The Future Simple "Will" & "Shall"

"Will" and "Shall" are modal verbs used to express future tense.

The Future Simple "Will" is used to:

1. Predict the future.
1. I think Manchester United will win the match tonight.
2. It will this Sunday 13th. It always does.
3. He won't (will not) be able to do it again.
2. Make offers.
1. That bag looks so heavy. I'll carry it for you.
2. No worry. I'll give you a lift to work today.
3. Make promises.
1. I won't be late again. I promise.
2. I will help you set things up all again. You don't have to worry.
4. Make invitation (with "you" in questions)
1. Will you marry me?
2. Will you join us to the party tonight?

"Shall" seems to be dated. However, we still use it with subject "I" and "We".

1. "Shall I...?" to make offers.
1. It seems so hot in here. Shall I open the window?
2. Shall I bring you some drink?
2. "Shall we...? to make suggestions.
1. Shall we eat out tonight?
2. Shall we get another week off?

The Past Continuous Tense

We form the past continuous tense with the past simple of Be and the present participle
"was/were + V.ing"

The past continuous tense is used to mention an action which was in progress at a moment in the past.

1. What were you doing at 10 last night? ~ I was chatting with my friend.
2. What was he thinking about at the dinner?
3. At three o'clock this afternoon, we were watching a movie.

We also use the past continuous to talk about an action (the past continuous) interrupted by the another action (the past simple).

1. While I was concentrating on the solution, my boss rang me and asked me to go to his office.
2. We were having dinner when we heard a bang on the door.
3. Were you listening when I explained?

This tense can be used to described the background in a story in the past tense.

• When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining, the birds were singing beautiful songs,...

Forming the Past Continuous Tense