used with the past simple
4.44 When you use the past simple to describe habitual or regular activities, you can use an adverbial of frequency to indicate the regularity or repetition of the activity.
He often agreed to work quite cheaply.
Sometimes he read so much that he became confused.
Etta phoned Guppy every day.
The use of the past simple to describe habitual actions is explained in paragraph 4.30.
used with the past progressive
4.45 If you are using the past progressive to talk about repeated actions, you can add an adverb of frequency such as always or forever after the auxiliary to emphasize the frequency of the action or to express your annoyance about it.
In the immense shed where we worked, something was always going wrong.
She was always knitting – making sweaters or baby clothes.
Our builder was forever going on skiing holidays.
The use of the past progressive to describe repeated actions is explained in paragraph 4.31.
used with the present perfect
4.46 When you use the present perfect to mention something that is still relevant to the present, you can add an adverb of frequency to show that the action was repeated.
I’ve often wondered why we didn’t move years ago.
Political tensions have frequently spilled over into violence.
The use of the present perfect to talk about situations that are still relevant is explained in paragraph 4.33.
4.47 Note that if you are talking about a quality, attitude, or possession that still exists or is still relevant, you need to use the present perfect with an adverbial of duration.
We’ve had it for fifteen years.
He’s always liked you, you know.
I have known him for years.
My people have been at war since 1917.
4.48 If you use the present perfect and the present perfect progressive to mention a continuing activity that began in the past, you can add an adverbial of duration to show how long it has been going on.
For about a week he had been complaining of a bad headache.
They have been meeting regularly for two years.
He has looked after me well since his mother died.
The use of the present perfect and the present perfect progressive to talk about activities that began in the past is explained in paragraph 4.35.
used with the past perfect
4.49 When you use the past perfect to describe a repeated event that took place before a particular time in the past, you use an adverbial of frequency to show how often it was repeated.
Posy had always sought her out even then.
The housekeeper mentioned that the dog had attacked its mistress more than once.
The use of the past perfect to describe events that occurred before a particular time in the past are explained in paragraph 4.37.
4.50 If you are using the past perfect to talk about a situation that did not change in the past, you use an adverbial of duration to emphasize the length of time during which it existed.
They weren’t really our aunt and uncle, but we had always known them.
All through those many years he had never ever lost track of my father.
His parents had been married for twelve years when he was born.
4.51 If you are using the past perfect progressive to mention a recent, continuous activity, you can specify when it began.
The Home Office had until now been insisting on giving the officers only ten days to reach a settlement.
Since then, the mother had been living with her daughter.
Adverbials of frequency or duration can also be added for emphasis.
The drive increased the fatigue she had been feeling for hours.
The rain had been pouring all night.
The use of the past perfect progressive to talk about a recent, continuous activity is explained in paragraph 4.38.
Expressing future time
4.52 It is not possible to talk with as much certainty about the future as it is about the present or the past. Any reference you make to future events is therefore usually an expression of what you think might happen or what you intend to happen.
Indicating the future using will
4.53 If you want to say that something is planned to happen, or that you think it is likely to happen in the future, you use the modal will in front of the base form of the verb.
Nancy will arrange it.
These will be dealt with in chapter 7. ‘I will check,’ said Brody.
When will I see them?
What do you think Sally will do?
You will come back, won’t you?
If the subject is I or we, the modal shall is sometimes used instead of will to talk about future events.
I shall do everything I can to help you.
You will stay at home and I shall go to your office. ‘We shall give him some tea,’ Naomi said.
The modals will and shall are used in several other ways, usually with some element of future time. For more information, see Chapter 5.
general truths
4.54 If you want to talk about general truths and to say what can be expected to happen if a particular situation arises, you use will.
When peace is available, people will go for it.
An attack of malaria can keep a man off work for three days. He will earn nothing and his family will go hungry.
indicating certainty
4.55 If you are sure that something will happen because arrangements have been made, you can use the future progressive.
I’ll be seeing them when I’ve finished with you.
She’ll be appearing tomorrow and Sunday at the Royal Festival Hall.
I’ll be waiting for you outside.
I understand you’ll be moving into our area soon.
They’ll spoil our picnic. I’ll be wondering all the time what’s happening.