Past Perfect and Past Perfect Progressive

The Past Perfect tense is used for actions completed before a specific point in the past. It is formed using had + past participle.

Example: I had walked. / I had eaten.

Highlight: Signal words for Past Perfect include before, after, when, as soon as, until that day, and once.

The Past Perfect Progressive tense describes actions that occurred over a period in the past. It is formed using had + been + infinitive + -ing.

Example: I had been walking. / I hadn't been walking.

Vocabulary: Signal words for Past Perfect Progressive include since, for, and how long?

Future Tenses

The Will-Future (Future Simple) is used for general future statements, predictions, and spontaneous decisions. It is formed using will + infinitive.

Example: I will walk. / I won't walk.

Highlight: Signal words for Will-Future include tomorrow, next week, and in the summer.

The Going to-Future expresses fixed plans or intentions for the future. It is formed using to be + going to + infinitive.

Example: I am going to walk. / I'm not going to walk.

The Future Progressive describes actions that will be ongoing in the future. It is formed using will be + infinitive + -ing.

Example: I will be walking. / I won't be walking.

Vocabulary: Signal words for Future Progressive include during the summer, while, and for several weeks.

Advanced Future Tenses

The Future Perfect tense is used for actions that will be completed in the future. It is formed using will have + past participle.

Example: I will have walked. / I will have eaten.

Highlight: Signal words for Future Perfect include by Tuesday and within a year.

The Future Perfect Progressive describes actions that will have been ongoing up to a future point. It is formed using will have + been + infinitive + -ing.

Example: I will have been walking. / I won't have been walking.

Vocabulary: Signal words for Future Perfect Progressive include by the time that, for the longest time, and all day long.

If-Clauses (Conditional Sentences)

The guide concludes with an explanation of if-clauses, which are conditional sentences used to express different levels of possibility or hypothetical situations.

Definition: Type 0 if-clauses are used for general truths, using Simple Present in both clauses.

Example: You get the color green if you mix the colors yellow and blue.

Highlight: Type 1 if-clauses are used for fulfillable conditions, using Simple Present in the if-clause and Will-Future in the main clause.

Example: If the sun shines, we will play in the park.

Definition: Type 2 if-clauses express unlikely but possible conditions, using Simple Past in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the main clause.

Example: I would travel the world if I won a million euros.

Highlight: Type 3 if-clauses are used for impossible past conditions, using Past Perfect in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the main clause.

Example: If you had studied, you would have a better grade in the test.

This comprehensive guide provides students with a clear overview of English tenses and their usage, helping them to easily remember English tenses and apply them correctly in various contexts.