English Verb Tenses: Examples and Usage

Simple Present

El presente simple puede expresar una acción que ocurre en el presente.

Affirmative form

I read books

We sing pop songs

I play handball

My brother reads books

She sings pop songs

John plays handball

Negative form

Usar el do en su forma negativa.

I don't like computers at all

My mum doesn't like computers at all

Question

Usar el auxiliar do.

Do you play football?
Does he play football?

Simple Past

Se utiliza para describir acciones que han sucedido en un tiempo anterior y que ya han finalizado.

- With regular verbs: infinitive + -ed

Affirmative form

I played football

We visited Alaska last year

I went to the cinema

We were in Rome yesterday

Negative form

Usar siempre el auxiliar did en su forma negativa.

I didn't play football

He didn't play football

Question

Usar el auxiliar did.

Did you play football?

Did I go to the cinema?

Simple Future

Se utiliza para describir acciones que se van a desarrollar en el futuro sin necesidad de aclarar en qué momento se producirán.

Usar el auxiliar will.

Affirmative form

I will dance

You will dance

He will study

You will never help him

Negative form

I will not dance

You will not dance

He will not study

You will not help him

Question

auxiliar + pronouns + verb (infinitive)

Will I dance?

Will you dance?

Will he not study?

Will you never help him?

Present Progressive

Se utiliza para describir lo que está sucediendo ahora, o lo que sucederá en el futuro.

Auxiliary: am, are, is

Pronouns + auxiliary + verb-ing

I am studying

I am studying with Maria

I am speaking

John is eating

Past Progressive

Se utiliza para hablar de acciones que ya estaban en curso cuando se llevó a cabo otra acción en el pasado.

Auxiliary: was, were

Pronouns + auxiliary + verb-ing

I was studying

I was studying with Maria

I was speaking

Future Progressive

Se utiliza para referirse a hechos o actividades futuras que ya han sido decididas o acordadas previamente.

Auxiliary: will (will + be + verb-ing)

Pronouns + auxiliary + verb-ing

I will be studying

I will be studying with Maria

I will be speaking

John will be eating

Present Perfect

Se usa para hablar de acciones comenzadas en el pasado y que aún continúan en el presente.

Auxiliary: have, has

Pronouns + auxiliary + verb in past participle

I have already drunk the coffee.

They have gone to see the President.

She hasn't spoken to him.

Past Perfect

Expresa la idea de que algo ocurrió antes de otra acción en el pasado.

Auxiliary: had

Pronouns + auxiliary + verb in past participle

I had studied.

He had written a letter to María.

We had been stranded for six days.

Future Perfect

Se utiliza normalmente para referirse a un evento o acción que no ha sucedido todavía, pero se espera o prevé que pase.

Auxiliary: will have / will not have

Pronouns + auxiliary + verb in past participle

I will have studied before I take the test

He will have completed the task by six o'clock

He will not have written the letter

We will not have learned anything