Verb Tenses Notes:
A tense is a form of a verb which shows the time in which an action happens.
It comes from the Latin word “tempus”, which means “time”.
A Simple tense is a form of a verb that simply shows when the action takes place.
The Simple Past is a form of the verb that shows the action took place in the past.
For example: Lisa danced yesterday.
The Simple Present is a form of the verb that shows the action takes place in the present.
For example: Lisa dances every day.
The Simple Future is a form of the verb that shows the action will take place in the future.
For example: Lisa will dance tomorrow.
Examples of Simple Present Tense
Bill jogs every day.
Bill never jogs.
Jane works hard.
Jane doesn't work hard at all!
Tom thinks it's a good idea.
They have a lot of money.
They don't have any money.
Examples of Simple Past:
We moved here in 1991.
Did you move here in 1991?
When did you move here?
Sophia and I met yesterday.
In the end, Sophia did not show up.
They were very pleased.
They were not pleased at all.
I worked for Microsoft.
Examples of Simple Future
They will dance all night long.
Next month he will be ten years old.
He won't be late again.
What time will he arrive?
She will be very happy when she finds out.
We will eat in ten minutes.
Will you come with us?
We will stay for dinner.
Progressive (Continuous) Tenses
PROGRESSIVE means "continuing". A Progressive tense is a form of a verb that shows the action
is in progress. Or in other words, that it continues.
The Past Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action was in progress at some time in
the past.
For example: Lisa was dancing yesterday at 8 o'clock.
The Present Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action is in progress in the present.
For example: Lisa is dancing right now.
The Future Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action will be in progress at some
time in the future.
For example: Lisa will be dancing tomorrow at 8 o'clock.
Present Progressive Examples
She is always complaining.
We are having lunch.
We are not having lunch right now.
Are you having lunch right now?
Are you coming with us to the party tonight?
When are you having lunch?
Patricia is returning later this week.
They are arranging a special dinner and they
want us to come.
I am not watching the game this evening; I
have homework.
Past Progressive Examples
Yesterday evening we were watching the game
so we couldn't come.
I wasn't resting, I was working!
Where was Shannon taking care of her baby?
I was studying when the phone rang.
They were eating when their friends showed
up.
While the cat was sleeping the mice
were eating its food.
He was always bragging.
Future Progressive Examples
They will be dancing all night long!
What will they be doing all night long?
We will be working quite closely.
It will be raining the entire week.
When you come home, I will be waiting.
Where will you be waiting?
I will be watching TV when you call this
evening.
Perfect Tenses
PERFECT means "complete, finished". A Perfect tense is a form of a verb that shows the action is
complete. It does not mean the action is "perfect" (100%). It means the action is finished.
The Past Perfect is a form of the verb that shows the action was complete before some time in the
past.
For example: Lisa had danced before she came.
The Present Perfect is a form of the verb that shows the action was complete before the present.
For example: Lisa has already danced.
The Future Perfect is a form of the verb that shows the action will be complete before some time in
the future.
For example: Lisa will have danced tomorrow by 9 o'clock.
Past Perfect Examples
I lost so much weight because I had
begun exercising.
He stayed up all night because he had
received a lot of homework.
Kate had never played the drums.
Molly had wanted a guitar, but she received a
book.
They had lived in Italy for twelve years before
they moved to England.
Present Perfect Examples
I have been to Tokyo.
How many times have you been to Tokyo?
She has learned to speak Russian.
Stacy has become very successful.
How has she done it?
I have just sold the last one.
Sue has broken the glass.
How has she done it?
Future Perfect
Jack will have finished his homework by the
time his mother gets home.
She will have gotten ready by the time they
leave the house.
Laura will have cleaned out the apartment
before she gives back the key.
Tomorrow Justin will have been single for a
whole week.
In September I will have lived here for eight
years.
Luke will have been sick for two weeks
tomorrow.
Perfect + Progressive?!
Yes! There are 3 more tenses. These are the Perfect Progressive (Continuous) tenses. A Perfect
Progressive tense is a form of the verb that shows the action started, continued, and was complete
until some point.
The Past Perfect Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action started in the past and
continued until some point in the past.
For example: Lisa had been dancing for 2 hours before she was
tired.
The Present Perfect Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action started in the past
and continued until the present.
For example: Lisa has been dancing for 3 hours without stopping!
The Future Perfect Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action will continue until
some point in the future.
For example: By tomorrow morning, Lisa will have been dancing
for 12 hours!
Present Perfect Progressive
You have been watching TV for the last five
hours. Do you think maybe it's time to get
some work done?
The cat has been hiding under the couch for
over an hour now.
She has been sneezing since she got here.
What have you been doing since I left?
She has been working there since July.
I have been waiting for you for an hour and a
half!
I haven't been sleeping too well lately
Past Perfect Progressive
They had been flying for eight hours before
they finally reached New York.
We had been struggling for several years
before the business finally took off.
He wasn't hungry because had had been
eating all day long.
You had been sitting there for more than an
hour before he arrived.
Janet had been working there for almost a
year when they fired her.
We were thirsty because we had been working
out outside in the heat.
Future Perfect Progressive
He will have been driving for an hour by the
time he gets home.
In November, we will have been living in Spain
for eleven years.
In December, I will have been working here for
two years.
How long will you have been studying when
you get your degree?
You will have been waiting for over two hours
when the train finally arrives.
They will be tired when they get home because
they will have been working
late.
Consistency of tense
Do not change needlessly from one tense to another.
To describe events that occur at the same time, use verbs in the same tense.
Sara peeked over the fence and saw a cornfield.
Sara peeks over the fence and sees a cornfield.
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