The use of the Past Perfect

We use the Past Perfect:

1. for an action which happened before another past action or before a stated time in the past. (To denote priority of the action)

e.g. She had finished work when she met her friends for coffee. (She finished work first and then she met her friends)

They had not gone four miles before he understood that it was going to rain. I discovered the news before I had been in the house for an hour.

When he returned to the living-room, his wife hadn’t moved, and the radio continued to play.

Note: The Past Perfect is not used to denote a succession of actions in the sentences with after, before, when. In this case the Past Indefinite is used

e.g. When I wrote the letter I posted it.

But When the completion of the action is emphasized the Past Perfect is used

e.g. He knew the poem by heart when he had heard it several times.

2. for an action which finished in the past and whose result was visible in the past.

e.g. He was happy. He had signed an important contract.

(The action finished in the past and its result was visible in the past, too).

Note: The Past Perfect is the past equivalent of the present perfect.

e.g. He had fixed the old armchair. It looked brand new.

He has fixed the old armchair. It looks brand new.

3. for an action which began before a definite moment in the past continued up to that moment and was still going on at that moment, usually with since or for.

1. with verbs not admitting of the Continuous form.

e.g. He suddenly understood that she had loved him all her life.

She began to do all the things, she had wanted to do for years.

2. in negative sentences (The Past Perfect Continuous is also possible, but not common, because in negative sentences the attention is focused rather on the negation of the action than on its progress).

e.g. They had not spoken to each other for three days and were in a state of a rage.

He had not written a line since he arrived.

4. for a future action viewed from the past in adverbial clauses of time introduced by the conjunctions when, before, after, as soon as, till/until. (It is found mostly in reported speech).

e.g. He took up his book again, making up his mind that he would not look at his watch till he had read thirty pages.

5.The Past Perfect is used with the conjunctions hardly …… when, scarcely … when, no sooner ……. than.

e.g. They had no sooner arrived than a most violent knocking was heard.

Note: For the sake of emphasis the word order may be inverted.

e.g. Hardly had she sat down when a very stout gentleman flopped into the chair opposite hers.

Note: The Past Perfect is used with the following time expressions: for, since, before, after, already, just, till/ until, when, by the time, by, never, etc.

The Past Perfect Continuous is an analytical form which is built up by means of the auxiliary verb to be in the Past Perfect and Participle I of the notional verb.

We use the Past Perfect Continuous:

1. to put emphasis on the duration of an action which started and finished in the past before another past action or a stated time in the past, usually with since or for.

e.g. They had been looking for a house for six months before they found one they liked.

Note: We use the past perfect continuous when we talk about continuity or duration of a situation or activity, and the past perfect to talk about the completion of a situation or activity or its effects.

e.g. I’d been working hard, so I felt that I deserved a holiday (emphasizes the activity)

I’d worked hard, and the report was now finished (emphasizes the result).

2. for an action which lasted for some time in the past and whose result was visible in the past.

e.g. She was tired, because she had been working hard that day.

Note: The past perfect continuous is the past equivalent of the present perfect continuous.

e.g. I had been driving for ten hours, so I felt exhausted.

I have been driving for ten hours, so I feel exhausted.

Note: The Past Perfect Continuous should not be confused with the Past Continuous. The Past Continuous is used to denote an action going on at a definite moment in the past, no previous duration is expressed.

The Past Perfect Continuous is used when the previous duration of the action is expressed.

e.g. When we met Simon and Pat, they had been riding.

When we met Simon and Pat, they were riding.

Note: The Past Perfect Continuous is used with the following time expression: for, since, how long, before, until, etc.

The Future Indefinite is an analytical form which is built up by means of the auxiliary verb will\shall and the infinitive without particle to of the notional verb.

We use the Future Simple:

1. in predictions, assumptions about the future usually with the verbs to think, to believe, to expect, to wonder, to assume, to be sure, to be afraid of, etc., and the adverbs probably, perhaps, certainly.

e.g. I'm afraid he won't pass his exams.

His parents think he'll be a highly qualified interpreter one day.

2. for on-the-spot decisions.

e.g. I'll buy this shirt.

3. for promises (usually with the verbs promise, swear, guarantee, etc.), threats, warnings, hopes (usually with the verb hope).

e.g. I promise I’ll cope with the assignment.

I hope pollution level will drop soon.

If you fail your exam you will face the music with the Dean.

4. for suggestions, offers and requests.

e.g. This bag looks heavy I'll help you.

There is a nice film in the cinema. -O.K. I'll buy the tickets.

5. asking somebody to do something

e.g. Will you give me a hand with the translation?

6. for actions/events/situations which will definitely happen in the future and which we cannot control.

e.g. Jim will be two years old next week.

7. a single point action that will be completed in the future.

e.g. One of these days you will realise it.

7. a succession of actions in the future:

e.g. We’ll talk about the weather and then we’ll have dinner.

7. stereotyped sentences:

e.g Well, we’ll see.

It’ll do you good.

It won’t do them harm.

No good will come of it.

You’ll go far.

10. a future action in the object clauses of a compound sentence:

e.g I don’t know if/whether the play will be interesting.

11.in the main clause of a compound sentence with the subordinate clause expressing condition or time:

e.g I will open the door if you help me stand up.

Note: a) subordinate clauses of condition are introduced by conjunctions if, even if, provided (that), suppose/supposing, in case, unless, if only, on condition that:

e.g I will help you, if you help me.

The verb in the subordinate clause (if-clause) is in the present tense, the verb in the main clause is in the future simple. It doesn’t matter which comes first.

e.g If he runs, he’ll get there in time.

The cat will scratch you if you pull her tail.

This type of sentence implies that the action in the if-clause is quite probable.

b) Subordinate clauses of time are introduced by conjunctions after, as, as soon as, before, till/until, when, whenever, while, etc. We do not use a future form in a time clause.

e.g I’ll stay till you get back.

Note: The Future simple is used with the following time expressions: tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, tonight, next day/week/month, soon, in a week/year, in three days, etc.

The Future Continuous is an analytical form which is build up by means of the Future Indefinite of the auxiliary verb to be and Participle I of the notional verb.

We use the Future Continuous:

1. for an action which will be in progress at a stated future time.

e.g. This time next week he'll be taking an English exam.

At 8 a.m. Tom will be revising for a test.

2. for an action which will definitely happen in the future as a result or a routine or arrangement.

e.g. Don't call July I'll be seeing her later, so I'll pass the message on.

3. simultaneous actions in the future, with the Future Continuous tense in the main clause and the Present Continuous tense in the subordinate clauses of time:

e.g I’ll look (‘ll be looking) after the children while you are making dinner.

4. when we ask politely about someone's plans for the near future (what we want to know is if our wishes fit in with their plans).

e.g.- Will you be going out later?

- Yes. Why?

• Could you get me a sandwich, please?

Note:

Will you be staying in this evening? (just asking about plans)

Are you going to stay in this evening? (perhaps pressing for a decision)

Will you stay in this evening? (request or order)

The Future Continuous sounds more polite:

When will you finish these letters? (a boss to an assistant)

When will you be seeing Mr. White? (an assistant to a boss)

Note: The Future Continuous is used with the following time expressions: all day tomorrow, at this time next week/month/year, while, tomorrow morning etc.

The Future Perfect is build up by means of the auxiliary verb to have in the Future Simple and Participle II of the notional verb.

We use the Future Perfect for an action which will be finished before a stated future time or another future action.

e.g. She will have delivered all the newspapers by 8 o'clock.

Note: It is used with the following time expressions: before, by, then, by the time, till/until (in negative sentences).

e.g. She will have finished the report by tomorrow.

She won't have completed the report till 5 o'clock.

Note: We can use the Future Simple, Future Continuous or Future Perfect to make a prediction about the present or past, that is to say what we believe may be happening or have happened.

e.g. – There is somebody on the phone for you.

- That’ll be my mother.

- Don’t call her now.

- She’ll be sleeping.

- It’s seven o’clock. Dad will have left the office by now.

The Future Perfect Continuous is build up by means of the auxiliary verb to be in the Future Perfect and Participle I of the notional verb.

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to emphasize the duration of an action up to a certain moment in the future.

e.g. By the end of next month she will have been teaching for 20 years.

Note: It is used with by...for.

Note: After the time expressions by the time, until, before we use the Present Simple because they introduce time clauses. The Future Perfect and The Future Perfect Continuous may come either before or after the time clause.

e.g. I won’t have finished cleaning the house until you come back.

By the time they reach York, they will have been travelling for four hours.

We use be going to:

a) for plans, intentions or ambitions we have for the future.

e.g. Now that they’ve won the lottery, they are going to buy a big house.

b) for actions we have already decided to do in the near future.

e.g. They are going to get married in three months. (They have already decided to do it).

But: e.g. They’re getting married next month.(They have decided and arranged to do it)

c) in predictions when there is evidence that something will happen in the near future.

e.g. Look at the clouds! It’s going to rain.

Note:

1) We normally use be going to to talk about something we intend to do and will to give details or make comments.

e.g. - I’m going to have a party next week. I’ll invite all my friends.

-That’ll be great.

2) We normally use the present continuous rather than be going to with verbs which express movement, especially the verbs go and come.

e.g. Sam is going to the market in a few minutes.

Sheila is coming to my house for tea this afternoon.