IELTS Grammar Skills · 4
The 9 verb tenses
Using the right tense shows control of grammar. Here are all nine on one page, with when to use each one in IELTS.
1The 9 tenses at a glance
| Simple | Continuous | Perfect | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past | Past simple worked / went Sales fell in 2010. Finished time · Task 1 past data |
Past continuous was / were + -ing I was walking home when it started to rain. Background to a story · Speaking Part 2 |
Past perfect had + past participle By 2000, sales had doubled. Earlier than another past time · Task 1 with “by” |
| Present | Present simple work / works The water is heated, then it flows … Facts, habits · Task 1 process, Part 1 |
Present continuous am / is / are + -ing I'm studying for IELTS at the moment. Now, or for a short time · Part 1 |
Present perfect have / has + past participle Technology has changed how we shop. Past → now · Task 2 trends |
| Future | Future simple will + verb I think cities will grow. Predictions · Part 3 |
Future continuous will be + -ing This time next year, I'll be studying in Canada. In progress at a future time |
Future perfect will have + past participle By 2030, the figure will have reached 50%. Done before a future time · Task 1 projections |
2Time words point to the tense
- ago, yesterday, in 2010, last year → past simple
- since, for, so far, recently → present perfect
- by (+ a time) → a perfect tense
- when, while (story) → past continuous
- every day, usually, always → present simple
3Which tense in Task 1?
- Years in the past → past simple
- A process or a map with no date → present simple
- Years in the future → will / is expected to
- Don't switch tense in the middle unless the time changes.
4Mistakes that lower your score
I am living here since 2019.→I have lived here since 2019.Since / for + up to now = present perfect.
In 2010, sales have risen sharply.→In 2010, sales rose sharply.A finished past time = past simple.
He go to work by bus.→He goes to work by bus.He / she / it + -s in the present simple.