The document summarizes various verb tenses in English: - It discusses the present, past, and future simple tenses as well as continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous tenses. - For each tense, it provides examples of formation, use, and placement on a timeline diagram. Key uses include habitual actions, plans/schedules, recent experiences, and the sequence of past events. - The tenses are used to express the timing or continuity of actions across time frames from the past to the present to the future.

1. SUMMARY OF
TENSES

2. We use tenses of verbs to refer to actions or
situations in the present, in the past and in the
future
past

3. There are different sorts of tenses:
simple tenses
continuous tenses
perfect tenses
perfect continuous tenses
past

4. present tenses
present simple
present continuous
present perfect
past
present perfect continuous

5. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
FORM
The present simple is formed with the infinitive of the main verb.
The negative and interrogative are formed with the present tense
of the verb to do + infinitive.
Examples
I start ( he starts) work at 8.30 a.m.
When do I start work?
I don‟t start work until 9.00 a..m. / He doesn‟t start work until 9.00
a..m.

6. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
Example
I play blues harp and dobro guitar

7. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
( often – usually – sometimes -seldom – rarely – always –
occasionally – never – twice a week - on Tuesdays – most of
the time ....)
Example
He often arrives late

8. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
verbs of the senses see- hear- smell – notice – recognize
verbs of emotions want – desire – refuse – forgive – wish – care – love – hate – like –
dislike
verbs of thinking think – feel – realize – understand – know – mean – suppose –
believe – expect – remember – forget
Example
Do you see what I mean?
She likes my brother very much.
I suppose he realizes that now.

9. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. for habitual and repeated actions
2. with adverbs (or expressions) of frequency
3. Certain verbs are usually only used in the simple form
4. for something that is permanently true
Example
Water boils at 100° C.

10. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
I get up at 7.30 a.m. every day.

11. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be +
present participle of the main verb.
Examples
I‟m watching television.
What are you doing?
He isn’t coming.

12. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
Example
She‟s reading the newspaper.

13. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
Example
The company is reorganizing its services.

14. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
Example
They‟re signing the contract tomorrow.

15. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. For actions happening at the moment of speaking.
2. For a temporary state.
3. For a definite arrangement in the near future.
Some verbs are not usually used in a continuous form
verbs of senses see – hear – smell – notice - recognize
verbs of emotion want – desire – refuse – forgive – wish – care – love –
hate – like - dislike
verbs of thinking think – feel – realize – understand – know – mean –
suppose – believe – expect – remember - forget
verbs of possessing own – owe – belong - possess
some other verbs seem – appear (seem) – contain – consist – keep
(continue) - matter

16. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
I‟m adjusting the rotating speed

17. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to have +
past participle of the main verb.
Examples
I‟ve finished.
Where have you been?
I haven’t talked to him.

18. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at
last, lately’
Example
He has just immersed the temperature probe into the molten steel.

19. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at
last, lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’
Example
This is the highest carbon ratio I’ve ever seen.

20. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at
last, lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’
3. The indefinite past: we are interested in what happened,
not in when it happened.
Example
I have seen the report. (I know what it is about.)
He has sold the company.
They have had lunch.

21. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
1. Actions in the recent past with ‘just, recently, already, at
last, lately’
2. General experience with ‘ever – never – before – so far’
3. The indefinite past: we are interested in what happened,
not in when it happened.
4. Actions starting in the past and continuing to the present,
with ‘for’ or ‘since”.
Example
The operation has been suspended for two months.
The firm has had a Belgian branch since October last year.

22. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
relationship with the
present moment
past now future
I „ve just arrived.

23. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past ? ? ? now future
Have you been to France?

24. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
They have revised their report.

25. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
We have conducted experiments on this
phenomenon for almost two years.

26. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the present perfect of the verb to be +
present participle of the main verb.
Examples
I ‘ve been writing code for our new data-mining program.
Has she been trying to contact me?
She hasn’t been writing at all.

27. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
USE
We use this tense for actions started in the past, continuing to the
present and probably continuing into the future. We often use it
with “for” or “since”.
Examples
I’ ve been trying to persuade him for ten years now.
We ‘ve been practicing this routine since last Wednesday.

28. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
1984 2004
I „ve been driving driving lorries for twenty years.....
In this sentence, the duration is emphasized, either
positively or negatively.
So I know what I‟m talking about!
So it‟s high time I quit.

29. present simple present present perfect present perfect
continuous continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
1984 2004
I „ve driven a Volkswagen for twenty years.....
In this sentence, the duration is indicated, but the
car brand is emphasized.
Clearly I have confidence in this car.

30. past simple
past continuous
past perfect
past perfect continuous
past
past tenses

31. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed by adding -ed to the infinitive. The negative
and interrogative are formed with the past tense of the verb to do
+ infinitive of the main verb
Examples
They arrived at head quarters an hour ago.
When did he finalize this deal?
I didn’t finish until 12 o‟clock.

32. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
Example
We signed the contract last Friday at 2 o‟clock.

33. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
2. For actions which are already completed in the past: the
time is understood but not stated.
Example
Did you arrive in time?

34. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. For actions completed at a definite time in the past.
2. For actions which are already completed in the past: the
time is understood but not stated.
3. The ‘unreal past tense’ is used after the verb ‘to wish’ and
after words and phrases such as ‘if only; it’s time;
suppose’ etc. The simple past tense implies that the
speaker knows that the wish or the idea is impossible.
Note that the wish refers to the present time.
Examples
If I only knew his name.
I wish I were at home now.
If I were in his shoes, I would fix his wagon without much scruples.
It‟s time I went home.

35. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
past 15.30 now future
I arrived at 15.30 sharp.

36. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to be +
present participle of the main verb.
Examples
I was watching TV at 8 o‟clock yesterday.
Where were you looking for my glasses this time?
I wasn’t eavesdropping at all!

37. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
Examples
She was playing tennis with a friend.
He was discussing production planning for the coming week.

38. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the
past.
Examples
At 6 p.m. I was still sleeping.
At a quarter past nine I was having breakfast.
Prices were going up all the time.

39. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the
past.
3. To describe an interrupted past action.
Examples
When he arrived, I was studying the quarterly reports.

40. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. To emphasize the continuity of the past action.
2. To describe an action in progress at a certain time in the
past.
3. To describe an interrupted past action.
4. To express repeated past actions which caused irritation,
annoyance. ( with always, forever)
Examples
He was always trying to influence the personnel director.
She was forever paring her nails during meetings.

41. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
I was working all day yesterday.

42. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
I was working all day yesterday.
yesterday
past now future
I worked all day yesterday.

43. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
1. I was working all day yesterday.
yesterday
past now future
2. I worked all day yesterday.
While (1) emphasizes the continuity of the action, (2) only
indicates that the action took place yesterday.

44. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
8.30 p.m.
I was watching TV at 8.30 last night.

45. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
8.30 p.m.
past now future
3. I was watching TV at 8.30 last night.
8.30 p.m.
past now future
4. I watched TV at 8.30 last night.
Whereas 3. indicates that the action started before and continued after a certain point in
time, 4. indicates that the action happened (started) at 8.30

46. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
I was browsing through your report ...
past now future
when he knocked at my office door.

47. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the past tense of the verb to have + past
participle of the main verb.
Examples
I had never seen so many measuring tools.
What assistance had he given?
He hadn’t expected this outcome.

48. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening
before another past action.
Example
The customer had left the shop by the time I found his order form.

49. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening
before another past action.
2. We use it when necessary to indicate the sequence of two
actions.
Example
He had already cleared the screen when I got behind his desk.

50. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe one past action happening
before another past action.
2. We use it when necessary to indicate the sequence of two
actions.
3. We often us it when the second action is understood, but
not stated.
Example
I hadn’t realized! (until you told me.)

51. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
past had watched future
dinner TV now
1. When I had had dinner, I watched TV.
had watched
past TV now future
dinner
2. I had dinner before I watched TV.
In (1) the sequence of actions is expressed by the past perfect
tense; whereas in (2) the sequence of actions is indicated by
the use of before

52. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the past perfect tense of the verb to be +
present participle of the main verb.
Examples
She had been working as a secretary for two years when she was
promoted.
What had she been writing all day?
He hadn’t been listening to that tape for that long.

53. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe a continuous past action
happening before another past action.
We often use it with for + time period.
Example
We had been waiting for thirty minutes when they arrived.

54. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to describe a continuous past action
happening before another past action.
We often use it with for + time period.
2. We use this tense to emphasize the continuity or duration
of the past action.
Example
I had been waiting for my exam results for six weeks. (before I
got them.)

55. past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous
on the time diagram
past 10 minutes future
now
1. I had been waiting for 10 minutes when she arrived.
past now
2. I waited for 10 minutes before she arrived.
Whereas in (1) the past perfect continuous indicates both the sequence of
the actions and the continuity of the first action; in (2) the sequence of the
actions is indicated by before. (1.) emphasizes the duration.

56. future tenses
future simple
future continuous
future perfect
future perfect continuous
going to
present continuous
past
present simple

57. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
We use this tense to express a pure future. Actions expressed in
the simple future are bound to happen because of the course
of time. This means that the speaker has no power over the
events, that he cannot control what will happen. For this reason
this tense is also called the uncertain future..
Examples
He will be sixteen years old next Friday.
The baby will be born next month

58. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think –
know – believe – suppose – expect – hope to express beliefs,
convictions, hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions
about the future.
Examples
I think Brazil will win.
I don‟t suppose she will be promoted now

59. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think –
know – believe – suppose – expect – hope to express beliefs,
convictions, hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions
about the future.
2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably –
possibly –perhaps to express uncertainty about the future.
Examples
He will probably ask the general manager.
This matter will probably not be raised before the commission‟s
first meeting

60. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. We often use this tense with particular verbs; such as think –
know – believe – suppose – expect – hope to express beliefs,
convictions, hope, expectations, knowledge and opinions
about the future.
2. We often use it with particular adverbs such as: probably –
possibly –perhaps to express uncertainty about the future.
3. The simple present is used in conditional clauses and time
clauses. The simple future is used in the main clause (not in
the if-clause).
Examples
He ‘ll help you if you ask him.
I „ll tell him the news as soon as I see him.
He ‘ll be arrested the moment he sets foot on Schengen soil.

61. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the present tense of the verb to be +
going to + infinitive of the main verb.
Examples
I‟ m going to watch this football match on TV tonight.
What are you going to do about this ?
She isn’t going to give this party next week

62. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans
for future actions.
Examples
I „m going to pass my exams next month.
I „m going to spend two weeks in Spain this summer.

63. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to talk about present intentions and plans
for future actions.
2. We also use going to in order to express subjective
certainty on the part of the speaker.
Examples
This boat is going to sink.
It‟s going to rain, by the look

64. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to indicate definite future arrangements,
actions planned in the near future. We nearly always use a
future time expression with it.
Examples
He ‘s starting his new job next Monday.
I‟ m taking the 11 o‟clock train to Berlin

65. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. We use this tense to indicate definite future arrangements,
actions planned in the near future. We nearly always use a
future time expression with it.
Note: do not confuse intention ( to be + going to + verb) and
arrangement (to be + present participle).
Examples
I‟m going to stay in London. = intention
I‟m going to London next weekend = arrangement

66. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the infinitive of the main verb. The
negative and interrogative are formed with the present tense of to
do + infinitive
Examples
The plane takes off at 7.30 local time.
The match begins at 14.00 hours.
You leave from Kennedy airport at noon, and arrive in Paris at
15.00 hours GMT.

67. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
We use this tense to talk about planned future actions. We
usually use it to describe travel plans, time tables, departures,
arrivals.
Examples
The bus leaves at 15.30.
The reception starts at 19.00 hours.
The ferry leaves Dover at 12.30 tomorrow and we arrive at Calais
at 13.15.

68. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the future simple of to be + present
participle of the main verb.
Examples
We‟ ll be flying to Rome this time next week.
What will you be doing this time next week?
They won’t be sitting in the classroom at 6 o‟clock tomorrow.

69. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
We use this tense for actions that will be in progress at a
certain time in the future.
Examples
At 11.45 next Friday, I „ ll be doing my chemistry exam.
I‟ ll be hiking through the States this time next year.

70. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
This time next week I‟ll be taking my driving test.

71. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
Examples
The band will be travelling through Scandinavia at the end of the
month. They will be giving three performances there.

72. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite
questions about future activities. By using the future
continuous tense, the speaker asking the questions shows that
he does not want to influence the other person‟s decision in
any way at all.
Examples
Where will you be having dinner, Sir? (secretary to boss)
What will you be having, Madam? (waiter to customer)

73. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
1. The future continuous is also used to express long-term
arrangements, especially for travelling.
2. The future continuous is also used to ask very polite
questions about future activities. By using the future
continuous tense, the speaker asking the questions shows that
he does not want to influence the other person‟s decision in
any way at all.
3. The future continuous is also used to make deductions about
Examples happening at the moment of speaking.
what is
He will be working in his garden now. Otherwise, he would have
heard the phone.
She hasn‟t begun making up the beds. She will still be doing the
washing up.

74. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with will + have + past participle of the main
verb.
Examples
They ‘ll have finalized their business by noon.
Will they have copied all that material by Friday morning?
They won’t have organized this course by the end of this year.

75. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
We use this tense to describe actions which we know will (or
will not) be completed by a certain time in the future.
Examples
I „ll have finished this book by the end of the week.

76. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
on the time diagram
past now future
Examples end of next week
By the end of next week, I‟ll have finished my exams.

77. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
FORM
This tense is formed with the future perfect tense of to be +
present participle of rthe main verb.
Examples
By the end of this year, we „ll have been experimenting with this
polymer for more than three months.
How long will you have been living in that shack by the end of this
year?
I won’t have been living here for more than five years by the end
of this year.

78. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
USE
We use this tense to describe continuous and repeated actions
which begin before a certain time in the future and will
probably continue after that time.
Examples
By the end of this academic year, I‟ll have been teaching for 30
years.

79. future simple future continuous future perfect future perfect
going to ... present present simple continuous
continuous
on the time diagram
past future
now
end of this academic year
Example
By the end of this academic year, I‟ll have been teaching for 30
years.