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Tips for understanding and using basic verb tenses in English.

 


There are a total of 12 English verb tenses. This can make it difficult for students and ESL learners to use verbs correctly. Simple definitions and examples of the different tenses can help you make sense of using verbs properly.


Three Main Verb Tenses

The simplest place to start in learning about verb tenses is to explore the three main types of verbs: past, present, and future.

Verb tenses can change the entire meaning of sentences, so it’s important to get them right. Take a look at this verb tense chart to see the past, present, and future tenses of over 100 regular verbs.

International Exams and Grammar: The Essential Grammar Rules You Need to Know

Past Tense Verbs

A past tense verb is a word that tells you what the subject has already done. Just as the name implies, you use it to describe something that happened in the past.

For example, “He walked to the store.” uses the past tense version of “walk” and tells you that “he” already made it to the store on foot.

Present Tense Verbs

A present tense verb is an action word that tells you what the subject is doing right now, in the present.

For example, “He walks to the store.” uses the present tense of the verb “walk” and tells you “he” is in the process of getting to the store on foot now.

Future Tense Verbs

A future tense verb is a word that tells you an action that will take place at some point but hasn’t happened yet.

For example, “He will walk to the store.” uses the future tense of the verb “walk” and tells you that “he” plans to go to the store on foot, but hasn’t started the journey yet.

Making the rules of grammar easy to understand.

Four Aspects of Verb Tenses

The three main verb tenses can each be further broken down to include the four aspects of verb tenses: simple, progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive. The most predominant tense is the simple tense.

  • Simple tenses are the basic versions of past, present, and future tense verbs. They describe either one event or all events of one action.
  • Progressive tenses discuss an ongoing (or progressing) action.
  • Perfect tenses discuss a future action that will be completed (or perfected).
  • Perfect progressive tenses discuss a future action that will be ongoing.


  • Simple Verb Tense

    The simple past tense describes a single event in the past without reference to any other past action. Use this only for singular events.

    Simple Past Tense Verbs

    The simple past uses the second forms of verbs. This is the first tense in which the dreaded irregular verb comes into play.

    Examples of Simple Past Tense Verbs

    Notice that the time periods and actions being discussed are all finished in the past. Also notice that not all the verbs end in "-ed." For irregular verbs like "took," "met," and "quit," you have to learn their unique conjugations.

    • I walked to work yesterday.
    • Jessica took the elevator this morning.
    • You met Joe at Jim's party.
    • He quit drinking many years ago.
    • Erin smoked 20 cigarettes on Friday.

    Simple Present Tense Verbs

    Simple present tense is used when the action being described is habitual or constant. These are the standard forms of verbs you see.

    Examples of Simple Present Tense Verbs

    Each verb typically receives an "s" at the end. Notice how singular third person verbs change.









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