In this lesson, we are going to learn about verb tenses in English with simple and clear examples. Studying these tenses through a chart makes them easier to remember. In this blog post, you will see all 12 types of verb tenses with their usage, structure, and examples to help you understand English grammar better. These tenses show actions in the present, past, and future in a clear way.
Present Tenses
1. Present Simple
Used for habits, routines, and facts.
Example: She reads every day.
2. Present Continuous (Progressive)
Used for things happening right now.
Example: They are studying now.
3. Present Perfect
Used for actions that started in the past but connect to now.
Example: I have finished my homework.
4. Present Perfect Continuous
Used for actions that started in the past and are still happening.
Example: She has been working since morning.
Past Tenses
5. Simple Past
Used for finished actions in the past.
Example: He visited Paris last year.
6. Past Continuous (Progressive)
Used for actions happening at a past time.
Example: We were watching TV at 8pm.
7. Past Perfect
Used for actions completed before another past action.
Example: They had left before I arrived.
8. Past Perfect Continuous
Used for showing how long something was happening before another past event.
Example: I had been waiting for an hour before the bus came.
Future Tenses
9. Simple Future
Used for decisions, promises, or predictions.
Example: I will call you tomorrow.
10. Future Continuous (Progressive)
Used for actions happening at a future time.
Example: She will be working at 5pm.
11. Future Perfect
Used for actions finished before a future time.
Example: They will have finished by Monday.
12. Future Perfect Continuous
Used for showing how long something will continue until a future moment.
Example: He will have been living here for 10 years by next month.
12 Tenses Chart
| Tense | Structure | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | subject + base verb | habits, facts | I play tennis. |
| Present Continuous | subject + am/is/are + verb-ing | happening now | She is reading. |
| Present Perfect | subject + have/has + past participle | past action with result now | They have eaten. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | subject + have/has been + verb-ing | action started in the past & is still going | I have been working. |
| Simple Past | subject + past verb | completed action | He watched TV. |
| Past Continuous | subject + was/were + verb-ing | action in progress in past | We were playing. |
| Past Perfect | subject + had + past participle | action before another past action | She had left. |
| Past Perfect Continuous | subject + had been + verb-ing | how long something happened in past | They had been talking. |
| Simple Future | subject + will + base verb | decisions, predictions | I will call you. |
| Future Continuous | subject + will be + verb-ing | action in progress in future | He will be working. |
| Future Perfect | subject + will have + past participle | action finished before future time | We will have arrived. |
| Future Perfect Continuous | subject + will have been + verb-ing | how long something continues to a future time | She will have been waiting. |
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This verb tenses chart is such a valuable resource for learning English! It makes understanding the different tenses so much clearer and easier to remember. Thank you for sharing this well-organized and practical guide!