English Verb Tenses
Understanding English Verb Tenses
Present Tenses
Present Simple
This verb tense expresses permanent actions or actions that occur regularly in the present, such as daily routines or habits.
- I eat a lot.
- He eats a lot.
Present Continuous
This verb tense expresses actions happening now or planned for the future.
- I am eating a hot dog.
- He is eating a hot dog.
Present Perfect Simple
This verb tense expresses actions that occurred recently, began in the past and continue to the present, or have just been completed with present consequences.
- I’ve/have walked for two hours.
- He’s/has walked for two hours.
Present Perfect Continuous
This verb tense describes a past action that has just ended with an obvious result, or an action that began in the past and may have recently completed or is continuing in the present, emphasizing the duration.
- I’ve/have been running this morning.
- He’s/has been running for one hour.
Past Tenses
Simple Past
This verb tense expresses actions that occurred in the past, regardless of the specific time.
- I played in the park.
- I ate a lot.
Past Continuous
This tense describes actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
- I was eating a hot dog.
- You were sleeping in the park.
Past Perfect Simple
This verb tense expresses actions that occurred in the past before another past action (the past of the past).
- I’d/had gone when they arrived.
- He’d/had gone when they arrived.
Past Perfect Continuous
This tense emphasizes the duration of a past action that happened before another past action.
- I’d/had been running this morning.
- He’d/had been running…
Future Tenses
Simple Future
This verb tense expresses predictions, promises, offers, or decisions made at the time of speaking.
- You’ll/will return tonight.
- He’ll/will return tonight.
Future Continuous
This verb tense expresses an action that will be happening at a certain time in the future, emphasizing the duration of the action.
- You’ll/will be traveling to Rome this time tomorrow.
Future Perfect Simple
This verb tense expresses actions that will be finished at a particular point in the future.
- I will have completed this job next week.
Future Perfect Continuous
This verb tense expresses an action that will have been in progress for a period of time at a point in the future.
- Tomorrow, he’ll/will have been working for a week.
Future with Going To
This verb tense expresses intentions, future plans, or predictions based on present facts.
- I’m going to stay at home.
Conditional Tenses
Simple Conditional
This verb tense expresses a hypothetical action conditioned by a present action or a hypothetical future action from a past time.
- I’d/would eat an ice-cream (if I had money).
Continuous Conditional
This verb tense is used to express a hypothetical action.
Conditional Perfect
This verb tense expresses a hypothetical action in the past, conditional on other past actions.
- You would have seen him (if you had met him).
Irregular Verbs
List of common irregular verbs:
- be-was/were-been = Be, Be
- begin-began-begun = Start
- bite-bit-bitten = Bite
- break-broke-broken = Break
- bring-brought-brought = Bring
- buy-bought-bought = Buy
- catch-caught-caught = Catch
- choose-chose-chosen = Choose
- come-came-come = Come
- cost-cost-cost = Cost
- cut-cut-cut = Cut
- do-did-done = Do/Make
- draw-drew-drawn = Draw
- drink-drank-drunk = Drink
- drive-drove-driven = Drive
- eat-ate-eaten = Eat
- fall-fell-fallen = Fall
- feel-felt-felt = Feel
- find-found-found = Find
- fly-flew-flown = Fly
- forget-forgot-forgotten = Forget
- get-got-got = Get
- get up-got up-got up = Arise
- give-gave-given = Give
- go-went-gone = Go
- grow-grew-grown = Grow
- have-had-had = Have
- hear-heard-heard = Hear