Past   Present   Future

Past tense: something that has already happened

Present tense: something that is happening now

Future tense: something that is going to happen

These tenses seem to cause some students a lot of problems. So here are a few example sentences using the past, present and future tense.

 

I went shopping yesterday.  (“I went” makes it “Past Tense”)

 

I’m busy shopping at the moment.    (“at the moment” makes it “Present Tense”)

 

I think I’ll go shopping tomorrow.  (“tomorrow” makes it “Future Tense”)

 

“I went shopping tomorrow” is wrong because “went” is past tense and “tomorrow” is future sense. Both tenses can’t be used in this sort of sentence.

    

“I’m busy shopping yesterday” is wrong because “I’m busy shopping” is present tense and “yesterday” is past tense.

 

“I think I’ll go shopping yesterday” is wrong because (“I think I’ll go shopping” suggests future tense and “yesterday” is past tense)

If you say “I went shopping tomorrow” to someone, a reasonable response would be: “Have you been or are you going?”  It is not physically possible to do both “been and going.”  

 

More correct sentences

 

I met Tom for dinner last night.  Past Tense

I’m having dinner with Tom at the moment.  Present Tense

I’m meeting Tom for dinner tomorrow night. Future Tense

 

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life.  Past Tense

This is the best day of my life. Present Tense

I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be one of the best days of my life.  Future Tense

 

He said he paid the gas bill two days ago. Past Tense

He’s paying the gas bill now. Present Tense

He said he would pay the gas bill next week.  Future Tense