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English Verb Tenses: Essential Rules and Examples

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Present Simple

  • Positive: Subject + verb + complement. I go to school.
  • Negative: Subject + don't/doesn't + verb + complement. I don't go to school.
  • Question: Do/Does + subject + verb + complement? Does she go to school? Do you go to school?

Present Continuous

  • Positive: Subject + to be + verb-ing. I'm watching TV.
  • Negative: Subject + to be not + verb-ing. I'm not walking in the park.
  • Question: To be + subject + verb-ing? Am I doing well?

Past Simple

  • Positive: Subject + verb (past). I went to the party.
  • Negative: Subject + didn't + verb (present). I didn't work.
  • Question: Did + subject + verb (present)? Did you walk a lot?

Past Continuous

  • Positive: Subject + was/were + verb-ing + complement. She was talking.
  • Negative: Subject + wasn't/weren't + verb-ing + complement. He wasn't dancing at the party.
  • Question: Was/Were + subject + verb-ing + complement? Were you reading books? Yes, I was. No, I wasn't.
  • Information: Wh- + was/were + subject + verb-ing + complement. What were you doing yesterday evening? I was working on my computer.

Uses of Past Continuous

  • Interrupted action: I was watching TV when you called. What were you doing when the earthquake started? Someone stole his car while he was sleeping.
  • Parallel actions: I was studying while he was making dinner. What was she doing while her dad was watching TV?
  • Specific time: Last night at 9:00 pm, I was having dinner.

Have To

This answer has to be correct. They have to leave early. She will have to read all those books. She won't have to take any extra lessons.

Future with Will

  • Positive: Subject + will + verb (present). I will go to a party next week.
  • Negative: Subject + won't + verb (present). Mario won't make it to the graduation.
  • Question: Will + subject + verb (present)? Will your parents take you to Disney?

Present Perfect

  • Positive: Subject + has/have + past participle. I've (I have) been.
  • Negative: Subject + hasn't/haven't + past participle. Michael hasn't gone to college.
  • Question: Has/Have + subject + past participle? Have you done the homework?

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