English Tenses

PRESENT SIMPLE Subject + Verb (present form)
John lives in New York. We play football every day. You are really kind. The meeting starts at 3 PM. We use it to describe the present activities or to talk about routines or habits (always, often, usually, rarely, never, every week/year, sometimes)
PRESENT CONTINUOUS Subject + IS/ARE + Verb (continuous form - ing)

He is sleeping. I am visiting grandpa in the afternoon. You are always coming late for the meetings! He is eating a dinner. Mary is talking with her friends. They are swimming in the pool.
It is mainly used to express the idea that something is happening at the moment of speaking (now, at the moment). The Present Continuous also describes activities generally in progress (not at the moment). Another use of the tense is to talk about temporary actions or future plans.
PAST SIMPLE
Subject + Verb (past form)
cut his finger last week. went to college 3 years ago. ate the dinner 1 hour ago. slept well last night I was sleepy. He didn't learn any Italian when he was in Italy two year ago. I went to the cinema, bought popcorn and watched a movie. We use it to talk about an action that started and finished in the past. Another use of this tense is talk about situations in the past.

I lived in New York for 10 years (I don't live there anymore). You often use: yesterday, the day before yesterday, five days ago, last year, in 1999, last Friday etc...
PAST CONTINUOUS Subject + WAS/WERE + Verb (continuous form - ing)

The man was singing. I was resting in the garden when it started to rain.
We use the Past Continuous to talk about actions or situations that lasted for some time in the past, and whose duration time is unknown or unimportant.

I was watching TV yesterday in the evening. She was sleeping on the couch. The dog was barking.
The Past Continuous is often used when one action in progress is interruped by another action in the past. The Past simple is used in such sentences. We usually use when or while to link these two sentences.

I was talking with James when the telephone rang. While Angelica was playing tennis, the plane crashed. When Bob was painting windows, it started raining.
We also use this tense to talk about two or more activities happening at the same. We usually use when or while to link the two sentences.

I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a book. The family was eating the dinner and talking. When Bob was painting windows, Mary was working in the kitchen.
FUTURE SIMPLE Subject + WILL + Verb (present form)

I will clean up my room. I promise! The telephone is ringing. I will pick it up! I think it will rain. He will stay there for hours, doing nothing. The Future Simple is used in many situations such as when making promises or predictions.
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
Subject + WILL + BE + Verb (continuous form)

Tomorrow at this time, I will be taking my English langauge exam. Ben won't be eating the dinner now. He usually eats it around noon! Will you be comingto the party tonight? We mainly use the Future Continuous to indicate that we will be in the middle of doing something in a specified time in the future.
PRESENT PERFECT ( reenici ga prepoznajemo po YET i ALREADY) Subject + HAS/HAVE + Verb (past participle form)

I have read this book. The man has gone away. John has worked as a teacher for over 25 years.
The Present Perfect is used to express actions that happened at an indefinite time or that began in the past and continue in the present. This tense is also used when an activity has an effect on the present moment.

I have already had a breakfast. He has been to England. We also use this tense to when an activity has an effect on the present moment.
He has finished his work. (so he can now rest) I have already eaten the dinner. (so I'm not hungry) He has had a car accident. (that's why he is in the hospital)
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS (u reenici ga prepoznajemo po FOR i SINCE) Subject + HAS/HAVE + BEEN + Verb (continuous form)

I have been working as a teacher for 30 years. What have you been doing?
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continues in the present.

He has been painting the house for 5 hours. He's still painting it I have been working as a fireman since 1973. I still work as a fireman
Use this tense also to talk about actions that began in the past and have recently stopped.
I have been waiting for you for half an hour! (I'm not waiting anymore because you have come)

English Tenses

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Tenses

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Tenses

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are the different tenses in English and how are they used?

How is the Past Continuous tense used?

PRESENT SIMPLE Subject + Verb (present form)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS Subject + IS/ARE + Verb (continuous form - ing)

PAST CONTINUOUS Subject + WAS/WERE + Verb (continuous form - ing)

FUTURE SIMPLE Subject + WILL + Verb (present form)

You might also like