Tenses for describing data
Past, present and future tenses for charts, tables and projections in Task 1.
Why it matters
Task 1 charts cover past periods, current figures and projections. Examiners check that tense matches the time frame of the data — getting this wrong across a whole report quickly caps Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
The rules
Past data (e.g. 1990–2010): past simple.
Sales rose from 20,000 to 45,000 between 1990 and 2010.
Data up to the present: present perfect.
Prices have increased every year since 2015.
Projections: will / is expected to / is predicted to / is projected to.
The figure is projected to reach 60% by 2040.
Diagrams and processes with no time: present simple, often passive.
The leaves are dried and then crushed.
Model sentences
- In 2000, coal accounted for just over half of electricity generation.
- By 2030, the proportion of people over 65 is expected to have doubled.
- The figure had fallen to 12% by the end of the period.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: In 1995, the rate increases to 30%.
Correct: In 1995, the rate increased to 30%.
A past date needs past simple.
Incorrect: In 2050, it reaches 80%.
Correct: By 2050, it is predicted to reach 80%.
Future data is a projection, not a fact.
Incorrect: The water is filter through sand.
Correct: The water is filtered through sand.
Passive needs the past participle.
Band tip
Check yourself
Chart: 2010–2020, past data. 'Car ownership ___ (double) over the period.'
doubled
Projection to 2040: 'Demand ___ (rise) to 9 million.'
is expected / predicted / projected to rise
Process: 'The bottles ___ (collect) and ___ (sort) by colour.'
are collected … sorted