This information on this page is organized by verb tense.  Each tense is named, its use is explained, and an example is given.

The Simple Tenses:

Simple Present -

Use the simple present to write or talk about:

• habits and actions done every day
• facts or general truths
• events occurring in the definite and close future

Examples:

I brush my teeth every day.

In the winter, it rains in Corvallis.

Snow crystallizes from water droplets.

Spring begins tomorrow.

Simple Past:

Use the simple past to write or talk about:

• completed past actions
• habitual past actions

Examples:

I went to bed late last night.

Last year I was always on time for my classes.

Simple Future:

Use the simple future to write or talk about:

• future actions or plans (the future tense uses "will" and "going to")
• promises (using the word "will")

Examples:

It will be a sunny day tomorrow.

Yes, I will marry you.

I am going to the party next week.

The Progressive/Continuous Tenses:

The progressive tenses give the idea that an action is in progress at a particular time.  The action can begin before another action, be in progress during another action, or can continue after another time or action.

The progressive (or continuous) tenses are made by using a form of the verb "be" and the base form of a verb plus "ing":

Subject  +   (am/is/are/was/were/will be)  + (base form  + ing) ..............

Present Progressive:

Use the present progressive to write or talk about:

• present, on-going actions--something that is happening right now
• actions occurring in the very near future

Examples:

The sun is shinning, and the birds are singing.

I am sitting in a chair, typing.

They are leaving in five days.

Past Progressive:

Use the past progressive to write or talk about:

• an action that was in progress in the past when another action occurred or interrupted the first action (the interrupting action is in the simple past tense)
• an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.

  The words "when" and "while" are often used with the past progressive.

Examples:

At 8:00 last night I was sitting in bed reading a detective novel.

While he was skiing, Joel broke his neck.

What was Alice doing when she heard the news about Ned?

Future Progressive:

Use the future progressive to write or talk about:

• an activity that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
• an activity that will continue over a period of time from now into the future.

Examples:

At 8:00 tonight I will be reading a very good book.

He will be living here for another ten years.

 

The Perfect Tenses:

The perfect tenses give the idea that one event happens before another time or event.

The perfect tenses are formed by using a form of the verb "have" plus the past participle form of another verb:

Subject  +  (have/has/had/ will have)  + past participle .................

Present Perfect:

Use the present perfect to write or talk about:

• an event that occurred an an unspecified past time; the action is completed, but the time period is not completed

   

  The present perfect cannot be used to refer to a specific past time

Examples:

Sally has seen the symphony in New York before.

They have gone to the gym to exercise twice.

Past Perfect:

Use the past perfect to write or talk about:

• an action that was completed before another past event
• an action that was completed before a specific past time focus

  The first past action is in the past perfect and the second past action is in the simple past

Examples:

Emma had dropped the egg on the floor before I came into the room.

The dog had buried his bone in the early afternoon.

She had already eaten when they arrived to take her to lunch.

Future Perfect:

Use the future perfect to talk or write about:

• an action that will be completed before another time or event in the future

Examples:

I will have left by the time they get here.

They will have discovered the cure to the common cold by the year 2000.

The Perfect Progressive Tenses:

The perfect progressives give the idea that one event is in progress immediately before, up to, or until another time or event.  This tense is used to talk about the duration of the first event.

The perfect progressive verb tenses are a combination of the perfect and the progressive tenses.  They are formed by using a form of the verb "have,"   the verb "been,"  and the base form of a verb plus "ing":

Subject  +  (have/has/had/will have)   +  been   + (base form + ing) ...........

Present Perfect Progressive:

Use the present perfect progressive to write or talk about:

• how long an event has been in progress before now or up to now

  The word "since: is often used with the present perfect progressive

Examples:

She has been studying since 8:00 this morning.

They have been eating for two hours

 

The following verbs do not take the present perfect progressive.  They take the present perfect:

NOT:  I have been disliking him for two years. I have been understanding algebra for only one term.

YES:  I have disliked him for two years. I have understood algebra for only one term.

Past Perfect Progressive:

Use the past perfect progressive to write or talk about:

• how long a past action continued before a specific time in the past
• how long a past action continued before another past event

Examples:

I had been sleeping all morning before they woke me up.

They had been trying to buy a house for years before they finally bought one.

Future Perfect Progressive:

Use the future perfect progressive to write or talk about:

• how long a future action will continue before a specific time in the future
• how long a future action will continue before another future event

Examples:

I will have been driving for ten hours by the time I arrive home.

They will have been hiking for days when they reach the end of the trail.

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