Fun with the Tenses

Where have you been lately? I haven't heard from you in ages.

Both verbs refer to:

• General or known past

• Indefinite past

• Future from the past

• Future in the past

I (was going to graduate) next year, but the pandemic has delayed my plans.

The verb in brackets refers to future in the past;

• True

• False

Research (has proven) that reading to children at an early age has positive effects on their language skills later in life.

The verb in brackets refers to the indefinite past.

• True

• False

For the past four years, I ................................... (try) to establish reading as a daily habits. Not much progress though!

By this time next month, I .......................................... (complete) a three-month training as a teacher.

What would you say if your friend's plane left before you got the chance to say good bye to him?

• The plane left at 10; I arrived at 10:05 and couldn't say good bye.

• By the time I got to the airport, the plane had already left and I couldn't say good bye.

• By the time I get to the airport plane will have left.

• When I got to the airport, the plane left.

You are telling your friends about a habit you had as a child. You would say:

• I was a crybaby! Every time I wanted something I would throw a tantrum until I got it.

• I was a crybaby! Every time I wanted something I cry until I get it.

• I had cried a lot every time I wanted something. I was a crybaby!

• I have been a crybaby and have cried a lot until I got what I wanted.

You are telling your colleagues about your plans for the coming weeks. You would say:

• I am visiting my grandparents on the weekend though I'm not sure I can do it.

• I am going to visit my grandparents on the weekend. I am planning to spend a few days there.

• By the end of the week I will have submitted all the due papers.

• I still have a lot of work but if I get the chance, I am going to go the cinema.