It is important to understand that not all verbs can be used in the continuous form. We will refer to these verbs as ‘Non-continuous Verbs. Another thing which is particular about verbs and the continuous forms is that some verbs that can be used in both the simple and perfect forms and also in the continuous forms have two different meanings.
Future Perfect Continuous has two different forms: "will have been doing " and "be going to have been doing." Unlike Future Simple forms, Future Perfect Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.
The Future Perfect is formed with ‘will have + past participle’ but ‘be going to have + past participle’ has the same function and these two forms are interchangeable.
Future Simple 'will + base form' and Going to
Expressing the future with 'will' or 'going to'
These two different forms for expressing future time can be used interchangeably sometimes. However they often express two very different meanings. It needs practice to understand the differences. Both 'will' and ‘going to’ refer to a specific time in the future.
Will – 'will + base form of verb'
You will see him later.
Will you see him later?
You will not see him later.
Used to + verb describes a past situation that is no longer true
I used to go scuba diving.
It is best to avoid using ‘used to’ in negative forms or questions although some native speakers do this in informal situations. It is better to use the Past Simple in those situations.
The Future Continuous and 'be going to be +ing' are both used to express the same situations and can both be used interchangeably unlike the Future Simple and 'going to'
will be' + present participle
You will be waiting for them at the hotel.
Will you be waiting for them at the hotel?
You will not be waiting for them at the hotel
This is an overview of the use of adverbs, adjectives, and linking verbs. Other lessons cover their uses and meanings in more detail.
Adverbs are formed by adding -ly to the adjective. This is however by no means a fixed way of forming adverbs as there are also several irregular adverbs such as 'well' and 'fast'.
The Past Perfect Continuous is formed with had been + present participle
We had been waiting for two hours before they arrived.
Had you been waiting for more than two hours before they arrived?
We had not been waiting for two hours before they arrived.
The Past Perfect is formed with had + past participle
You had worked there before you moved to London.
Had you worked there before you moved to London?
You had not worked there before you moved to London.
The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It also shows an action that happened before a specific time in the past.
What's the difference between say, tell and ask?
We say: hello and goodbye, please and thank you, happy birthday and congratulations.
Say hello to your sister for me.
We said goodbye at the airport.
Did you say thank you to Mrs Anderson?
We use say to ask about language:
How do you say 'car' in Portuguese? 'Carro'.
