The Uses and Formation of the English Tenses

Types of Tenses

• SIMPLE PRESENT - a verb tense used to describe an action that is happening at present or in regular basis. It is formed by using the root word and adding -s or -es at the end depending on the form of noun.

         Examples: 

1. Lara practices the piano everyday.
2. The dog teaches us how to be a man's bestfriend.
3. He shows his dancing skills to the public.
4. Mr. Bear receives a standing ovation in his public speech.
5. I brush my teeth every morning and every night.

• SIMPLE PAST - a verb tense used to describe an action in the past or an action that happened. It is formed by using the root word and adding -d or -ed at the end.

         Examples:

1. They jumped at the fence the other night.
2. She won the swimming competition and 
3. I heard their conversation last night.
4. The Professor cancelled the meeting during the last minute.
5. Lovely asked me about her performance a while ago.

• PRESENT CONTINUOUS - a verb tense used to describe an action that is happening now and will continue in the future. It is formed by using the "to be" verb (am, is are) + verb.

         Examples:

1. The cheerleading squad is preparing their routine today.
2. They are eating ice cream with some of their close friends.
3. I am doing my best to deliver a positive result.
4. We are waiting for the cafe to open.
5. My sister is arriving today from his long vacation trip.

• PAST CONTINUOUS - a verb tense used to describe an action that is happened in the past and still continued at some event. It is formed by using the "to be" verb (was/were) + verb.

         Examples:

1. I was eating dinner when mother arrived.
2. The judges were applauding his performances since the last hours.
3. I was preparing my powerpoint presentation when the electricity turned off.
4. Mary was exhausted when they moved in.
5. We were showing them the way.

• PRESENT PERFECT  - a verb tense used to describe an action that  happened at an indefinite time in the past and continued to present time It is formed by using the "have/has" + the past participle of the verb.

         Examples:

1. I have shown him this picture before.
2. Clara has signed the waiver sometime before.
3. Mary and her Colleagues have talked to Mr. Smith about their reports here.
4. This building has served its purpose for a long time.
5. We have shown them the way here.

• PAST PERFECT - a verb tense used to describe an action that were completed at some point in the past. It is formed by using the "had"  + past participle of the verb.

         Examples:

1. I walked away because he had shown me his mean personality.
2. The students had cleaned the classroom before the Principal arrived.
3. She had met him before the competition started.
4. Laura had left by the time I got into the room.
5. I had deleted our email conversation after I was caught.

• PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS - a verb tense used to describe an action that started in the past and continues at present time. It is formed by using "has/have been" + present participle of the verb.

         Examples:

1. I have been studying this research for 3 months now.
2. Myra has been competing for a decade now.
3. He has been showing his dancing skills to the public for the whole day.
4. She has been correcting my grammar for a week now..
5. We have been carrying this burden for quite sometime now.

• PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS - a verb tense used to describe an action that started in the past and continued until some time in the past. It is formed by using "had been" + present participle of the verb.

         Examples:

1. I had been waiting long enough before the taxi arrived.
2. Father had been drinking since Mother left her.
3. Mr. Lee had been working for the company for 10 years when he got the promotion.
4. It had been raining heavily for 3 straight days when the road broke.
5. My friends had been planning this trip for the whole week before our flight was cancelled.

• SIMPLE FUTURE - a verb tense used to describe an action that has not happened yet. It is formed by using "will" + verb.

         Examples:

1. She will learn a new recipe from her mother.
2. I will show you the results.
3. I will meet her at the cafe.
4. The officer will lead you to your chambers.
5. They will visit the shrine.

• FUTURE CONTINUOUS - a verb tense used to describe an action that will occur in the future and continues for an expected length of time. It is formed by using "will + be" + present participle of the verb.

         Examples:

1. I will be seeing you next month.
2. The people will be watching him tonight.
3. Kyle will be joining the military training not later than next month.
4. It will be raining soon.
5. I will be writing him a letter the soonest possible time.

• FUTURE PERFECT - a verb tense used to describe an action that will continue to occur up until the future. It is used for actions that will be complete before a specified time in the future. It is formed by using "will + have" + past participle of the verb.

         Examples:

1. Kara will have worked at that company for 5 years.
2. I will have traveled to Venice by tomorrow.
3. It will have rained by noontime.
4. You will have forgotten that I existed by then.
5. I will have gathered enough evidence for 2 days.

• FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS - a verb tense used to describe an action that will continue until a time in the future. It is formed by using "will + have + been" + present participle of the verb.

         Examples:

1. By next week, I will have been completing my proposed project for 2 hours.
2. By noontime, I will have been studying my lessons for 5 straight hours.
3. She will have been carrying my luggage by the time I arrive for an hour.
4. By the end of the month, I will have been living in Paris for a decade.
5. By next year, you will have been pursuing your Doctorate for 5 years.