HOW NICE TO STUDY TENSES THROUGH GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION

English Tenses – Graphic Comparison Problems with the English tenses? Have a look at the time line, it might help you understand when to use which tense. As there is a similarity between past, present and future tenses, there are just a few rules to keep in mind.If you know how to use the present progressive correctly to express present actions, you will as well be able to use the past progressive correctly to express past actions.→ LegendLegend moment in time action that takes place once, never or several times actions that happen one after another actions that suddenly take place period of time action that started before a certain moment and lasts beyond that moment actions taking place at the same time Result action taking place before a certain moment in time puts emphasis on the result Course / Duration action taking place before a certain moment in time puts emphasis on the course or duration of the action Past Perfect - DiagramWe use the Past Perfect for an action which was completed before a special point of time in the past.We often use the Past Perfect together with the Simple Past. The action which was completed before the other action began is put into Past Perfect.Example : The lesson had started when we arrived.                After Amy had gonehome it started to rain.Past Progressive - DiagramWe use the Past Progressive when we talk about something which was happening around a period of time in the past.Example : Peter was reading a book yesterday evening.                 She was listening to the radio.We use the Past Progressive (blue) together with the Simple Past (pink). The Past Progressive is used for the action in the past which was in progress when a new action (Simple Past) happened.Example : While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang.Two actions which were in progress in the past do not influence each other.Example : Anne was writing a letter while Steve was reading the New York Times.Simple Past - DiagramWe use the Simple Past when we talk about something which started and finished in the past.Example : I visitedBerlin last week.We use the Simple Past to describe a series of actions in the past.We use the Simple Past (red) together with the Past Progressive (grey). The action in the Simple Past interrupted the action in the Past Progressive (the one which was in progress).Example : While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang. Simple Present - DiagramWe use the Simple Present when we talk about something which happens repeatedly.Example : My friend often draws nice posters.                   I never drink milk.We use the Simple Present to describe a series of actions in the present.Example : First I get up, then I have breakfast.Present Progressive - DiagramWe use the Present Progressive when we talk about something which is happening at the moment of speaking.Example : Peter is reading a book now.                  She’s listening to the radio.Present Perfect - DiagramWe use the Present Perfect for actions in the past which have a connection to the present. The time when these actions happened is not important.Example : I have cleaned my room. (It is clean now.)                 Has Peggy ever been to Tokyo? (Has Peggy been there or not?)We use the Present Perfect for recently completed actions.We use the Present Perfect for actions beginning in the past and still continuing.Example : We have lived in Canada since 1986. (We still live there.) Present Perfect Progressive - DiagramWe use the Present Perfect Progressive for actions in the past which have a connection to the present. We use the Present Perfect for actions beginning in the past and still continuing. The focus is on the action. We use the Present Perfect Progressive for recently completed actions. The focus is on the action. Example : She has been watching too many videos. (It was too much time.)                  I have been waiting for you for three hours. (It was a long time.) will-future/going to-futureExample : The sun will shine tomorrow.                  Peter will be15 next Tuesday.                  I think Sue will arrive in Paris at 6 pm.I am going to buy that clothes tomorrow.                   (I've already decided to buy that clothes before I said that)