Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2 - Lesson 1: Using a Full Range of Tenses Accurately & Appropriately

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2

Using a Full Range of Tenses

Listen to the story examples here.

What you will learn: At the B2 level, grammar is about being precise. You will learn to use a full range of verb tenses to express complex ideas and tell more interesting stories.

From a "Flat" Story to a "3D" Story 📖

Using only simple tenses is correct, but it can make your stories sound flat. Let's add depth by using a range of tenses to show the relationship between different actions and times.

밋 Flat Story (Using only Past Simple)

"I went to the office. I worked for a few hours. My boss came in. He was happy. He told me about a new project before I left."

(This is okay, but all actions feel separate and equal.)

✨ 3D Story (Using a range of tenses)

"I went to the office because I had promised to finish a report. I was working quietly when my boss suddenly came in. He was happy because he's just seen my sales figures. He told me about a new project that will be starting next month before I left."

(This version is much richer. It shows connections and order.)

Your Tense Toolbox for Storytelling 🔧

Think of tenses as tools to add specific meaning and nuance to your stories.

Past Continuous (was/were + -ing)

Use this to: Set the scene. It describes a longer, background action that was in progress when a shorter, main action happened.

"I was having lunch when my friend called me."

Present Perfect (have/has + past participle)

Use this to: Connect a past action to the present. The action is finished, but it has a result or relevance now.

"I can't go to the movie because I've lost my wallet."

Past Perfect (had + past participle)

Use this when: You are already in the past, and you want to mention something that happened *even earlier*.

"When I arrived, the train had already left."

Common Mistakes & Practice 🎯

💡 Common Tense Mistakes & Quick Fixes

Mistake 1: "When I got home, my family ate dinner." (Sounds like you all ate together.)
Fix: "When I got home, my family had already eaten dinner." (Clarifies you missed the meal.)

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Mistake 2: "I sat in the park and read my book. A dog stole my sandwich." (Two separate events.)
Fix: "I was sitting in the park reading my book when a dog stole my sandwich." (Connects the actions.)

Practice Quiz: Choose the Most Appropriate Tense

Choose the best tense to complete the sentence. Click "Check Answers" when you're done.

1. I was tired yesterday because I __________ very well the night before.

A) didn't sleep B) haven't slept C) hadn't slept

Why?

Use Past Perfect (hadn't slept). The story is in the past ("was tired"), and "not sleeping" happened *before* that past time.

2. "Why is she so happy?" "Because she __________ her final exams!"

A) passed B) has just passed C) had passed

Why?

Use Present Perfect (has just passed). The past action (passing exams) has a direct result in the *present* (she is happy *now*).

3. While we _________ for the bus, it suddenly started to rain.

A) waited B) were waiting C) had waited

Why?

Use Past Continuous (were waiting). This is the long, background action ("setting the scene") that was interrupted by the short, main action ("started to rain").

Key Vocabulary

• Tense | កាល
  A category of verb grammar that expresses the time of an action or state.
• Nuance | ភាពខុសគ្នាបន្តិចបន្តួច
  A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.
• Context | បរិបទ
  The circumstances that form the setting for an event or idea.
• Precise | ច្បាស់លាស់, ជាក់លាក់
  Exact, accurate, and careful about details.

Your Mission: Tell a Layered Story ⭐

Your mission is to tell a short story (60-90 seconds) using a variety of tenses to make it more interesting.

1. Think of a recent event: A time you were late, a surprising thing you saw, etc.
2. Plan your tenses:
   • How will you set the scene? (Use Past Continuous).
   • What happened before your story began? (Use Past Perfect).
   • What is the result or connection to now? (Use Present Perfect).
3. Record yourself telling the story. For example: "The other day, I was walking home when I saw that a new cafe had opened near my house. I was so happy because I've always wanted a nice coffee shop in my neighborhood..."