this film. She has done her homework. Have/has not +V3 I haven't met her before He has not watched the film. Have/Has+S+V3. Have we met before? |
How to form? Have / has been Ving I have been working. She has been waiting. Have/has not been Ving I haven't been waiting for you. She hasn't been running. Have/ has + S+ been Ving Have you been working all day long? |
|
When to use? A common, regularly repeated action. Molly often visits her granny. Schedule. The ship leaves at 8 sharp. Facts, laws of nature. |
When to use? The action is happening (continuing) at the moment. She is watching TV now. The action takes place during this period.. I am reading M.Twain these days. Planned action. |
When to use? The action is completed, but there is no indication of the time of the commission. She has done her homework. The action is completed, there is no indication of the moment of completion and there is an important result at the moment. I have bought some flour, so we can bake a cake. |
When to use? An action that has lasted up to the present (perhaps the action is still ongoing). |
|
Usually, generally, once a month, twice a week, always, every day/week/month, never, often, seldom, sometimes, rarely |
Pointer words. Time markers. |
Pointer words. Time markers. lately, recently, twice, several times, ever, never, just, already, yet, for, since |
Pointer words. Time markers. |
Table of verb tenses in English: past tense.
Let's move on to the past tense of the verb in English. I offer you the following table.
|
past simple |
Past Continuous |
past perfect |
Past Perfect Continuous |
|
Howform? I played hockey. Molly went to the zoo. Didn't +V I didn't play hockey. Molly didn't go to the zoo. Did+S+V Did you play tennis? |
Howform? Was/were+Ving She was sleeping. They were dancing Was/were not Ving She wasn't crying. We were not waiting for him. Was /were +S+Ving Was she writing a letter? Were you dreaming? |
How to form? +V3 I had done my homework by 6 o'clock. Had not +V3 She hadn't finished cooking before her mother came. Had+S+V3 |
How to form? Had been Ving I had been crying before he came. Had not +S+ been Ving I hadn't been cooking by midnight. Had + S + been + Ving |
|
When to use? An ordinary single action in the past. I visited my granny last month. chain of events in the past. I opened my bag, found the key and started the car. |
When to use? An action that took place at a certain point in the past. She was dancing at 5 o "clock yesterday. She was sleeping when her brother came. |
When to use? The action ended before a moment in the past. I had watched the film before we went to the cinema. She had fallen asleep before midnight yesterday. |
When to use? The action lasted until a moment in the past. Sally had been waiting for half an hour and then she decided to go home. |
|
Words-pointers. Markerstime. yesterday, last (that) month, the day before yesterday, last (that) week\month\year, in 2010, on the 10 of April, ago |
Pointer words. Time markers. all day / night long, at that moment / time, while, at 5 o "clock, when + Past Simple |
Pointer words. Time markers. |
Pointer words. Time markers. |
Verb tenses table: future tense.
Let's move on to the future tense of the verb in English. I offer you a table of the future tenses of the English language.
|
Future Simple |
Future Continuous |
Future Perfect |
Future Perfect Continuous |
|
Howform? Will V I will stay with you forever. Won't (will not) V Won't help you. Will+S+V Will you come to my party? |
Howform? Will be Ving I will be reading at 2 o'clock tomorrow. Won't be Ving She won't be sleeping if you come later. Will +S+be Ving Will you be waiting for me? |
Howform? Will have +V3 I will have read the book by tomorrow. Won't have V3 She won't have cooked dinner by that time. Will+ S+have V3 Will you have finished homework by midnight? |
Howform? Will have been Ving I will have been waiting for you till midday. Won't have been Ving I won't have been reading for so long. Will +S + have been doing Will you have been doing your homework till 5 o'clock? |
|
When to use? Single or consecutive actions in the future I will meet you at the station. She will come home and then she will take a shower. |
When to use? The action continues at a certain point in the future. I will be lying on the beach at this time tomorrow. |
When to use? The action will end before a moment in the future. I will have written all the letters by 5pm. |
Whenuse? The action continues until a moment in the future. Molly will have been living in Kongo for three years next November. |
|
Words-pointers. Markerstime. Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow , tonight, one of these days, next week/month, in an hour /minute, later, soon, in (the) future |
Words-pointers. Markerstime. all day / night long, at that moment / time, while, at 5 o "clock, when |
Words-pointers. Markerstime. |
Words-pointers. Markerstime. all day long, by, before, since, for, till |
The English language is "rich" in its own tenses. Remembering all the cases of their use is quite difficult, but time indicators come to the rescue. Today, the focus is on the Present Perfect pointer words.
Present Perfect tense
Present Perfect or Present Perfect is one of the incomprehensible tenses for those who study English. The reason is understandable - there is no such time in the Russian language, so it is impossible to draw a parallel and understand what is at stake.
The Present Perfect tense is formed using two verbs: auxiliary have/has and main in 3rd form. Auxiliary verbs are not translated and change:
has for he (he), she (she), it (it), and have - for I (I), you (you, you), we (we), they (they).
The main verb, on the contrary, is translated and does not change. The only thing is that the 3rd form for regular verbs is a verb + ending -ed (to watch - watched, to use - used, to smile - smiled), and for irregular ones - the 3rd column from the table of irregular verbs (to be - been, to hear - heard, to bring - brought):
It is a pity, but I have never been to Paris - It's a pity, but I've never been to Paris.
He has brought beautiful flowers today - He brought beautiful flowers today.
Meaning
As can be seen from the examples, this tense form is translated into Russian with the help of verbs in the past tense. It turns out that the meaning of Present Perfect (Present Perfect) is very close to Past Simple (Simple Past). And yet there is a difference between them. Unlike Past Simple (Simple Past), which describes ordinary, repetitive actions in the past, Present Perfect (Present Perfect) offers to “plunge” into past events, the result of which affects the present:
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She has already cooked her dinner. It smells tasty - She has already cooked dinner. Smells tasty.
This example shows that the first action (has cooked - cooked) caused the second (smells - smells), and the second - a consequence of the first. It seems that everything is simple and clear. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Under the "dark water" more complex cases and rules are hidden, and it is not always possible to find them. It's time to take advantage of the tips that the English language itself offers for free - words with Present Perfect markers.
Words-satellites of time
Present Perfect Time Markers are adverbs of time that answer the question “When?”, indicate that the event occurred in an indefinite period, and emphasize the connection of the past with the present. These include time indicators:
The indicators of time yet (still) and before (earlier) are used only at the end of a sentence.
- Already- already (The teacher has already explained a difficult grammar rule - The teacher has already explained a difficult grammar rule);
- Just- just, just, exactly (My son has just finished drawing his first picture - My son just finished drawing his first picture);
- Ever- ever (Have you ever seen the ocean? - Have you ever seen the ocean?);
- Never- never (She has never mentioned his name - She never mentioned his name);
- Before- before, before (This artist has painted only women before - This artist painted only women before);
- Recently- recently, recently (He has helped many immigrants recently - Recently helped many immigrants);
- Not…yet- not yet, still not (The police has not arrested him yet - The police have not arrested him yet);
- Lately- recently, long ago, recently (My father has lately made much for me - My father has recently done a lot for me);
- so far- at this hour, by now, up to this point, already (His progress in studies has so far been slow - His progress in studies up to this point has been slow);
- By now- by now (My son has read much by now - By now, my son has read a lot);
- Up to now- until now, until now (She has not known his name up to now - Until now, she did not know his name);
Adverb of time never (never) in spite of negative meaning is used only in affirmative sentences, since double negation is unacceptable in English.
What have we learned?
There are clues in English. These are signal words that indicate what tense should be used in a sentence. Each temporary form has its own. Today we got acquainted with the Present Perfect time indicators.
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