Choosing a tense means answering two questions: when does it happen, and how do you see it? Habit or in progress? Finished or connected to now? Plan or prediction?
The pattern
I was cooking when you called.
She has been working here since May.
We're flying to Denver on Friday.
01Present: habits or right now?
Use the present simple for habits, facts and timetables: I work downtown. The pharmacy opens at 9:00. Use the present continuous for actions in progress now or around now: I'm working from home this week.
Stative verbs such as know, want, like, need, own, believe and belong normally stay simple, even right now: I know the answer.
- My roommate works nights, so she sleeps during the day.
- Can I call you back? I'm driving.
02Past: finished, in progress, or earlier?
The past simple is for finished actions at a finished time: I called her yesterday. The past continuous sets the background, an action in progress when something else happened: I was cooking when the power went out.
The past perfect (had + past participle) goes one step further back. Use it for the earlier of two past actions.
- It was snowing when we landed in Denver.
- By the time I got home, my roommate had eaten all the pizza.
- She was nervous because she had never given a speech before.
03Present perfect: the past connected to now
Use the present perfect for experiences, changes and results with no finished time: I've been to Canada twice. Use the present perfect continuous for an activity that is still going on: I've been studying for two hours.
In American English, the past simple is also normal with just, already and yet: I just ate. Did you call her yet? Both are correct. Never use the present perfect with a finished time like yesterday or in 2019.
- Have you ever tried Korean barbecue?
- We've lived in this apartment since June.
- I already paid the check, so let's go.
04The future: will, going to, or present continuous?
Use going to for plans and for predictions based on what you can see: Look at that line. We're going to be late. Use will for quick decisions, offers and promises: I'll get the door. Use the present continuous for fixed arrangements: I'm seeing the dentist on Tuesday. The present simple is for timetables: The game starts at 7:00.
After when, before, after, until and as soon as, use a present tense for the future: I'll text you when I land.
- I'm going to take a cooking class this fall.
- It's cold in here. I'll close the window.
- We're having dinner with Rachel's parents on Saturday.
05Signal words at a glance
Signal words help, but always check the meaning of the whole sentence.
| Signal words | Usual tense |
|---|---|
| usually, every day | present simple |
| right now, this week | present continuous |
| yesterday, ago, in 2019 | past simple |
| ever, never, since, for, so far | present perfect |
| by the time, before (an earlier past) | past perfect |
| tomorrow, next week, soon | will, going to, present continuous |
06Common mistakes
I am knowing the answer.
I know the answer.
Know is a stative verb, so it stays in the simple form.
I have seen her yesterday.
I saw her yesterday.
Yesterday is a finished time, so use the past simple.
I live here since 2020.
I've lived here since 2020.
Since + a starting point needs the present perfect.
I'll call you when I will get home.
I'll call you when I get home.
After when, use a present tense to talk about the future.