Your lunch is getting cold.
R93 In this section the examples given are declarative clauses. The order of words in questions is different from the order in declarative clauses. See paragraphs 5.10 to 5.34 for information about this.
R94 Progressive forms are constructed using an appropriate tense of the auxiliary be and the -ing participle. Detailed information on how to construct these forms is included below. The uses of progressive forms are explained in detail in paragraphs 4.7 to 4.69.
R95 The formation of active sentences is explained below. The formation of the passive is explained in paragraphs R109 to R118.
R96 The present simple form of a verb is the same as the base form with all subjects except the third person singular.
I want a breath of air.
We advise everyone to call half an hour before they arrive.
They give you a certificate and then tell you to get a job.
The third person singular form is the s form.
Flora puts her head back, and laughs again. Money decides everything, she thought.
Mr Paterson plays Phil Hoskins in the TV drama.
R97 The present progressive is formed by using the present tense of be and the -ing participle of the main verb.
People who have no faith in art are running the art schools.
The garden industry is booming.
Things are changing.
R98 The past simple form of a regular verb is formed by adding ed to the base form of regular verbs.
The moment he entered the classroom all eyes turned on him.
He walked out of the kitchen and climbed the stairs.
It was dark by the time I reached East London.
R99 The past progressive is formed by using the past tense of be and the -ing participle of the main verb.
Their questions were beginning to drive me crazy.
We believed we were fighting for a good cause.
At the time, I was dreading the exam.
R100 The present perfect is formed by using the present tense of have and the -ed participle of the main verb.
Advances have continued, but productivity has fallen.
Football has become international.
I have seen this before.
R101 The present perfect progressive is formed by using the present perfect of be and the -ing participle of the main verb.
Howard has been working hard over the recess.
What we have been describing is very simple.
Their shares have been going up.
R102 The past perfect is formed by using had and the -ed participle of the main verb.
The Indian summer had returned for a day.
Everyone had liked her.
Murray had resented the changes I had made.
R103 The past perfect progressive is formed by using had been and the -ing participle of the main verb.
She did not know how long she had been lying there.
For ten years of her life, teachers had been making up her mind for her.
I had been showing a woman around with her little boy.
R104 There are several ways of referring to the future in English. The simple future involves using the modal will or shall and the base form of the verb.
It is exactly the sort of scheme he will like.
My receptionist will help you choose the frames.
Don’t drop crumbs or we shall have mice.
Send him into the Army; he’ll learn a bit of discipline there.
As soon as we get the tickets they’ll be sent out to you.
Next week we’ll be looking at the history of dance.
R105 If the full forms are used, will is generally used if the subject of the verb is not I or we. Shall is sometimes used if the subject is I or we, otherwise will is used.
Inflation is rising and will continue to rise.
I shall be away tomorrow.
R106 The future progressive is formed by using will or shall, followed by be and the -ing participle of the main verb.
Indeed, we will be opposing that policy.
Ford manual workers will be claiming a ten per cent pay rise.
I shall be leaving soon.
R107 The future perfect is formed by using will or shall, followed by have and the -ed participle of the main verb.
Long before you return, they will have forgotten you.
By next week will have reached the end of the book.
By that time, I shall have retired.
R108 The future perfect progressive is formed by using will or shall, followed by have been and the -ing participle of the main verb.
By March, I will have been doing this job for six years.
Saturday week, I will have been going out with Susan for three months.
R109 Passive forms are constructed using an appropriate tense of be and the -ed participle of the main verb. Detailed information on forming the passive is given below.
R110 The present simple passive is formed by using the present simple of be and the -ed participle of the main verb.