Grammar: essential tense map

Vocabulary in this set

Compare ten present, past, and future forms by purpose, sentence pattern, and example.

1. simple present

   Phrase

   describe routines, repeated actions, and general facts

   Simple present: I eat breakfast every morning.

   Pattern: subject + base verb

2. present continuous

   Phrase

   describe an action happening now or around the present

   Present continuous: I am writing a letter.

   Pattern: subject + am/are/is + verb-ing

3. present perfect

   Phrase

   connect a completed or recent action to the present

   Present perfect: She has already finished her homework.

   Pattern: subject + has/have + past participle

4. present perfect continuous

   Phrase

   emphasize the duration of an action continuing to the present

   Present perfect continuous: She has been studying for hours.

   Pattern: subject + has/have + been + verb-ing

5. simple past

   Phrase

   describe a completed action at a finished time in the past

   Simple past: She visited Paris last summer.

   Pattern: subject + past-tense verb

6. past continuous

   Phrase

   describe an action that was in progress at a past time

   Past continuous: She was visiting Paris last summer.

   Pattern: subject + was/were + verb-ing

7. past perfect

   Phrase

   describe an action completed before another past action

   Past perfect: She had finished her homework before dinner.

   Pattern: subject + had + past participle

8. past perfect continuous

   Phrase

   emphasize how long an action continued before a past point

   Past perfect continuous: She had been studying for hours before the exam.

   Pattern: subject + had + been + verb-ing

9. future: be going to

   Expression

   describe a future plan or a prediction based on present evidence

   Future: be going to: She is going to visit Paris next summer.

   Pattern: subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

10. simple future

    Phrase

    describe a future action, decision, or prediction with will

    Simple future: I will call you tomorrow.

    Pattern: subject + will + base verb