P AST, P RESENT, & F UTURE ~*Christina Hargett*~

P AST T ENSE There are four types of past tenses; Simple Past Tense: Used to describe an activity that has been started in the past and ended in that past. Past Progressive Tense: Used to describe an on-going activity in the past Past Perfect tense: Used to emphasize that an action was completed before another took place Past Perfect Progressive: Used to show that an on-going action in the past has ended.

E XAMPLES OF P AST T ENSE Simple Past Tense: I jogged for miles, and not once did I stop. Past Progressive Tense: He was going to go to practice, but instead stayed home. Past Perfect Tense: They had left him alone, but he wasn’t too sad. Past Perfect Progressive: She had been painting her room, and her hands were soaked in layers of paint.

P RESENT T ENSE Four types of Present Tense; Simple Present: Used to describe facts and habits; describe scheduled events in the future; tell stories Present Progressive: Used to describe actions that began in the past and are still continuing into the present Present Perfect: Used to describe actions that began in the past and are still continuing into the present Present Perfect Progressive: Used for a continuous activity that began in the past and continues into the present; continuous activity that began in the past but has now finished

E XAMPLES OF P RESENT T ENSE Simple Present: I like to draw and paint, but it’s very messy. Present Progressive: Lizzie is looking for her book bag, but after several minutes, she found it. Present Perfect: Daniel has worked the night shift many times, and it was never a problem. Present Perfect Progressive: I have been planning for the trip for years now, and finally I can experience it.

F UTURE T ENSE There are also four types of Future Tenses; Simple Future: Used for an action that will occur in the future Future Progressive: Used for an on-going action that will occur in the future Future Perfect: Used to describe an action that will have been completed at some point in the future Future Perfect Progressive: Used for an on-going action that will be completed at some specified time in the future.

E XAMPLES OF F UTURE T ENSE Simple Future: They will celebrate with cake and confetti. Future Progressive: I will be attending the meeting this evening, but I might run a little late. Future Perfect: When you get here, they will have your supper prepared, and we will make sure it doesn’t get cold. Future Perfect Progressive: Next year, you will have been studying for many years now, but it won’t be a complete waste.