Visual Explanations of Each English Tense

Present Simple

Present Simple The present simple is used to express daily routines and habits. Adverbs of frequency such as 'usually', 'sometimes', 'rarely', etc. are often used with the present simple. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: always, usually, sometimes, etc. ... every day ... on Sundays, Tuesdays, etc.

Present Simple Positive Subject + Present Tense + object(s) + time Expression Frank usually takes a bus to work.

Present Simple Negative Subject + do / does + not (don't / doesn't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression They don't often go to Chicago.

Present Simple Question (Question Word) + do / does + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression How often do you play golf?

Present Continuous for Action at the Moment

Present Continuous for Action at the Moment One use of the present continuous tense is for action that is occurring at the moment of speaking. Remember that only action verbs can take the continuous form. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... at the moment ... now ... today ... this morning / afternoon / evening

Present Continuous for Action at the Moment Positive Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression She's watching TV at the moment.

Present Continuous for Action at the Moment Negative Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression They aren't having fun this morning.

Present Continuous for Action at the Moment Question (Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression What are you doing?

Present Continuous for Current Projects

Present Continuous for Current Projects Use the present continuous to describe projects and actions that are happening around the present moment in time. Remember that these projects have begun in the recent past and will end in the near future. This usage is especially popular for talking about current projects at work or for specific hobbies. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... at the moment ... now ... this week / month

Present Continuous for Current Projects Positive Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression We're working on the Smith account this month.

Present Continuous for Current Projects Negative Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression He isn't studying French this semester.

Present Continuous for Current Projects Question (Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression Which account are you working on this week?

Present Continuous for Scheduled Events

Present Continuous for Scheduled Events One use of the present continuous tense is for scheduled future events. This usage is especially useful when talking about appointments and meetings for work. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... tomorrow ... on Friday, Monday, etc. ... today ... this morning / afternoon / evening ... next week / month ... in December, March, etc.

Present Continuous for Scheduled Events Positive Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression I'm meeting our CEO at three o'clock this afternoon.

Present Continuous for Scheduled Events Negative Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression Shelley isn't attending the meeting tomorrow.

Present Continuous for Scheduled Events Question (Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression When are you discussing the situation with Tom?

Past Simple

Past Simple The past simple is used to express something that happened a past point in time. Remember to always use a past time expression, or a clear contextual clue when using the past simple. If you do not indicate when something happened, use the present perfect for unspecified past. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... ago ... in + year / month ...yesterday ...last week / month / year ... when ....

Past Simple Positive Subject + Past Tense + object(s) + time Expression I went to the doctor's yesterday.

Past Simple Negative Subject + did + not (didn't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression They didn't join us for dinner last week.

Past Simple Question (Question Word) + did + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression When did you buy that pullover?

Past Continuous for Exact Times in the Past

Past Continuous for Exact Times in the Past The past continuous tense is used to describe what was happening at a specific moment in time in the past. Do not use this form when referring to longer periods of time in the past such as 'last March', 'two years ago', etc. Use the past continuous with times of the day in the past. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... at 5.20, three o'clock, etc.

Past Continuous for Exact Times in the Past Positive Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression We were meeting with Jane at two o'clock yesterday afternoon.

Past Continuous for Exact Times in the Past Negative Subject + was / were + not (wasn't, weren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression They weren't playing tennis at five o'clock on Saturday.

Past Continuous for Exact Times in the Past Question (Question Word) + was / were + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression What were you doing at two-thirty yesterday afternoon?

Past Continuous for Interrupted Action

Past Continuous for Interrupted Action Use the past continuous to express what was happening when something important happened. This form is almost always used with the time clause '... when xyz happened'. It is also possible to use this form with '... while something was happening' to express two past actions that were occurring simultaneously. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... when xyz happened ... while xyz was happening.

Past Continuous for Interrupted Action Positive Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression Sharon was watching TV when she received the telephone call.

Past Continuous for Interrupted Action Negative Subject + was / were + not (wasn't, weren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression We weren't doing anything important when you arrived.

Past Continuous for Interrupted Action Question (Question Word) + was / were + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression What were you doing when Tom gave you the bad news?

Past simple or Past continuous? Both the past simple and the past continuous refer to completed actions in the past. Most of the time when we are talking about such actions, we use the past simple. This is by far the most common way of talking about the past. I lived there for 6 years. I only found out a few moments ago. I asked her but she didn't know anything. The company made 100 people redundant last year.

Past simple or Past continuous? Only use the past continuous when you want to emphasize the continuity of the action. Everybody was talking about it all evening. They were really trying hard but couldn't do it. I was thinking about you the other day. Were you expecting that to happen?

Past simple or Past continuous? When we use these two forms in the same sentence, we use the past continuous to talk about the "background action" and the past simple to talk about the shorter completed action. It was raining hard when we left the building. I was reading the report when you rang. He was going out to lunch when I saw him. The company was doing well when I last visited it.

Repetition and Irritation with "Always" The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing." She was always coming to class late. He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone. I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

Future with Going to for Future Plans

Future with Going to for Future Plans The future with 'going to' is used to express future plans or scheduled events. It is often used instead of the present continuous for future scheduled work events. Either form can be used for this purpose. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... next week / month ... tomorrow ... on Monday, Tuesday, etc.

Future with Going to for Future Plans Positive Subject + be + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression Tom is going to fly to Los Angeles next Tuesday.

Future with Going to for Future Plans Negative Subject + be not (isn't, aren't) + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression They aren't going to attend the conference next month.

Future with Going to for Future Plans Question (Question Word) + be + subject + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression When are you going to meet Jack?

Future with Will for Promises and Predictions

Future with Will for Promises and Predictions The future with 'will' is used to make future predictions and promises. Often the precise moment the action will occur is unknown or not defined. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... soon ... next month / year / week

Future with Will for Promises and Predictions Positive Subject + will + verb + object(s) + time Expression The government will increase taxes soon.

Future with Will for Promises and Predictions Negative Subject + will not (won't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression She won't help us much with the project.

Future with Will for Promises and Predictions Question (Question Word) + will + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression Why will they reduce taxes?

Future with Going to for Future Intent

Future with Going to for Future Intent The future with 'going to' is used for future intent. Remember that you can express a future intent without expressing the exact future time that something will occur. This use of the future with 'going to' can be used to discuss future study plans, career plans, and more. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... next week / month ... tomorrow ... on Monday, Tuesday, etc.

Future with Going to for Future Intent Positive Subject + be + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression Anna is going to study medicine at university.

Future with Going to for Future Intent Negative Subject + be not (isn't, aren't) + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression They aren't going to develop any new projects for the next few years.

Future with Going to for Future Intent Question (Question Word) + be + subject + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression Why are you going to change your job?

Present Perfect for Past to Present States and Actions

Present Perfect for Past to Present States and Actions Use the present perfect to express a state or repeated action that began in the past and continues into the moment of speaking. The present perfect or the present perfect continuous can often be interchanged. The main difference between these two forms is that the present perfect continuous is generally used to express the length of the current activity up to the present moment in time. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... for + amount of time ... since + specific point in time

Present Perfect for Past to Present States and Actions Positive Subject + have / has + past participle + object(s) + time Expression I have lived in Portland for four years.

Present Perfect for Past to Present States and Actions Negative Subject + have / has not (haven't, hasn't) + past participle + object(s) + time Expression Max hasn't played tennis since 1999.

Present Perfect for Past to Present States and Actions Question (Question Word) + have / has + subject + past participle + object(s) + time Expression Where have you worked since 2002?

Present Perfect to Express Recent Events

Present Perfect to Express Recent Events The present perfect is often used to express recent events that affect the present moment. These sentences generally use the time expressions 'just', 'yet', 'already', or 'recently' to express this connection. Remember that if you give a specific time in the past, the past simple is required. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: just yet already recently

Present Perfect to Express Recent Events Positive Subject + have / has + just / recently + past participle + object(s) Henry has just gone to the bank.

Present Perfect to Express Recent Events Negative Subject + have / has not (haven't, hasn't) + past participle + object(s) + time Expression Peter hasn't finished his homework yet.

Present Perfect to Express Recent Events Question (Question Word) + have / has + subject + past participle + object(s) + time Expression Have you spoken to Andy yet?

Present Perfect for Unspecified Past Events

Present Perfect for Unspecified Past Events The present perfect is often used to express events that occurred in the past at an unspecified moment. This form is often used to express cumulative life experiences up to the present moment. Remember that if you use a specific past time expression, choose the past simple. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: twice, three times, four times, etc. ever never

Present Perfect for Unspecified Past Events Positive Subject + have / has + past participle + object(s) Peter has visited Europe three times in his life.

Present Perfect for Unspecified Past Events Negative Subject + have / has not (haven't, hasn't) + past participle + object(s) + time Expression I haven't played golf many times.

Present Perfect for Unspecified Past Events Question (Question Word) + have / has + subject + (ever) + past participle + object(s) Have you ever been to France?

Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Continuous The present perfect continuous is used to express how long a current activity has been going on. It is often used in context to provide a reason for a present result. Remember that continuous forms can only be used with action verbs. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ...since + specific point in time ... for + amount of time

Present Perfect Continuous Positive Subject + has / have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression He's been cleaning house for two hours.

Present Perfect Continuous Negative Subject + has / have not (hasn't / haven't) + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression Janice hasn't been studying for too long.

Present Perfect Continuous Question (Question Word) + has / have + subject + been + verb + ing + object(s) + (time Expression) How long have you been working in the garden?

Future Perfect

Future Perfect Use the future perfect tense to express what will happened by a certain time in the future. The future perfect tense is often used to express achievements or work done by a future point in time. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... by Monday, Tuesday, etc. ... by the time ... ... by five o'clock, two-thirty, etc.

Future Perfect Positive Subject + will + have + past participle + object(s) + time Expression They will have finished the report by tomorrow afternoon.

Future Perfect Negative Subject + will not (won't) + have + past participle + object(s) + time Expression Mary won't have answered all the questions by the end of this hour.

Future Perfect Question (Question Word) + will + subject + have + past participle + object(s) + time Expression What will you have done by the end of this month?

Future Perfect Continuous

Future Perfect Continuous The future perfect continuous is used to express the duration of an action up to a future point in time. This tense is not commonly used in English. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... by … ... by the time ...

Future Perfect Continuous Positive Subject + will + have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression We will have been studying for two hours by the time he arrives.

Future Perfect Continuous Negative Subject + will not (won't) + have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression He won't have been working long by two o'clock.

Future Perfect Continuous Question (Question Word) + will + subject + have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression How long will you have been working on that project by the time he arrives?

Past Perfect Continuous

Past Perfect Continuous The past perfect continuous is used to describe how long an activity had been going on before something else happened. It is often used to provide context, or a reason for a specific action. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... for X hours, days, months, etc ... since Monday, Tuesday, etc.

Past Perfect Continuous Positive Subject + had + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression She had been waiting for two hours when he finally arrived.

Past Perfect Continuous Negative Subject + had not (hadn't) + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression They hadn't been working long when the boss asked them to change their focus.

Past Perfect Continuous Question (Question Word) + had + subject + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression How long had Tom been working on that project when they decided to give it to Pete?

Past Perfect

Past Perfect The past perfect is used to express something that happened before another point in time. It is often used to provide context, or an explanation for a specific action or result. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ... before already once, twice, three times, etc. ... by the time

Past Perfect Positive Subject + had + past participle + object(s) + time Expression She had already eaten by the time the children came home.

Past Perfect Negative Subject + had not (hadn't) + past participle + object(s) + time Expression They hadn't finished their homework before the teacher asked them to hand it in.

Past Perfect Question (Question Word) + had + subject + past participle + object(s) + time Expression Where had you gone before the class began?

Future Continuous

Future Continuous The future continuous is used to talk about an activity that will be in progress at a specific point in time in the future. For example, We'll be having lunch on the beach this time next week. This tense is often used with the following time expressions: ...this time tomorrow / next week, month, year ...tomorrow / Monday, Tuesday, etc. / at X o'clock ... in two, three, four, etc. / weeks, months, years time

Future Continuous Positive Subject + will + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression Peter will be doing his homework this time tomorrow.

Future Continuous Negative Subject + will not (won't) + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression Sharon won't be working in New York in three weeks time.

Future Continuous Question (Question Word) + will + subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression What will you be doing this time next year?