10 min
The system of tenses
1 topic
2 tasks
1.
Look at this table.
As we can see, Simple, Continuous and Perfect forms are all based on a corresponding infinitive. They are called 'aspects', which retain their meaning whatever form they take in the sentence.
SIMPLE: an action as such.
CONTINUOUS: a temporary action in its duration.
PERFECT: a finished action.
PERFECT CONTINUOUS: a finished action with an emphasis on its duration.
Let's look at this from a different perspective:
SIMPLE: an action as such.
CONTINUOUS: a temporary action in its duration.
PERFECT: a finished action.
PERFECT CONTINUOUS: a finished action with an emphasis on its duration.
Let's look at this from a different perspective:
4.
SOME OTHER
constructions
constructions
The same infinitives are perfectly suitable for nearly all constructions that express the future meaning.
MODALS
- They will be sleeping, so let’s call them later.
- He should have finished watching the video by then.
- She needs to have been working in the industry for 3 years if she wants this job.
BE GOING TO
- I'm going to have been lying on the beach for at least five hours before I start answering the phone.
ADJECTIVE + INFINITIVE
- They are due to have completed the course by June.
- She is sure to be working at 8 tonight.
ACTIVE VERBS WITH A 'FUTURE' MEANING
- I intend to have spent weeks studying before I take the exam.
- She hopes to be relaxing by the pool this time tomorrow.
PASSIVE VERBS WITH A 'FUTURE' MEANING
BE SUPPOSED TO/BE EXPECTED TO/BE MEANT TO ETC.
- You are supposed to have had a good night's sleep before you set out on the last stage of the journey.
- We are expected to be sleeping when Mom and Dad get back.
END OF THE GUIDE
Don’t relax just yet — graded assignments are coming up.
Go ahead and move on to the task; you need to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Go ahead and move on to the task; you need to reinforce what you’ve learned.
