[FCE] Past Continuous, Past Perfect, Past Perfect Continuous

Past Continuous

We use Past Continuous (past form of be + -ing) to talk about something which was in progress during a period of time in the past: I was listening to the news on television at nine o’clock last night.

We use it to give background information: It was pouring with rain and she was wondering what to do.

We also use it the Past Simple to say that something happened in the middle of something else: I slept when my friend called. I was sleeping when my friend called.

Past Perfect

The Past Perfect (had + past participle) is the past form of the Present Prefect. We use it to talk about a past event which happened before another past event: When I bought some fruit I went back to the beach. When I had bought some fruit I went back to the beach.

We often use the Past Perfect with when or after: After they had eaten, they cleared the table.

We also use the Past Perfect in indirect speech when reporting the Past Simple or Present Perfect: ‘I have found the answer.’ becomes She told us she had found the answer.

Compare the Past Perfect and the Past Simple: When I arrived at the party, Mary left. (= I arrived and then Mary left) When I arrived at the party, Mary had left. (= Mary left and then I arrived)

Past Perfect Continuous

The Past Perfect Continuous (had been + -ing) is the past form of the Present Perfect Continuous. We use it to talk about something which had been in progress up to the time in the past we are talking about: They had been climbing for five hours before they reached the top of the mountain. I had been feeling sleepy all day so I went to bed early.

Source: Grammar & Vocabulary for First Certificate

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[FCE] Past Simple, Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous

Past Simple and Present Perfect

The Present Perfect is the tense that links the past with the present.

Past Simple (past form)	Present Perfect (present of have + past participle)
We use the Past Simple:	We use the Present Prefect:
For past habits of states, whether continuous or repeated: Long ago, they built most houses out of wood. He always caught the same train.	For actions or states in the past which have a connection with the present: They have bought a new house. (= they can now go and live in it) It’s just started to rain. (= now, so bring the washing in)
	When the result of an action or state are obvious now: You’ve split the coffee all over my trousers – look! They’ve polluted the river. (= the fish are dead)
	For repeated actions in the past, with words like often, rarely, seldom: He’s often been to France.
With periods of time that have finished: I read the newspaper this morning. (= it is now afternoon or evening) He did a lot in his short life. (= he’s dead)	With periods of time that have not finished yet: We’ve built 20 new schools this year. (= it is still this year) He has done a lot in his short life. (= he’s alive and young)
For finished actions with time words like a year ago, last Sunday, last week, yesterday, etc.: Watson and Crick identified the structure of DNA in 1953. The first modern Olympic took place in Athens more than a hundred years ago.	For actions with expressions like already, before, ever, never, often, recently, still, yet, etc.: Rain has already ruined the tomato crops. Have you ever seen a UFO? We still haven’t discovered life on other planets. They haven’t sent an astronaut to Mars yet.
The choice between the Past Simple or Present Perfect depends on whether the action links the past with the present: She often took the bus. (= but doesn’t any more) She has often taken the bus. (= and so she might do it again)
Regular verbs end in –in in both the past Simple and the past participle (the form we use for the Present Perfect): worked, looked, played.
Present Perfect Continuous
We use the Present Perfect Continuous (present form of have + been + -ing) to talk about actions which started in the past and which continue up to the moment of speaking. We use it especially when we are interested in the duration of the action: I’ve been waiting for a whole hour!	The Present Perfect emphasizes the idea of completion (= the homework is finished); we use the Present Perfect Continuous to indicate that the action has lasted for a period and is incomplete. Compare: I’ve read the newspaper today. (= I’ve finished it) I’ve been reading the Encyclopedia Britannia. (= I haven’t finished it yet)
Notice the difference between the Present Perfect Continuous and the Present Perfect: Present Perfect I’ve done my homework. Present Perfect Continuous I’ve been doing my homework.	We often use the Present Perfect Continuous with for and since: Those potatoes have been boiling for and hour. And the carrots have been boiling since three o’clock.

Source: Grammar & Vocabulary for First Certificate

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[FCE] Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple (base form)	Present Continuous  (present of be + …-ing)
We use the Present Simple:	We use the Present Continuous:
For permanent situations: I live in a flat. She works for an insurance company.	For temporary situations existing for a period at the present time: I’m staying with a friend at the moment. She’s working very hard nowadays. Just now I wait to do my military service. Just now I’m waiting to do my military service.
	For situations which are changing during the present time: The weather’s getting hotter and hotter.
For repeated actions or habits: I use my mobile phone everyday.	For actions, or repeated actions or habits, occurring at the moment of speaking: I am using John’s mobile phone because I left mine at home. You’re eating too fast.
For general truths: The sun rises in the East. Matter consists of small particles. Water is boiling at 100 degrees. Water boils at 100 degrees.
To tell stories, or summarize the plot of a film or book: Our hero goes off to search for the reassure, which he eventually finds after many adventures.
	To express annoying habits with words like always. You’re always borrowing money.

                                                

When we use always with the Present Simple, it usually means ‘everytime’: I always complain if the service is bad in restaurants.	We do not usually use certain verbs in the Present Continuous, e.g.: appearance: appear, resemble, seem composition: consist of, contain, have connection: come from, concern, cost, fit, suit existence: be, exist knowledge: forget, know, realize, understand likes and dislikes: dislike, hate, like, love, prefer needs and wants: need, want, wish opinion: believe, doubt, imagine, suppose, think possession: belong to, have, own, owe, possess senses: feel, hear, notice, see, smell, sound, taste
When we use always with the Present Continuous, it means ‘all the time’ or ‘too/very often’: You’re always complaining that waiters are rude.
We cannot use never … again with the Present Simple: I never speak to you again. I’m never speaking to you again.

We can use some of these verbs in the Present Continuous when they have different meanings. Her are some examples:
Present Simple	Present Continuous
She has (got) a big car. (= possession) I have three brothers. (= connection)	She is having an operation/a good time/a meal/a bath. (=actively involved in)
They think it’s too expensive. (= opinion)	They are thinking of buying a cheaper car. (= considering) I’m just thinking. (= at this moment)
I feel what we did was wrong. (= opinion)	I am feeling exhausted. (= physical reaction)
Do you see what I mean? (= knowledge; understand) This juice tastes good. (= senses) She appears to be very upset. (= appearance)	Are you seeing a lot of Mary nowadays? (= spending time with) You’re seeing things – there’s nobody at the window. (= imagining) He is tasting the milk to see if it’s OK. (= checking the quality) The Blues Band is appearing at the Odeon on Saturday. (= performing)
We can use the verbs that describe the way we feel physically in a Simple or Continuous form with no change of meaning: I feel sick.          OR          I am feeling sick. My feet ache.     OR          My feet are aching. My leg hurts.      OR          My leg’s hurting.

Source: Grammar & Vocabulary for First Certificate

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[FCE] For, Since, During, Yet, Etc. - Part 1

since and for

We use since to indicate a starting-point:

They haven’t met since the wedding. (= since + noun phrase)

A lot has happened to me since I last wrote to you. (= since + clause)

We can use It’s a long time, two weeks, etc. + since + Past Simple to focus on the period:

It’s ages since I saw Eva.

We use for to say how long something lasts:

I’m tired. We’ve been walking for four hours.

I haven’t seen Eva for ages.

I’ve have been living in London since four weeks.

I’ve been living in London for four weeks.

over/during

We use over/during to indicate the period of time in which something happens or develops:

Over/During the last eighteen months there have been three tax increases.

Compare the use of since:

Since the middle of last year (= the starting-point) there have been three tax increases.

from… to/until/till

We use from… to/until/till to indicate when something starts and ends - from one point in time to another:

Diner is from eight o’clock to ten o’clock.

I waited from ten till two.

We can use from… without to/until/till if we do not say when something ends:

I was training from ten o’clock.

from and since

Compare from and since:

The minister was there from ten o’clock. (= he came at ten o’clock)

They’ve been here since ten o’clock. (= they’re still here)

for and during

For answers the question ‘how long?’. We use with time expressions to talk about actions last the whole of the period of time.

He was with the company for forty years.

1958 ________________________________________ 1998

                          His time with the company

We use during + that week, your stay, the match, etc, when one action happened inside a period of time:

During that year he rose from deputy manager to managing director.

Here are some typical phrases we use with for and during:

for two hours/a whole week/a long time/a couple of days/a minute or so

during office hours/the day/the full ninety minutes/the twentieth century/the interval

during or while?

During is a preposition. We use it before a noun (phrase). We never use during with a clause.

We didn’t see anybody during the holidays.

                                                 ----noun----

While is a conjunction. We use it with a clause:

We didn’t see anybody while we were on holiday.

                                               -----clause-----           

During I was at home, a salesman called.

While I was at home, a salesman called.       

Source: Richard Side and Guy Wellman - Grammar & Vocabulary for First Certificate

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