Verb Tenses
Verb tenses indicate the time an action takes place. Mastering them is key to expressing yourself clearly in English, whether you are talking about the past, present, or future.
Simple Tenses
Used for actions that are completed or habitual, without focusing on duration.
| Tense | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | For habits, facts, and repeated actions. | He walks to school every day. |
| Simple Past | For actions completed at a specific time in the past. | She visited Paris last year. |
| Simple Future | For actions that will happen in the future. | They will meet us at the station. |
Continuous (or Progressive) Tenses
Used for actions that are ongoing or in progress at a specific point in time.
| Tense | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Continuous | For actions happening right now. | I am reading a book. |
| Past Continuous | For ongoing actions in the past that were interrupted. | He was sleeping when the phone rang. |
| Future Continuous | For actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. | This time tomorrow, we will be flying to Spain. |
Perfect Tenses
Used to connect actions to a specific point in time, showing completion before that point.
| Tense | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect | For actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past, or that started in the past and continue to the present. | She has lived here for three years. |
| Past Perfect | For an action that was completed before another action in the past. | They had finished their dinner when I arrived. |
| Future Perfect | For an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future. | By 2030, he will have worked here for a decade. |
Perfect Continuous Tenses
Used for ongoing actions that continue up to a specific point in time.
| Tense | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect Continuous | For actions that started in the past, are still continuing, and may continue into the future. | I have been waiting for an hour. |
| Past Perfect Continuous | For an ongoing action that was completed before another action in the past. | She had been studying for hours before she took a break. |
| Future Perfect Continuous | For an ongoing action that will continue up to a specific time in the future. | Next month, I will have been working on this project for a year. |
Key Takeaways
- Verb tenses show *when* an action happens.
- There are three main times: Past, Present, and Future.
- There are four main aspects: Simple, Continuous, Perfect, and Perfect Continuous.
- Combining time and aspect gives you the 12 main tenses.
Exercises and Worksheets
Ready to practice? Test your knowledge with these resources.