Tense Uses/Function Structure Examples

Present Simple Habitual actions: Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: She goes

Things that happen base verb (add -s for he, to school every day.
regularly. she, it).
Negative: He does not
General truths: Facts or Negative: Subject + (doesn't) like coffee.
truths that are always do/does + not + base
true. verb. Question: Do they
speak English?
State verbs: Describes Question: Do/Does +
emotions, possession, subject + base verb?
etc.
Present Ongoing actions Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: I am
happening right now. am/is/are + verb-ing. reading a book.
Continuous
Temporary actions or Negative: Subject + Negative: She is not
situations. am/is/are + not + verb- (isn't) working today.
ing.
Question: Are you
Question: Am/Is/Are + coming to the party?
subject + verb-ing?
Past Simple Completed actions in Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: They
the past. past form of the verb visited Paris last
(regular, +ED/Irregular, summer.
A sequence of past list of verbs 2nd column).
events. Negative: I did not
Negative: Subject + did (didn't) see the movie.
not (didn't) + base verb.
Question: Did you go to
Question: Did + subject the meeting?
+ base verb?
Past Continuous Ongoing actions in the Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: I was
past. was/were + verb-ing. studying when you
called.
Interrupted actions Negative: Subject +
(one action was was/were + not + verb- Negative: She was not
happening when another ing. (wasn't) sleeping during
occurred). the storm.
Question: Was/Were +
Background actions in subject + verb-ing? Question: Were they
storytelling. working at 9 PM?
Past Perfect Actions completed Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: She had
before another action had + past participle. already left when I
Simple in the past. arrived.
Negative: Subject + had
Cause and effect in the not (hadn't) + past Negative: He had not
past. participle. (hadn't) finished his
homework.
Question: Had +
subject + past participle? Question: Had they
arrived before you?
Past Perfect Duration of an action Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: I had been
before another action in had been + verb-ing. waiting for two hours
Continuous the past. when she arrived.
Negative: Subject + had
Emphasizing the not (hadn't) + been + Negative: They hadn't
activity or process in verb-ing. been working when I
the past. called.
Question: Had +
subject + been + verb- Question: Had you
 ing? been studying long
before the test?
Present Perfect Actions completed at Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: I have
an unspecified time have/has + past visited London twice.
Simple (recently or in the past, participle.
affecting the present). Negative: He has not
Negative: Subject + (hasn't) seen that
Experiences: Things have/has + not + past movie.
someone has done in participle.
life. Question: Have they
Question: Have/Has + finished their work?
Change over time. subject + past participle?
Present Perfect Ongoing actions that Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: She has
started in the past and have/has been + verb- been working here for
Continuous continue to the present. ing. five years.

Emphasizing duration Negative: Subject + Negative: I haven't

of an action. have/has not been studying long.
(haven't/hasn't) + been
Recent actions that + verb-ing. Question: Has he been
have results in the practicing the piano?
present. Question: Have/Has +
subject + been + verb-
ing?
Future Simple Decisions made at the Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: I will call
moment of speaking. will/might + base verb. you later.
(Will/Might/Won't)
Predictions about the Negative: Subject + will Negative: She won't
future. not (won't)/might not + attend the meeting.
base verb.
Offers and promises. Question: Will you help
Question: Will/Might + me?
subject + base verb?
Future Ongoing actions that Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: I will be
will happen in the future. will be + verb-ing. studying at 8 PM.
Continuous
Future actions in Negative: Subject + will Negative: They won't
progress at a specific not (won't) + be + verb- be attending the event.
time. ing.
Question: Will you be
Question: Will + subject working tomorrow?
+ be + verb-ing?
Future: Be Going Plans and intentions Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: I am going
for the future. am/is/are going to + to visit my grandparents
To base verb. next weekend.
Predictions based on
evidence or present Negative: Subject + Negative: He isn't
situations. am/is/are not going to going to attend the
+ base verb. meeting.

Question: Am/Is/Are + Question: Are they

subject + going to + going to join us for
base verb? dinner?
Future: Present Planned future events Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: We are
or arrangements. am/is/are + verb-ing. meeting John tomorrow.
Continuous
Negative: Subject + Negative: She isn't
am/is/are not + verb- meeting anyone today.
ing.
Question: Are you
 Question: Am/Is/Are + coming to the party?
subject + verb-ing?
Future: Present Scheduled events or Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: The train
itinerary that are not base verb. leaves at 9 AM.
Simple influenced by the
speaker. Negative: Subject + Negative: The train
do/does not + base doesn't leave until 10
verb. AM.

Question: Do/Does + Question: Does the bus

subject + base verb? arrive at 7 PM?
Future Perfect Actions completed Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: By next
before a specific time will have + past week, I will have
Simple in the future. participle. finished the report.

Future prediction with Negative: Subject + will Negative: They won't

a focus on completion. not (won't) + have + have completed the
past participle. project by Friday.

Question: Will + subject Question: Will you

+ have + past participle? have written the email
by then?
Future Perfect Ongoing actions that Affirmative: Subject + Affirmative: By the end
will be in progress up will have been + verb- of the year, I will have
Continuous until a specific time in ing. been working here for
the future. five years.
Negative: Subject + will
Emphasizing the not (won't) + have been Negative: They won't
duration of an action. + verb-ing. have been studying
long enough by the
Question: Will + subject exam date.
+ have been + verb-ing?
Question: Will you
have been living here
for two years by the time
I arrive