Key English Grammar Structures Comparison

Present Perfect Simple

(Él ha hablado)

• Affirmative (A): has/have spoken
• Negative (N): hasn’t/haven’t spoken
• Question (Q): Has/Have...spoken

Use for:

• Actions that started in the past and continue up to now.
• Completed actions (e.g., Since it started, John has raised $2 million).

Present Perfect Continuous

(Él ha estado hablando)

• A: has/have been speaking
• N: haven’t been speaking
• Q: Have been speaking

Use for:

• Continuity of actions that started in the past, continue in the present, and may continue in the future.
• Example: Mary has been learning Spanish since September.

Adverbs often used: for, since, already, ever, just, never, yet, so far, up to now.

Adverbs often used: for, since, already, ever, just, never, yet, so far, up to now.

Will / Be Going To

Will: Predictions (without evidence), instant decisions, promises, and offers. (Note: Use Shall for 'I/we' offers/suggestions, not 'will').

Be Going To: Predictions with evidence, plans, and intentions.

Future Perfect (F.PS): will + have + past participle (Actions completed now and in the future).

Future Perfect Continuous (F.PC): will + have been + -ing (Actions in progress in the future, future habits).

Future Continuous (F.C): will + be + -ing (Actions in progress at a specific time in the future).

Would & Used To

Both mean: repeated actions in the past.

Used To (State): Used for states in the past (stative verbs: think, be, understand, etc.). Describes past states.

• Contrast with Present: Present → usually

Would (Action): Used for movement verbs (sing, drink, walk, read, play, cook, etc.). Describes individual past events (similar to Simple Past).

Infinitive After an Adjective

(...is really easy to use)

After Certain Verbs

Verbs followed by the infinitive:

Afford, agree, appear, arrange, beg, choose, create, decide, expect, fail, help (also without to), hesitate, hope, intend, learn, like, manage, mean, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, want, wish, would like, would love, would prefer...

(Example: He refused to play the ball.)

Gerund as Subject

(Cycling is good for your health)

After Prepositions

(...before going to)

After Certain Verbs

Verbs followed by the gerund:

Admit, arrange, advise, allow, avoid, can't help, can't stand, consider, deny, dislike, enjoy, fancy, finish, keep, mind, miss, recommend, permit, practise, suggest, stop, waste time/money...

Verb + Preposition

Verbs followed by a preposition, which must then be followed by a gerund:

Accuse of, agree with, apologize for, ask about, believe in, be used to, blame for, care for, carry on, complain about, concentrate on, depend on, dream about/of, feel like, forgive for, give up, insist on, keep on, look forward to, object to, think of, succeed in, use for…