Tenses

(Dirangkum dari berbagai sumber)

Past, Present, Future 

Verbs come in three tenses: past, present, and future.

The past is used to describe things that have already happened (e.g., earlier in the day, yesterday, last week, three years ago). The present tense is used to describe things that are happening right now or things that are continuous. The future tense describes things that have yet to happen (e.g., later, tomorrow, next week, next year, three years from now). 

(Active)

(Passive)

-----------------------------------

Present Simple & Continuous (used to talk about the future)

We use the present simple to refer to the future when talking about schedules or timetables. A time phrase will generally be included and the verb may also relate to the passing of time as in these examples.

• My sister arrives on Friday
• He arrives home from Paris tomorrow morning
• The next flight to Jersey departs on Wednesday
• The new store opens next week
• The show starts in 10 minutes
• The festival lasts for 3 days
• The sale opens nextweek
• It's my mum's birthday on Tuesday 

We can use the negative form of the present simple to talk about things that won’t happen in the future. Note that I’ve used both contracted and non-contracted forms of the verbs in these examples.

• Sorry, I misread the timetable. The bus does not arrive in 5 minutes.
• The meeting doesn’t finish until 6.30 pm tonight.
• The concert does not start for another half-hour.
• The bar doesn’t open again until tomorrow lunchtime.

We can also use the present simple to ask questions about the future in relation to a timetable or schedule. For example,

• What time does the next train leave?
• Does the 5.50 bus stop near the cinema?
• When is your driving test?
• Can you meet me for coffee tomorrow?

We use the present continuous to talk about a definite arrangement or plan for the future. For example,

1. Next week they are flying to Beijing.
2. Tomorrow we‘re visiting the British Museum.
3. On Saturday I’m going to dinner with friends.
4. She is taking her driving test at 3.30 this afternoon.

Sometimes when using the present continuous, the timeframe is not given. However, it is understood from the context of the conversation or text that the event will happen in the future, not the present. For example,

1. We're staying in a really polish hotel (We'll be staying in a posh hotel when we go on holiday)
2. I'm having the prawn risotto (I'm going to order the prawn risotto for my meal)
3. She's taking the train to York (She will travel by train when she goes to York)

In all of these sample sentences, the positive verb can be changed to the negative form to talk about things that won't happen in the future. For example,

1. Tomorrow we are not visiting the British Museum.
2. She is not taking her driving test at 3.30 this afternoon because the tester is ill
3. I'm not having the prawn risotto. I've decided on the steak instead.
4. She isn't taking the train to York. She's going to fly there as it's quicker.
5. I am going to Omelet's party on Saturday.

To finish this lesson, I want to give you some extra guidance on when to use the present simple and when to use the present continuous when talking about future plans.

In many situations, both can be used.

However, as a general rule, if the activity or event is scheduled for a specific time, use the present simple. If it is not scheduled for a specific time, the present continuous usually sounds more natural. For example,

Present simple

- My flight leaves at 2.45 pm.

- Term ends on 22 nd July

- Her train arrives at 2.45 pm

Present continuous

- I'm flying to Paris next week

- The term is ending soon

- She's arriving this afternoon

----------------------------------

Future tenses

Future Simple

We use the simple future to talk about an opinion, hope, uncertainty, or assumption regarding the future. Sometimes we only guess about things that will happen in the future, in this case, you use the simple future tense. 
> You won’t finish it in just one day
> He will probably come back tomorrow
> It will rain tomorrow anyway

We use the future simple tense to talk about wanting to do something or notwanting to do something in the future. In this case, you have made your mind up in advance.
> I will do it tomorrow

Sometimes people use the negative form of 'will' to refuse to do something. In this case, you can even use the contracted form of 'will not' which is considered more common. 
> I won't go!
> They won't take the cat back (Here, we are reporting that the subject is refusing to do something)
> Sorry! I won't cheat on the exam

We use the future simple tense with the pronouns 'I' or 'we' when there is no plan or decision to do something. We make the decision spontaneously while speaking. All the process of making the decision happens in a moment in this case.
> Don't worry, I will help you study for the math exam (Here, we are making a decision on the spot)
> Wait, I'll get a pen

We can use the future simple tense with 'will' if we have a firm plan or decision when the main verb is 'be.' Remember, we usually use other tenses or expressions to refer to a firm plan or decision in the future (such as present continuous, or to be going to) unless the main verb is 'be.'
> I'll be in London tomorrow
> Will you be at work tomorrow?

Sometimes we use the verb will to give orders using the 'tag questions.' Check out the examples for more clarification.
> Help me! Will you?
> Close the window! Will you?

We use 'will' to talk about spontaneous decisions decided at the moment of speaking.
> Wait here. I'll go get some help
> I forgot to call my boyfriend. I'll do it after dinner

-----------------------------------

Going to

'Going to' tends to talk about events that are about to happen in near future or even just started to happen.
> She is going to break one of these days (Here, we are referring to a very near future)
> She will break one of these days (Here we do not see any reference to the near future)
> It is going to rain soon (Here, we are referring to the near future which can be at any given moment)
> It will rain soon (Here we do not see any reference to the near future)
> Look at the papers, she is definitely going to takeexams
> The sky is getting dark. We are not going to stay in the woods

'Be going to' is commonly used to predict something in the future that we know will happen for sure. 
> The sky is getting darker. It's going to snow (Here the speaker is predicting that it will snow based on the observation that the sky is getting darker)
> It's 3-0. They are going to lose! (It is obvious that they will lose the game based on the current score of 3-0) 

Sometimes the decision is not made by you, yourself. Sometimes by using be going to we refer to other's intentions. For example, those that are in charge, or an authority's intention.
> The government is going to talk about global warming
> Our boss is going to fire him tomorrow

In spoken English and in informal situations, native speakers use 'gonna' instead of going to. Remember that it is not correct to use it in written form and in formal situations. 
> This is gonna be a good day! (Remember 'gonna' is the contracted form of 'going to,' so you must use 'infinitive without to' after that)

-----------------------------------

Present Continuous vs. Future Simple vs. Going to - Prediction

Have you ever visited an oracle or listened to weather forecasts? When we want to make a prediction or a guess about the future, we use future simple tense.
> It will rain tomorrow (Here, we are predicting that there will be rain)
> It is raining tomorrow. (We cannot be a hundred percent sure how the weather will be tomorrow, therefore it is incorrect)
> She will make an appearance (Here, we are guessing that the subject will join or show her face)
> She is making an appearance (Here, we are not guessing, we are indicating that something is happening right now)

We use the past and future forms of 'going to' to talk about predictions. Past form refers to events that were predicted to happen in the past. Future form refers to a prediction in the future that we know for sure will happen.
> It is so cloudy. It is going to rain soon (Here, we are referring to a guess about the weather)
> It is sunny. I thought it was going to rain (Here, we talk about a prediction that did not occur)
> It is so cloudy. It is raining soon (Here, we have an action that is in progress and not a prediction)

-----------------------------------

Present Continuous vs. Future Simple vs. Going to - Plan arrangement

When we want to talk about actions and events that we have already made up our mind about them, we use present continuous tense. This also includes firm plans.
> I am visiting my grandparents this weekend (Here we are talking about a recent future plan)
> I will visit my grandparents this weekend (Here, we cannot use 'will' to refer to a short term future plan)
> They are meeting us at 6 o'clock (Here, we are talking about an upcoming event)
> They will meet us at 6 o'clock (Here, we cannot use 'will' to refer to a recent and short term event)

We can use both present continuous and 'going to' in past and future form to talk about plans or arrangements. While future with 'going to' and present continuous talk about future plans, past with 'going to' refers to past plans that mostly did not happen.
> I am visiting my mother this weekend (Here, we are talking about a future plan that is preplanned)
> I am going to visit my mother this weekend (Here, we talk about preplanned action that will soon be fulfilled)
> I was going to visit my mother this weekend (Here, we are referring to an action that planned to happen but somehow it failed to occur)

Let us say that we have already set out a decent plan for the weekend, and our mind is already made up. In order to talk about the said plan, we can use 'going to.' 
> I am going to visit my parents (Here, we can tell that the decision was premade)
> I will visit my parents (Here, this situation seems made at the moment and not pre-made)
> He is going to take us for a walk (Here, we can see that this is a decision made a long time ago)
> He will take us for a walk (Here, this situation seems made at the moment and not pre-made)

Use be going to + verb for plans you've decided on.
What are you going to do?
> I'm going to relax at the beach
> We're going to go surfing everyday
> I'm not going to do anything special

Use will + verb for possible plans before you've made a decision.
What are you going to do?
> I'm not sure. I guess I'll just stay home
> Maybe I'll watch some movies
> I don't know. I think I'll go camping
> I probably won't go anywhere

A: Have you made any vacation plans?
B: Well, I've decided on one thing. I am going to go camping.
A: That's great! For how long?
B: I am not going to be away for a week. I only have five days of vacation.
A: So, when are you leaving?
B: I'm not sure. I will probably leave around the end of May.
A: And where are you going to go?
B: I haven't thought about that yet. I guess I will go to one of the national parks.
A: That sounds like fun.
B: Yeah. Maybe I will go hiking and do some fishing.
A: Are you going to rent a camper?
B: I am not sure. Actually, I probably will not rent a camper. It's too expensive.
A: Are you going to go with anyone?
B: No. I need some time alone. I am going to travel by my self

-----------------------------------

Present Continuous vs. Future Simple vs. Going to - On the Spot Decision

We use future simple tense to talk about decisions that are made on the spot and at the moment of speaking for the future
> Wait here, I will fetch my notepad (Here, we are referring to a decision made on the spot)
> Wait here, I am fetching my notepad (Here we are referring to an action being done at the moment)
> I will study as soon as I get home (Here, we can clearly see that we are talking about a sudden decision)
> I am going to study as soon as I get home (Here, we cannot see any sign of quick decision making)
> I will convince Nina (Here, we can clearly see that we are talking about a decision made on the spot)
> I am going to convince Nina (Here, we cannot see any sign of a sudden decision being made)

-----------------------------------

Present Continuous vs. Future Simple vs. Going to - Giving an order, request, promise

'Going to' is in some informal cases used to give an order. However, do note that this is very informal, and it is commonly considered a rude gesture.
> You are going to turn your assignment in today (Here we are giving an order to another person)
> You will turn your assignment in today (This sentence fails to show that this sentence is an order)
> You are going to do your homework right now (Here, we can clearly see that an order is given)
> You will do your homework right now (We cannot sense any order being given in this sentence)

Future simple tense is also used to make an offer or request. In this case, we use it in the interrogative form.
> Will you marry me?
> Will you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?
> Will you give me a hand? (Here, the speaker is asking for help.)
> Are you going to give me a hand? (This sentence gives off a rude sense rather than requesting)
> Will you close the door? (Here, we can clearly see that the speaker is requesting)
> Are you going to close the door? (This sentence sounds like a rude statement rather than a polite request)

We use the future simple tense to promise to do or not to do something in the future
> I will finish it tomorrow (Here, we are making a promise to do something)
> I am finishing it tomorrow (Here, we are talking about a plan)
> I won't tell anyone (Here, we are making a promise to not to do something)
> I am not telling anyone (Here, we are talking about right now and at this moment)

We use the 'future continuous tense' to talk about an action that will be in progress in the future and gets interrupted by a shorter action. Shorter action refers to an interruption that occurs during the ongoing action but does not last for a long time. 
> She will be talking on the stage when you enter
> I'll be waiting for you when you get back

We use the 'future continuous tense' to project ourselves into the future when we have already made a decision or plan to do something. It indicates our intention or commitment to an ongoing action or event in the future.
> By Christmas Jane and I will be moving in our new home
> This time next month I will be living in Madrid

We use the 'future continuous tense' with 'still', to talk about events that are already happening now and that we expect to continue until some time into the future. It means that the event started in the past, is still ongoing, and may happen in the future as well.
> In one year he'll still be living in a dormitory
> Sadly, prices will still be rising in years to come

We can use the 'future continuous tense' to talk about ongoing events that we expect to happen in the future. This means that we predict that they are about to happen.
> I'll be visiting Paul at the party next week
> When James is in Germany, he will be staying at a hotel

We use the 'future continuous tense' to talk about planned or scheduled events in the future, often as a reminder, or warning.
> We'll be leaving at 12:00. Don't be late!
> We will be studying on Sunday evening.

Use the future continuous tense to talk about an event that will last for a period of time in the future. It means we are not totally sure whether it happens or not, but we think it is going to happen.
> People will be using their smartphones for everything.
> They'll be producing smartphones that you can wear like a ring.
> Will you still be working here in 20 years?
> I expect that she'll be visiting them in Peru
> You'll be feeling hungry after gardening all day, I guess
> Yes, but I'll be running the company

We do not normally use the continuous tense with stative verbs (also known as non-continuous verbs). Action verbs describe activities like 'running', 'thinking', and 'seeing'. Stative verbs describe states of existence, for example, 'be', 'seem', and 'know'.
> When you see him tomorrow, he will seem(NOT will be seeming) like a different person.
> You will know when you get the box. (Not "You will be knowing when you get the box.")

negative: He won't be playing tomorrow.
yes/ no question: Will he be playing tomorrow?
-wh question: When will he be playing?

Future Simple vs. Future Continuous vs. Going to - Prediction

Have you ever visited an oracle or a fortune teller to tell you about your future? We use future simple to guess and predict future events. 
Future continuous predicts future events that we are uncertain of their occurrence. 
Future with 'going to' predicts future events that we are certain of its occurrence. 
Past with 'going to talks about events that we predicted to happen in the past. 
> You will meet a man who changes your life path
> You will be meeting a man who changes your life path (not totally sure, but we think it is going to happen)
> I will probably meet her again tomorrow
> I will probably be meeting her again tomorrow (not totally sure, but we think it is going to happen)
> She will be visiting New York (not totally sure, but we think it is going to happen)
> She is going to visit New York (Here, we are certain about this future prediction)
> She was going to visit New York (Here, we do not know if the subject has fulfilled the task or not but we are certain an action was supposed to be done by the subject)

-----------------------------------

We use future simple tense to talk about our future plans and decisions we make. Future continuous tends to be a reminder of fixed future arrangements. Future with 'going to' talks about our future actions that we already have a set of plans for them. We can use 'past with going to' to talk about planned events that were supposed to be done in the past but were unfulfilled. 
> She will watch a movie this weekend (Here, we are talking about a future plan)
> She will be watching a movie this weekend (When we are talking about a plan, we are not certain about it. This sentence is incorrect)
> Once I leave, I will shut the door (Here, we are talking about decisions for the future)
> Once I leave, I will be shutting the door (When we are talking about a decision, we are not certain about it actually happening. This sentence is incorrect)
> We will be studying at 12 (Here, the speaker is reminding listeners about an upcoming event)
> We were going to study at 12 (Here, we are talking about a planned event that has failed to occur)
> We are going to study at 12 (Here, we are talking about plans for an upcoming event)

When we want to refer to near-future events or events that just started to happen, we use future with 'going to'. When it comes to these types of events, we are certain they will occur.
> They are going to stay for the weekend (Here, we are referring to a near-future event)
> They were going to stay for the weekend (Here, we are referring to a cancelled future event)
> They will be staying for the weekend (Here, we are referring to a plan for future events)

-----------------------------------

We also use future continuous to talk about unfinished actions. These actions started earlier and will be in progress in the near future.
> I will be cooking dinner at 8 (Here, we are referring to an ongoing action in the future)
> I am going to cook dinner at 8 (Here, we are talking about a future plan)
> I was going to cook dinner at 8 (Here we are talking about a cancelled future event)

We use future continuous tense to talk about an in-progress future action that happens at the same time with another shorter action at a specific time.
>  I will be waiting for you to arrive
> I will wait for you to arrive (Here, we are talking about a plan)
> He is going to be sleeping when you get home
> He will sleep when you get home (Here, we are talking about an action that will happen after the first action)

We use future continuous tense to talk about multiple actions that will happen at the same time in the future
> Tomorrow morning, we will be taking a different route and we will be trying to find new tourist attractions (Here, we are talking about multiple actions that will be occurring at the same time in the future)
> Tomorrow morning, we will take a different route and we will try to find new tourist attractions (We are aiming to talk about actions that will be happening simultaneously while this example just names them)
> I will be leaving and I will be trying not to forget to lock the door (Here, the speaker talks about two actions that will be happening at the same time)
> I will leave and I will try not to forget to lock the door (Since we are not intending to name actions in order, this sentence is incorrect)

-----------------------------------

Future continuous is also used to ask about plans and future events. We use it in interrogative form. This way of acquiring information tends to be more polite than the rest.
> Will you be joining us for the weekend? (Here, we are politely asking for information)
> Are you going to join for the weekend? (Here, we are asking for information but it is not as polite as the first example)
> Were you going to join for the weekend? (Again, here we are asking for information but it is not as polite as the first example)

We can also use future simple to make many promises.
> I swear I will keep your secrets (Here, we have a very common promise)
> I swear I will be keeping your secrets (No promises are given here, instead it tends to talk about a future action that will be done)
> I will check the door as soon as I'm done (Here, we are making a promise)
> I will be checking the door as soon as I'm done (Here, we are not making any promises, but just talking about a future action that will happen)

Lastly, we use simple future tense to make suggestions about the world around us.
> Will you turn off the heater? (Here, we are making a suggestive sentence)
> Will you be turning off the heater? (This sentence does not make any suggestion therefore it is incorrect)
> Will you do me a favor? (Here, we are making a suggestion)
> Will you be doing me a favor? (This sentence does not make any suggestion therefore it is incorrect)

----------------------------------

Perfect tenses

The English perfect tenses are all used to make connections in time. Each of these tenses helps your listener (or reader) understand the verbs you’re using because they make these connections within time, showing which actions happened first, if they’re still happening, etc…

The main difference between the simple and continuous tenses is that the simple perfect tenses focus on a result (something finishing), and the continuous tenses focus on duration (something continuing)

> the present perfect connects the past to the present (and shows experience)
> the past perfect connects 2 past actions and shows which happened first
> the future perfect connects a past, present, or future action with a time (or action) in the future, and it shows which will happen before that future time

This tense is the most common! You are going to use this to talk about experiences (things you’ve done in the past, at an unspecified time), and that are true today! You’ll use this when introducing yourself, having a conversation with others about you, and in many different types of conversations. These 2 tenses will help you emphasize that actions are still happening, or still true today.

Their difference is that the present perfect simple normally focuses on the result of the activity, and the present perfect continuous normally focuses on the process of the activity
> I've painted the living room! It looks beautiful! (Here the tense of the sentence is present perfect, therefore the focus is on the result)
> I've been painting the living room. It's been three hours! (Here the tense of the sentence is present perfect continuous, therefore the focus is on the activity)
> Have you been talking to her?
> Has he been doing his homework?
> Where have you been living?

We use the 'present perfect continuous tense' to talk about actions that have stopped recently, but we are interested in the ongoing action and its impact on the present. It means the result is still obvious, but remember in this case, the focus is on the action, not just the result. 
> I'm tired because I've been running
> Why are you wet? Has it been raining?

We use the 'present perfect continuous tense' to talk about an action that started in the past and is continuing now. This is often used with for or since. In this case, it is important to know that the action is still ongoing. Remember, we are referring to the 'duration' of the action, so we do not use time expressions to indicate the number of times the action has been repeated.
> She has been waiting for you all day (It means she's still waiting now)
> I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (It means the speaker still hasn't finished it)
> They have been making a lot of money over the month
> You have been gaining weight throughout your pregnancy
> They will lose their voice because they will have beentalking non-stop (Here, we are referring to the cause of something that has happened)

We use 'since' with a fixed point in time in the past (2004, April 23rd, last year). The past simple tense refers to an action that occurred at a specific point in the past. (since I was at school; since I arrived). We use 'for' with a period of time (2 hours, three years, six months).
> I have been studying for three hours
> Joe hasn't been visiting us since December

I started teaching in the past, in 2007. Because today the year is 2022, I can connect the past to the present by saying:

• I have been teaching for 10 years.
• I have been a teacher since 2007.
• Actually, I think you're changing. You've been remembering to turn off your lights and you have been getting better with your cellphone charger, too.

Remember, the present perfect continuous focuses on duration, or something continuing. With this tense, I am emphasizing that continuing action (rather than a finished result). We use the present perfect to show continuation with stative verbs only. The simple present perfect is usually only used to show experience though. For example, I have lived in Brazil. This means I have the experience of living in Brazil.

Use continuous tenses to communicate changes over time. The present continuous is for a change that is happening now.

• Opinions about electric cars are changing.

The present perfect continuous is for a change that started in the past and is still happening.

• Air quality has been improving for several years.

Get + adjective is often used in a continuous tense to communicate changes over time. The meaning is similar to become.

• Commuting is getting more irritating.
• The city has been getting serious about using natural gas.
• It's getting better all the time.

The past perfect tense, while not the most common, is still very important! You will use this tense when talking about the past, especially when telling past stories. Because it helps connect actions in the past, and tells which happened first, it will help your listener understand the order of events.

• She had applied for 10 jobs before she was even offered an interview
• She felt really sad after she had failed the interview.
• He got the job after they had checked his references. The company wanted to be careful.
• After he had sent out more than 20 resumes, he finally got an interview. Before he was interviewed in person, he had two interviews on the phone. After he had been interviewed three times, by different managers, he was finally hired. After he had worked at the company for six month, he quit.

Both of the actions in the past perfect tenses and perfect continuos  show that they happened 1st, BEFORE the 2nd action of starting to teach. Remember that the main difference between is that the past perfect simple normally focuses on the completionof an action before another action in the past, while the past perfect continuous normally focuses on the duration of an ongoing activity before another action in the past.

I started studying in college in 2004. This action happened before another past action of starting to teach in 2007. So, I can connect two past events by saying:

• I had been studying for 3 years when I started teaching. I had studied in college by the time I started teaching.

We can connect 2 past actions like my examples above (studying & teaching), or we can connect a past action with a past time:

• I had been studying for 3 years by 2007. I had studied in college by 2007.

The future perfect will give that same connection, showing what you will have done before a future time or event. I find this tense to be the most common in job settings, when talking about experience you will have or projects you will have completed by some future time. However, you can also use this in conversations when talking about future plans and goals.

I started teaching in 2007. If I wanted to connect this past action, to the future (the year 2025), then I can do this by saying:

• I will have been teaching for 14 years by 2025. *I will have graduated college by 2025.
• The second sentence is an example of the [simple] future perfect showing an action will have been finished by a future time, focusing on the result.

Let’s imagine that I bought a house today (in 2022). That would make it a present tense action. I can connect the present to the future by saying:

• I will have owned a house for 3 years by 2025. (This is an example of a stative verb (OWN) showing continuation with the simple future perfect)
• I will have been living in my new (owned) home for 4 years by 2026. (This focuses on continuation with the future perfect continuous)

Finally, we can connect the future to the future. So when we know that we will have a second baby before 2025. I can express this by saying:

• I will have had a second baby by 2025. (This focuses on a result happening before a future event)