Types of Tenses
Do you want to practice using Tenses and its types in English?
Different types of Tenses.
In English grammar, there are three main tenses, and they are each further classified into four different forms, which sum up to twelve tenses in total. The three tenses in English are:
1. Present Tense
2. Past Tense
3. Future Tense
The four different forms are:
1.Simple Tense Form
2.Continuous Tense Form
3.Perfect Tense Form
4.Perfect Continuous Tense Form
So, the twelve tenses in English are as follows:
1. Simple Present Tense
2. Present Continuous Tense
3. Present Perfect Tense
4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense
5. Simple Past Tense
6. Past Continuous Tense
7. Past Perfect Tense
8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
9. Simple Future Tense
10. Future Continuous Tense
11. Future Perfect Tense
12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Present Tense
The present tense refers to the action or event that takes place or is taking place in the present. It represents the current activity or the present state of being of the subject in the given context.
Types of Present Tense
The present tense can be used in four different forms, namely:
1. Simple Present Tense – used to indicate the current action or an action that takes place regularly.
2. Present Continuous Tense – used to denote an action that is continuing at the present moment.
3. Present Perfect Tense – used to indicate an action that is used to denote an action that is indefinite and still has its effect on the subject or object in the sentence.
5. Present Perfect Continuous Tense – used to represent an action that began in the recent past and is still continuing.
Simple Present Tense
The simple present tense is employed in a sentence to represent an action or event that takes place or just happened in the given context at the present moment. The simple present is also called the present indefinite tense.
The structure of the simple present tense can be understood by analysing the positive, negative, interrogative and negative interrogative forms of the tense. Have a look at the following simple present tense structure chart so that you can understand easily how it works.
Structure of Simple Present Tense
Positive: Subject + Verb in the base form/third person plural
Example: You look beautiful.
She look beautiful.
Negative: Subject + Do not/Don’t/Does not/Doesn’t + Verb in the base form/third person plural form
Example: You do not look beautiful.
She do not look beautiful.
Interrogative: Do/Does + Subject + Verb
Example: Do you look beautiful?
Does she look beautiful?
Negative Interrogative: Don’t/Doesn’t + Subject + Verb
Example:Don’t you look beautiful?
Doesn’t she look beautiful?
Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense, as the name suggests, is the form of tense that is used to denote an action that is ongoing or occurring in that current moment. It is also referred to as the present progressive tense as they represent the action that is progressing in the present. Let us now take a look at the definitions provided by various dictionaries about the present continuous tense
Structure of Present Continuous Tense
Positive: Subject + am/is/are + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
Example: I am reading a newspaper.
You are doing it wrong.
He is playing tennis.
Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
Example: I am not reading a newspaper.
You are not doing it wrong.
He is not playing tennis.
Interrogative: Am/is/are + subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence of the sentence
Example: Am I reading a newspaper?
Are you doing it wrong?
Is he playing tennis?
Negative Interrogative: Isn’t/aren’t + subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
(Or)
Am/is/are + subject + not + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
Example: Am I not reading a newspaper?
Are you not doing it wrong? / Aren't you doing it wrong?
Is he not playing tennis? / Isn't he playing tennis?
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense is employed in a sentence to represent an action that just happened in the recent past and still has its effect in the present or an action that represents an indefinite time in the past. To have a clearer idea of the tense, let us look at how different dictionaries define the tense.
Structure of Present Perfect Tense
Positive: Subject + have/has + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I have finished my work.
You have finished your work.
He has finished his work. / She has finished her work.
Negative: Subject + have/has + not + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I have not finished my work.
You have not finished your work.
He has not finished his work. / She has not finished her work.
Interrogative: Have/has + subject + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Have I finished my work?
Have you finished your work?
Has he finished his work? / Has she finished her work?
Have they finished their work?
Negative Interrogative: Have/has + subject + not + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Haven’t I finished my work?
Haven’t you finished your work?
Hasn't he finished his work? / Hasn't she finished her work?
Haven't they finished their work?
Have you not finished your work?
Have he not finished your work? / Have she not finished her work?
Have they not finished their work?
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense is employed in a sentence to indicate an action that started in the recent past and is still continuing in the present. It is also referred to as the present perfect progressive tense as the action progresses from the past to the present.
Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Positive: Subject + have/has + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence.
Example: I have been working on this project for a week.
You have been working on this projct for a week.
He has been working on this project for a week. / She has been working on this project for a week.
They have been working on this project for a week.
Negative: Subject + have/has + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence.
Example: I have not been working on this project for a week.
You have not been working on this projct for a week.
He has not been working on this project for a week. / She has not been working on this project for a week.
They have not been working on this project for a week.
Interrogative: Have/has + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Have I been working on this project for a week?
Have you been working on this projct for a week?
Has he been working on this project for a week? / Has she been working on this project for a week?
Have they been working on this project for a week?
Negative Interrogative: Have/has + subject + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Haven't I been working on this project for a week?
Haven't you been working on this projct for a week?
Hasn't he been working on this project for a week? / Hasn't she been working on this project for a week?
Haven't they been working on this project for a week?
Past Tense
The ‘past tense’ form of a verb, as the term suggests, can be used to speak about or represent an event or action that already happened in the past. One important point you have to keep in mind is that a number of verbs, when used in the past tense, do not follow the general rule of adding ‘ed’ to the end of the verb to form the past tense. Take a look at the different definitions of past tense and the list of past tense verbs to develop a clear idea of the same.
Types of Past Tense
The past tense has four different forms to indicate the varied nature of actions that happened in the past. They are:
1. Simple Past Tense – used to indicate an action or event that happened in the past.
2. Past Continuous Tense – used to depict an action or event that was continuing in the past.
3. Past Perfect Tense – used to represent an event or action that happened in the past before. another event or action that happened in the past.
4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense – used to denote an action or event that was taking place in the past until another action or event happened in the past.
Simple Past Tense
The simple past tense, in English, is used to represent an action/event that took place in the past. With many verbs, the simple past tense is formed by adding an ‘ed’ or a ‘d’ to the end of the base verb. However, there are other verbs which behave differently and take different spellings when used in the simple past form.
Structure of the Simple Past Tense
Positive: Subject + Verb in the past form (base form of the verb + ed/d for regular verbs or past tense form of the irregular verbs)
Example: You spoke really well.
I had my breakfast.
Negative: Subject + Didn’t + Verb in the base form
Example: You did not speak really well.
I did not have my breakfast.
Interrogative: Did + Subject + Verb in the base form
Example: Did you speak really well?
Did I have my breakfast?
Negative Interrogative: Didn’t + Subject + Verb in the base form
Example: Didn't you speak really well?
Didn't I have my breakfast?
Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous tense is employed in a sentence to represent an action or event that was going on in the past. In other words, it shows the progress of the action or event at a specific time in the past. The past continuous tense is, therefore, also called the ‘past progressive tense’. Take a look at how different dictionaries define the past continuous tense so that you can develop a clear idea of what it is.
Structure of Past Continuous Tense
Positive: Subject + was/were + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
Example: I was listening to the news.
You were doing it again.
He was driving a car.
It was raining when you came.
Negative: Subject + was/were + not + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
Example: I was not listening to the news.
You were not doing it again.
He was not driving a car.
It was not raining when you came.
Interrogative: Was/were + subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
Example: Was I listening to the news?
Were you doing it again?
Was he driving a car?
Was it raining when you came?
Negative Interrogative: Wasn’t/weren’t + subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence
Example: Wasn’t I listening to the news? / Was I not listening to the news?
Weren’t you doing it again? / Were you not doing it again?
Wasn’t he driving a car? / Was he not driving a car?
Wasn’t it raining when you came? / Was it not raining when you came?
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is slightly different in its structure and use in a sentence from the simple past tense and the past continuous tense. The past perfect tense clearly states that one action took place before another action in the past. It can also be said that the past perfect tense represents a past action that took place in the past. Now, take a look at the definitions of the past perfect tense given by various dictionaries.
Structure of Past Perfect Tense
Positive: Subject + had + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I had completed my assignment before everyone else even started.
You had completed your assignment before everyone else even started.
He/ She had completed his/ her assignment before everyone else even started.
They had completed their assignment before everyone else even started.
Negative: Subject + had + not + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I had not completed my assignment before everyone else even started.
You had not completed your assignment before everyone else even started.
He/ She had not completed his/ her assignment before everyone else even started.
They had not completed their assignment before everyone else even started.
Interrogative: Had + subject + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Had I completed my assignment before everyone else even started?
Had you completed your assignment before everyone else even started?
Had he/ she completed his/ her assignment before everyone else even started?
Had they completed their assignment before everyone else even started?
Negative Interrogative: Had + subject + not + past participle + the rest of the sentence
(or)
Hadn’t + subject + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Hadn't I completed my assignment before everyone else even started?
Hadn't you completed your assignment before everyone else even started?
Hadn't he/ she completed his/ her assignment before everyone else even started?
Hadn't they completed their assignment before everyone else even started?
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense is employed in a sentence to indicate an action that started in the recent past and is still continuing in the present. It is also referred to as the present perfect progressive tense as the action progresses from the past to the present.
Structure of the Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Positive: Subject + had + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I had been cooking my mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
You had been cooking your mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
He/ She had been cooking his/ her mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
They had been cooking their mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
Negative: Subject + had + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I had not been cooking my mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
You had not been cooking your mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
He/ She had not been cooking his/ her mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
They had not been cooking their mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen.
Interrogative: Had + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Had I been cooking my mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Had you been cooking your mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Had he/ she been cooking his/ her mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Had they been cooking their mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Negative Interrogative: Hadn’t + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Hadn’t I been cooking my mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Hadn’t you been cooking your mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Hadn’t he/ she been cooking his/ her mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Hadn’t they been cooking their mom’s favourite dish when she walked into the kitchen?
Future Tense
The ‘future tense’ form of any verb refers to the conjugation of the verb to represent an action that is going to happen in the future or will be continuing in the future. Take a look at the dictionary definitions of the future tense to develop a clearer idea of the tense.
Types/ Forms of Future Tense:
The future tense can be used in four different forms in order to show how the actions in the future behave differently in various situations, and they are:
1. Simple Future Tense – used to denote an action that will happen in the future.
2. Future Continuous Tense – used to indicate an action that will be taking place in the future.
3. Future Perfect Tense – used to represent an action that starts in the present and will happen in the future.
4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense – used to depict an action that is happening in the present and will complete at some point in the future.
Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense is a tense that is used to represent an action that takes place in the future. One fact that you should keep in mind is that a simple future tense action starts and finishes in the future itself.
Structure of Simple Future Tense
Positive: Subject + Helping verb (will) + Base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: I will read the newspaper from tomorrow.
Negative: Subject + Will not/Won’t + Base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: I will not read the newspaper from tomorrow.
Interrogative: Will + Subject + base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: Will I read the newspaper from tomorrow?
Negative Interrogative: Will + Subject + not + Base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: Will I not read the newspaper from tomorrow?
Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense is generally used to represent an event or action that is happening at a certain point in time in the future. The tense is also called the future progressive tense, as it denotes an action or event that is progressing or continuing at a particular time in the future.
Positive: Subject + Helping verb (will + be) + Past participle form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: Balu will be performing at the International event in Australia.
Negative: Subject + Will not be/Won’t be + Past participle form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: Balu will not be performing at the International event in Australia.
Interrogative: Will + Subject + Be + Past participle form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: Will Balu be performing at the International event in Australia?
Negative Interrogative: Will + Subject + not + be + Past participle form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: Will Balu not be performing at the International event in Australia?
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is a tense form that can be used to represent an action or event that will be over within a particular time in the future. The action referred to in the future perfect tense has an end date or time.
Structure of Future Perfect Tense
Positive: Subject + will + have + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I will have dressed up by the time you reach home.
You will have dressed up by the time they reach home.
He/ She will have dressed up by the time you reach home.
They will have dressed up by the time you reach home.
Negative: Subject + will + not + have + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: I will not have dressed up by the time you reach home.
You will not have dressed up by the time they reach home.
He/ She will not have dressed up by the time you reach home.
They will not have dressed up by the time you reach home.
Interrogative: Will + subject + have + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Will I have dressed up by the time you reach home?
Will you have dressed up by the time they reach home?
Will he/ she have dressed up by the time you reach home?
Will they have dressed up by the time you reach home?
Negative Interrogative: Will + subject + not + have + past participle + the rest of the sentence
Example: Will I not have dressed up by the time you reach home?
Will you not have dressed up by the time they reach home?
Will he/ she not have dressed up by the time you reach home?
Will they not have dressed up by the time you reach home?
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The future perfect continuous tense is a verb tense that can be used to refer to an action that will be continuing until a certain point of time in the future. The future perfect continuous tense can also be referred to as the future perfect progressive tense as it expresses an action or event that will be progressing to a specific time in the future.
Structure of the Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Positive: Subject + will + have + been + present participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: In January, I will have been living in San Francisco.
In January, you will have been living in San Francisco.
In January, he/ she will have been living in San Francisco.
In January, they will have been living in San Francisco.
Negative: Subject + will + not + have +been + present participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: In January, I will not have been living in San Francisco.
In January, you will not have been living in San Francisco.
In January, he/ she will not have been living in San Francisco.
In January, they will not have been living in San Francisco.
Interrogative: Will + subject + have + been + present participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence
Example: In January, will I have been living in San Francisco?
In January, will you have been living in San Francisco?
In January, will he/ she have been living in San Francisco?
In January, will they have been living in San Francisco?
Negative Interrogative: Will + subject + not + have + been + present participle of the main verb the rest of the sentence
Example: In January, will I not have been living in San Francisco?
In January, will you not have been living in San Francisco?
In January, will he/ she not have been living in San Francisco?
In January, will they not have been living in San Francisco?