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When we talk about something that happened in the past, we use the past tense. However, there are also times when we use the past tense to express something else.

a). To express a wish
A wish is not something that happened in the past, but we need to use the past tense.
e.g.
I wish I had a car. (I do not have a car.)
He wishes he won the lottery.

In the above sentences, the past tense has nothing to do with the past time.

b). In the sentence pattern “It’s time …”
When “It’s time” followed by a clause, the past tense is used in the clause.

e.g.
It’s time we left.
It’s time we took design seriously.
It’s time you sold your old car.

Here we are not talking about what happened in the past. If I say “It’s time you sold your old car.” to you, you still have your car, and you are driving it.

c). To show politeness
Sometimes we use the past tense because we want to be polite. The past tense is more polite than the present tense.

e.g.
I wonder if you can come to dinner tonight.
I wondered if you could come to dinner tonight.
I was wondering if you could come to dinner tonight.

If you are inviting a friend, you use the first sentence. If you are inviting your boss, you probably will use the second or the third sentence. The third, the past progressive tense, is even more polite than the second.

d) In the “if” clause

We use the past tense in the “if” clause, if something is not a fact, or it’s unlikely to happen.

e.g.
If it rained tomorrow, I would not come. (I think it will rain tomorrow.)
If I got a raise, I would throw a party. (I don’t believe I will get a raise.)

When we use the simple present tense, it means that we believe it will happen.

e.g.
If it rains tomorrow, I will not come. (I don’t think it will rain tomorrow.)
If I get a raise, I will throw a party. (I think I will get a raise.)

Generally speaking, the past tense is used to express the past time, but there are special uses of the past tense. We need to pay attention to these special uses in learning English.

- Ron Lee

The present continuous tense is usually used to express something that is happening right now.
e.g.
I am listening to music.
He is smoking now.
However, the present continuous tense is frequently used to express the future.
e.g.
I am cleaning my house this weekend.
I’m picking up my sister at the airport tomorrow.
I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon.

From these examples, we can see that the present continuous tense can be used to express both the present and the future. The meaning is determined by the time phrase used. If “now” or “right now” is used, it means something is happening right now; if a future time phrase is used, such as “tomorrow,” “next month,” the meaning is that something will happen or will be happening in the future. Sometimes, there is no time phrase. The time is understood in the context.

Expert Teacher, Sidhartha Desai, answers your questions on English and English Learning. If you would like to submit your questions for publication, Click Here. (Questions may be edited)

Question 1:

I’m an ESL learner of English. I’m a bit confused about the following questions:

The Philippines __________ in the Pacific Ocean. (are)

Her family __________ sitting outside enjoying the fresh air.( is)

Why is that?

- ESL Learner

Answer 1:

Thanks for your question and you have every reason to be confused. It is correct to say: The Philippines is and not The Philippines are.

It seems tempting and reasonable to say The Philippines are because plural nouns are usually followed by the plural form of the verb. However, when speaking of one united group, such as: The Philippines, The United States, and other country names, we use the singular form of the verb.

Some of the confusion around The Philippines comes from the fact that it is an archipelago (a group of islands). So, if someone says: The Philippine Islands are… that would be correct. However, when simply referring to the formal country name, The Philippines, it should be The Philippines is.

The same principle is true for words like: the family, everyone, the government, the country, the city, the company, and the university.

All of the above words are describing groups, but they are all followed by the singular form of the verb because they represent one unified group.

- Sidhartha Desai, www.ExpertEnglishTeacher.com

Question 2:

According to my information, the word since comes with past simple. But, I found some sentences saying: It’s been a while since I have seen you? Can you explain this to me? Thank you.

- Osama, Lybia

Answer 2:

In American English the word since is commonly used with the perfect tenses. So, it is correct to say: It’s been a while since I have seen you.

In British English since is commonly used with present and past tenses. So, it is correct to say: It’s a long time since I saw you.

For more information on the different tenses in English, Click Here to read one of my previous blog entries.

- Sidhartha Desai, www.ExpertEnglishTeacher.com

Expert Teacher, Sidhartha Desai, answers your questions on English and English Learning. If you would like to submit your questions for publication, Click Here. (Questions may be edited)

Question 1:

Hi! I’ve heard a person saying, “Let’s go to play a game!” and I would like to know if it is correct. Is it OK to use infinitive verbs after LET’S GO? Is there any rule for that?

- Vieira, Brazil

Answer 1:

I’m very happy that you asked this question. I hear this mistake all the time and most students don’t realize that it’s a mistake.

After Let’s go we usually don’t use the infinitive form.

The correct way of saying it is: Let’s go play a game.

However, you can follow Let’s go with the preposition to; this is different than following it with to plus the infinitive. For example: Let’s go to school or let’s go to the office.

The same rule applies for all commands in the imperative voice.

For example, it is correct to say: Please, sit down.

It is incorrect to say: To please, sit down.

Another common mistake with this type of phrase is when we start a sentence with: Why don’t we… or Why not…

It is correct to say: Why don’t we see that movie tonight? Or Why not see that movie tonight?

It is incorrect to say: Why don’t we to see that movie tonight? Or Why not to see that movie tonight?

- Sidhartha Desai, www.ExpertEnglishTeacher.com

Question 2:

I don’t understand the meaning of “The salesman said he would be right over”

- Sylvain, France

Answer 2:

This is a very common expression in North America. It means: The salesman said he would be coming here very soon.

People often say, “I’ll be right over.” It means: I’m coming very soon.

- Sidhartha Desai, www.ExpertEnglishTeacher.com

Expert Teacher, Sidhartha Desai, answers your questions on English and English Learning. If you would like to submit your questions for publication, Click Here. (Questions may be edited)

Question:

Can You Explain the Different Tenses in English?

- Alex Rodriguez, USA

Answer:

Each tense in English has a different purpose. I’ve outlined the different tenses below with examples and special notes on how to use them.

Present Perfect

This tense is used when thinking about the past and present at the same time. It is typically used to describe events that recently happened.

David has received a big promotion.

There has been an earthquake in Los Angeles.

(Note: After describing the recent event, you can use the Simple Past to give more details.)

There has been an earthquake in Los Angeles. A building collapsed, but no one was killed.

(Note: When using this tense, you must use the auxiliary verb – have – in the present tense, before the past participle of the main verb. For example: There has been an earthquake)

Simple Past

If an event has been completed in the past, and is not continuing today, then use the Simple Past Tense.

I went to New York in 2002.

I saw a great movie last night.

(Note: Do not use an auxiliary verb when using this tense)

Present Perfect Continuous

This tense connects the past to the present moment. It is used for ideas that begin in the past, but continue until today.

I have been trying to understand the meaning of life since I was a child.

What have you been doing lately?

(Note: When using this tense, you must use the auxiliary verb – have – in the present tense, followed by been, followed by the ing form of the verb. For example: I have been trying)

Past Perfect

When you are describing two different moments in the past in the same sentence, use the Past Perfect tense.

It had started raining before I got home.

She had studied English for 10 years before she became a professor.

(Note: When using this tense, you must use the auxiliary verb – had – in the past tense, before the past participle of the main verb. For example: She had studied English)

Past Perfect Continuous

We use this tense to describe longer ongoing events that were happening around a past time.

What were you doing at 10pm last night?

I was watching the hockey game.

(Note: This tense is different from the Simple Past Tense. The simple past is used for shorter events; Past Perfect Continuous is used for longer events or situations that were happening in the past.)

Simple Present

This tense is used to describe habits, personal preferences, or general truths.

I ride my bicycle every day.

Maya loves watching movies.

It is beautiful to watch the sun set over the Rocky Mountains.

(Note: It is uncommon to use this tense to describe actions in the present moment. For this situation, we generally use the Present Continuous Tense.)

Present Continuous

We use this tense to describe an action in the present moment. It is usually used to ask a question and to respond to that question.

What are you doing?

I’m making dinner.

- Sidhartha Desai, www.ExpertEnglishTeacher.com