English Verb Tenses and Modal Verbs Reference

Present Tenses

Present Simple

Negative Form: Subject + do not (don't) / does not (doesn't) + action verb (infinitive) + complement.

Example: John does not / doesn't wash the dishes every day.

Present Continuous (Progressive)

The Present Continuous tense is used to express actions that take place in the present, at the same time that the sentence is being stated.

Example: John is washing the dishes right now. (John is washing dishes now).

Negative Form: Subject + is / are + not + action verb (gerund) + complement.

Example: John is not / isn't washing the dishes right now.

Question Form: Is / Are + Subject + action verb (gerund) + complement?

Past Tenses

Past Simple

The Past Simple is a tense used to express actions which occurred in the past, regardless of the specific time in the past in which they occurred.

Example: John washed the dishes yesterday evening. (John washed the dishes yesterday afternoon).

Negative Form: Subject + did not (didn't) + action verb (infinitive) + complement.

Example: John did not wash the dishes yesterday evening.

Interrogative Form: Did + Subject + action verb (infinitive) + complement?

Example: Did John wash the dishes yesterday evening?

Past Continuous (Progressive)

This tense expresses actions that took place in the past, but at a particular time.

Example: John was washing the dishes at eight o'clock last night. (John was washing dishes at eight last night).

Negative Form: Subject + was not (wasn't) / were not (weren't) + action verb (gerund) + complement.

Example: John was not / wasn't washing the dishes at eight o'clock last night.

Question Form: Was / Were + Subject + action verb (gerund) + complement?

Example: Was John washing the dishes at eight o'clock last night?

Modal Verbs

Ability and Permission

• Can: Ability or permission (to be able to).
• Could: Past ability or possibility.
• Be able to: Equivalent to 'can' for expressing ability.
• Be allowed to: Used to ask or state if something is permitted.

Possibility and Deduction

• May: Used for possibility; very common.
• Might: Used for possibility, suggestions, or requests.
• Can: General possibility.
• Could: Theoretical possibility.
• Must: Used for strong deduction.

Obligation and Necessity

• Must: Expresses strong obligation.
• Have to: Expresses external obligation.
• Have got to: Used for necessity or obligation.
• Need: Expresses necessity.
• Should: Used for advice or recommendations.
• Ought to: Used for advice or moral obligation.