Past verb forms with present or future meaning

A past verb form does not always have a past meaning. Verbs like I had, you went and I was wondering are often used to talk about the present or the future.

after if, unless, supposing etc.

After if, unless and words with similar meanings, we often use past verb forms to refer to the present or the future.

after it's time, would rather and wish

After these expressions, past verb forms can have present or future meanings.

distancing in questions, requests etc.

We can make questions, requests and offers more polite by using past tenses. Common expressions are I wondered, I thought, I hoped, did you want.

modal auxiliaries

The modal auxiliaries would, should, could and might usually have present or future meanings.

See also

Tenses
The simple present tense
The present progressive tense
The present perfect tense
The present perfect progressive tense
Present tenses to talk about the future
The simple past tense
The past progressive tense
The past perfect tense
The past perfect progressive tense
Past verb forms with present or future meaning
The simple future tense
The future progressive tense
The future perfect tense

More CBSE English Grammar worksheets

Passive voice worksheet | Simple past tense
Passive voice worksheet | Past continuous tense
Passive voice worksheet | Simple future tense
Passive voice worksheet | Future perfect tense

 

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