B2 • Interactive HTML Lesson

Past, Present and Future in Real Conversations

Practical speaking, tense choice, model answers and contextual grammar.

Before you begin: why practise different sentence openings?

Many learners know the correct tense but still hesitate when they have to speak. The difficult part is often not forming the tense—it is knowing how to begin the answer naturally.

For example, the question “What are you working on at the moment?” can begin in several useful ways:

At the moment, I’m working on...
A direct Present Continuous opening for a current temporary activity.
Recently, I’ve been focusing on...
A Present Perfect Continuous opening that emphasises an activity continuing over time.

Both answers may be correct, but they guide the speaker towards a different tense and a slightly different meaning. Practising several openings helps students respond faster, choose the tense more confidently and avoid repeating the same basic sentence pattern.

How to use this lesson: answer each question normally, then click Ways to Start. Choose one opening and complete it in your own words. Later, answer selected questions twice using two different openings.

New speaking support: The Which Tense and Why? button tells you which tense is the most natural starting point for that question. It also explains whether that tense is necessary or simply the best choice. Where another tense is possible, the button shows how the meaning changes.
Grammar Focus: Each speaking question now includes a grammar explanation with the rule, structure, context, example, common mistake and possible alternative. Choose a language at the top of the page, then use Translate Grammar Rule inside the Grammar Focus panel. Only the rule is translated, so the English question remains visible.

1. Past: A holiday you really enjoyed

Useful ways to begin

The last trip I really enjoyed was...Last year, I went to...The best part was...One thing I didn’t expect was...

Model text

Last summer, I went to Croatia with two friends . We had chosen the area because none of us had been there before . One afternoon, we were driving to a quiet beach when the car suddenly stopped . We had forgotten to check the fuel before we left. Luckily, a local family helped us. I wish we had spent another day in the old town .

Why: A completed event in a finished past time.
Structure: subject + past verb.
Why: This happened before the main past event.
Structure: had + past participle.
Why: The longer action was in progress when a shorter event interrupted it.
Structure: was/were + verb-ing + when + Past Simple.
Why: The speaker regrets a past action that cannot now be changed.
Structure: wish + had + past participle.

2. Present: A project, task or goal

Useful ways to begin

At the moment, I’m working on...Recently, I’ve been focusing on...So far, I’ve completed...I usually..., but this week I’m...

Model text

At the moment, I’m helping my team improve how we organise customer information . We usually keep everything in several files . We have created a new shared system . We have been testing it for three weeks .

Why: A temporary activity happening around now.
Structure: am/is/are + verb-ing.
Why: A normal routine or repeated situation.
Structure: base verb; add -s for he/she/it.
Why: The completed result matters now: the system exists.
Structure: have/has + past participle.
Why: The focus is the ongoing activity and duration.
Structure: have/has been + verb-ing.

Action or result?

I have written five emails today.
Focus: completed result and number.
I have been writing emails all morning.
Focus: activity, effort and duration.

3. Future: A plan or possible change

Useful ways to begin

I’m planning to...I’m thinking about...I haven’t decided yet, but I might...By the end of the year, I hope I’ll have...

Model text

I’m thinking about taking a professional course next year . I’m going to compare several courses . We’re meeting next Thursday . The course starts in March . By the end of next year, I will have completed most of it .

Why: The plan is being considered now.
Why: A present intention.
Structure: am/is/are going to + base verb.
Why: A fixed personal arrangement with a time.
Why: An official timetable or schedule.
Why: The action will be complete before a future deadline.
Structure: will have + past participle.

4. Comprehensive exercises

Why these exercises matter: Students often understand a tense when they see it, but cannot produce it quickly in conversation. These tasks practise three separate skills: choosing the meaning, forming the tense correctly, and beginning an answer naturally. Complete each task before opening Answers + Why.

A. Choose the best tense

1. I ___ the report, so you can send it now.
2. We ___ the system all morning, and we still have more to do.
3. I ___ dinner when the lights went out.
4. By this time next month, we ___ the project.

B. Complete the sentences

1. We __________ the client yesterday. (meet)
2. I __________ on this task since Monday. (work)
3. She __________ the booking, so everything is ready. (confirm)
4. They __________ lunch when the manager called. (have)
5. By Friday, we __________ the final version. (complete)

1. met — “Yesterday” is a finished past time, so use Past Simple.

2. have been working — The activity started in the past and is still continuing; the duration is important.

3. has confirmed — The completed result matters now: everything is ready.

4. were having — Lunch was the longer action in progress when the manager called.

5. will have completed — The final version will be finished before the future deadline “by Friday.”

C. Correct the sentences

I have gone to Greece last year.
I am working here since 2022.
Tomorrow I will meeting my manager at ten.

D. Start your answer in two different ways

For each basic topic question, write two short answers. Use a different opening each time. The goal is not to invent a completely new story; it is to practise starting confidently with the tense suggested by the opening.

Past

What’s the last holiday or trip you really enjoyed?

Start 1: The last trip I really enjoyed was...

Start 2: One holiday that really stands out was...

Possible answer 1: The last trip I really enjoyed was a weekend in Durban. The weather was warm, and I spent most of the time near the beach.

Why: The first opening directly establishes the required timeframe and tense.

Possible answer 2: One holiday that really stands out was a short trip to Cape Town. I enjoyed the food and the views most.

Why: The second opening expresses a similar idea through a different natural structure.

Did anything funny or unexpected happen?

Start 1: One unexpected thing that happened was...

Start 2: We were... when suddenly...

Possible answer 1: One unexpected thing that happened was that our hotel lost our booking, but they found us another room.

Why: The first opening directly establishes the required timeframe and tense.

Possible answer 2: We were walking back to the hotel when suddenly it started raining heavily.

Why: The second opening expresses a similar idea through a different natural structure.

Present

What project, task or goal are you working on at the moment?

Start 1: At the moment, I’m working on...

Start 2: Over the past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on...

Possible answer 1: At the moment, I’m working on a presentation for my team.

Why: The first opening directly establishes the required timeframe and tense.

Possible answer 2: Over the past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on improving a new work system.

Why: The second opening expresses a similar idea through a different natural structure.

What have you completed so far?

Start 1: So far, I’ve completed...

Start 2: Up to now, I’ve managed to...

Possible answer 1: So far, I’ve completed the main plan and the first draft.

Why: The first opening directly establishes the required timeframe and tense.

Possible answer 2: Up to now, I’ve managed to finish most of the research.

Why: The second opening expresses a similar idea through a different natural structure.

Future

What is one plan or change you are considering for the next year?

Start 1: I’m planning to...

Start 2: I’m thinking about...

Possible answer 1: I’m planning to take a short holiday later this year.

Why: The first opening directly establishes the required timeframe and tense.

Possible answer 2: I’m thinking about changing one part of my work routine.

Why: The second opening expresses a similar idea through a different natural structure.

What will you have completed by this time next year?

Start 1: By this time next year, I will have...

Start 2: By then, I expect to have...

Possible answer 1: By this time next year, I will have completed an online course.

Why: The first opening directly establishes the required timeframe and tense.

Possible answer 2: By then, I expect to have improved my English and finished an important work project.

Why: The second opening expresses a similar idea through a different natural structure.