B2.1 Tense Review — All Upper-Intermediate Forms
Forms • Uses • Signals
No practice — theory only
Quick map of forms
| Tense | Form | Core idea | Typical signals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present simple | V1 / do/does | facts, habits, timetables; future in time/if clauses | always, often, never; at 7, on Mondays |
| Present continuous | am/is/are + -ing | now/around now; temporary; fixed future plans | now, these days, at the moment; tonight |
| Present perfect simple | have/has + V3 | life experience; recent news; finished with present result | ever/never, already/just/yet |
| Present perfect continuous | have/has been + -ing | activity from past to now; duration; recent process | for, since, how long, lately |
| Past simple | V2 / did | finished past; story events; past habits/states | yesterday, last…, in 2019, ago |
| Past continuous | was/were + -ing | past background; action in progress; interruption | while, when, at 9 p.m. |
| Past perfect simple | had + V3 | earlier past; result by a past time; stative duration | by the time, already, never |
| Past perfect continuous | had been + -ing | earlier ongoing/repeated activity | for, since, how long, all day |
| Future simple (will) | will + V1 | prediction, decision now, promise, offer/request | I think…, I’ll…, Will you…? |
| Be going to | am/is/are going to + V1 | intention/plan; prediction from present evidence | look!; we’re going to… |
| Future continuous | will be + -ing | in progress at a future time; neutral arrangements | this time tomorrow, at 10 on Monday, when… |
| Future perfect simple | will have + V3 | finished before a future time; state until that time | by…, by this time…, in two years |
| Future perfect continuous | will have been + -ing | duration up to a future point (activity) | by 2030, for, since, how long |
In time clauses (after when, before, after, until, as soon as) use a present tense for future meaning: When you arrive, we’ll start.
Present simple vs present continuous
- Habits & facts I usually take the bus. Water boils at 100°C.
- Timetables The train leaves at 7.30.
- Now / temporary I’m working from home this week.
- Arrangements We’re meeting the client at 3.
Stative verbs (know, like, have (possession), believe, seem, etc.) normally avoid continuous forms: I know, not *I’m knowing*.
Present perfect: simple vs continuous
- Experience / result I’ve visited Japan twice. • She’s just finished.
- Process / duration I’ve been studying since 6. (activity may be unfinished)
- How much / how many → simple: We’ve written five reports.
- How long → often continuous (dynamic verbs): He’s been waiting for hours.
- Statives use simple for duration: We’ve known him for years.
Finished vs unfinished nuance
- Who has eaten the cookies? (none left — finished)
- Who has been eating the cookies? (some remain — activity)
Past simple vs past continuous
- Finished events We moved in 2021.
- Storyline He opened the door and walked in.
- Background in progress I was reading when she called.
- Scene setting It was getting dark; people were hurrying home.
Past perfect: simple vs continuous
- Earlier past By the time I arrived, they had left.
- Stative duration She had owned the car for ten years.
- Ongoing/repeated earlier activity They had been waiting for 20 minutes. • He had been calling every hour.
Future forms at B2
| Meaning | Preferred form | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Prediction (opinion) | will | I think it’ll snow. |
| Instant decision / offer / request | will | I’ll call a taxi. / Will you help me? |
| Plan/intent; evidence | be going to | We’re going to launch in May. / Look at those clouds — it’s going to rain. |
| Personal arrangement | present continuous | I’m meeting Sam at 4. |
| Timetable / schedule | present simple | The flight departs at 18:05. |
| Action in progress at a future time | future continuous | At nine, I’ll be driving home. |
| Action finished before a future time | future perfect simple | By Friday, she’ll have finished. |
| Duration up to a future time (activity) | future perfect continuous | By June, I’ll have been working here for five years. |
Polite enquiry: Will you be using the printer later? (future continuous is softer and sounds less like a request.)
Key contrasts to remember
- Result vs process (present perfect) I’ve written the report (done) vs I’ve been writing the report (activity/emphasis on time/effort).
- Earlier past Use past perfect only to step back in time, then return to past simple for the main story.
- Time clauses & the future Use a present tense after when/after/until/as soon as: When you finish, I’ll send it.
- Statives Prefer simple/perfect simple: We’ve had this car for years (not *have been having*).
Signals & timelines (quick reference)
- Habit/Fact: always, usually, every…, on Mondays
- Now/Temporary: now, currently, these days, this week
- Experience/News: ever, never, already, just, yet
- Duration: for, since, how long, lately, all day
- Past time points: yesterday, last…, in 2018, two hours ago
- Narrative links: while, when, as
- Future moments: this time tomorrow, at 6 on Friday, by next week, in two years
Common pitfalls to avoid
- ❌ Future in time clauses: *When I will arrive…* → ✔ When I arrive…
- ❌ Continuous with stative verbs: *I’m knowing* → ✔ I know
- ❌ Mixing for and since: use for + period, since + point in time.
- ❌ Overusing past perfect: keep it for the earlier past, not every past sentence.
- ❌ Confusing will vs going to: decision now → will; existing plan/evidence → going to.
Exercises:
B2.1 Tense Review: All Upper-Intermediate Forms
Complete the sentences below with the verbs in brackets in the most suitable form: present simple or continuous, past simple or continuous, present perfect simple or continuous, past perfect simple or continuous, future simple, be going to, future continuous, or future perfect.
1
I
for two hours; I need a break.
2
We
the contract last Friday.
3
By the time I got to the station, the train
.
4
Because of the strike, I
from home this week.
5
This time tomorrow we
the keynote.
6
By next June, they
the new campus.
7
Watch out — that ladder
!
8
“I can't reach the shelf.” — “No problem, I
a chair.”
9
I
this song for years; it never gets old.
10
He was exhausted because he
for hours.
B2.1 Tense Review: All Upper-Intermediate Forms
Choose the most suitable verb tenses to complete the sentences below.
1
You look out of breath. How long _____?
A.
B.
C.
2
By the time the police arrived, the thieves _____.
A.
B.
C.
3
I’m late because my train _____ for forty minutes.
A.
B.
C.
4
This time next month, I _____ in Canada.
A.
B.
C.
5
They _____ the report by tomorrow afternoon.
A.
B.
C.
6
Look at those clouds — it _____ any minute.
A.
B.
C.
7
My flight _____ at 06:40, so we need to leave early.
A.
B.
C.
8
We arranged to meet at six; I _____ her at the station.
A.
B.
C.
9
She looks familiar. I think we _____ before.
A.
B.
C.
10
You’re covered in paint! What _____?
A.
B.
C.
B2.1 Tense Review: All Upper-Intermediate Forms
Complete the sentences below with the verbs in brackets in the most suitable form: present simple or continuous, past simple or continuous, present perfect simple or continuous, past perfect simple or continuous, future simple, be going to, future continuous, or future perfect.
1
A: “What time (the meeting/start)?”
B: “It (begin) at 9 a.m., and the CEO
(arrive) at 8:55.”
2
I can’t talk now — I (drive) home.
Call me at 8; I (watch) the match then.
3
By the time we reached the theatre, the movie (already/start),
so we (miss) the opening scene.
4
Look at those dark clouds! It (rain) soon.
I (close) the windows.
5
She (work) for this company since 2019 and
(lead) the project for the last six months.
6
When I was a child, we (live) in a small village and my father
(teach) me to fish every summer.
7
At 10 a.m. tomorrow the engineers (test) the new software,
and by midday they (finish) the first report.
8
I (try) to contact you all morning,
but your phone (be) off.
9
We were exhausted because we (walk) for hours, and we still
(not/find) the hut.
10
If you (not/submit) the form today,
the system (not/let) you book any classes.