Comprehensive English Grammar: Tenses, Conditionals, and Reported Speech Explained

This document provides a concise overview of fundamental English verb tenses, conditional sentences, and reported speech, illustrating their affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms with clear examples.

Present Simple: Structure and Usage

• A: I eat a lot.
• N: I don't eat much.
• I: Do you eat much?

Present Continuous: Actions in Progress

• A: I am eating a hot dog.
• N: I'm not eating a hot dog.
• I: Am I eating a hot dog?

Past Simple: Completed Actions

• A: I played in the park.
• N: I didn't play in the park.
• I: Did I play in the park?

Past Continuous: Ongoing Past Actions

• A: I was sleeping in the park.
• N: I wasn't sleeping in the park.
• I: Was I sleeping in the park?

Past Perfect Simple: Prior Past Actions

• A: I had started.
• N: I hadn't started.
• I: Had I started?

Past Perfect Continuous: Duration Before a Past Point

• A: I had been traveling.
• N: I hadn't been traveling.
• I: Had you been traveling?

Present Perfect Simple: Experience and Unfinished Time

• A: I've (have) walked for two hours.
• N: I haven't walked for two hours.
• I: Have I walked for two hours?

Present Perfect Continuous: Ongoing Actions Up to Now

• A: I've (have) been running this morning.
• N: I haven't been running this morning.
• I: Have I been running this morning?

Future Simple: Predictions and Decisions

• A: I will return tonight.
• N: I will not return tonight.
• I: Will I return tonight?

Future Continuous: Actions in Progress at a Future Time

• A: I will be shopping.
• N: I won't be shopping.
• I: Will I be shopping?

Future with "Going To": Plans and Intentions

• A: I'm (I am) going to stay at home.
• N: I'm (I am not) going to stay at home.
• I: Am I going to stay at home?

Future Perfect Simple: Actions Completed by a Future Time

• A: I will have finished.
• N: I won't have finished.
• I: Will I have finished?

Conditional Sentences: Type 1

Structure: If/unless + Present Simple, Future Simple/Modal/Present Simple/Imperative.

Conditional Sentences: Type 2

Structure: If/unless + Past Simple, (Would/Could/Might) + Infinitive.

Conditional Sentences: Type 3

Structure: If + Past Perfect, (would have/could have/might have) + Past Participle.

Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Tense Changes in Reported Speech:

• Present Simple → Past Simple
• Past Simple → Past Perfect
• Future Simple → Would
• Present Continuous → Past Continuous
• Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
• Present Perfect Simple → Past Perfect Simple
• Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
• Past Perfect Simple/Continuous → Past Perfect Simple/Continuous (No Change)

Common Time, Place, and Modal Changes:

• here → there
• this → that
• these → those
• now → then
• next week → the week after
• today → that day
• tonight → that night
• tomorrow → the next day
• yesterday → the day before
• last week → the week before
• Can → Could
• May → Might
• Must → Must / Had to
• Have to → Had to
• Will → Would