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Verb Tenses by Mind Map: Verb Tenses

1. Past

1.1. Simple

1.1.1. Structure

1.1.1.1. -

1.1.1.1.1. He didn't hear the telephone.

1.1.1.1.2. subject + auxiliary verb (did) + negation + verb(infinitive) + complement.

1.1.1.2. +

1.1.1.2.1. I abandoned the school yesterday.

1.1.1.2.2. subject + verb (in past form) + complement.

1.1.1.3. ?

1.1.1.3.1. Did you have dinner last night?

1.1.1.3.2. Auxiliary verb (did) + subject + verb(infinitive) + complement + ?.

1.1.2. When I will use it?

1.1.2.1. * past action

1.1.2.1.1. I ate at lunchtime

1.1.2.2. * past habit / repeated action

1.1.2.2.1. I played the violin when I was young

1.2. Continuous

1.2.1. Structure

1.2.1.1. -

1.2.1.2. +

1.2.1.2.1. She was writing a letter when he called.

1.2.1.3. ?

1.2.2. When I will use it?

1.2.2.1. * on-going past action (if interrupted past simple follows)

1.2.2.1.1. I was eating when she arrived

1.2.2.2. parallel actions

1.2.2.2.1. I was writing while she was dictating

1.3. Perfect

1.3.1. Structure

1.3.1.1. -

1.3.1.2. +

1.3.1.2.1. She had written the letter by the time he called.

1.3.1.3. ?

1.3.2. When I will use it?

1.3.2.1. * completed past action before 2nd past action (in past simple)

1.3.2.1.1. I had eaten before she arrived

1.3.2.2. * duration of completed action

1.3.2.2.1. I had waited for 2 hours before he arrived

1.4. Perfect Continuous

1.4.1. Structure

1.4.1.1. -

1.4.1.2. +

1.4.1.2.1. She had been writing letters for 2 hours before he called.

1.4.1.3. ?

1.4.2. When I will use it?

1.4.2.1. * interrupted on-going past action (past simple follows)

1.4.2.1.1. I had been eating when she arrived

2. Present

2.1. Simple

2.1.1. Structure

2.1.1.1. -

2.1.1.2. +

2.1.1.2.1. She writes a letter every day.

2.1.1.3. ?

2.1.2. When I will use it?

2.1.2.1. * habit / repeated action

2.1.2.1.1. I eat salad every day

2.1.2.2. * facts

2.1.2.2.1. The sun rises

2.1.2.3. * schedule future event

2.1.2.3.1. My plane lands at 11:20

2.2. Continuous

2.2.1. Structure

2.2.1.1. -

2.2.1.2. +

2.2.1.2.1. She is writing a letter.

2.2.1.3. ?

2.2.2. When I will use it?

2.2.2.1. * action happening right now

2.2.2.1.1. I am eating my lunch

2.2.2.2. * planned future action

2.2.2.2.1. I am going out toning

2.3. Perfect

2.3.1. Structure

2.3.1.1. -

2.3.1.2. +

2.3.1.2.1. She has written a letter.

2.3.1.3. ?

2.3.2. When I will use it?

2.3.2.1. * past action

2.3.2.1.1. I have eaten squid twice

2.3.2.2. * duration - from past to now

2.3.2.2.1. I have lived here since 2010

2.4. Perfect Continuous

2.4.1. Structure

2.4.1.1. -

2.4.1.2. +

2.4.1.2.1. She has been writing letters for 2 hours.

2.4.1.3. ?

2.4.2. When I will use it?

2.4.2.1. * action started in the past continuing to now

2.4.2.1.1. I have been eating cake all day

2.4.2.2. * duration -from past to now

2.4.2.2.1. I have been working here for 3 years

3. Future

3.1. Simple

3.1.1. Structure

3.1.1.1. -

3.1.1.2. +

3.1.1.2.1. She will write a letter later.

3.1.1.3. ?

3.1.2. When I will use it?

3.1.2.1. * future action

3.1.2.1.1. I will eat at lunchtime

3.2. Continuous

3.2.1. Structure

3.2.1.1. -

3.2.1.2. +

3.2.1.2.1. She will be writing letters when he calls.

3.2.1.3. ?

3.2.2. When I will use it?

3.2.2.1. * on-going future action (if interrupted present simple tense follows)

3.2.2.1.1. I will be eating lunch when she arrives

3.3. Perfect

3.3.1. Structure

3.3.1.1. -

3.3.1.2. +

3.3.1.2.1. She will have written many letters by the time he calls.

3.3.1.3. ?

3.3.2. When I will use it?

3.3.2.1. * completed future action before a 2nd action (2nd verb in the present simple tense)

3.3.2.1.1. I will have eaten lunch when she arrives

3.4. Perfect Continuous

3.4.1. Structure

3.4.1.1. -

3.4.1.2. +

3.4.1.2.1. She will have been writing letters for 2 hours by the time he calls.

3.4.1.3. ?

3.4.2. When I will use it?

3.4.2.1. * duration measured at a time in the future

3.4.2.1.1. I will have been eating for 10 minutes