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There are three basic tenses in English
grammer, namely present, past and the future tense. Each basic tense has its
simple, progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive forms.
SIMPLE FORMS
Simple
Present Tense
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Present tense expresses an unchanging,
repeated, or reoccurring action or situation that exists only now. It can also
represent a widespread truth. |
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Example
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Meaning
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| The mountains are tall and white. |
Unchanging action |
| Every year, the school council elects
new members. |
Recurring action |
| Pb is the chemical symbol for
lead. |
Widespread truth |
Simple
Past Tense
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Past tense expresses an action or situation
that was started and finished in the past. Most past tense verbs end in -ed.
The irregular verbs have special past tense forms which must be
memorized. |
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Example
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Form
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| Second World War ended in 1945. |
Regular -ed past |
| Omer Seyfettin wrote "Kaşağı." |
Irregular form |
Simple
Future Tense
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Future tense expresses an action or situation
that will occur in the future. This tense is formed by using will/shall
with the simple form of the verb.
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Example
The speaker of the House will finish
her term in May of 1998.
The future tense can also be expressed by using
am, is, or are with going to.
Example
The surgeon is going to perform the
first bypass in Houston.
We can also use the present tense form with
an adverb or adverbial phrase to show future time.
Example
The president speaks tomorrow.
(Tomorrow is a future time adverb.)
PROGRESSIVE
FORMS
Present
Progressive Tense
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Present progressive tense describes an ongoing
action that is happening at the same time the statement is written. This tense
is formed by using am/is/are with the verb form ending in -ing. |
Example
The sociologist is examining the
effects that racial discrimination has on society.
Past
Progressive Tense
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Past progressive tense describes a past action
which was happening when another action occurred. This tense is formed by using was/were
with the verb form ending in -ing. |
Example
The explorer was explaining the
lastest discovery in Egypt when protests began on the streets.
Future
Progressive Tense
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Future progressive tense describes an ongoing
or continuous action that will take place in the future. This tense is formed by
using will be or shall be with the verb form ending in -ing. |
Example
Dr. Jones will be presenting ongoing
research on sexist language next week.
PERFECT FORMS
Present Perfect
Tense
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Present perfect tense
describes an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past or
that began in the past and continues in the present.This tense is formed
by using has/have
with the past participle of the verb. Most past participles end
in -ed. Irregular verbs have special past participles that must
be memorized. |
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Example
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Meaning
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| The researchers have traveled to
many countries in order to collect more significant data. |
At an indefinite time |
| Women have voted in presidential
elections since 1935. |
Continues in the present |
Past Perfect Tense
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Past perfect tense describes an action that
took place in the past before another past action. This tense is formed by using
had with the past participle of the verb. |
Example
By the time the troops arrived, the war had
ended.
Future Perfect
Tense
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Future perfect tense describes an action that
will occur in the future before some other action. This tense is formed by using
will have with the past participle of the verb. |
Example
By the time the troops arrive, the combat
group will have spent several weeks waiting.
PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE FORMS
Present
Perfect Progressive
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Present perfect progressive tense describes an
action that began in the past, continues in the present, and may continue into
the future. This tense is formed by using has/have been and
the present participle of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing). |
Example
The CEO has been considering a
transfer to the state of Texas where profits would be larger.
Past
Perfect Progressive
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Past perfect progressive tense describes a
past, ongoing action that was completed before some other past action. This
tense is formed by using had been and the present perfect of the
verb (the verb form ending in -ing). |
Example
Before the budget cuts, the students had
been participating in many extracurricular activities.
Future
Perfect Progressive
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Future perfect progressive tense describes a
future, ongoing action that will occur before some specified future time. This
tense is formed by using will have been and the present participle
of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing).
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Example
By the year 2020, linguists will have
been studying and defining the Indo-European language family for
more than 200 years.
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Intermediate
