Detailed Guide to Each Tense

English verb tenses are divided into three main categories: present, past, and future. Each of these tenses provides a different perspective on the timing of an action or event, helping to clarify when something happens.

• 1. Present Tense

  • Simple Present:

    The simple present tense is used to describe general truths, habitual actions, and current states. It’s one of the most frequently used tenses in English.

    • Formation: Subject + base form of the verb (add “-s” or “-es” for third-person singular).

    • Example: "She plays tennis every weekend."

    • In this example, “plays” indicates a habitual action—something that happens regularly.

  • Present Continuous (Progressive):

    The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now or are ongoing.

    • Formation:Subject + am/is/are + verb + “-ing.”

    • Example: "She is playing tennis right now."

    • Here, “is playing” emphasises that the action is currently in progress.

  • Present Perfect:

    The present perfect tense links the past with the present, often used to describe actions that occurred at an unspecified time or actions that began in the past and continue into the present.

    • Formation: Subject + have/has + past participle of the verb.

    • Example: "She has played tennis since she was a child."

    • In this sentence, “has played” shows that the action started in the past and may continue in the present.

  • Present Perfect Continuous:

    The present perfect continuous tense emphasises the duration of an action that began in the past and is still ongoing or was recently completed.

    • Formation: Subject + have/has + been + verb + “-ing.”

    • Example: "She has been playing tennis for two hours."

    • Here, “has been playing” stresses that the action started in the past and continues into the present, with a focus on the duration.

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• 2. Past Tense

  • Simple Past:

    The simple past tense describes actions or events that were completed in the past. It’s often used with specific time expressions like “yesterday,” “last week,” or “in 2010.”

    • Formation: Subject + past form of the verb (regular verbs add “-ed”).

    • Example: "She played tennis yesterday."

    • “Played” indicates a completed action that occurred in the past.

  • Past Continuous (Progressive):

    The past continuous tense describes actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It is often used to set the scene in a narrative or to describe an action that was interrupted.

    • Formation:Subject + was/were + verb + “-ing.”

    • Example: "She was playing tennis when it started to rain."

    • “Was playing” shows that the action was ongoing at a specific time in the past.

  • Past Perfect:

    The past perfect tense describes an action that was completed before another action in the past. It’s often used to clarify the sequence of events.

    • Formation: Subject + had + past participle of the verb.

    • Example: "She had played tennis before she went to the party."

    • “Had played” indicates that the tennis match was completed before going to the party.

  • Past Perfect Continuous:

    The past perfect continuous tense focuses on the duration of an action that was ongoing before another action in the past.

    • Formation: Subject + had + been + verb + “-ing.”

    • Example: "She had been playing tennis for an hour before it started to rain."

    • “Had been playing” emphasises the duration of the action leading up to another event.

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• 3. Future Tense

  • Simple Future:

    TThe simple future tense describes actions that will happen at some point after the present. It’s often used for decisions, predictions, and promises.

    • Formation: Subject + will + base form of the verb.

    • Example: "She will play tennis tomorrow."

    • “Will play” indicates an action that will occur in the future.

  • Future Continuous (Progressive):

    The future continuous tense describes actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.

    • Formation:Subject + will + be + verb + “-ing.”

    • Example: "She will be playing tennis at 3 PM tomorrow."

    • “Will be playing” suggests that the action will be ongoing at a particular future time.

  • Future Perfect:

    The future perfect tense describes actions that will be completed before a certain time in the future.

    • Formation: Subject + will + have + past participle of the verb.

    • Example: "She will have played tennis before dinner."

    • “Will have played” indicates that the action will be completed before another future event.

  • Future Perfect Continuous:

    The future perfect continuous tense emphasises the duration of an action up to a certain point in the future.

    • Formation: Subject + will + have + been + verb + “-ing.”

    • Example: "She will have been playing tennis for two hours by the time you arrive."

    • “Will have been playing” highlights the duration of the action leading up to a future moment.

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