This is a summary of the main tenses to be studied in ESO-3-

1. Tenses (3rd year ESO)
Tense Use Useful words Examples
Present
simple
 facts and permanent states  Snow melts at 0ªC.
 Water freezes at 32º Fahrenheit.
 The weather in Britain is cold and rainy.
 habits and routines (unit 1)
 stative verbs are not used in the
pres. continuous (see, hear, like,
think, want, hope, feel, believe,
know, understand…)
how often…?
always / sometimes /
often / never / usually /
seldom… / on Sundays
every day / once a week
/ twice a month…
 Andy lives in Manchester.
 David watches television every day.
 We often have lunch together.
 How often does your mother drive to Madrid?
 She doesn’t play tennis on Monday.
 We don’t usually come by bus.
 1st type conditional (unit 7) if  If I save money, I’ll buy a new mobile phone.
 We’ll go dancing if Sue comes with us.
Present
continuous
 actions happening now (unit 1) now / at the moment  He’s watching television at the moment.
 future arrangements-definite
plans in the defined future (unit 6)
a future time expression  Liz is having lunch with her mum tomorrow.
 Mark and Tony are playing football on Sunday.
Past simple  for completed actions in the past
(unit 3)
when
yesterday / last week
in 1993
 She didn’t go to the cinema last Saturday.
 I was having a shower when the bell rang.
 They bought a new detached house in 2001.
Past
continuous
 for actions in progress in the past
(unit 4)
 stative verbs are not used in
continuous tenses
while / as
at 9 o’clock (any time in
the past)
 I was having a shower when the bell rang.
 It started to rain while I was walking in the park.
 What were you doing at 9 o’clock?
 I was having breakfast.
Present
perfect
 for actions completed in the past
that are still relevant in the
present (unit 5)
already / yet /just
ever
this week / today…
 It’s twelve o’clock and she’s already eaten her lunch.
 We haven’t finished our reports yet.
 I’ve passed all my exams. I’m on holiday now.
 Have you seen Brokeback Mountain yet?
 for actions started in the past that
continue up to the present (unit 5)
for / since
how long…?
 How long have you had your car?
 I’ve worked in London for two years.
 They have spent 100€ since last Saturday.
Will future  for instant decisions that we make
at the time of speaking (unit 7)
I think I’ll / I don’t think
I’ll…
 I need a holiday; I’ll phone the travel agent’s.
 I think I’ll tell my parents about it.
 1st type conditional (unit 7) if  If I save money, I’ll buy a new mobile phone.
Going to
future
 For future plans and intentions
when we have already decided
what to do (unit 6)
a future time expression  We’re going to have a picnic in the park tomorrow.
 She’s going to play tennis next Monday.
 I’m not going to go shopping with her.