assignment of english tenses

English Tenses: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Using Them Correctly

English tenses can be a challenging aspect of the language to master, even for native speakers. Understanding the different tenses and when to use them correctly is crucial for effective communication in English. The English language has 12 basic tenses, each with its own structure and usage.

Verb tenses are changes or additions to verbs that indicate when the action took place, whether in the past, present, or future. The different tenses can also convey additional details about the duration or time an action takes. Learning the different tenses and their usage can help speakers and writers communicate more effectively and accurately in English. It is important to note that while the basic tenses are relatively straightforward, English also has a variety of complex tenses and aspects that can add further nuance to language use.

English Tenses – Picture

What Are English Tenses?

English Tenses are verb forms that indicate when an action or event occurs, whether it is in the past, present, or future. Each tense has its own unique structure that is used to convey different meanings. There are three main tenses in English: past, present, and future.

Definition of English Tenses

A tense is a grammatical category that expresses the time of an action or event. In English grammar, tenses are formed by the inflection of verbs to indicate the time when an action or event occurred.

The Three Main Tenses

The three main tenses in English are past, present, and future. Each tense has its own set of verb forms that indicate the time of an action or event.

• The past tense is used to indicate that an action or event occurred in the past.
• The present tense is used to indicate that an action or event is happening now.
• The future tense is used to indicate that an action or event will occur in the future.

Types of English Tenses

English grammar has 12 types of verb tenses, each indicating a different time period. These tenses can be broadly classified into three categories: present tense, past tense, and future tense.

Present Tense

The present tense is used to describe actions that are currently happening or are ongoing. It can be divided into four subcategories: simple present, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.

• Simple Present : This tense is used to describe habitual actions or general truths. For example, “She eats breakfast every day.”
• Present Continuous : This tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking. For example, “She is eating breakfast now.”
• Present Perfect : This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present. For example, “She has eaten breakfast already.”
• Present Perfect Continuous : This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present with a focus on the duration of the action. For example, “She has been eating breakfast for an hour.”

The past tense is used to describe actions that have already happened. It can be divided into four subcategories: simple past, past continuous, past perfect, and past perfect continuous.

• Simple Past : This tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. For example, “She ate breakfast yesterday.”
• Past Continuous : This tense is used to describe actions that were happening at a specific time in the past. For example, “She was eating breakfast at 8 am yesterday.”
• Past Perfect : This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another past action. For example, “She had eaten breakfast before she went to work.”
• Past Perfect Continuous : This tense is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past. For example, “She had been eating breakfast for an hour when her friend arrived.”

Future Tense

The future tense is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. It can be divided into four subcategories: simple future, future continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous.

• Simple Future : This tense is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. For example, “She will eat breakfast tomorrow.”
• Future Continuous : This tense is used to describe actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future. For example, “She will be eating breakfast at 8 am tomorrow.”
• Future Perfect : This tense is used to describe an action that will be completed before another future action. For example, “She will have eaten breakfast before she goes to work.”
• Future Perfect Continuous : This tense is used to describe an action that will be ongoing in the future and continue up to a specific point in the future. For example, “She will have been eating breakfast for an hour when her friend arrives.”

Understanding English Tenses

English tenses are an essential part of the language’s grammar. They help convey when an action happens and whether it is ongoing or completed. There are twelve verb tenses in English, formed by combining the past, present, and future tenses with the simple, progressive, perfect, or perfect progressive aspects. Understanding the structure of English tenses and the signal words associated with them is crucial to using them correctly.

Structure of English Tenses

Each English tense has a unique structure that helps convey when the action occurred. The structure includes the auxiliary verb, the main verb, and sometimes a subject. The auxiliary verb changes depending on the tense and whether the sentence is affirmative, negative, or interrogative.

Here is a table that shows the structure of each English tense:

Signal Words for English Tenses

Signal words are words that help indicate which tense to use. They are often used in conjunction with the structure of the tense to convey when an action occurred. Here are some examples of signal words for each English tense:

• Simple Present: always, usually, never, sometimes, every day
• Present Continuous: now, at the moment, currently, right now
• Present Perfect: already, yet, just, ever, never, before
• Present Perfect Continuous: for, since, how long, all day
• Simple Past: yesterday, ago, last week, in 1999
• Past Continuous: while, when, as
• Past Perfect: already, yet, just, before, by the time
• Past Perfect Continuous: for, since, how long
• Simple Future: tomorrow, next week, in the future
• Future Continuous: at, in, on, by, before, after
• Future Perfect: by, before, by the time
• Future Perfect Continuous: for, since, how long

By understanding the structure and signal words for each English tense, one can effectively convey when an action occurred and whether it is ongoing or completed.

Tips and Techniques to Master English Tenses

Learning English tenses can be challenging, but with the right techniques, it can become a lot easier. Here are a few tips to help you master English tenses:

1. Understand the Basics

Before delving into the intricacies of English tenses, it’s essential to understand the basics. Start with the three basic tenses: past, present, and future. Once you understand these, move on to the different aspects of each tense, such as simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice is the key to mastering English tenses. Take advantage of various resources such as grammar books, online exercises, and language exchange programs to practice using different tenses. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in using them.

3. Pay Attention to Context

The context in which a tense is used can significantly impact its meaning. Pay attention to the context in which different tenses are used, and try to understand the reason behind their use. This will help you use the correct tense in the appropriate context.

4. Use Real-Life Examples

Using real-life examples can help you understand how to use different tenses in context. Listen to English speakers, read English books, and watch English movies to get a better understanding of how tenses are used in real-life situations.

5. Learn Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a crucial part of English language learning, and they often involve the use of different tenses. Learn common phrasal verbs and their usage to get a better understanding of how tenses are used in everyday English.

In conclusion, mastering English tenses takes time, effort, and practice. By understanding the basics, practicing regularly, paying attention to context, using real-life examples, and learning phrasal verbs, you can become more confident in using different tenses in English.

Exercises for Practicing English Tenses

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

a. She _____________ (read) the book before she saw the movie.

b. I _______________ (study) for my exam all day yesterday.

c. They _______________ (be) married for ten years next month.

d. He _______________ (play) soccer every Saturday morning.

e. The train _______________ (leave) in ten minutes.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences in a different tense:

a. She is eating breakfast.

b. He will be taking the test tomorrow.

c. They have been studying for hours.

d. I had never been to Paris before.

e. We will have been living here for two years next month.

Exercise 3: Choose the correct verb tense to complete the following sentences:

a. I _____________ (am, will be) going to the concert tonight.

b. She _____________ (watches, is watching) TV right now.

c. They _____________ (have been, had been) to that restaurant before.

d. He _____________ (has, had) already finished his homework.

e. We _____________ (were, are) planning to go on vacation next month.

Exercise 4: Create sentences using the following verb tenses:

a. present continuous

b. past simple

c. present perfect

d. future perfect

e. past continuous

Remember to use the correct form of the verb for the subject and tense you are using.

By practicing these exercises, you will become more comfortable and confident using different tenses in English.

Exercise 1: 

• a. She had read the book before she saw the movie.
• b. I studied for my exam all day yesterday.
• c. They will have been married for ten years next month.
• d. He plays soccer every Saturday morning.
• e. The train is leaving in ten minutes.

Exercise 2: 

• a. She eats breakfast. (Present Simple)
• b. He is taking the test tomorrow. (Present Continuous)
• c. They had studied for hours. (Past Perfect)
• d. I have never been to Paris before. (Present Perfect)
• e. We will be living here for two years next month. (Future Continuous)

Exercise 3: 

• a. I am going to the concert tonight.
• b. She is watching TV right now.
• c. They have been to that restaurant before.
• d. He has already finished his homework.
• e. We are planning to go on vacation next month.

Exercise 4:

• a. Present Continuous: She is cooking dinner right now.
• b. Past Simple: I went to the store yesterday.
• c. Present Perfect: They have seen that movie before.
• d. Future Perfect: By this time next year, I will have graduated from college.
• e. Past Continuous: We were studying for our exams when the power went out.

Frequently Asked Questions on Verb Tenses in English

Verb tenses can be confusing, and many English learners have questions about them. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:

Q: How many verb tenses are there in English?

A: There are 12 verb tenses in English, divided into three groups: present, past, and future. Each group has four tenses: simple, continuous (also called progressive), perfect, and perfect continuous.

Q: What is the difference between simple and continuous tenses?

A: Simple tenses describe a single, completed action, while continuous tenses describe an action that is ongoing or repeated. For example, “I ate breakfast” is in the simple past tense, while “I was eating breakfast” is in the past continuous tense.

Q: When should I use the present perfect tense?

A: The present perfect tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present, or to talk about an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past. For example, “I have lived in this city for five years” or “She has visited Europe several times.”

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The 12 Basic English Tenses

The English Tense System

The links below are to lessons for each of the 12 basic English tenses *. For each tense we look at:

• Structure: How do we make the tense?
• Use: When and why do we use the tense?

Some lessons look at additional matters, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.

• Present Simple I do, I do do
• Present Continuous I am doing
• Present Perfect I have done
• Present Perfect Continuous I have been doing
• Past Simple I did, I did do
• Past Continuous I was doing
• Past Perfect I had done
• Past Perfect Continuous I had been doing
• Future Simple I will do
• Future Continuous I will be doing
• Future Perfect I will have done
• Future Perfect Continuous I will have been doing

*Some grammarians consider that strictly-speaking there are only two English tenses. Others argue six or other quantities. For the sake of simplicity, Learners of English as a Foreign or Second Language are usually taught that - taking into account aspect and future modals - there are 12 tenses in English.

English Grammar Online Exercises and Downloadable Worksheets

Online exercises.

This section is all about English tenses. It contains exercises on every tense - simple and progressive - as well as a section with mixed tense exercises.

Levels of Difficulty : Elementary Intermediate Advanced

Present Tense

• T132 - Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T127 - Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Intermediate
• T095 - Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T080 - Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T075 - Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T068 - Past Tense - Simple Elementary
• T067-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T065-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T058-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T054-Global Warming Intermediate
• T014-Where's Linda Intermediate
• T013-Help Preserve Our Town Intermediate
• T012-Rex- Our Dog Intermediate
• T011-A Trekking Journey Intermediate
• T010-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T009-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T008-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T007-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T006-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Intermediate
• T005-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T004-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T003-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T002-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Elementary
• T001-Present Tense - Simple or Progressive Intermediate
• T124 - Past Tense - Simple and Progressive Intermediate
• T105 - Past Tense - Simple and Continuous Elementary
• T101 - The Wrong Person - Past Tense Simple and Continuous Elementary
• T100 - Past Tense Continuous Elementary
• T086 - Past Tense - Simple and Progressive Intermediate
• T084 - Holidays in Greece Elementary
• T081 - Past Tense - Simple and Progressive Intermediate
• T064-Tom's double Elementary
• T063 - Past Continuous Tense Elementary
• T019-The Cold English Sea Intermediate
• T018-Kidnapped by a UFO Intermediate
• T017-Past Tense - Simple or Progressive Intermediate
• T016-Past Tense - Simple or Progressive Advanced
• T015-Past Tense - Simple or Progressive Intermediate

Present Perfect

• T142 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple and Continuous Intermediate
• T141 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple and Continuous Intermediate
• T140 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple and Continuous Intermediate
• T134 - Present Perfect Progressive Elementary
• T0125 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple Elementary
• T0118 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple Elementary
• T0117 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple Elementary
• T087 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple Elementary
• T083 - Present Perfect Simple and Continuous Elementary
• T077 - Present Perfect Simple and Continuous Intermediate
• T076 - Present Perfect Simple and Continuous Intermediate
• T020-Present Perfect Simple or Progressive Intermediate
• T073 - Present Perfect Continuous Elementary

Present Perfect - Past Tense

• T129 - Mira and I Elementary
• T115 - Past and Present Perfect Simple Elementary
• T108 - Past and Present Perfect Simple Elementary
• T106 - My Little Sister Elementary
• T104 - Predictions of the Future Intermediate
• T098 - Past Simple and Present Perfect Tense Intermediate
• T096 - Past Simple and Present Perfect Tense Elementary
• T078 - Letter to Ellen - Present Perfect and Past Tense Elementary
• T070 - Past and Present Perfect Tense Elementary
• T023-FOR and SINCE Elementary
• T022-FOR and SINCE Elementary
• T021-Past - Present Perfect Tense Intermediate

Past Perfect Tense

• T131 Past and Past Perfect Tense Intermediate
• T110 Past and Past Perfect Tense Intermediate
• T109 - Past Perfect Tense Intermediate
• T093 - Past and Past Perfect Tense Intermediate
• T079 - Past and Past Perfect Tense Elementary
• T061- A Hurt Foot - Past and Past Perfect Tense Elementary
• T057-Past and Past Perfect Tense Elementary

Future Tense

• T126 - Future Perfect Tense Intermediate
• T122 - Future Forms Elementary
• T069 - Future Simple and Progressive , Future Perfect Intermediate
• T060 - Wind Farms - Future Tenses Elementary
• T059-Homes of the Future - Future, Future Continuous and Future Perfect Intermediate
• T139 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T138 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T137 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T136 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T135 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T133 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T130 - An Emergency Landing Intermediate
• T128-Going Fishing - Past Tenses Intermediate
• T119 - A Job Offer Elementary
• T116 - Present and Present Perfect Tense Intermediate
• T114 - Mixed Tenses Intermediate
• T113 - Growing Up in Two Cultures Intermediate
• T112 - My Life As A Model Intermediate
• T111 - Back to Germany Elementary
• T107 - Present and Present Perfect Tense Elementary
• T099 - Tenses - Multiple Choice Intermediate
• T097 - Stranger in the Car Elementary
• T094 - A Letter From Paris Elementary
• T091 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T090 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T089 - Lost in the Mountains Advanced
• T085 - All Tenses Intermediate
• T082 - Meeting an Old Family Friend - All tenses Elementary
• T074 - Narrative Tenses Intermediate
• T072 - A Once Famous Film Star Elementary
• T071 - The Lost Passport - Past Simple and Continuous, Past Perfect Tense Elementary
• T066- Our neighbours Elementary
• T056-All tenses - Past and Present Perfect Intermediate
• T055-All tenses - Present , Past and Present Perfect Advanced
• T053-All tenses Intermediate
• T052-All tenses Intermediate
• T050-My Piano Lessons Elementary
• T043-All Tenses Advanced
• T042-All Tenses Intermediate
• T041-All Tenses Intermediate
• T040-All Tenses Intermediate
• T039-All Tenses Advanced
• T038-All Tenses Intermediate
• T037-All Tenses Intermediate
• T036-All Tenses Advanced
• T035-All Tenses Advanced
• T034-All Tenses Advanced
• T033-All Tenses Advanced
• T032-All Tenses Intermediate
• T031-All Tenses Advanced
• T030-All Tenses Intermediate
• T029-All Tenses Advanced
• T028-All Tenses Intermediate
• T027-All Tenses Intermediate
• T026-Back from the holidays Intermediate
• T025-All Tenses Intermediate
• T024- All Tenses Intermediate

Irregular Verbs

• T123 - Irregular Verbs - Past tense Elementary
• T092 - Irregular Verbs - Past tense Elementary
• T049- Irregular Verbs - Fill in the correct form - All tenses Elementary
• T048-Irregular Verbs - Fill in the correct form - All tenses Elementary
• T047-Irregular Verbs - Complete the table Elementary
• T046-Irregular Verbs - Complete the table Elementary
• T045-Irregular Verbs - Complete the table Elementary
• T044-Irregular Verbs - Complete the table Elementary

Further Exercises

• T121 - Time Expressions Elementary
• T120 - STATE and ACTION Verbs - Present Tense Elementary
• T103 - Nouns and Verb Forms Elementary
• T102 - JUST, ALREADY and YET Intermediate
• T088 - Time expressions Elementary
• T051-MAKE, LET or HAVE - Fill in the correct form Intermediate
• T062 - Time expressions Elementary
• Gerund - Infinitive
• Adjective - Adverb
• Modal Verbs
• Passive Voice
• Reported Speech
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Prepositions
• Connectives and Linking Words
• Quantifiers
• Question and Negations
• Relative Pronouns
• Indefinite Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns
• Phrasal Verbs
• Common Mistakes
• Missing Word Cloze
• Word Formation
• Multiple Choice Cloze
• Prefixes and Suffixes
• Key Word Transformation
• Editing - One Word Too Many
• Collocations
• General Vocabulary
• Adjectives - Adverbs
• Gerund and Infinitive
• Conjunctions and Linking Words
• Question and Negation
• Error Analysis
• Translation Sentences
• Multiple Choice
• Banked Gap Fill
• Open Gap Fill
• General Vocabulary Exercises
• Argumentative Essays
• Letters and Emails
• English News Articles
• Privacy Policy

• Verb Tense Intro.
• Types of Verbs
• Active/Passive
• Simple Present
• Present Continuous
• Simple Past
• Past Continuous
• Present Perfect
• Present Perf. Cont.
• Past Perfect
• Past Perfect Cont.
• Simple Future
• Future Continuous
• Future Perfect
• Future Perfect Cont.
• Would Always
• Future in the Past
• Verb Tenses

Verb tenses are verb forms (went, go, will go) which English speakers use to talk about the past , present , and future in their language. There are twelve verb tense forms in English as well as other time expressions such as used to . For English learners, knowing how to use English tenses can be quite a challenge. Never fear. Englishpage.com's verb tense tutorial will teach you to think like a native speaker. Let's get started!

How to use this tutorial:

1. Read Types of Verbs , Active vs. Passive, and the verb tense descriptions you want to learn.

2. Do the verb tense exercises below. Each exercise has links to the tenses covered. And don't miss our Verb Tense Final Test .

3. Use our Verb Tense Chart to learn about the types of tenses, and read through Common Questions about Verb Tenses .

Verb Tense Exercises

Verb tense chart, about the verb tense chart.

Look at the verb tense chart above. Do you see how it is arranged? It tells you a lot about how English speakers understand time. There are four present tenses, four past tenses, and four future tenses.

There are also three simple tenses, three continuous tenses, three perfect tenses and three perfect continuous tenses. These groupings can help you learn how English verb tenses are used.

For example, all simple tenses have similar uses. Perfect tenses also behave in the same way. Keep this in mind while reading our verb tense descriptions .

Did you also notice that present tenses and past tenses only have one form whereas future tenses have two forms?

Common Questions about Verb Tenses

How can i learn verb tenses.

Our native language changes the way we think about time. It also changes the way we use verb tenses. For example, Germans often make mistakes with present perfect. Why? Because it looks like a tense in German, which is NOT the same.

For this reason, you have to learn to think like an English speaker. You must learn how we see time. Our in-depth verb tense descriptions will help you.

Make sure you understand the details. Do you know how non-continuous and mixed verbs change tense usage? If not, read those pages again.

It is also good to know active and passive verb forms well. You don't want to have to stop in the middle of a sentence to think about forms.

You should also take some time to learn the large number of English irregular verbs . Don't worry. It's easy with our irregular verb flashcards !

How many verb tenses are there?

The answer depends on who you ask.

Linguists say English has three tenses: past, present and future. They call simple , continuous , perfect and perfect continuous "aspects" of each tense.

People who teach English as a foreign language say English has 12 tenses (simple present, present continuous, etc.)

What are the most common verb tense mistakes?

The most common mistake English learners make is to use simple present to talk about things that are happening now. With most verbs, that's wrong. Present continuous should be used. 

Another big mistake is using present perfect with set times such as last week . That is not correct in English. And most English learners have problems with will and be going to .

Again, don't worry. All of these tenses are clearly explained in this tutorial.

What sources should I use to study tenses?

First, start with this Verb Tense Tutorial . You need to know the rules well.

Next, watch TV and movies in English. You should watch shows with lots of dialogue. Comedies and dramas are best. You need to find programs with natural language. Many teachers use shows like Friends or The Big Bang Theory in class.

You also need to read. Again, it is best to read books with lots of conversation.Take time to look at the details. Do you understand why each tense is used?

Where can I see examples of all the verb tense forms?

Each page in this tutorial has a Forms section with a link to a Complete List of Forms . That list shows examples of all forms for that tense. Here is the complete list of simple present forms .

• Weekly Lesson
• Grammar Book
• Conditionals
• Prepositions
• Mini-tutorials
• Irregular Verbs
• Reading Room
• Listening Lounge
• Phrasal Verb Dictionary
• Verb + Preposition Dictionary

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Tenses for Beginners: The Easy Guide to Learning English Grammar Tenses

Saying “I eat fish” isn’t the same as saying “I am eating fish.”

But what’s the difference?

To understand why the two statements are different, you need to understand English tenses .

In this post, I’ll cover the main English tenses for beginners and show you how and when to use them.

What Are the English Tenses? 

The most essential english tenses for beginners, simple tenses, simple present, simple past, continuous tenses, present continuous, past continuous, looking to the future, simple future, future continuous, a quick summary of english tenses, practice makes perfect 5 resources to review english tenses, british council, “verb tenses and passives” course from uc irvine, englishforeveryone, grammarbank.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

There are only three basic tenses in the English language: the past, the present and the future.

• The past tense is used for anything that happened before this moment in time.
• The present tense is used for anything that happens right now or for general statements.
• The future tense is used for anything that will happen at some point later than right now.

(There is also a perfect tense , but this article will stick to the three basic tenses described above.)

These tenses have a few variations that make them more specific and talk about the exact time during which actions happen.

All three tenses have two main types of variations:  simple and  continuous .

• The continuous tenses in English  are used for actions that happen repeatedly over a period of time.
• The simple tenses are used for… everything else!

With this easy guide below, you’ll be able to identify exactly when to use these tenses in English.

Look back at the very first example used in this blog: “I eat fish.” This sentence uses the simple present tense.

The simple present tense is mostly used for three things:

1. To describe things that are permanent or unchanging.

2. To describe how often something happens.

3. To talk about scheduled events.

To use the tense, add an -s to the end of the verb when “he” or “she” is doing the action (he speaks, she eats).

Use the unchanged verb when anyone else is doing it (we speak, I eat).

You would use this tense if you wanted to tell someone about yourself or your hobbies, share something you believe to be true, or ask about when you can catch the next bus at the stop.

Here are some examples:

If your hobby is the violin, you can say “I play the violin.” Since it’s just a hobby though, you can add: “I am not a professional violinist.”

You might be worried about your friend if you notice he’s biting his nails because “he bites his nails when he’s nervous.”

You’ll need to get ready quickly if you want to make it to your friend’s party, because she just told you that “the party starts in an hour.”

Maybe you should remind your friend to bring a gift since “he never remembers birthdays.”

The simple past is used in a very similar way to the simple present.

Simple past regular verbs use -ed   (I walked, he smiled). There are many irregular verbs that don’t use the -ed form, which you will need to learn (I spoke, he ate).

This tense talks about something that has already happened or is no longer true.

Use the simple past if you want to describe an action that already happened.

This description of a trip uses the simple past tense: “Last year I visited New York. I lived in a hotel for a month. I rode the train, took many pictures and walked all around Central Park.”

You can also use this tense for many of the same reasons as the simple present. It can be used to describe a hobby or habit you had in the past, or something you used to believe was true.

In fact, the words “used to” are often used for this tense. You can say it either way: “I used to play the violin when I was young” has the same meaning as “I played the violin when I was young.”

The word continuous  means something that’s ongoing, happening right now.

The continuous tense uses the -ing ending of a verb (eating, speaking) in both the present and the past.

But wait, if the continuous tense is happening “right now,” how can you have a past continuous tense? Read on to find out!

You can use the present continuous to talk about something ongoing that’s happening now or soon.

Right now, you are reading this article. Maybe you’re drinking some coffee or taking a break from work. Later today you might be meeting some friends for dinner.

By adding the words “always” or “constantly” you can express the frequency of the action. For example: “My mother-in-law is always complaining ,” or “that child is constantly crying .” These are not good things, but they do use the right tense!

The past continuous tense is used to describe a continuous action that got interrupted. If you got a phone call late at night, you could say “I was sleeping last night when I got the call.”

You can also use this tense to say what you were doing at a specific time in the past. For example: “I was already writing at 6 in the morning,” or “yesterday in the evening I was eating dinner.”

The future is anything that hasn’t happened yet. It can be a few seconds from now or a few years from now.

Speaking about the future is pretty simple : just add the words “will” or “is going to” before an unchanged verb .

How do you know when to use “will” and when to use “is going to”?

Don’t worry about it too much—you can usually use either one! You can say “I will call you later,” or “I am going to call you later.” They are both correct.

The slight difference is in the meaning: “going to” is used more often for things that are planned. So in the above example, the first sentence is more offhand (without giving it too much thought), but the second sentence sounds like you will make sure to call later.

The difference is subtle (not too big) and you can get away with using either one. Just remember that “will” is used more often for promises and things you do by choice, and “going to” is used for making plans.

Both can be used for predictions too, or things you think will happen. You can say “the world will end in ten years,” and you can also say “the world is going to end in ten years.” Either way is correct—but hopefully the prediction is wrong!

This last way to talk about the future has the same uses as the past continuous.

You use the future continuous to talk about things that might be interrupted in the future, or to say what will be happening at a specific time in the future.

Just add the -ing form of a verb after the words “will be” or “am going to be.”

If you know your friend is coming to visit you tomorrow, for example, you could tell her to come before 7 because “we will be eating dinner at 7.” You can also tell her: “I  will be waiting for you at the train station.”

Here is everything this post has covered, summarized in a quick list:

Simple present

• Something that is unchanging, general, scheduled or happening at certain intervals.
• Uses: “verb” / “verb-s.”

Present continuous

• Something that is happening now or in the near future.
• Uses: “Is + verb-ing.”

Simple past

• Something that happened before now.
• Uses: “Verb-ed.”

Past continuous

• Something that got interrupted by an event or a time.
• Uses: “Was + verb-ing.”

Simple future

• Something that will happen later than now.
• Uses: “Will + verb,” “Is going to + verb.”

Future continuous

• Something that will be interrupted by an event or a time.
• Uses: “Will be + verb-ing ,” “Is going to be + verb-ing.”

Now that you know the different tenses in the English language, it’s time to practice them so you can start using them in your conversations!

The resources below are great options. No matter your level of English or preferred style of learning, there’s a tool for you.

The British Council English learning website is full of free resources to help you refresh your understanding of grammar and English tenses, along with short exercises for each section.

Most of us have that one particular English tense that’s a bit slippery. In the Grammar section , you can find easy-to-understand explanations of grammar rules according to your English level.

To feel more comfortable using them in your own conversations, take some time to listen to how these tenses are used by native English speakers.

A great way to learn the tenses is to immerse yourself in the language and see how they are used by native speakers.

FluentU is a language learning program that teaches using authentic English videos made by and for native speakers. Each video features interactive subtitles, so as you watch, you can hover over a word to see its meaning or click on it to find its definition, pronunciation and more examples of the term used in context. This feature enables you to see and understand how the English tenses are used by native speakers.

FluentU is also available on iOS and Android , so you can learn wherever you are!

This course from the well-known University of California, Irvine will give you a structured learning experience and the opportunity to interact and discuss with people from other parts of the world.

It covers 12 English verb tenses and how to mix them together the way native speakers often do.

If you feel that a routine or schedule helps you to focus, online Coursera classes like this one are a great option. They push you to follow through and do a bit of homework, all from the comfort of your sofa!

Everyone learns in a slightly different way. I find doodling and writing things down help me remember better. If you’re like me, EnglishForEveryone is just the thing.

On this website, you’ll find a variety of downloadable verb worksheets available in PDF form , organized according to tense type.

They’re one-page exercises, which means you can do them quickly whenever you get a spare moment. It’s handy to have them saved on the computer or phone or print them out. That way, you have them on hand when you’re waiting for the doctor or that colleague of yours that’s always late to meetings!

As the name indicates, this is where you can go for all things grammar. Some of their exercises are a real workout. For example, there are several where you have to compare English tenses and structures that are often confused, like  “Present Perfect vs. Past Perfect” or  “Will vs. Going To.”

GrammarBank also has some great mixed verb tense exercises , so you can practice the different tenses.

They’re online exercises, but you could easily print them out as well.

Now you know the tenses in English, you’re ready to start using them. 

Practice them and you’ll soon start incorporating them naturally into your own English conversations and writing!

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Table of Verb Tenses in English Grammar

Overview of all english tenses.

English has a grand total of 12 different verb tenses.

Check out the table below for a full summary of all the different tenses complete with examples and signal words.

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Understanding Verb Tenses: A Comprehensive Guide to Past, Present, and Future Actions

The Importance of Understanding Verb Tenses

Verb tenses play a significant role in the English language as they indicate the timing of an action - whether it happened in the past, is happening in the present, or will occur in the future. They allow us to communicate effectively by providing clarity and precision in our speech and writing. Without a proper understanding of verb tenses, our sentences can become confusing or inaccurate. Therefore, it is crucial to grasp the concept of verb tenses in order to express ourselves accurately in English.

In addition to verb tenses, grammatical aspects further enhance our understanding of the timing and duration of an action. Aspects provide additional information about how an action relates to a specific time frame. For example, the aspect of continuous or progressive indicates an ongoing action, while the perfect aspect indicates that the action is completed or has already happened in relation to another point in time.

As we explore verb tenses, it's important to note that English has a total of twelve primary verb tenses. These twelve tenses are formed by combining the four grammatical aspects (simple, continuous or progressive, perfect, and perfect continuous or progressive) with the three main timeframes: past, present, and future. By understanding these twelve verb tenses, you'll have a solid foundation for speaking and writing accurately in English.

Let's take a look at some examples to better understand the different verb tenses:

• Simple Present: I walk to school every day. (An action that is happening regularly in the present.)
• Present Continuous: She is reading a book right now. (An ongoing action happening in the present.)
• Present Perfect: They have visited Paris several times. (An action that happened at an unspecified time in the past and has a connection to the present.)
• Present Perfect Continuous: We have been waiting for the bus for half an hour. (An ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present.)

By examining these examples, you can see how verb tenses combine with grammatical aspects to convey specific meanings and relationships between actions and time frames.

Having a strong grasp of verb tenses is essential for both native speakers and English learners. Proficiency in using verb tenses allows us to communicate accurately and effectively, ensuring that our message is understood exactly as intended.

Understanding Verb Tenses: An Essential Guide to Communicating in English

Verb tenses play a crucial role in English grammar as they indicate the timing and duration of an action. By understanding verb tenses, we can effectively convey information about past, present, and future events. However, verb tenses go beyond simply indicating timeframes; they also provide additional grammatical aspects that help us convey the duration, sequence, and effects of actions. In this chapter, we will explore the main verb tenses and delve into the various grammatical aspects that enhance our ability to express ourselves accurately and precisely.

Main Verb Tenses

The main verb tenses in English are the past, present, and future tenses. These tenses form the foundation of our communication, allowing us to speak about events that have already happened, events happening now, and events that are yet to occur. Let's take a closer look at each of these verb tenses:

The past tense: This tense is used to describe actions or events that have already occurred in the past. For example: "She arrived at the party last night." Here, the verb "arrived" indicates an action that took place in the past. The present tense: This tense is used to describe actions or events happening now or are generally true. For example: "He walks to work every day." In this sentence, the verb "walks" indicates an action that is currently happening or is a regular occurrence. The future tense: This tense is used to describe actions or events that will happen in the future. For example: "They will travel to Europe next month." Here, the verb "will travel" indicates an action that is yet to occur.

Additional Grammatical Aspects

While the main verb tenses provide us with a basic understanding of an action's timing, additional grammatical aspects allow us to convey more specific details about the action. Let's explore these aspects:

The perfect tense: This tense is used to describe actions that were completed before a certain point in the past. For example: "I had finished my homework by the time she arrived." Here, the verb "had finished" indicates that the completion of the homework occurred before the arrival. The progressive (or continuous) tense: This tense is used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific point in the past, present, or future. For example: "He is studying for his exams this week." In this sentence, the verb "is studying" indicates an ongoing action in the present. The perfect progressive (or perfect continuous) tense: This tense is used to describe actions that were ongoing and completed before a certain point in the past, present, or future. For example: "They have been working on this project for months." Here, the verb "have been working" indicates that the action started in the past and is still ongoing.

By utilizing these additional grammatical aspects, we can provide more nuanced information about an action's duration, sequence, and effects on the present. This allows us to communicate with greater accuracy and precision, ensuring that our messages are clear and understandable.

So, the next time you find yourself pondering over which verb tense to use, keep in mind that verb tenses go beyond mere time indicators. They are powerful tools that enable us to express not only when an action takes place but also how long it lasts, its sequence of occurrence, and its impact on the present. Mastering verb tenses and their accompanying grammatical aspects will undoubtedly enhance your command of English and elevate your communication skills to new heights.

Tenses in English Grammar: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding tenses is essential for mastering English grammar. In this chapter, we will explore the various tenses in English and the rules that govern their usage. By the end of this chapter, you will have a solid grasp on the different tenses and be able to use them correctly in your writing and speaking.

The standard tense in English is the present tense. It is used to describe actions or states that are happening at the current moment. For example, the sentence "She is reading a book" uses the present continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action. On the other hand, the past and future tenses require changes or additions to the root form of the verb.

Each tense (past, present, future) has four different aspects that provide additional details about the action or state being described. These aspects include the simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous tenses. Let's explore each aspect in more detail.

Starting with the simple tense, it is the easiest to form and has the fewest rules. It is used to describe general truths, habitual actions, and facts. For example, the sentence "I walk to school every day" uses the simple present tense to describe a habitual action.

The perfect tense is used to describe actions that relate to other points in time, either completed or ongoing. It uses the auxiliary verb "have" with the past participle of the main verb. For instance, the sentence "He has finished his homework" uses the present perfect tense to indicate a completed action in the past with a connection to the present.

Continuous tenses are used to describe ongoing actions or actions that happen for a while before completion. However, it is important to note that stative verbs like "wish," "like," "own," and "require" are usually not used with continuous tenses. An example sentence using the present continuous tense would be "They are watching a movie at the moment."

The perfect continuous tense combines the perfect and continuous aspects to describe ongoing actions over a period of time. It uses the auxiliary verb "have," the auxiliary verb "been," and the present participle of the main verb. One example of the present perfect continuous tense would be "She has been studying for two hours."

In summary, the different tenses in English provide us with a way to accurately express the time and duration of actions or states. By understanding and mastering these tenses, you will be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.

English Tenses: A Comprehensive Guide

English grammar can be a complex and often confusing subject for many learners. One area that often proves challenging is understanding the various tenses. Tenses are used to express the time of an action or event, whether it happened in the past, is happening in the present, or will happen in the future. In English, tenses can be categorized into past, present, and future tenses, each serving a specific purpose in communication. In this chapter, we will explore the different types of tenses and their uses.

Let's start by looking at the simple tense. This tense is used to express actions or events that happened in the past, are happening in the present, or will happen in the future. It is the most basic form of expressing time in English. For example:

I walked to the store yesterday. (Past tense) She eats dinner every night. (Present tense) They will go to the beach tomorrow. (Future tense)

The simple tense doesn't provide any additional information about the action or event; it simply states the time in which it occurs. This makes it a straightforward and commonly used tense in everyday speech and writing.

Next, let's delve into the perfect tense. This tense is used to indicate actions or events that took place before another action or a specific point in time in the past, present, or future. It adds a layer of specificity to the timing of an event. Consider these examples:

I had already finished my homework when she called. (Past perfect tense) He has written three books in his career. (Present perfect tense) By this time next year, I will have graduated from college. (Future perfect tense)

The perfect tense allows us to convey information about the completion or duration of an action before or up to a certain point in time. It is useful for describing a past action that has an impact on the present or future.

Now, let's move on to the continuous tense. This tense is used to describe actions or events that were happening in the past, are happening in the present, or will be happening in the future. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action. Consider these examples:

They were playing soccer when it started raining. (Past continuous tense) She is currently studying for her exams. (Present continuous tense) We will be traveling to Europe next month. (Future continuous tense)

The continuous tense allows us to highlight the duration or temporary nature of an action. It adds a sense of activity or progression to the verb, providing a more detailed picture of the situation.

Lastly, let's explore the perfect continuous tense. This tense is used to express actions or events that started in the past and continue up to a certain point in the past, present, or future. It combines the features of the perfect tense and the continuous tense. Consider these examples:

They have been living in London for five years. (Present perfect continuous tense) She had been working on her project for hours when her computer crashed. (Past perfect continuous tense) We will have been waiting for an hour by the time they arrive. (Future perfect continuous tense)

The perfect continuous tense allows us to convey the duration or progress of an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. It adds a sense of continuity and endurance to the verb.

Understanding the different tenses in English is essential for effective communication. The simple, perfect, continuous, and perfect continuous tenses each serve a unique purpose in expressing the time, duration, and completion of actions or events. By mastering these tenses, you can enhance your language skills and convey your thoughts and experiences with precision and clarity.

Past Tense in English Grammar In English grammar, the past tense is used to indicate actions that were completed in the past. It is one of the essential tenses to understand in order to effectively communicate in English. Let's explore some key aspects of the past tense.

Regular verbs form the simple past tense by adding -ed or -d to the end of the verb. For example: Walk - walked Jump - jumped Talk - talked

Irregular verbs, on the other hand, have their own unique forms for the past tense. These verbs do not follow a set pattern. Some common examples of irregular verbs in the past tense are: Go - went Eat - ate See - saw Give - gave

Aside from the simple past tense, there are other forms of the past tense that are used in different contexts.

The past perfect, also known as the pluperfect, is used to indicate an action that occurred before another past action. It is formed by using "had" + the past participle of the verb. For example: She had already finished dinner when I arrived. He had studied for hours before taking the test.

The past continuous tense is used to describe ongoing actions in the past, especially if they were interrupted by another action. It is formed by using the past tense of "to be" (was/were) + the present participle of the verb. For example: We were watching a movie when the power went out. They were playing soccer when it started raining.

The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe ongoing actions in the past that were connected to another past action. It is formed by using "had been" + the present participle of the verb. For example: She had been working for hours when her boss finally gave her a break. They had been waiting for the train for a long time before it finally arrived.

Understanding and correctly using the past tense is crucial for expressing actions and events that occurred in the past. By grasping the different forms and nuances of the past tense, you will be able to communicate effectively and accurately in English.

Understanding Present Tense Verb Forms

The present tense is one of the most commonly used tenses in the English language, and it is important to have a solid understanding of its various forms and uses. In this chapter, we will explore four forms of the present tense: simple present, present perfect, present continuous, and present perfect continuous. Each of these forms has its own unique purpose and usage. Let's delve into them in more detail.

1. Simple Present The simple present tense is commonly used to talk about habits, routines, and general truths. It describes actions that are regularly performed or facts that hold true in the present. For example, we use the simple present to talk about daily routines, such as "I wake up at 7 am every morning." It is also used for general truths like "The sun rises in the east."

When forming the simple present tense, the verb generally stays the same for all subjects except for the third-person singular pronouns (he, she, it), where an "s" or "es" is added to the end of the verb. For example, "I walk to work" versus "She walks to work."

2. Present Perfect The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past but have a connection to the present. It is often used for ongoing actions that have not yet been completed. For example, "I have been studying for four hours" indicates that the studying started in the past and is still ongoing.

The present perfect is also used to express actions that have been completed multiple times in the past and are likely to occur again in the future. For instance, "I have been to London several times." Additionally, the present perfect tense can be used to emphasize the significance or relevance of a completed action. For example, "I have finished the report, and it is ready for submission."

3. Present Continuous The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening now or in the near future. It is formed by using the present tense of the verb "to be" (am, is, are) followed by the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb. For example, "I am studying for my exam" or "She is cooking dinner."

The present continuous tense is often used to express temporary actions or situations. It is also commonly used when referring to plans or arrangements for the near future. For instance, "We are meeting at the park tomorrow."

4. Present Perfect Continuous The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe ongoing actions that started in the past and continue into the present. It is often used to emphasize the duration or length of time that the action has been happening. For example, "I have been working on this project for two weeks."

The present perfect continuous tense is formed by using the present perfect of the verb "to be" (have/has been) followed by the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb. For instance, "She has been studying all day" or "They have been waiting for hours."

Understanding the various forms of the present tense and their appropriate usage is essential for effective communication in English. By mastering these verb forms, you will be able to accurately express actions, habits, and ongoing events in the present. Practice using different verbs and create your own examples to strengthen your grasp of these important verb forms.

Using Future Tenses in English Grammar

When it comes to talking about events that haven't happened yet, English grammar offers a variety of future tenses. These tenses allow speakers to convey different nuances and time frames for future actions. In this chapter, we will explore the upcoming tense, the forthcoming optimal tense, the impending progressive tense, and the imminent progressive perfect tense.

The upcoming tense is used to talk about events that are anticipated to happen at a later time but have not yet occurred. For example:

I'm going to travel to Europe next summer. She will start her new job next week.

The forthcoming optimal tense, on the other hand, indicates an event that will have been completed in the future by a specified time. It emphasizes the completion of an action before a certain point. Here are a couple of examples:

By this time next week, I will have finished writing my novel. They will have completed the construction project by the end of the month.

When a continuous action in the future needs to be emphasized, the impending progressive tense is used. This tense is particularly useful when referring to events that will be happening continuously over a specific period, especially when a definite time is mentioned. Examples include:

I will be studying for my final exams all weekend. They will be working on the project for the next two months.

Lastly, the imminent progressive perfect tense portrays future ongoing events that will continue up until a specific point. This tense is handy when discussing actions that will still be happening at a designated time. For instance:

By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for an hour. She will have been living in the city for five years by the end of this month.

By understanding and using these future tenses correctly, you can express various time frames and nuances of future actions in your writing and speaking. It's essential to choose the right tense to convey your intended meaning and ensure clarity in your communication.

Understanding Verb Tenses: Past, Present, Future, and More

Verb tenses play a crucial role in conveying when an action occurred, whether it's in the past, present, or future. Understanding verb tenses is essential for maintaining clarity and accuracy in your writing. In this article, we will explore the three main verb tenses - past, present, and future - as well as the different grammatical aspects that can be used in conjunction with these tenses.

There are four grammatical aspects that can be applied to verb tenses: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous. When we combine the three time periods with these four aspects, we arrive at a total of twelve distinct verb tenses.

The simple tenses, including the simple past, simple present, and simple future, indicate actions happening at different times. For example:

I played soccer yesterday. (Simple past tense) She writes in her journal every day. (Simple present tense) We will go to the beach next week. (Simple future tense)

The perfect tenses, including the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect, indicate completed actions that are relevant to different time periods. These tenses are formed by combining the auxiliary verb "have" with the past participle of the main verb. For example:

He has written three books. (Present perfect tense) We had already eaten dinner when she arrived. (Past perfect tense) By this time tomorrow, they will have finished the project. (Future perfect tense)

The continuous tenses, including the present continuous, past continuous, and future continuous, are used for ongoing actions that take time to complete. These tenses are formed by combining the verb "be" with the present participle of the main verb. For example:

She is studying for her exam. (Present continuous tense) They were watching a movie when the power went out. (Past continuous tense) We will be traveling to Europe next month. (Future continuous tense)

The perfect continuous tenses, including the present perfect continuous, past perfect continuous, and future perfect continuous, describe ongoing actions that have been happening over a period of time. These tenses are formed by combining the auxiliary verb "have" with the past participle of the verb "be" and the present participle of the main verb. For example:

She has been working on this project for hours. (Present perfect continuous tense) They had been studying all night before the exam. (Past perfect continuous tense) By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for two hours. (Future perfect continuous tense)

Having a strong grasp of the various verb tenses and their appropriate usage is key to effective communication. Whether you are writing an essay, an email, or a blog post, using the correct verb tense can greatly enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing.

While mastering verb tenses can be a challenge, there are tools available to help you. One such tool is Linguix.com , an online writing assistant and paraphrasing tool that provides real-time grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and conciseness checks. Linguix can help you identify and correct verb tense mistakes, ensuring your written content is error-free and polished.

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About the Chapter

English grammar concept tenses is a very important topic that is studied from junior classes to senior classes. It helps to give a basic understanding to students about how to phrase a sentence referring to a certain time in that sentence. Vedantu is the platform for you to provide you with all the important questions that can appear in exams from this chapter. The revision notes from this chapter are so well organized that it helps students to get a clear understanding of all the topics, also examples are included in each topic that helps students to relate it to the particular situation and understand it in a better way.

Vedantu is the #1 online learning portal that helps you to get the best study material for English grammar concept Tenses. You can get expert teacher guidance to clear all your doubts about tenses and get a better result. This chapter is very important for your syllabus as well as for your spoken English because with this you will be able to phrase the correct sentences. So to get a complete understanding of this topic, you can study revision notes for Tenses - Introduction, Types of Tenses with Explanation, and Examples prepared by Vedantu.

Introduction

Tense is an English grammar concept. It represents the form taken by the verb to comprehend the situation referred to in time. For example, in the sentence, Yash walked for 2 hours and then he went to sleep, the past tense verb form, walk(+ed) signals the time of the walk in the past. Tense is used to assign a time factor to the sentence. Tenses just like time are divided into 3 parts-

Past tense - I swam

Present Tense - I swim

Future Tense - I will swim

Before we start with the More complicated divisions there are three rules we should keep in mind-

Only indicative forms of verbs are tensed.

All the tenses have progressive and non-progressive forms for eg, I work here/I am working here, are both Present tense. 

When a verb form is a very important complex, which involves more than one auxiliary, it is the first auxiliary that is marked for tense, not the main verb.

Types of Tenses 

Present Tense

Simple Present Tense:: It is used to express daily tasks, facts, and universal truths. The present tense is used to express what is happening or happens daily or is a fact in itself. Adding the letter s or es makes a simple present tense.

Like- Likes

You, We, They: Like to play outside.

He, She, It: likes to play outside

for example-

She writes a book.

Moon comes out at night.

New Delhi is the capital city of India.

Present Perfect Tense: The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that are completed.

I, You, We, They: have killed time.

He, She, It: has killed time.

I have seen the movie you love the most.

He has been to India 

Present Perfect Continuous Tense: We use the present perfect continuous when the focus is on an action that is not yet finished or completed.

I, You, We, They: have been playing for a day.

He, She, It: has been playing for a day.

I have been waiting for the car for an hour.

It has not been raining since last Friday.

Simple Past Tense: Used to indicate an action that happened in the past. It often comes with an adverb of time. Sometimes it can be used without an adverb of time. Used for past habits. 

I went to school.

You worked very hard in exams.

She did not

Past Continuous Tense: The past continuous tense is a very important tense in English. We use it to express what we were in the middle of doing at a particular moment in the past. 

I, she, he, it- was playing in the garden.

They, We - were playing in the garden

I was cooking last night for my sister’s children.

They were not playing scrabble when I checked on them.

Past Perfect Tense: The past perfect tense is easy to understand and to use in a sentence. This tense talks about an event which happened in the past. If two actions happened in the past, the past perfect tense is used to display the action that took place earlier.

I, he, she, it, we, they  - had arrived at the station

We were too late when the movie started. 

I thought I had seen the movie before but I was wrong.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense: Used to denote an event that started before a certain point in the past and continued up to some time in the past.

I, he, she, we, it, you, they - had been sleeping on the couch when I arrived.

Sita was very tired. She had been dancing.

Had the student been roaming outside the classroom?

Future Tense

Simple Future Tense: The period of time after speaking a sentence is considered future tense.

This tense is used to express future events and happenings.

Rule – Will/Shall + Verb (Ist form)

I, He, she, it, we, you, they - will/shall play the piano tomorrow.

Sita will ask the questions tomorrow.

They will never speak about this.

Future Continuous Tense: It is used to express an action that is going or continuing in the future. e.g. He will be distributing promotion letters in the office tomorrow at 12 o'clock. In the example, the action will commence in the future (tomorrow) and action is assumed to be continued till sometime in the future.

I, he, she, you, it, they, we- will be arriving at the airport tomorrow.  

I will be playing football on the ground tomorrow.

She will be writing a letter.

Future Perfect Tense: It is used to express an action that will happen/occur in future and will be completed by a certain time in future. We use the future perfect to say that something will be finished by a particular time in the future.

I, he, we, she, they, it - will have dinner at 10 pm

She will have forgotten him by then. 

She will not have written a letter.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense: It is used to talk about actions that will start at a fixed point of time in the future and will go on for some time in the future. 

The future perfect continuous focus on the duration of an activity that will be in progress before another time or event in the future. 

Tomorrow at 4 pm, I will be on my way to Kolkata. 

It is also used to talk about planned actions or actions expected to happen.

 Relatives will be staying at Aunt Mina’s house.

FAQs on Tenses

1. How Do We Form the Future Perfect Tense? 

Tenses is a very important chapter that covers everything to help you understand the tenses completely. The tense formed with ‘will’ and ‘have’ and past participle of the verb is known as future perfect tense. Therefore the formula for making correct future perfect tense is -

Will have+ past participle 

A complete 5k sentence will be formed like:

subject + auxiliary verb (WILL) + auxiliary verb (HAVE) + main verb

The subject can be anything singular or plural; it does not bother the future perfect tense, and the formula remains the same.

You can get a complete understanding of this topic by going through the examples.

2. What is the Example of the Past Perfect Continuous Negative Sentence?

One of the important topics of English grammar is tenses, it is the most important chapter that has a high weightage in exams. Students can study every detail of this chapter with the help of the notes provided by the expert team of Vedantu. It has a clear description of all the chapters that provide a better understanding to the students and help them to learn easily. The study material provided covers all the important topics like, what is tenses, types of tenses with explanations and examples.

Past perfect continuous Negative sentence is explained in detail with an example so that you can understand it in a better way. Past perfect continuous Negative sentence has a formula that is :

Subject + had not been + 1st form of verb that includes ‘ing’ + since/for + time

Examples for Past perfect continuous Negative sentences are : 

He had not been living in India since 2012.

She had not been driving her car for two years.

 I could tell from the report card that Henry had not been studying.  

3. When Do We Use Present Perfect Tense?

The action or state that has occurred in an indefinite time in the past, or it has begun in the past and is continued to the present time is known as present perfect tense. The formula for the present perfect tense has /has + the past participle.

Examples for present perfect tense are : 

We have talked before

she has grown impatient over the last few minutes

 This tense is formed by We use this tense for three reasons-

           1.  Any Experience

           2.  A change 

           3.  For a continuing situation 

The study material provided by Vedantu helps you to get a complete understanding of tenses with the help of examples. you can also avail personal guidance from expert subject specialists. Vedantu provides a one-to-one online class that helps to clear all your doubts.

4. How can I score full marks in tenses?

Tenses is one of the important chapters that are very interesting but a bit tricky, you should complete the entire study of this chapter from your coursebook, and then you can download the free PDF study material from Vedantu that provides a detailed description of all the topics with examples that helps you to get a better understanding of the topics. You can get full marks in this chapter by understanding all the types of tenses and relating them to your life to gain a better understanding.

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EnglishForEveryone.org

Verb tense worksheets terms of use, unit 1: using "to be".

• Verb Tenses Diagram - A diagram of verb tenses and examples

This unit contains worksheets outlining common usages of the verb "to be." Good for use with beginning level and intermediate level learners.

• Answer Key - This is the answer key to Unit 1 worksheets.
• Exercise 1 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 2 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 3 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 4 - Review of the Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 5 - Review of the Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 6 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 7 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 8 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 9 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 10 - Simple Present Tense and Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 11 - Simple Present Tense and Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 12 - Review of the Present Tense and Simple Past Tense
• Print all - Click here to print all worksheets in Unit 1, including the answer key

Unit 2: Present Tense

• Answer Key - This is the answer key to Unit 2 worksheets.
• Exercise 4 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 5 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 6 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 7 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 8 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 9 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 10 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 11 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 12 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 13 - Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 14 - Review of the Simple Present Tense
• Exercise 15 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 16 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 17 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 18 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 19 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 20 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 21 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 22 - Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 23 - Review of the Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 24 - Simple Present Tense and Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 25 - Simple Present Tense and Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 26 - Review of the Simple Present Tense and Present Progressive Tense
• Exercise 27 - Simple Present Perfect Tense
• Exercise 28 - Simple Present Perfect Tense
• Exercise 29 - Simple Present Perfect Tense
• Exercise 30 - Simple Present Perfect Tense
• Exercise 31 - Simple Present Perfect Tense
• Exercise 32 - Simple Present Perfect Tense
• Exercise 33 - Simple Present Perfect Tense
• Exercise 34 - Present Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 35 - Present Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 36 - Simple Present Perfect Tense and Present Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 37 - Review of the Simple Present Perfect Tense and Present Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 38 - Cumulative Review of the Present Tense

Unit 3: Past Tense

This unit contains printable past tense worksheets. each worksheet includes an explanation and examples of the three aspects (simple, progressive, and perfect) of the past tense. practice involves filling in the blanks and rewriting sentences in the specified aspect of the past tense..

• Answer Key - This is the answer key to Unit 3 worksheets.
• Exercise 1 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 2 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 3 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 4 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 5 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 10 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 11 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 12 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 13 - Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 14 - Review of the Simple Past Tense
• Exercise 15 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 16 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 17 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 18 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 19 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 20 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 21 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 22 - Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 23 - Review of the Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 24 - Simple Past Tense and Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 25 - Simple Past Tense and Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 26 - Simple Past Tense and Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 27 - Review of the Simple Past Tense and Past Progressive Tense
• Exercise 28 - Simple Past Perfect Tense
• Exercise 29 - Simple Past Perfect Tense
• Exercise 30 - Simple Past Perfect Tense
• Exercise 31 - Simple Past Perfect Tense
• Exercise 32 - Simple Past Perfect Tense
• Exercise 33 - Past Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 34 - Past Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 35 - Past Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 36 - Simple Past Perfect Tense and Past Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 37 - Cumulative Review of the Past Tense

Unit 4: Future Tense

This unit contains printable future tense worksheets. each worksheet includes an explanation and examples of the three aspects (simple, progressive, and perfect) of the future tense. practice involves filling in the blanks and rewriting sentences in the specified aspect of the future tense..

• Will and Going to - an introduction to the difference between these two forms of the future tense
• Will and Going to answers - answers to the above worksheet
• Answer Key - This is the answer key to Unit 4 worksheets.
• Exercise 1 - Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 2 - Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 3 - Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 4 - Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 5 - Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 6 - Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 7 - Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 8 - Review of the Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 9 - Future Progressive Tense
• Exercise 10 - Future Progressive Tense
• Exercise 11 - Future Progressive Tense
• Exercise 12 - Review of the Future Progressive Tense
• Exercise 13 - Future Perfect Tense
• Exercise 14 - Review of the Simple Future Tense
• Exercise 15 - Future Perfect Tense
• Exercise 16 - Future Perfect Tense
• Exercise 17 - Future Perfect Progressive Tense
• Exercise 18 - Future Progressive Tense
• Exercise 19 - Review of the Future Progressive Tense
• Exercise 20 - Cumulative Review of the Future Tense

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Verb tenses exercises

Mixed exercises to practise all English verb tenses.

Intermediate level

Multiple choice

All present tenses, mixed exercise

All tenses, mixed exercise.

Drag and drop

Perfect and past tenses, mixed exercise

Filling gaps

Signal words & tenses, mixed exercise

Try our “total recall” course.

The above listed exercises will help you better understand the difference between various verb tenses and structure your knowledge of tenses. The exercises are recommended as a sum up and revision after studying each present, past, perfect and future tense separately. If you are not sure how to form or how to use a tense, it is advisable to find this tense in the related topics or in the list of topics, study the explanation and do exercises.

Related topics

Present simple

Present continuous

Past simple

Past continuous

Present perfect

Future simple

Top 10 topics

Irregular verbs

Conditionals (If I knew, I'd tell you)

Get on, turn up... — Phrasal verbs

Modal verbs (can, must, should etc.)

Present perfect vs. Past simple

Present simple and continuous for the future, to be going to

Passive voice (I was told)

At 2 o'clock on Sunday — Prepositions of time

12 Tenses in English Grammar with Examples (PDF)

Here are the 12 tenses in English grammar with examples:

1. Simple Present Tense: used to describe habits, general truths, and everyday activities. Example :

Affirmative : I play soccer every Saturday. Negative : I do not play soccer on any day other than Saturday. Interrogative : Do I play soccer every day of the week?

2. Present Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action in the present. Example :

Affirmative : I am playing soccer right now. Negative : I am not playing soccer right now. Interrogative : Am I playing soccer right now?

3. Simple Past Tense: used to describe a completed action in the past. Example :

Affirmative : I played soccer yesterday. Negative : I did not play soccer yesterday. Interrogative : Did I play soccer yesterday?

4. Past Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action in the past. Example :

Affirmative : I was playing soccer when she called. Negative : I was not playing soccer when she called. Interrogative : Was I playing soccer when she called.

Check Also: Easy Way to Learn English Verb Tenses✔️(PDF) Learn 12 English Tenses with 36 Example Sentences & PDF 📕 500+ English Verbs List (V1 V2 V3 Verb Forms) All forms of the verb TO BE and Its Usage

5. Simple Future Tense: used to describe a future action or event. Example :

Affirmative : I will play soccer tomorrow. Negative : I will not play soccer tomorrow. Interrogative : Will I play soccer tomorrow?

6. Future Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action in the future. Example :

Affirmative : I will be playing soccer at this time tomorrow. Negative : I will not be playing soccer at this time tomorrow. Interrogative : Will I be playing soccer at this time tomorrow.

7. Present Perfect Tense: used to express that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. Example :

Affirmative : I have played soccer. Negative : I have not played soccer. Interrogative : Have I played soccer?

8. Present Perfect Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues up to the present. Example :

Affirmative : I have been playing soccer for an hour. Negative : I have not been playing soccer for an hour. Interrogative : Have I been playing soccer for an hour?

9. Past Perfect Tense: used to describe a completed action before another action in the past. Example :

Affirmative : I had played soccer before I went to the party. Negative : I had not played soccer before I went to the party. Interrogative : Had I played soccer before I went to the party?

10. Past Perfect Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action that continued up until a point in the past. Example :

Affirmative : I had been playing soccer for two hours before the game ended. Negative : I had not been playing soccer for two hours before the game ended. Interrogative : Had I been playing soccer for two hours before the game ended?

11. Future Perfect Tense: used to describe a future action that will be completed at a specific time. Example :

Affirmative : By next year, I will have played soccer for ten years. Negative : By next year, I will not have played soccer for ten years. Interrogative : Will I have played soccer for ten years by next year?

12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action that will continue up until a specific time in the future. Example :

12 English Tenses PDF

  12 English Tenses PDF – download

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its very useful to us.thank you.

You are welcome!

English With Ashish

12 tenses in English grammar

We need tenses to form a sentence and refer to a situation. Tenses help us refer to a certain time and situation. Today, we will learn all 12 tenses in English grammar we have. After each tense, you will find a video lesson explaining that tense.

What is tense in English?

The word ‘tense’ means ‘time’ in English. Every tense in English refers to a specific time that the sentence refers to. We have 12 different tenses in English:

• Simple Present tense
• Present Progressive tense
• Present Perfect tense
• Present Perfect Continuous tense
• Simple Past tense
• Past Progressive tense
• Past Perfect tense
• Past Perfect Continuous tense
• Simple Future tense
• Future Progressive tense
• Future Perfect tense
• Future Perfect Continuous tense

There are 3 main tenses (time):

• Present tense
• Future tense

Let’s learn all 12 tenses one by one. We will start with the present tense.

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

The Simple Present tense , also known as the Present Indefinite tense, is used to talk about actions we do repeatedly. We use this tense to talk about repeated actions, universal facts, likes, dislikes, goals, ambitions, and a few more.

• I teach English.
• My father goes for a walk in the morning.
• Jon wakes up at 6 am.
• Ashish listens to an English podcast before hitting the bed.
• I like talking to strangers.
• You are a great human being.
• Joanna wants to be a doctor.
• My brother doesn’t like going out.
• Do you like me?
• Don’t you teach yoga here?

Notice that sentences refer to actions that are repeated in the present time. The purpose of the tense is to point out the followings:

Simple Present tense (passive voice)

In the passive voice of the Present Indefinite tense , sentences are formed using the subject (the receiver of the action) followed by is/am/are + past participle (V3). Here’s the structure:

Subject (the object) + is/am/are + V3 + (by + the doer)

Notice that the object in the active voice becomes the subject in the passive voice as it is what the writer focuses on in the passive voice.

• Active : People  speak  English around the world.
• Passive : English  is spoken  around the world (by people).
• Active : My parents  take  care of these kids.
• Passive : These kids  are taken  care of by my parents.
• Active :  Does  he  call  you baby?
• Passive :  Are  you  called  baby by him?
• Active : Who  calls  you every night?
• Passive : Who  are  you  called  by every night?

NOTE : in the passive voice, the doer of the action (generally in most cases) is not mentioned in the sentence as it is not what the focus is on; a sentence in the passive voice focuses on the receiver of the action (someone/something that the action is done upon). But you can always add the doer of the action if you want to or if it’s required.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

The Present Continuous tense , also known as the Present Progressive tense, is a verb tense that is used to refer to actions that are going on in the present.

If I asked you to tell me what’s happening there right now, you would tell me everything using the Present Continuous tense. Let me tell you what’s happening here right now:

• My brother  is talking  to someone over the phone.
• Some kids  are playing  outside.
• Jane, my cousin,  is watching  T.V.
• My parents  are having coffee.
• A guy  is standing next to a car.
• Some ladies  are buying  something from a street vendor.
• Jimmy, my dog,  is drinking  water.

WH Interrogative sentences

Structure : WH words + is/am/are + subject + present participle (v1+ing) + object/modifier?

Present Continuous tense (passive voice)

In the active voice of the Present Continuous tense , we focus on the person who is doing an action currently in the present.

In the passive voice of the Present continuous tense, we focus on the object (the receiver of the action) that is receiving the action in the present. The verb tense is formed using  “is/am/are + being + V3.”

Active voice :   Subject (doer) + is/am/are + V1+ing + object Passive voice:   The object (receiver of the action) + is/am/are + being + V3 + (by the doer)

• Active voice:  They are making a movie about me.
• Passive voice:  A movie about me is being made (by them).
• Active voice:  They are taking interviews for different posts.
• Passive voice:  Interviews are being taken for different posts (by them).
• Active voice:  The police are interrogating him right now.
• Passive voice:  He is being interrogated (by the police) right now.
• Active voice: Everyone is praising your work.
• Passive voice: Your work is being praised by everyone.

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

The Present Perfect tense is a verb tense that is used to refer to actions that occurred in the past but are important and relevant to the present. It is mainly used to talk about the status of an action or share life experiences.

• I have completed the project.
• Maxwell has left England for the match.
• My father has helped a lot of people.
• We have never had meat.
• The boss has canceled the meeting.
• Jon has just left for office.

Present Perfect tense (passive voice)

Active : She has cooked the food. Passive : The food has been cooked by her.

Both the above sentences are in the Present perfect tense and render the same meaning. But they are focusing on different things. 

The first sentence, which is in the active voice, focuses on the doer of the action (subject):  she . But the second sentence, which is in the passive voice, focuses on the receiver of the action (object):  the food.

In the passive voice of the present perfect tense , we talk about what has been completed or finished; who has finished it is not important in the passive voice of the present perfect tense.

• Active voice:  I  have written  an amazing song.
• Passive voice:  An amazing song  has been written  (by me).
• Active voice:  Jon  has helped  me a lot.
• Passive voice:  I  have been helped  a lot (by Jon).
• Active voice:  Most people  have tried  alcohol.
• Passive voice:  Alcohol  has been tried  (by most people). 
• Active voice:  Have you finished the project?
• Passive voice:  Has the project been finished?
• Active voice:  Has Jyoti invited you to the party?
• Passive voice:  Have you been invited to the party by Jyoti?

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

The Present Perfect Continuous tense is used to talk about actions that started in the past and are still continuing in the present. The whole purpose of using the Present Perfect Continuous tense is to focus on either of the following two things:

• The time duration  for which the action has been continuing.
• The starting point of the action  since when the action has been going on.

We use FOR to talk about the time duration, and SINCE is used to talk about the starting point of the ongoing action.

Let’s note that we, here in the Present Perfect Continuous tense,  don’t just focus on the continuity of the action , we focus either on the  time duration  or the  starting point  of the ongoing action. If we just wanted to focus on the continuity of the action in the present, we would simply use the Present Continuous tense, not the Present Perfect continuous tense.

SIMPLE PAST TENSE

The Past Indefinite tense , also known as the  Simple Past tense , is used to talk about actions that occurred in the past at a specific time.

Always remember, the time of the action, if not already understood, needs to be mentioned as this is an important facet of the Past Indefinite tense.

Past time markers: yesterday, last night, last week, last month, last year, last summer, last season, last decade, last quarter, last night, that day, that night, etc.

• I  woke  up at 5 am.
• Jim  died  in a car accident last year.
• We  went  to see him yesterday.
• He  said  a lot of mean things to me in that meeting.

Simple Past tense (passive voice)

We use the passive voice in the Simple Past tense when we want to focus on  whom  or  what  the action was acted upon in the past, not who performed the action. With changing the voice from active to passive, the sentence structure also changes.

• They  never  invited me  to their houses.  (Active voice)
• I   was  never  invited  to their houses  by them .  (Passive voice)

Note that in the active voice, the focus of the sentence is on the doer of the action: who performed the action (They). But in the passive voice, the focus has shifted to the receiver of the action: the object (me). Notice that we have added the doer (the original subject) of the action in the passive voice by using the preposition ‘by’ and changed it to an objective pronoun (Them) from a subjective pronoun (Them). It is not mandatory to do that at all; we generally don’t talk about the doer of the action in the passive voice.

• Active: She  slapped  me in front of everyone.
• Passive: I  was slapped   in front of everyone (by her).
• Active: The police  arrested  the thieves last week.
• Passive: The thieves  were arrested  last week (by the police).
• Active: Most people   didn’t like  his movies.
• Passive: His movies  were not liked   by most people.
• Active:  Did  they  take  him to the hospital?
• Passive:  Was  he  taken  to the hospital (by them)?

PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

We use the Past Continuous tense when we want to talk about what was happening at a particular time in the past.

• She  was calling  me an hour ago.
• My friends  were talking  about you last night.
• Were  you  sleeping  in the exam room?
• I was having dinner when you called.

Past continuous tense (passive voice)

The passive voice of Past continuous tense is used when you want to focus on the person or the thing that was receiving the action in the past; that was being acted upon. When the receiver of the action (object of the verb) is more important than the doer itself, write the sentence in the passive voice of Past continuous tense.

• Active : I was training Megha yesterday. (focusing on the doer of the action ‘I’)
• Passive : Megha was being trained (by me) yesterday. (focusing on the object that was receiving the action ‘Megha’)
• Active : I was taking the class at that time.
• Passive : The class was being taken at that time (by me).
• Active : He was eating dinner at 9 pm.
• Passive : Dinner was being eaten at 9 pm by him.
• Active : We were not recording the video.
• Passive : The video was not being recorded by us.
• Active : Was he not helping you?
• Passive : Were you not being helped by him?

PAST PERFECT TENSE

The Past Perfect tense is formed using the past tense of the auxiliary verb “to have” (HAD) and the past participle of the main verb .

• I  had left  the party before she arrived.
• The teacher  had ended  the class before we took the notes.
• The police had arrested the man.

Past Perfect tense (passive voice)

Sentences are written in Past perfect passive voice when we want to focus on the receiver of the action: when we want to talk about what or whom the doer of the action had acted upon.

Active : They had copied all my answers. Passive : All my answers had been copied (by them).

Active : Someone had stolen my car before I reached home. Passive : My car had been stolen (by someone) before I reached home.

Active : We had not recorded the video. Passive : The video had not been recorded (by us).

Active : Had they contacted you for the class? Passive : Had you been contacted for the class by them?

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

We use the Past Perfect Continuous tense to talk about an action that started in the past, continued for some time, and stopped before a particular time in the past.

Structure : subject +  had been + V1+ing  + time reference

Time reference:

• Use  FOR  to talk about the time duration of the action.
• And use SINCE to talk about the starting point of the action.
• We  had been waiting  there for 2 hours before the bus arrived. (We started waiting in the past at some point in time and kept waiting for 2 hours. This action stopped before a particular time:  the arrival of the bus )
• She  had been studying  English since the morning when I called. (This action of studying started in the past at a particular time (the morning) and kept going on until a particular time:  me calling )

SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

We use the Simple Future tense, also known as the future indefinite tense , to talk about something (an action) that occurs at a certain time in the future. The word that refers to the future time is called the  future time marker . The time sometimes is not mentioned as the speaker themselves don’t know the time.

Some future time markers : tomorrow, next day, next week, next month, next quarter, next year, next decade…

• The players  will not show  up today.
• She  will cook  in the evening.
• I  will be  there in 50 minutes.
• You will pass the test.

Contractions

• I will = I’ll
• You will = you’ll
• We will = we’ll
• He will = he’ll
• She will = she’ll
• It will = it’ll
• They will = they’ll
• Will not = won’t

Future Indefinite tense (passive voice )

A sentence is formed in the Future Indefinite passive voice when the emphasis is given on the receiver of an action, rather than who does it.

FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE

The Future Continuous tense, also known as the Future Progressive tense, is a verb tense that is used to refer to actions happening at a certain time in the future. Note that we, here in this tense, just focus on the continuity of the action, not on when it will start or end.

• We  will be sleeping  when we come back.
• I  will not be doing  anything after the class. I have nothing to do.
• At 12 o’clock tomorrow, I  will be having  lunch with Tina by the lake.

FUTURE PERFECT TENSE

The Future Perfect tense is used to refer to an action that will be completed before a certain time in the future. The whole point of using this tense is to focus on the fact that the action will have ended before some point in time in the future.

I will have left my place by the time Rahul comes.

Let’s say Rahul comes home at 10 pm. The action (leaving) will have taken place before this time, and this is what the sentence focuses on. The focus is on the fact that the action of leaving will have taken place before a certain time in the future.

My father will have slept before the match starts.

The action of sleeping will be completed before a certain time, which is starting of the match.

Future Perfect tense (passive voice)

Active: The company will have fired Jon before the end of the year. Passive: Jon will have been fired before the end of the year (by the company).

Active: The government will have closed these schools. Passive: These schools will have been closed (by the government).

Active: I will have sold this house before 2025. Passive: This house will have been sold before 2025 (by me).

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

The Future Perfect Continuous tense is used to refer to an action or a situation that will have been continuing for some time at a certain time in the future or before a certain time or action in the future.

Related posts :

• Subject and its types in English
• Direct and Indirect objects
• Types of complements
• Parts of a sentence

Hope you enjoyed reading the post. Do share it with others to help them and leave your questions, doubts and feedbacks in the comment section below.

Ashish Sharma

Ashish found his first love—the English language—a few years back. Since then, he has been immersed in the language, breaking down the language and teaching it to passionate English learners. He has a flair for listening to the English language (podcasts, sitcoms, stories), observing the nuances, and making it easy for English learners. He is known for breaking down complex English topics and making them easy to be understood.

16 thoughts on “12 tenses in English grammar”

It is excellence book

Thank you, Mowlid!

You are welcome, Linn.

Hey, I found this website very helpful. but some things have not been noticed.

such as present perfect continuous passive, and past perfect continuous passive.

I want to reach out but can not find a way so please reply.

please e-mail me!

I have already given you my email address. You could use that for reaching out to me.

Hello Basel, Perfect continuous tenses don’t have a passive voice. You can email me at englishwithashish.com for any query.

thank you!!! but we don’t understand the difference between past perfect tense and present perfect continuous tense

You are welcome, seleman. I will make a separate lesson on the difference between the two tenses.

What a wonderful lesson it it!.

I am elated to know that you liked it, Himadwise.

This note is very good i love it but it can not see the box words that include the usage, example that found in the box and the another thing is some tense are not complete with the passive form my suggestion is this but the not is very good and important thank you very much

Thank you for the feedback, Estefani!

I have a doubt about future perfect tense structure. is that correct or not???????????

I have a doubt about the Future Perfect tense structure. I have a doubt about the structure of the Future Perfect tense structure.

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• English Grammar
• Grammar Exercises

Tenses Exercises

One of the most important topics in English grammar is tenses . It also happens to be one of the confusing topics for many English language learners. To help you practise and understand the usage of tenses in English, this article provides you with a few exercises.

Table of Contents

Exercise 1 – identify the type of tenses, exercise 2 – change the tense, frequently asked questions on tenses.

Tenses Exercises with Answers

Do you know the best way to ensure that you are able to remember whatever you’ve learnt for a longer period of time? Practice! So here are two exercises with answers for you. Try it out.

Go through the sentences provided below and identify the type of tenses.

• Damon drinks coffee every morning.
• The boy got up late and missed the bus.
• My mother goes to pray in the temple.
• The team is playing very well.
• The school will be closed for winter break.
• Leonard graduated from college last year.
• The baby has eaten all the chips.
• Have you read Pride and Prejudice?
• The train has just left the station.
• The sick child has been sleeping for three hours.
• They have known each other for a long time.
• Sam was going to school.
• When I went there, Bucky was playing video games.
• The workers have been working on the building for a long time.
• Penny had done her homework when her parents came back.
• Mr Arnold had been writing his last book for four months.
• I will move to Delhi soon.
• Mr Samuel will be staying in New York next week.
• Beverly will have left before you arrive to see her.
• Mr Peter will have been teaching for twelve years next month.
• Simple Present Tense
• Simple Past Tense
• Present Continuous Tense
• Simple Future Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Present Perfect Continuous Tense
• Past Continuous Tense
• Past Perfect Tense
• Past Perfect Continuous Tense
• Future Continuous Tense
• Future Perfect Tense
• Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Go through the sentences and change their tenses as directed.

• The boy speaks the truth. (Present Continuous Tense)
• Mr Cooper has spoken about Dinosaurs. (Present Perfect Continuous Tense)
• The boat sailed yesterday. (Simple Present Tense)
• Amy went to school yesterday. ( Future Continuous Tense)
• The baby cried for hours. (Present Perfect Continuous Tense)
• Robert ate all the cookies. (Present Perfect Tense)
• I have finished my assignment. (Past Perfect Tense)
• Mr Bert had taught for five years. (Past Perfect Continuous Tense).
• Dev saw the Prime Minister yesterday. (Future Continuous Tense)
• Priya shall finish her stitching by then. (Future Perfect Tense)
• The boy is speaking the truth.
• Mr Cooper has been speaking about Dinosaurs.
• The boat sails today.
• Amy will be going to school tomorrow.
• The baby has been crying for hours.
• Robert has eaten all the cookies.
• I had finished my assignment.
• Mr Bert had been teaching for five years
• Dev will be seeing the Prime Minister tomorrow.
• Priya shall have finished her stitching by then.

What is tense?

The tense of a verb denotes/refers to the time of an event/action.

What does ‘present continuous tense’ mean?

Present continuous tense refers to an action/event which is still in progress/happening at the time of speaking.

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16 Tenses in English Grammar (Formula and Examples)

Verb Tenses are different forms of verbs describing something happened in the past, happening at present or will happen in the future. By expanding these three forms, you will learn 16 tenses in all.

There are three main types of verb tenses past, present and future.

See also: 58 Tenses Exampes , Tenses Exercises , Tenses Worksheet

PRESENT TENSE

Present tense shows the current action that is going to be performed. It has four types which are briefly described here.

1. Simple Present Tense

Subject + Verb (vI) + es/es

Examples: 

• I take exercise daily.
• She reads a book in the library.

Simple Present Tense Examples & Exercise

2. Present Continuous Tense

Structure: .

Subject + is/am/are + Verb(+ing)

Example: 

• He is playing football.
• I am studying in a high school.

Present Continuous Tense Exercise, Formula and Usage

3. Present Perfect Tense

Subject + Has/have + Verb (v3)

• He has made this colorful chart.
• I have completed my assignment.

View: Present Perfect Tense Exercise, Formula and Usage

4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + Has/have + been + Verb(+ing)

• I have been completing my assignment for the last three days.
• She has been working in this department since 2017.

View: Present Perfect Continuous Tense Formula and Usage

Past tense expresses the actions that happened in the past. It has also four types.

5. Simple Past Tense

Subject + Verb (v2) or irregular verb:

•  He completed the assignment.
• I read the newspaper.

View: Simple Past Tense Formula, Usage & Examples

6. Past Continuous Tense

Subject + was/were + Verb(+ing)

• He was reading the book.
• I was going to the park for a morning walk.

View: Past Continuous Tense Formula, Usage & Examples

7. Past Perfect Tense

Subject + had + Verb (v3)

• I had finished my homework.
• He had completed his task.

View: Past Perfect Tense Formula, Exercise & Examples

8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + had + been + Verb(+ing)

•  He had been completing his assignment for the last two hours.
• I had been playing football since morning.

View: Past Perfect Continuous Tense Formula, Exercise & Examples

FUTURE TENSE

Future tense expresses the actions that have not happened yet OR “the actions that will likely to happen in future”. Its four types are described here.

9. Simple Future Tense

Subject+ will/shall+ verb(v1)

• I shall go to the park for a walk.
• She will perform his duty.

View: Simple Future Tense Formula, Usage & Examples

10. Future Continuous Tense

Subject + will be/shall be + verb(+ing)

• He will be playing football.
• We shall be eating the meal.

View: Future Continuous Tense Formula, Usage & Examples

11. Future Perfect Tense

Subject + will have + verb(v3)

• He will have played football.
• I will have completed my assignment.

View: Future Perfect Tense Formula, Usage & Examples

12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + will have been + verb(+ing)

He will have been watching the football match for over fifty minutes.

View: Future Perfect Continuous Tense Usage, Formula & Examples

PAST FUTURE TENSE

13. past future tense.

Subject + would + verb (v1)

I told that I would leave in one hour.

14. Past Future Continuous Tense

Subject + should be/would be + Verb(+ing)

I told that I would be doing my homework all day long.

15. Past Future Perfect Tense

Subject + should have/ would have + Verb(v3)

She said that she would have completed her assignment.

16. Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + would have been + Verb(+ing)

He said that I should have been working here for two hours by that time.

Read also: 12 Tenses Chart with examples

Download 16 Tenses in pdf

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