12 Verb Tenses in English Explained
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Verb tenses can be confusing! So, we’ve created this guide to help you learn the 12 basic types of verb tenses in English, their grammatical structure, and how we use them. Scroll down for paperless worksheets designed for shaping the digital classroom.
What Are The 12 Verb Tenses In English?
Tenses are vital in English for constructing sentences and phrases. There are 12 basic tenses in English, which help us figure out how an action (verb) relates to time.
English tenses are split into three broad time-related categories.
- Past
- Present
- Future
Tenses can be broken down even further. Tap on the links below and see further information about each type of verb tense.
- Present: Simple Present Tense, Present Continuous, Present Perfect, and Present Perfect Continuous.
- Past: Past Simple, Past Continuous, Past Perfect Tense, and Past Perfect Continuous.
- Future: Future Simple, Future Continuous Tense, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous Tense.
Types of Tenses in English
Flip the flashcards to get a simple definition of each type of verb tense in English.
Present Tense Forms With Examples and Quiz
Learning about the different present tense forms in English is important. Present tenses can be in the simple present, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous. Read about them and then scroll down to take the present tense forms quiz. Here we have focused on the different types of present tenses in the affirmative. For a more in-depth study of each type of present tense, click the links below.
Present Simple Tense
The simple present tense refers to an action (verb) that occurs in the present— the simple present tense deals with facts and repeated activities.
We use English personal pronouns followed by present tense verbs to form the simple present tense with regular verbs. Note: Singular third-person verbs often change, and an -s is placed at the end of the verb.
- She plays the piano.
- Sarah loves burgers.
- She speaks Spanish.
- Do you speak Spanish?
Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense or present progressive tense refers to an action or state of being. They deal with temporary actions or states and things that are happening now.
In the affirmative, we form the present continuous tense with the subject + am/ is/ are + verb-ing for regular verbs.
- I am working on the report.
- You are playing in the yard.
- What are you doing? I'm eating my dinner.
- My parents are traveling.
Present Perfect Tense
Next up is the present perfect tense! We use it to talk about present experiences that relate to the past. They can refer to present situations that will continue or new information.
In the affirmative, we form the present perfect tense with the subject + have/ has + past participle verb. To form a past participle with regular verbs, we usually add -ed as a suffix.
- The euro has decreased in value lately.
- I haven't seen her since February.
- I haven't played football for ages.
- She has forgotten to switch off the light again!
- Have you been to China?
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous is an exciting type of tense in English. It refers to a non-specific time that began in the near past but is usually unfinished.
To form this tense in the affirmative, we use the subject + have/has + been + verb-ing.
- I have been living in France since 2018.
- He has been playing football since he was five.
- Our teacher has been talking for too long.
Present Tenses Quiz
Are you a present-tense expert? This present tense paperless worksheet will test your knowledge. Just fill in the sentences with the correct words using the correct form of present tense. Got a question wrong? Press reset and try again.
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
I have ______ living in France since 2018.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
She _____ piano.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
___ you been to China?
Choose the best answer from the choices below
Past Tense Forms With Examples and Quiz
The past tense generally functions to place an action or situation in the past. They are the past simple, past continuous, past perfect, and past perfect continuous. Here are some examples suitable for ESL and Grades 3-6 learners. We have focused solely on the past tense in the affirmative. For more examples in interrogative and negative, click on each type of tense below.
Past Simple Tense
The past simple tense or preterite refers to a completed action before now.
To form the past simple tense in the affirmative, we use the subject + verb + -ed for regular verbs. For irregular verbs like "sing," you have to learn the past participle.
- They played soccer.
- She sang songs at our Christmas concert.
Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous tense or past progressive refers to an action that is ongoing or continues. It is often used to describe something that happened in the past.
To form the past continuous English tense, add the subject + was/were + verb-ing. This is for affirmative sentences, for negative, and for interrogative check out our past continuous page.
- I was making lunch when they arrived.
- I was singing when the doorbell rang.
- She was laughing when she fell over.
Past Perfect Tense
We refer to the past perfect tense when discussing an action completed at a particular time in the past.
To form the past perfect tense in the affirmative, we use the subject + had + past participle + object. Sometimes adverbs are used to give even more information, like ‘just.’
- He had just broken up with her.
- If only I had known how to solve the equation.
- She had almost finished.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
We use the past perfect continuous tense to talk about actions or events that began before a specific time in the past and were ongoing up to that time. It can also be used to describe the cause of a past event.
To form the past perfect continuous tense in the affirmative, we use the subject + had + been + verb-ing
- She had been studying when her mom called her.
- They had been traveling when the doctor called them.
- He was tired because he had been running.
Past Tenses Quiz
Want to test your knowledge of the different past tenses? Just fill in the sentences with the correct words using the correct form of past tense. Got a question wrong? Press reset and try again.
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
She had been ______ when her mom called her.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
She ____ almost finished.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
She _____ laughing when she fell over.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
Future Tense Forms With Examples and Quiz
A future tense expresses an action that hasn't happened yet, but might in the future. Here we will talk about future tenses in the affirmative. If you want to learn more about future tenses in the interrogative or negative, check out the future tense guides using the links below.
Future Simple Tense
The future simple tense is one of 5 future tenses. We used it to talk about events that haven’t come about yet.
We use the subject + will / shall + the base verb
- This year, we will go to Disneyland.
- We will come.
- I will go to Japan.
You can also form this tense with "going to," but this is for more informal language.
Future Continuous Tense
We use the future continuous tense or future progressive when discussing an action that will start in the future and continue for a specific amount of time.
To form the future continuous tense, we use will + be + the present participle of the verb + ing as the suffix.
- We will be buying a house next year.
- We will be going to college.
- They will be starting school next year.
We use the future continuous tense with action verbs and a few stative verbs.
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is used when discussing something that will be finished by a specific time in the future. We add expressions of time to help the sentence.
To form the future perfect in the affirmative, we use the subject + will / shall + have + past participle.
- By the year 2050, we will have tackled climate change.
- He will have completed his homework by next week.
- By next year, she will have graduated.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The future perfect continuous tense or future progressive is used to talk about an action or event that will continue up to a specific time in the future. Think of it like projecting yourself to some time in the future.
To form this tense, we use the subject + will / shall + have + been + verb-ing. You can also add an expression of time.
- In January, I will have been studying for 10 years.
- I will have been living in my parent's house for eighteen years by the time I graduate.
Future Tenses Quiz
Taken it all in? Try our future tenses quiz. Just fill in the sentences with the correct words using the correct form of future tense. Got a question wrong? Press reset and try again.
What is the correct future tense for the sentence?
By next year she ____ have graduated.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
We will be _____ to college.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
What is the correct tense for the sentence?
I _____ to Japan.
Choose the best answer from the choices below
See? Studying the tenses in English doesn’t have to be a headache. To explore more on these topics in detail, click on ELA-related content suitable for grades 4-6+ and ESL learners. We've got flashcards, quizzes, and much more to bring inspiration to homeschooling, online tutoring, and for students and your classrooms.