English Verb Tenses: A Complete Guide
English with a size of 3.27 KB.English Verb Tenses
Present Simple
Verb (infinitive) Verb + -s/-es (3rd person/singular)
Time Expressions: Every day / in the morning / once / twice / three times a week / always / usually / on Monday
Present Continuous
To be + Verb (am/is/are) + -ing
Actions happening at or around the moment of speaking. Temporary situations. Fixed arrangements (future use).
Time Expressions: Now / at the moment / at present / nowadays / today / still / always
Past Simple
Past forms: Regular verbs: -ed Irregular verbs (3rd column)
Past actions (with a definite time expression). Past habit or state.
Time Expressions: Yesterday / last week / two days ago / when / in 1967 / then
Past Continuous
To be (past) + Verb (was/were) + -ing
Past action in progress, interrupted by another past action (past simple).
Time Expressions: While / when / as
Present Perfect Simple
To have + Past Participle (3rd column)
Recently completed actions. Past actions connected with the present. Personal experiences. Emphasis on number.
Time Expressions: Already / yet / just / never / ever / so far / lately / for / since / this week
Present Perfect Continuous
To have + been + -ing
Recent past actions with present results. Actions started in the past and continuing up to the present (with for/since). Emphasis on duration.
Past Perfect Simple
Had + Past Participle
Past action which happened before another past action. Complete past action which had visible results in the past.
Time Expressions: By the time / before / yet / already / after / just / for / since
Future Simple
Will + Bare Infinitive
Decisions taken at the moment of speaking. Predictions which may happen in the future. Offers, promises, requests.
Time Expressions: Tomorrow / next week / tonight / in two days / soon / in a week
Be Going To
To be + going to + Verb
Future plans or intentions. Predictions with evidence in the present.
Future Continuous
Will + be + -ing
Actions in progress at a stated future time. People’s arrangements.
Time Expressions: This time tomorrow / next week / tonight / in three days
Future Perfect
Will + have + Past Participle
Actions which will be finished before a stated future time.
Time Expressions: By / by then / by the time
Passive Voice
Be + Past Participle
Conditional Simple
Would + Infinitive
Unreal situations
Conditional Perfect
Would + have + Past Participle
Impossible past situations