Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2
Using a Full Range of Tenses
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.
"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.)
"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 the order of events and connections to the present and future.)
Your Tense Toolbox for Storytelling 🔧
Think of tenses as tools to add specific meaning and nuance to your stories.
Use this to: Set the scene. It describes a longer, background action that was in progress when a shorter, main action happened.
Use this to: Connect a past action to the present. The action is finished, but it has a result or relevance *now*.
Use this when: You are already telling a story in the past, and you want to mention something that happened *even earlier*.
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.)
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 into a better story.)
✍️ Practice Quiz: Choose the Most Appropriate Tense
1. I was tired yesterday because I __________ very well the night before.
A) didn't sleep B) haven't slept C) hadn't slept
→ Answer: C. You are explaining a past situation (being tired) by referring to an even earlier past event (not sleeping).
2. "Why is she so happy?" "Because she __________ her final exams!"
A) passed B) has just passed C) had passed
→ Answer: B. The past action (passing exams) has a very clear 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
→ Answer: B. "Waiting" is the longer, background action that sets the scene for the main event ("started to rain").
Key Vocabulary
- Tense A category of verb grammar that expresses the time of an action or state.
- Nuance A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.
- Context The circumstances that form the setting for an event or idea.
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.
- Think of a recent event: A time you were late, a surprising thing you saw, etc.
- 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).
- 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..."