Overview
A mixed tenses review consolidates understanding of how different verb tenses work together in context. Selecting the right tense depends on whether an action is complete, ongoing, habitual, or linked to another time reference.
Tense Contrasts
- PS vs PCPast simple (completed) vs Past continuous (in progress at a point)
- PS vs PPPast simple (when?) vs Present perfect (relevance to now)
- PC vs PPCPast continuous (shorter) vs Past perfect continuous (longer before)
- FP vs FPCFuture perfect (done) vs Future perfect continuous (duration)
Signal Words
- yesterday, last, ago → past simple
- since, for, just, already, yet, ever, never → present perfect
- while, when + past event → past continuous frame
- by the time, before → perfect aspect (had done / will have done)
Classic Confusion Points
- ❌ I have seen her yesterday → ✅ I saw her yesterday (past simple with time marker)
- ❌ When I arrived, she left → ✅ she had left (earlier action)
- ❌ I was knowing → ✅ I knew (stative verbs, no continuous)
When to use
Narrative writing
When he arrived, she had already gone.
Conversation
Have you ever been to Rome? — Yes, I went last year.
Reports
By the time the results arrived, the team had disbanded.
Exam preparation
Mixed tense questions test all major tense distinctions.