English Tenses

Simple Present Tense

Simple Present Tense is used to show habitual actions.
e.g. : I brush my teeth twice a day.
He always drives to work.
It is used to show facts.
e.g. : The sun rises in the east.
Rice doesnt grow in Britain.
Present Continuous Tense
It is used to show an activity that is happening at the time of speaking.
e.g. : Im not doing anything at the
moment.
It is used to show an activity that is happening in a period around now.
e.g. : Im reading an interesting book
the moment.
It is used to show a changing situation.
e.g. : The population of the world is rising very
fast.
Complete the following sentences with either Simple Present or Present Continuous
Tense.
1. Diane cant come to the phone because she (wash) __________ her hair.
2. Diane (wash) __________ her hair every other day or so.
3. Kathy (sit, usually) __________ in the front row during class, but today she (sit)
__________ in the last row.
4. Please be quiet. I (try) __________ to concentrate.
5. (you, lock, always) __________ the door to your apartment when you leave?
6. I wrote to my friend last week. She hasnt answered my letter yet. I (wait, still)
__________ for a reply.
7. After six days of rain, Im glad that the sun (shine) __________ again today.
8. Every morning, the sun (shine) __________ in my bedroom window and (wake)
__________ me up.
9. A: Look! It (snow) __________.
B: Its beautiful! This is the first time Ive ever seen
snow. It (snow, not)
__________ in my country.
10. A: Close your eyes. Now listen carefully.
What (I, do)
__________?
B: You (rub) __________ the top of your
desk with your hand.
A: Close, but not exactly right. Try again.
B: Aha! You (rub) __________ your hands together.
A: Right!

Present Perfect Tense

It is used to show an activity that happened in the past but related to the present.
e.g. : Would you like something to eat?
No, thank you. Ive just eaten.
It is used to show completed actions.
e.g. : Mary has written ten letters today.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
It is used to show an activity that has recently stopped.
e.g. : Youre out of breath. Have you been
running?
It is used to show an activity that started in the past but is still happening.
e.g. : How long have you been learning
English?
Simple Past Tense
It is used to show an activity that happened in the past.
e.g. : Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
It was cold, so I shut the window.
They didnt invite her to the party, so she didnt go.
Past Continuous Tense
It is used to show an activity that is in progress when another action happened.
e.g. : I was riding my bicycle when I saw a very beautiful girl.
While I was sleeping, the lights went out.
It is used to show two progressive actions happened at the same time.
e.g. : While I was studying last night, my sister was playing with her dolls.
Past Perfect Tense
It is used to show an activity that was completed before another action happened.
e.g. : I had already brushed my teeth before I went to bed last night.
After he had finished his work, he went straight home.
Sam had already left by the time Ann arrived.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense emphasizes the duration of an activity that was in progress before
another action happened in the past.
e.g. : The police had been looking for the criminal for two hours before they
caught him.
I went to Janes house after the funeral. Her eyes were red because she had
been crying.
Simple Future Tense
It is used to express a PRIOR PLAN: Use only BE GOING TO.
e.g. : A: Why did you buy this paint?
B: Im going to paint my bedroom tomorrow.
It is used to express WILLINGNESS: Use only WILL.

e.g. : A: The phones ringing. B: Ill get it.

Future Continuous Tense
It is used to show an activity that will be in progress in the future.
e.g. : Dont call me at nine because I wont be home. Ill be studying at the
library.
Note: Use the simple present for the time clause.
e.g. : I will begin to study at seven. You will come at eight. Ill be studying
when you come.
Future Perfect Tense
It is used to express an activity that will be completed before another action
happens in the future.
e.g. : I will graduate in June. I will see you in July. By the time I see you,
I will have graduated.
I will have finished my homework by the time I go out on a date
tonight.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
It shows an activity that emphasizes the duration of a complete action in the
future.
e.g. : I will go to bed at ten P.M. Ed will get home at midnight. At midnight I
will be sleeping. I will have been sleeping for two hours by the time Ed
gets home.
When Professor Jones retires next month, he will have been teaching for
45 years.