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Tenses: Present, Past & Future
Both Task 1 and Task 2
Using the correct tense in the right context is fundamental to coherent academic writing. Different IELTS tasks require different tense choices.
Used for general truths, facts, habits, and when describing processes or charts with no time frame.
Rules
- Task 1: Use for process diagrams and charts with no specific time period
- Task 2: Use for general facts, arguments, and current situations
- Third person singular adds -s: the graph shows, the data indicates, evidence suggests
- Use with frequency adverbs: always, often, usually, rarely, generally, typically
Examples
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The diagram illustrates how water is recycled in industrial settings.
Task 1: process — present simple + passive
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Education plays a crucial role in reducing poverty.
Task 2: general truth
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Governments generally implement policies to protect the environment.
Habitual/general action
Common grammar mistakes — avoid these in your IELTS essays
✕Do NOT mix up past and present tense when describing historical data (Task 1)
✕Do NOT use present tense to describe a process that happened in the past
✕Do NOT use simple past when present perfect is needed (for actions with current relevance)
✕Do NOT use future tense in Task 1 reports unless discussing projections
✕Do NOT use present continuous to state permanent facts
✕Do NOT forget time markers — they help signal which tense you should use