Tenses of Verbs
Tense
Definition / Rules
Example
Simple Present
happening right now - add s to regular
verbs that are singular, do not add s to
verbs that are plural
Simple Past
already happened - add ed to regular verbs
to make them past tense
Simple Future
will happen later - use the helping verb will
or shall to make the verb future tense
Present Perfect
expresses an action that took place at an
indefinite time in the past. The action may
still be going on.
- always includes has or have
- -ed ending (if regular verb)
Past Perfect
an action in the past that was completed
before another action took place
- always includes had
- -ed ending
Future Perfect
an action that will be completed before
another action in the future
-always includes will and have
- ed ending
She has raised the money.
They have raised the money.
She has started her lifelong
biography.
Progressive Tenses show continuing or ongoing action. Use a form of be and the present participle
form of the verb (-ing ending).
Present Progressive
use is or are before the main verb
She is studying.
Past Progressive
use was or were before the main verb
He was studying.
Future Progressive
use will be before the main verb
We will be studying all week.
Present Perfect
Progressive
use have been before the main verb
They have been studying for
days.
Past Perfect
Progressive
use had been before the main verb
We had been studying
before the weekend.
Future Perfect
Progressive
use will have been before the main verb
We will have been studying
for weeks by the time the
project is done.
Principal Parts of Verbs
Verb
Present Participle (is) -ing ending Past - ed ending
Past participle (have) -ed
ending
paint
(is) painting
(has) painted
painted
worry
(is) worrying
worried
(has) worried
hope
(is) hoping
hoped
(has) hoped