Verb Tenses
THE SIMPLE TENSES
SIMPLE PRESENT
Meaning: In general, the simple
present expresses events or
situations that exist always, usually,
habitually; they exist now, have
existed in the past, and probably will
exist in the future.
The world is round.
I study every day.
It snows in Alaska.
I watch TV every day.
SIMPLE PAST
Meaning: At one particular time in the
past, this happened. It began and
ended in the past.
I studied last night.
It snowed yesterday.
I watched TV last night.
SIMPLE FUTURE
Meaning: At one particular time in the
future, this will happen.
I will study tomorrow.
It will snow tomorrow.
I will watch TV tonight.
THE PROGRESSIVE/CONTINUOUS TENSES THE PERFECT TENSES THE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE TENSES
Form: be + -ing (present participle/prp.) Form: have + past Form: have + been + -ing (present
participle (ptp./pp.) participle/prp.)
Meaning: The progressive tenses give the idea that an
action is in progress during a particular time. Meaning: The perfect Meaning: The perfect progressive tenses
The tenses say that an action begins before, is in tenses all give the idea give the idea that one event is in progress
progress during, and continues after another time or that one thing happens immediately before, up to, until another
action. before another time or time or event. The tenses are used to
event. express the duration of the first event.
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
PRESENT PERFECT PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I am studying right now.
He is sleeping right now. I have already studied I have been studying for two hours.
He went to sleep at 10:00 tonight. It is now 11:00 and he is Chapter One. Event in progress: studying.
still in the arms of Morpheus. His sleep began in the past, is I have already eaten. When? Before now, up to now.
in progress at the present time, and probably will continue. I finished eating sometime How long? For two hours.
before now. The exact time
is not important.
PAST PROGRESSIVE PAST PERFECT PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I was studying when they came. I had already studied I had been studying for two hours before my
He was sleeping when I arrived. Chapter One before I began friends came.
He went to sleep at 10:00 last night. I arrived at 11:00. He to study Chapter Two. Event in progress: studying.
was still in the arms of Morpheus. His sleep began before I had already eaten when When? Before another event in the past.
and was in progress at a particular time in the past. It they arrived. How long? For two hours.
probably continued. First I finished eating. Later
they arrived. My eating was
completely finished before
another time in the past.
FUTURE PROGRESSIVE FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
FUTURE PERFECT
I will be studying when you come. I will have been studying for two hours by
He will be sleeping when we arrive. I will already have studied the time you arrive.
He will go to sleep at 10:00 tomorrow night. We will arrive Chapter Four before I study Event in progress: studying.
at 11:00. The action of sleeping will begin before we arrive Chapter Five. When? Before another event in the future.
and it will be in progress at a particular time in the future. I will already have eaten How long? For two hours.
Probably his sleep will continue. when they arrive.
First I will finish eating.
Later they will arrive. My
eating will be completely
finished before another time
in the future.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Complaints?
http://www.facebook.com/rudwan.almaghrebi