Understanding verb tenses is crucial when learning English. They convey the timing of actions and events. Mastering present, past, and future tenses enhances clarity and precision in communication. Here's a summary with structures and examples.
We use the present simple for:
routines, habits,
general facts
Present continuous: actions in progress future arrangements
Present perfect simple: actions that happened at an uncertain time in the past, actions that began in the past and continues into the present
Past simple: actions that finished in the past
Past continuous: actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past
Past perfect simple: actions that finished before another action in the past
Past perfect continuous: actions in progress that happened before another action in the past
Future simple: preditions, spontaneous decisions, offers and requests
Future continuous: actions in progress at a specific time in the future
Future perfect simple: actions that will finish before another action or time in the future
Future perfect continuous: actions that will continue up until a point in the future
Other tenses: conditional (would + infinitve), conditional perfect (would + have + past participle), “be going to” + infinitive…
Present continuous: actions in progress future arrangements
Present perfect simple: actions that happened at an uncertain time in the past, actions that began in the past and continues into the present
Past simple: actions that finished in the past
Past continuous: actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past
Past perfect simple: actions that finished before another action in the past
Past perfect continuous: actions in progress that happened before another action in the past
Future simple: preditions, spontaneous decisions, offers and requests
Future continuous: actions in progress at a specific time in the future
Future perfect simple: actions that will finish before another action or time in the future
Future perfect continuous: actions that will continue up until a point in the future
Other tenses: conditional (would + infinitve), conditional perfect (would + have + past participle), “be going to” + infinitive…
Download the worksheet with exercises to practise the use of all the verb tenses in English
Download the worksheet with more exercises to practise the use of all the verb tenses in English
Download a third and final worksheet with exercises to practise the use of all the verb tenses in English
Download the solutions to the exercises to practise the use of all the verb tenses in English
worksheet number 1 - worksheet number 2 - worksheet number 3
