cách dùng các thì trong tiếng anh

Mai quốc thắng
Cách dùng
Các thì
Trong tiếng anh
(How to use tenses in English)
Có phần bài tập áp dụng
kèm theo lời giải đáp
Phố châu 10/2003
English Tenses
(Các thì trong tiếng Anh)
Tense indicates the time and the state of the action or event expressed by the verb.(Thì biểu
thị thời gian và trạng thái của hành động hoặc của sự việc đợc diễn đạt bằng động từ).
There are twelve tenses in the active voice of English verbs. (Có 12 thì ở dạng chủ động
của động từ tiếng Anh).
1. The simple present tense
A. Form: Subject + Verb(s; es) +
B: Usage: The Simple Present tense is used:
1. To express repeated actions, customs and ability (Diễn tả hành động lặp đi lặp lại
theo thói quen, phong tục và khả năng).
e.g. He goes to town every Saturday. (eg =e.g. for example, for instance (Latin: exempli gratia)
I often come to see my grandmother on Sundays.
Men precede women when going downstairs.
He speaks English very well.
Cách dùng này thờng kết hợp với các phó từ nh: Always, often, usually, sometimes, seldom,
rarely, hardly ever (ch a từng thấy), never, every day/week etc.
2. To express a general truth or a natural phenomenon (Diễn tả một sự thật hiển nhiên
hoặc một hiện tợng thiên nhiên)
e.g. Two plus (and) two makes four.
(Plus (+)/and); (minus (-) / take away) trừ, lấy đi; (is) multiplied witth (times) nhân với, lần;( is) divided by
The earth goes (revolves) round the sun.
Most rivers flow into the sea.

3. To express a permanent situation in the present (Diễn tả một tình huống có tính chất lâu
dài ở hiện tại)
e.g.: James lives in Bangkok.
To express a future action related to the timetable or programme. (Một hành động sẽ xảy
ra trong tơng lai liên quan đến thời gian biểu hoặc chơng trình.
e.g. The train leaves at six o'clock.
4. For headlines, sports commentaries, directions and instructions (Các đầu đề, mục
báo, bình luận thể thao, hớng dẫn và chỉ dẫn)
e.g. Three women rob bank.
Martin takes the ball and scores.
You turn left at this junction and you'll find it.
5. In vivid narrative as a substitute for the Simple Past (Trong thể văn tờng thuật sinh
động để thay thế cho thì quá khứ đơn).
e.g. Jack rushes forward and deals Tom a hard blow on the chin.
(Jack xông lên và giáng một cú đấm mạnh vào cằm).
In this episode Bob marries Julia.
6. In exclamatory sentences beginning with Here ! and There !
(Trong câu cảm thán đợc bắt đầu bằng Here và There)
e.g. Here comes the bride! (Cô dâu tới rồi!)
There they go! (Kìa họ đi).
There goes the last bus. (Chuyến xe buýt cuối đi kìa)
Here comes the bus. (Xe buýt đến kìa)
Note: There (here) đợc dùng để nhấn mạnh trớc một vài động từ nh: go, come, stand, lie để
chỉ vị trí của ngời hay vật đợc nói tới.
7. In subordinate clauses of time or condition expressing a future action
(Trong mệnh đề phụ chỉ thời gian hay điều kiện để diễn đạt một hành động tơng lai)
e.g. When you see Jack tomorrow, remember me to him.
Khi bạn gặp Jack, nhớ cho tôi gửi lời hỏi thăm anh ấy.
If he works hard he will succeed.
Time expressions

often, usually, always, never, sometimes, seldom, rarely, hardly, every day/week etc.
2. The present continuous tense
A. Form: Subject + be +Verb+ing +
B: Usage: The Present continuous tense is used:
1. To Express an action happening at or around the time of speaking (Diễn tả một
hành động đang xảy ra tại hoặc xung quanh thời điểm nói)
e.g. We are doing an English exercise now. (Bây giờ chúng tôi đang một bài tập tiếng Anh)
It is raining at this moment. (Lúc này trời đang ma)
They are working in the garden at present. (Hiện giờ họ đang làm việc trong vờn)
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The birds are singing (twitter: hót líu lo)
I am studying French this term. (Học kỳ này tôi đang học tiếng Pháp)
2. To express a temporary action (Diễn tả một hành động có tính chất tạm thời)
e.g. David is doing his military service.
We usually start work at 7 o'clock, but for this week we are starting at 8:30.
3. With adverbs of frequency (always, constantly etc.) for emphasis or to express
annoying habits. (Với các trạng từ chỉ tần suất (Always, constantly) nhằm nhấn mạnh hoặc
diễn tả các thói quen gây khó chịu).
e.g. Susan is very kind. She is always helping the poor.
He is always leaving his clothes on the floor!
4. For a planed future action related to personal arrangement. (Một hành động đợc dự
định sẽ xảy ra trong tơng lai liên quan đến sự sắp đặt có tính chất cá nhân)
e.g. Im travelling to Moscow tomorrow.
He is leaving London for Paris tomorrow.
What are you doing next week? - I'm going to Hanoi.
5. For a situation which is changing or developing around the present. (Một tình huống
đang thay đổi hoặc đang phát triển xung quanh thời điểm hiện tại)
e.g. The problem of pollution is getting more and more serious.
Time expressions
now, right now, at present, at the moment etc.

* Common nonprogressive verbs: (các động từ thờng không dùng ở thì tiếp diễn)
1. Mental state: Trạng thái ý nghĩ
know believe imagine want
realise feel* doubt need
understand suppose remember prefer
recognise think* forget mean
2. Emotional state: Trạng thái xúc cảm
love hate fear mind
like dislike envy care
appreciate
3. Possession: Sở hữu
possess have* own belong
4. Sense perception: Giác quan
taste* hear see*
smell* feel*
5. Other existing states: Các trạng thái hiện tại khác:
seem cost be* consist of
look* owe exist contain
appear* weigh* include
Note: Some stative verbs can be used in the progressive form as well, but they then indicate
an action rather than a state: (Lu ý: Một số động từ chỉ trạng thái cũng có thể đợc sử dụng ở
thì tiếp diễn nhng lúc đó chúng biểu thị hành động hơn là trạng thái).
Feel: When followed by an adjective indicating the subject's emotions or physical or
mental condition (tình trạng về cơ thể hoặc tinh thần) e.g. angry/pleased, happy/sad,
cold/hot, tense/relaxed, nervous/confident is normally used in the simple tenses but can
also be used in the continuous:
e.g. How do you feel? - I feel better.
How are you feeling? - I'm feeling better.
- Feel meaning ''touch'' (usually in order to learn something) can be used in the continuous:
e.g. The doctor was feeling her pulse. (Bác sĩ đang bắt mạch cho cô ấy)

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- But Feel is not used in the continuous when it means ''sense''.
e.g. Don't you feel the house shaking? (Bạn không cảm thấy ngôi nhà đang rung hay sao?)
, it means ''think'':
e.g. I feel you are wrong.
and when it is used as a link verb (và khi nó đợc sử dụng nh một động từ liên hệ):
e.g. The water feels cold. (nớc sờ thấy lạnh; nớc có vẻ lạnh)
Look: The continuous is not used with look used as a link verb (verb + adjective)
e.g. That cake looks good. (delicious, tasty ) appetite (n)
Or with look on: consider cho rằng, coi là (look on sb/smth with smth)
e.g. How do people in general look on her? (Nói chung mọi ngời xem cô ta nh thế nào?)
But look (at), look for/in/into/out and look on (watch) are deliberate (voluntary) actions and
can be used in the continuous tenses.
e.g. He is looking at the mirror.
Smell: ngửi (có mùi) The continuous is not used with smell meaning ''perceive a scent/an
odour ( cảm nhận mùi/mùi thơm).
e.g. I smell gas.
or with smell used as a link verb
e.g. This cake smells good.
Your breath smells of brandy. (miệng anh có mùi rợu) breathe (v): thở
But it can be used with smell meaning ''sniff at'': ngửi
e.g. Why are you smelling the food? - Do you think it has gone off?
Why are you smelling the milk? - Does it smell sour?
Tại sao bạn lại ngửi sữa? - Nó có mùi chua phải không?
Taste: nếm (có vị)
Taste as a link verb is not used in the continuous:
e.g. This coffee tastes bitter. (Cà phê này có vị đắng hơn)
But taste meaning 'to test the flavour of' can be used in the continuous.
e.g. She was tasting the pudding to see if it was sweet enough. (Cô ấy đang nếm bánh )
See:

See can be used in the continuous when it means 'meet by appointment' (usually for
business), 'interview' and 'visit' (usually as a tourist). See có thể đợc sử dụng ở thì tiếp diễn
nó có nghĩa 'gặp gỡ do có hẹn' (thờng cho mục đích công việc), ' phỏng vấn' và 'thăm' (thờng
nh là một khách du lịch).
e.g. The director is seeing the applicants this morning.
I am seeing my solicitor/ lawyer tomorrow. (judge)
Tom is seeing the town/the sights. (thắng cảnh)
It can also be used in the continuous in the following combinations:
see somebody out = escort him/her to the door.
see somebody home = escort him/her home
see somebody to + place = escort him/her to + place.
see somebody off = say good by to a departing traveller at the starting point of his journey
e.g. We are leaving tomorrow. Bill is seeing us off at the airport.
But see: (nhìn thấy, trông thấy, bắt gặp)
e.g. I see a fly (butterfly/dragonfly). Do you see it?
Think: Can be used in the continuous when no opinion is given or asked for:
(Không đa ra ý kiến hoặc yêu cầu)
e.g. What are you thinking about?
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I'm thinking about the play that we saw last night.
But: What do you think about John? (opinion asked for- Hỏi ý kiến)
I think he is very brave. (opinion given- Đa ra ý kiến)
think about sth/doing sth: xem xét, cân nhắc
think about sb/sth: suy nghĩ, nhớ về, nhớ tới ngời nào
think of sth/doing sth: xem xét, suy tính
Appear (=seem) cannot be used in the continuous (dờng nh)
e.g. It appears/seems that he's resigned.
She appeared/seemed very confident.
Are they reliable? - It appears/seems not.
Appear (Xuất hiện) can be used in the continuous.

e.g. The actor is appearing on the stage.
Weigh: (Cân nặng) cannot be used in the continuous.
e.g. She weighs 60 kilos.
How much do you weigh?
Weigh: (cân) can be used in the continuous.
e.g. The grocer is weighing the bananas.
Be (+ an adjective) is used in the continuous to describe a temporary characteristic. Very few
adjectives are used with the continuous; some of most common are: foolish, nice, kind, lazy,
careful, patient, silly, rude, polite, impolite.
e.g. (a) Bob is foolish. = Foolishness is one of Bob's usual characteristics.
(b) Bob is being foolish. = Right now, at the moment of speaking, Bob is doing
something that the speaker considers foolish.
Have (possession) cannot be used in the continuous:
e.g. I have (got) a car.
She has (got) a parrot.
But Have (action) can be used in the continuous:
e.g. What is Kate doing? - She is having coffee.
3. The simple past tense
A. Form: Subject + Verb (past) +
B: Usage: The simple past tense is used to express:
1. A completed action that took place at a definite time in the past. The time is either
mentioned or implied. (một hành động đã xảy ra tại một thời điểm đợc xác định rõ
ràng trong quá khứ. Thời gian của hành động có thể đợc đề cập đến hoặc có ngụ
ý).
e.g. I met her yesterday.
They built this house in 1990.
Peter won first prize in the competition.
A permanent situation in the past (một tình huống có tính chất lâu dài ở trong quá
khứ)
e.g. John lived in England for 15 years.

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2. A completed action that took place one after the other in the past (một hành động
xảy ra sau một hành động khác ở trong quá khứ).
e.g. She woke up, washed her face and had breakfast.
3. A past habit or repeated action in the past; frequency adverb: always, often seldom,
never, etc. (refer used to)
e.g. When Peter was younger, he often went fishing with his father.
4. The simple past is used in the conditional sentences, type 2.
e.g. If he worked hard he would pass the examination.
Time expressions
yesterday, then, ago, last month/week etc.
4. The past continuous tense
A. Form: Subject + be (past) +Verb ing +
B: Usage: The past continuous tense is used to express:
1. An action that was in progress at a definite time in the past (we emphasise its
duration)
e.g. This time last Friday, I was flying to London.
My father was working all day yesterday.
We were watching a football match on television at nine o'clock last night.
2. A lengthy action that was in progress when a shorter or sudden one interrupted it.
The longer action is in the past continuous and the shorter is in the simple past. (một
hành động có tính chất kéo dài đang xảy ra thì có một hành động ngắn hơn hoặc đột nhiên
cắt ngang nó. Hành động dài hơn sẽ ở thì quá khứ tiếp diễn còn hành động ngắn hơn ở thì
quá khứ đơn.)
e.g. When Mark came home, Martha was watching television.
Martha was watching television when Mark came home.
3. Two (or more) actions occurring at the same time in the past : hai (hoặc ba) hành
động xảy ra cùng một lúc ở trong quá khứ.
e.g. Kate was watching television while John was sleeping.
While John was sleeping, Kate was watching television.

4. A temporary action in the past (một hành động có tính chất tạm thời ở trong quá khứ).
e.g. He was writing a play in those days.
5. An annoying habit (with always, continually etc.). (một thói quen gây khó chịu ở trong
quá khứ).
e.g. My brother was always getting into trouble in the past. (có chuyện không hay, bị ch/ h)
(get someone into trouble: gây chuyện không hay cho ai, làm cho ai )
Note: Continual & Continuous
Continual (liên tục, liên miên) thờng mô tả tính chất của một hành động lặp đi lặp lại
Please stop your continual question (xin chấm dứt các câu hỏi liên tục của anh).
He was continually late for work. (Anh ta thờng xuyên đi làm muộn).
Continuous (liên tục) chỉ sự diễn tiến không ngừng, không gián đoạn
They chattered continuously for an hour. (chúng nói huyên thuyên liên tục trong 1 h)

Time expressions
While, when, as etc.
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5. The present perfect (simple) tense
A. Form: Subject + have/has +past participle +
B: Usage: The present perfect is used to express:
1. An action that began in the past and is still occurring in the present.
(Một hành động bắt đầu trong quá khứ và hiện tại vẫn còn xảy ra)
e.g. I have taught history for three years. (I am still teaching history).
2. A past action whose result is connected to the present. (Một hành động trong quá khứ
mà kết quả của nó còn liên quan đến hiện tại)
e.g. The dog has spilt the milk. (The floor is dirty).
3. An action that happened and finished at some time in the past with no interest in the
time when it was finished. (Một hành động đã xảy ra và kết thúc tại một thời điểm nào
đó ở trong quá khứ mà không quan tâm tới thời điểm hoàn thành).
e.g. He has travelled to India. (We don't know when).
4. An action that has just been completed. (Một hành động vừa mới hoàn thành)

e.g. He has just finished his homework.
5. With today, this morning/week etc., if these periods of time are not finished at the
time of speaking. ( Với hôm nay/ buổi sáng / tuần này) nếu nh tại thời điểm nói những
khoảng thời gian này cha kết thúc).
e.g. He has written two letters this afternoon. (It is still afternoon)
6. An action to be completed in the future; before that clause is usually: if, when, as
soon as, until, before, after etc .( Một hành động sẽ đợc hoàn tất trong tơng lai; trớc
mệnh đề đó thờng là if, as soon as, until, before, after ).
e.g. I will repair your bicycle when I have finished this exercise.
She will return you the magazine as soon as she has read it.
7. With adjectives in the superlative degree or expression like: the only/first/ second
etc. . ( Với các tính từ ở cấp so sánh bậc nhất hoặc các thành ngữ nh: the only,
first/second vv)
e.g. This is the most interesting book I've ever read.
This is the third time Tim has visited Vietnam.
Time expressions
Since, for, just, yet (not yet), already, recently, up to now, how
long, how many, ever, never etc.
6. The present perfect continuous tense
A. Form: Subject + have/has +been + Verb+ing
B: Usage: The Present perfect continuous tense is used:
1. To emphasise the duration of an action which started in the past and is still
happening. The action may or may not be completed. (Để nhấn mạnh khoảng thời gian
của một hành động bắt đầu trong quá khứ và vẫn còn xảy ra. Hành động đó cũng có thể kết
thúc hoặc cha kết thúc).
e.g. They have been studying English for five years.
2. Sometimes it is used to emphasise the fact that an action has been uninterrupted,
even though it is not continuing now. (Đôi khi nó còn đợc sử dụng để nhấn mạnh một
hành động không bị ngắt quãng, mặc dù hành động đó không còn tiếp tục nữa.).
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e.g. I'm cold because I've been swimming for an hour.
I'm very tired. I've been running round the town all day.
3. For a temporary action. (§èi víi mét hµnh ®éng cã tÝnh chÊt t¹m thêi.).
e.g. He has been working overtime this week as there is a lot of work in the office.
Time expressions
How long, for, since, all day/morning etc.
Differences:
The present perfect simple is used:
• For a permanent action
She has lived in London all her life.
• To emphasise the result of an action
How many glasses of beer have you
drunk?
I've drunk three glasses of beer.
• For an action that are already finished.
Look at the car, Sam has washed it.
The present perfect simple is used:
• For past events which have a
connection to the present. The time is
indefinite.
I have found a new job.
• For events that began in the past but
are still happening in the present.
I have lived in Athens for ten years.
(I still live in Athens)
• With today, this morning/week etc., if
these periods of time are not finished
at the time of speaking
Helen has called me twice this morning.
(The morning is not over yet)

The present perfect continuous is used:
• For a temporary action
He has been staying with friends for two months,
but now he wants to get his own place.
• To emphasise the duration of an action
How long have you been staying here?
I have been staying here for 8 years.
• For an action that may or may not be finished.
Sam has been washing the car for an hour.
The past simple is used:
• For completed past events which are not
connected to the present. The time is definite
I found a new job three months ago.
• For events that took place for a certain
period of time in the past but are over at
the time of speaking.
Susan lived in Manchester for three years but
now she lives in Liverpool.
• With today, this morning/week etc., if these
periods of time are finished.
Helen called me twice this morning
(The morning is over)
Note: ∗They've been to Italy. (They are back now)
They've gone to Italy. (They are still there)
∗ Feel, learn, live, sleep, study, teach, wait, work etc. can be used in the Present Perfect
simple or the Present Perfect Continuous with no difference in meaning.
e.g. He has worked in that factory for three years.
He has been working in that factory for three years.

Time expressions

A. For - since
For is used when we want to indicate the length of a period of time.
Sine is used when we want to indicate the starting point of a period of time.
two hours 2 o'clock
a week July
for six months since 1973
twelve years I was a child

e.g. She's been talking on the phone for two hours.
She's been talking on the phone since seven o'clock.
B. Yet - already - still
Yet is used only in interrogative and negative sentences and is placed at the end of the
sentence.
e.g. Have you finished yet ?
He hasn't arrived yet.
Already is used in affirmative and interrogative sentences; it is usually placed between the
auxiliary and the main verb, but can also appear at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
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e.g. I have already been to the Science Museum.
Have you already seen this film?
You've finished your homework already!
Still: suggests that the action continues up to now.
is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb in the affirmative and
interrogative sentences, but before the auxiliary in negations.
e.g. He is still reading.
Do you still love me?
She still doesn't know what happened.
is not used with perfect sentences.
7. The past perfect (simple) tense
A. Form: Subject + had +past participle +

B: Usage: The Past Perfect (simple) Tense is used:
1. To express a past event that was completed before another past event. (Để diễn tả
một sự việc đã đợc hoàn tất trớc một sự việc khác ở trong quá khứ) .
e.g. By the time we arrived, the film had started.
John had gone to the store before he went home.
2. To express a past event that was completed before a definite time in the past. (Để
diễn tả một sự việc trong quá khứ đã đợc hoàn tất trớc một thời điểm rõ ràng ở trong quá
khứ. ).
e.g. Angela had finished cooking by 11:30 a.m
3. With adjectives in the superlative degree and expressions such as: the first/second
the only etc. (với các tính từ ở cấp so sánh bậc nhất và các thành ngữ nh: lần đầu
tiên/thứ hai duy nhất vv).
e.g. That was the first time I had been in Paris.
It was the worst time I had ever had.
4. For unfulfilled hopes and wishes: We can use the past perfect (or the past simple or
progressive) with verbs like expect , hope , mean, suppose, mean to describe things we
hoped or wished but didn't. (Đối với những niềm hy vọng và ớc ao nhng đã không thể
thực hiện đợc: Chúng ta sử dụng thì quá khứ hoàn thành (hoặc quá khứ đơn hoặc quá
khứ tiếp diễn) với các động từ nh: expect , hope , mean, suppose, mean để diễn tả những
những điều mà chúng ta đã hy vọng hoặc ao ớc nhng đã không thực hiện đợc).
e.g. I had hoped to send him a telegram to congratulate him on his marriage, but I didn't
manage it. (Tôi đã hy vọng gửi một bức điện để chúc mừng đám cới của anh ấy nhng tôi
đã không thể thực hiện đợc.)
Note: Past and past perfect tenses in time clauses
Time clauses with When
When one past action follows another, we can combine them by using when and two simple
past tenses (there is usually the idea that the first action led to the second action and the
second followed the first very closely).
Khi một hành động trong quá khứ theo sau một hành động khác , ta có thể kết hợp chúng bằng cách sử
dụng when và hai thì quá khứ đơn (thờng có ý kiến rằng hành động thứ hai là kết quả của hành động

thứ nhất và nó theo rất sát hành động thứ nhất).
e.g.: He called her a liar. She slapped his face.
When he called her a liar she slapped his face.
When he opened the window the bird flew out.
When he died he was given a state funeral.
The past perfect is used after 'when' when we wish to emphasise that the first action was
completed before the second one started.
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Thì QKHT cũng đợc sử dụng sau 'When' khi chúng ta muốn nhấn mạnh rằng hành động thứ nhất đã
đợc hoàn tất trớc khi hành động thứ hai bắt đầu.
e.g.: When I had read the newspaper I threw it away.
When he had written the letter he went to the post-office.
Time clause with till, until, as soon as, before, after:
Similar to 'When' two simple past tenses can be used Cũng tơng tự nh 'when' hai thì quá khứ
đơn có thể đợc sử dụng
Cũng tơng tự nh 'when' hai thì quá khứ đơn có thể đợc sử dụng
e.g. I sat outside until the sun went down.
As soon as she saw the mouse, she jumped on a chair.
Unless it is necessary in order to point out that the first action was completed before the
second one started Trừ khi thấy cần thiết để cho thấy rằnghành động thứ nhất đợc hoàn tất tr-
ớc khi hành động thứ hai bắt đầu.
e.g. He didn't leave the house until he had checked that all the windows were close.
We left as soon as we had finished dinner.
8. The past perfect continuous tense
A. Form: Subject + had +been + present participle
B: Usage: The Past Perfect Continuous Tense is used:
1. To emphasise the duration of an action that had been in progress up to a moment in
the past or before another past event. (Để nhấn mạnh khoảng thời gian của một hành
động đang xảy ra và tiếp tục cho đến một thời điểm ở trong quá khứ hoặc trớc một sự việc
khác trong quá khứ) .

e.g. By 1987, he had been working in New York for 5 years.
(Cho đến 1987, anh ấy đã làm việc ở New york đợc 5 năm.)
He had been teaching for 35 years when he retired.
(Khi ông ta về hu ông ta đã giảng dạy trong 30 năm.)
2. To express an action whose duration caused visible results later on in the past. (Để
diễn tả một hành động mà kết quả của nó đã tạo ra các kết quả rõ ràng ở trong quá khứ).
e.g. When they came back from the beach, their skin was red. They had been lying in the sun
for five hours.
9. The simple future tense
A. Form: Subject + will/(shall) + bare infinitive +
B: Usage: The simple future tense is used to express:
1. A decision which is made at the time of speaking (một quyết định đợc hình thành tại
thời điểm nói)
e.g. It's getting cold; I'll close the windows.
2. Predictions or personal opinions about the future (we can use verbs, expressions and
adverbs of probability such as: expect, think, be sure, be afraid, perhaps, probably)
(những lời dự đoán hoặc ý kiến cá nhân về tơng lai.) Chúng ta có thể sử dụng các động từ,
thành ngữ và các trạng từ chỉ sự có thể chẳng hạn nh : expect, think, be sure, be afraid,
perhaps, probably).
e.g. According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
I think Arsenal will lose this match.
I'm sure John will be very happy to meet you.
3. Requests and offers (những lời yêu cầu và đề nghị)
e.g. Will you do the ironing for me, please?
I'll take you to the airport tomorrow.
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4. Promises, threats, warnings, hopes, fears, invitation, refusal, willingness,
determination. (những lời hứa, đe doạ, cảnh báo, hy vọng, lo sợ, lời mời, từ chối, bằng
lòng, quyết tâm)
e.g. I will try to do better the next time. (promise)

I will punish you if you don't behave yourself. (behave one's self: c xử cho phải đạo; ngoan )
Stop making so noise or the neighbours will get angry. (warning)
I hope that our home team will win.
I'm afraid the doctor will not be able to see you this afternoon.
Will you have some more wine? (invitation)
This window won't open. (refusal)
I will lend you my motorcycle. (willingness)
We will go, although there is danger (chúng tôi quyết tâm sẽ đi mặc dù nguy hiểm)
Note: Today ''will'' is used for every person. When ''shall'' and ''will'' are contracted into ''ll''
there will be no deference between them.
Shall is only used with ''I'' and ''we'' in formal English or for suggestions and offers
(Shall chỉ đợc sử dụng với ''I' và ''We'' trong lối hành văn trang trọng hoặc lời đề nghị và
yêu cầu.)
e.g. We shall answer all your questions.
Shall we eat out? (Chúng mình đi ăn nhà hàng nhé?)
Shall I open it now? (Tôi mở ngay bây giờ nhé?)
However, sometimes ''Shall'' can be also used in the third person to express a command
(in written English): Nhng thỉnh thoảng ''Shall'' cũng có thể đợc sử dụng với ngôi thứ ba
để diễn tả một mệnh lệnh (trong văn viết)
e.g. The Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected annually.(elect: bầu)
This document shall be kept in the office. (Tài liệu này phải đợc lu tại văn phòng)
Going to: is used to express:
predictions based on evidence (những dự đoán dựa trên các bằng chứng cụ thể)
e.g. The sun is shining; it is going to be a lovely day.
Look at those black clouds. It is going to rain.
According to the weather forecast, it is going to be cloudy tomorrow.
a plan or a decision has been made before the time of speaking (một kế hoạch hay một
quyết định đợc hình thành trớc thời điểm nói)
e.g. I'm going to learn French this year.
She doesn't like Alan, so she isn't going to invite him to her party.

10. The future continuous tense
A. Form: Subject + will/(shall) + be + present participle +
B: Usage: The future continuous tense is used to express:
1. Future events which are already planed or arranged. (Những sự việc trong tơng lai đã
đợc lập kế hoạch hoặc đã đợc chuẩn bị).
e.g. She will be spending her summer at the seaside this year.
The president will be visiting Egypt next month.
2 An action that will be in progress at a point of time in the future.(Một hành động sẽ
đang xảy ra tại một thời điểm trong tơng lai).
e.g. This time tomorrow I shall/will be flying to India.
Thời gian này vào ngày mai tôi sẽ (đang) đáp máy bay đi  n Độ.
The doctor will be seeing Nam at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Vào lúc 3 giờ chiều mai ông bác sĩ sẽ (đang) khám bệnh cho Nam.
At 10 oclock tomorrow evening Ill be watching a film on TV.
Vào lúc 10 giờ đêm mai, tôi sẽ xem một bộ phim trên TV.
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3. An action that will be in progress at a point of time in the future when another action
takes place. (Một hành động sẽ đang xảy ra tại một thời điểm trong tơng lai thì một
hành động khác xảy tới).
e.g. Susan will be getting breakfast ready when you wake up.
Susan sẽ chuẩn bị xong bữa sáng khi bạn ngủ dậy (tỉnh giấc).
If you come at eight, she will be practising the piano.
Nếu anh đến vào lúc 8 giờ thì cô ấy sẽ đang tập piano.
4. An action that will extend over a given period of time in the future. (Hành động sẽ xảy
ra kéo dài trong một quãng thời gian qui định trong tơng lai).
e.g. I shall be swimming all day tomorrow.
Tôi sẽ (đang) bơi suốt cả ngày mai.
He will be studying for his oral examination next month.
Anh ấy sẽ (đang) học tập cho kỳ thi nói suốt cả tháng tới.
Note: Sometime there is little or no difference between the future continuous and the simple future,

especially when the future event will occur at an indefinite time in the future (Thỉnh thoảng rất ít
hoặc không có sự khác nhau giữa thì tơng lai tiếp diễn và thì tơng lai đơn, đặc biệt khi một sự việc sẽ
xảy ra tại một thời điểm không rõ ràng trong tơng lai.)
e.g. Don't get impatient. She will be coming soon.
Don't get impatient. She will come soon.
Deferent ways of expressing futurity
1. Simple present: I leave next week.
2. Present continuous I am leaving next week.
3. Simple future I'll leave next week.
4. Future Continuous I'll be leaving next week.
5. Be going to I'm going to leave next week.
6. Be to I'm to leave next week.
7. Be due to I'm due to leave next week. (due to do sth)
8. Be about to I'm about to leave next week.
9. Be on the point of I'm on the point of leaving next week.
10. Be on the verge of I'm on the verge of leaving next week.
11. The future perfect tense
A. Form: Subject + will/(shall) +have + past participle +
B: Usage: The future perfect tense is used to express:
1. An action that will be completed before (by) a certain point of time in the future.
(Một hành động sẽ đợc hoàn thành trớc một thời điểm nhất định ở tơng lai).
e.g. By dinner time I will have typed all the letters. (Trớc giờ ăn tối tôi sẽ đánh xong những bức th này).
We will have arrived in Japan by next Monday. (Chúng tôi sẽ tới Nhật Bản vào khoảng thứ Hai tuần tới).
Tom will have taken his university degree by this time next year.
(Tom sẽ tốt nghiệp đại học vào khoảng thời gian này sang năm).
I shall have spent all my money by the end of this month. (Tôi sẽ tiêu hết tiền trớc cuối tháng này).
2. An action that will be completed before another action in the future. (Một hành động
sẽ đợc hoàn thành trớc một hành động khác trong tơng lai ).
e.g. When you return here, they will have built this hospital.
(Khi anh trở lại đây thì họ sẽ xây xong bệnh viện này rồi.)

3. Duration up to a time in the future. (một sự việc kéo dài tới một thời điểm trong tơng lai
).
e.g. I shall have lived in this house for ten years by the end of this year.
(Vào khoảng cuối năm nay tôi sẽ ở trong căn nhà này đợc mời năm. )
12. The future perfect continuous tense
A. Form: Subject + will/(shall) +have been +present participle +
B: Usage: The future perfect continuous tense is used:
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1. To emphasise the continuation of an action that will be in progress before a certain
point of time or another action in the future.
(Nhấn mạnh tính liên tục của một hành động sẽ đang xảy ra trớc một thời điểm nhất định
hoặc một hành động trong tơng lai). {The same (3) of the future perfect tense}
e.g. On April 12,2001 we shall have been living in this house for ten years.
Vào ngày 12/4/20001 chúng tôi sẽ ở trong ngôi nhà này đợc mời năm.
We will have been studying for an hour when he comes.
Lúc anh ấy đến chúng ta sẽ học đợc 1 tiếng đồng hồ.
By midnight we will have been flying for seven hours.
Đến nửa đêm chúng ta sẽ bay đợc 7 giờ.
Exercises
1. Put the verbs in brackets into the Simple Present or the Present Continuous tense
1- He always (sleep) with his windows open.
2- I (read) a play by Shaw.
3- Actions (speak) louder than words.
4- Listen! Someone (knock) at the door.
5- The River Nile (rise) in Central Africa.
6- They (dance) now, the master (play) the piano.
7- I (go) to bed early and (get up) early.
8- John often (stay) in a hotel when he (come) to town, but tonight he (stay) with us.
9- I usually (wear) a coat but I (not wear) one today as it isnt cold.
10- My neighbour (practise) the violin; she usually (practise) at about this time.

11- Smith (smoke) a great deal. In fact wherever I (see) him, he (smoke).
12- The teacher (point) at the blackboard when he (want) to explain something.
13- Whenever I (call) at the Browns home, they (play) cards. I really think they (play) every
night.
14- The sun (rise) in the east; now it (set) and night (fall).
15- That man in the white hat who (walk) past the window (live) next the door.
16- Architects (make) the plans of buildings.
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17- I (spend) this weekend in Alexandria, I (go) there nearly every week.
18- Where are you? – I (sit) in the kitchen. – What you (do) there? – I (help) my mother.
19- Why you (wash) those clothes this morning? – Because the sun (shine), I (never wash)
clothes when there are clouds in the sky.
20- Where you (go) now? – I (go) to the theatre - I (go) tonight also, but I (not go) very often
– I (go) every week, but tonight I (go) for the second time in three days.
2. Supply the correct present tense for the verbs in brackets (Simple Present or Present
Continuous)
1- Ships (travel) from Southampton to New York in four or five days
2- John (travel) to England tomorrow.
3- On my way to work I generally (meet) many children who (go) to school.
4- Look, a man (run) after the train. He (want) to catch it.
5- It (be) very cold now? You (think) it (freeze)?
6- The sun (warm) the air and (give) us light.
7- What you (read) when you are on holiday? – I (read) detective stories. Now I (read) The
Shut Door by Ivor Lock.
8- You (hear) anything? – I (listen) hard but I can’t hear here anything.
9- I (see) that you (wear) your best clothes? You (go) to a party? – No, I (go) to a wedding
– And who is the man who (throw) away his freedom? You must tell him I (feel) sorry
for him – He (speak) to you now.
10- You (speak) French? – I only (use) a foreign language when I (travel) abroad.
11- My children (work) very hard. John (study) for an examination now.

12- Joan (swim) very well, but she (not dive).
13- What music you (play) next? – Sheila (sing) a song by Chopin; she (sing) it very well.
14- Wood (float) on water, but iron (not float).
15- You (understand) the present tense now? – I (do) an exercise on it at this moment and I
(think) that I (know) how to use it now.
3. Cross out the wrong answer.
1. In this story, a girl finds/is finding a time machine and travels/is travelling through the time.
2. Don’t brother me now. I write/am writing an important letter.
3. I am thinking/think about grandmother. We hardly ever visit/are visiting her. Let’s visit
her tomorrow.
4. The minibus, which is taking/takes people to the other side of island, leaves/is leaving at
11: 00 am And is returning/returns at 6: 00 p.m
5. Arthur is cleaning/cleans our swimming pool twice a month.
6. I sleep/am sleeping at my mother’s house this week because I am having/have my house painted.
7. “When are you leaving/do you leave for Rome?
“Tomorrow at 8: 00 a.m ”
8. I think/am thinking you should buy him a tie. He is liking/likes to dress formally.
9. Flowers bloom/are blooming in spring.
10. You are turning/turn left at the traffic lights and go/are going up Oxford Street.
11. Here comes/is coming Kelly. Let’s her news.
12. I listen/am listening to the weather report now. I am wanting/want to know tomorrow’s weather.
4. Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Progressive or Present simple.
The messenger
Your letters
I (write)
1
in response to your article on recycling. Yes, I (agree)
2
that our society has become
a “through away” society and that we (need)

3
to take recycling more seriously, but the
government (not do)
4
anything about it at the moment. It (seem)
5
that the problem (get)
6
worse and worse all the time. Even though they (continually encourage)
7
us to recycle our
rubbish, government-controlled companies (not recycle)
8
theirs.
For instance, the telephone directory. Every year, we (receive)
9
the new telephone directory
which (consist)
10
of over 1000 pages. The following year, when we (receive)
11
the new
telephone directory we (throw)
12
the old one away. What a waste!
At the moment, in other countries, governments (constantly introduce)
13
new measures to
protect the environment and they (try)
14

to make people more aware of how important
14
recycling (be)
15
. What they (do )
16
with their old telephone directories? Well, people (take)
17
their old telephone directories to a local post office for recycling in order to get a new one.
It (be)
18
a good time the government acted more responsibility.
5. Read the sentences and correct if necessary.
1. I’m usually having a cup of coffee at the office.
2. Don’t wait for me because I don’t come with you.
3. You’re always complaining about my cooking.
4. Many drivers are smoking while driving.
5. The little boy is knowing the alphabet.
6. She gives a party next week.
7. Gary rarely uses his car at the weekend.
8. I’m not eating sweet these days as I’m on a diet.
9. I’m sometimes watching TV in the morning.
10. I water the plants for my neighbours this week.
11. There is going James in his new car!
12. Your French is approving.
6. Transformation
Using the words given and other words, complete the second sentence so that it has a
similar meaning to the first sentence. Do not change the word given. (Use 2 – 5 words in
total.)
1. John never stops criticising my friend.

always John …………………………………………. my friends.
2. We’ve arranged to meet at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow.
are We ……………………………………………at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow.
3. Helen rarely goes to the theatre.
not Helen …………………………………………the theatre very often.
4. I am considering visiting my cousins in Canada next summer.
thinking I ………………………………………… my cousins in Canada next summer.
5. What time is your plane scheduled to arrive at Heathrow?
land What time ……………………………… at Heathrow?
6. I have arranged to have dinner with Jerry tonight.
am I …………………………………………. with Jerry tonight.
Key to the exercise (from 1 to 6)
1. (1) always sleeps. (2) am reading. (3) speaks. (4) is knocking. (5) rises. (6) are dancing
now. (7) go/get up. (8) stays/comes/is staying. (9) wear/ am not wearing. (10) is
practising/practises. (11) smokes/see/is smoking. (12) is pointing/wants. (13) call/are
playing/play. (14) rises/is setting/ is falling. (15) is walking/lives. (16) make. (17) am
spending/go. (18) am sitting/are you doing/am helping. (19) are you washing/is
shining/never wash. (20) are you going/am going/ am going, don’t go/go/am going.
2. (1) travel. (2) is travelling. (3) meet/are going. (4) is running/wants. (5) is/ Do you
think / is freezing. (6) warms/gives. (7) do you read/read/ am reading. (8) Do you
hear/am listening. (9) see/are wearing/Are you going/ am going/is throwing /fell/is
speaking. 10 Do you speak (Are you speaking)/use/travel. (11) work (are working)/is
studying. (12) swims/does not dive. (13) are you playing/ is singing/sings. (14) floats/
dose not float. (15) Do you understand/ am doing/ think/know.
3. (1) is finding/ is travelling (2) write (3) think/ are visiting; (4) is taking/is
leaving/returning; (5) is cleaning; (6) sleep/have; (7) do you leave; (8) am thinking/ is
liking. (9) are blooming; (10) are returning/are going; (11) is coming; (12)
listen/wanting.
4. (1) am writing; (2) agree; (3) need; (4) is not doing; (5) seems; (6) is getting; (7) are
continually encouraging/ continually encourage; (8) are not recycling/do not recycle. (9)

receive; (10) consists; (11) receive; (12) throw; (13) are constantly introducing; (14)
are trying; (15) is; (16) do they do; (17) take; (18) is.
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5. (1) I usually have; (2) … I’m not coming with you. (3) correct; (4) …drivers smoke … ;
(5) … know the alphabet; (6) …is giving a …; (7) correct; (8) correct; (9) I sometimes
watch TV … ; (10) I am watering …. ; (11) There goes James … ; (12) correct.
6. (1) John is always criticising my friends; (2) We are meeting at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow; (3)
Helen does not go to the theatre very often; (4) I am thinking about/of visiting my
cousins in Canada next summer; (5) What time your plane land at Heathrow?; (6) I am
having dinner with Jerry tonight.
16
.

17