Tense

Simple Tense

The present tense: used to say the action someone usually does, or used to state facts: do / does

The past tense: used to say a completed action: did

The future tense: decide to do something in the future at the time of speaking: will do

The past future tense (The sentence usually have contained a past action): decide to do something in the past: would do

Commonly Collocated adverbials of time

The present tense: Sometimes, often, usually, often

The past tense: yesterday, last week, two months ago

The future tense: tomorrow, next week, in the future

The past future tense: later, soon, next day

Examples

e.g.1: I usually _____ to school by bus. (go)

Analysis: The word “usually” represents that the action often happens.

Answer: I usually go to school by bus.

e.g.2: Your wife ____ you just now. (ring)

Analysis: The word “just now” represents that the action happened before.

Answer: Your wife rang you just now.

e.g.3: I think they ____ us the truth next week. (tell)

Analysis: The word “next week” represents that the action has not happen yet, and the action in the subject clause is in the present tense.

Answer: I think they will tell us the truth next week.

e.g.4: He told me that he ____ abroad later. (go)

Analysis: The word “later” represents that the action has not happen yet, and the action in the subject clause is in the past tense.

Answer: He told me that he would go abroad later.