Verb Tenses — Uses and Examples

Verb tense identifies when the action of a sentence takes place – the past, present, or future. The action in a sentence (also known as the time frame) has either happened, is happening, or will happen.

• Each verb tense has its own set of grammar rules.
• English verb tense forms also identify their aspect, which refers to the state of the action.
• These types of verb aspects include simple, perfect, progressive (sometimes called continuous tenses), and perfect progressive.
• Aspects provide information that indicates a specific time in the past, present, or future that the action occurred.

Past tense

A past tense verb indicates that the identified action already occurred. When the action took place in the past depends upon the following:

Simple past tense: Details an action that has already happened

• John entered himself into the limbo contest.

Past perfect tense: Specifies an action completed before a specific point in the past

• Stan was excited that John had entered the limbo contest.

Past progressive tense: Indicates a continuing action that was happening in the past

• Shauna was making the limbo stick for the contest.

Past perfect progressive tense: Conveys that an ongoing past event has been completed

• Lisa had been looking forward to the limbo contest.

Present tense

Present tense verbs indicate that the action is currently happening or ongoing.

Simple present tense: Indicates the present condition or an action taking place right now or regularly/continuously

• Kelly practices soccer every day after school.

Present perfect tense: Refers to an action that began in the past and finishes or continues in the present

• Kelly has practiced soccer all year.

Present progressive tense: Identifies a present action that is in progress or repeating

• Tyler is waiting for Kelly to finish practice.

Present perfect progressive tense: Indicates something started in the past and is continuing into the present

• Kelly has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old.

Future tense

A future tense verb indicates an action is going to or will continue to happen.

Simple future tense: Details an action that has yet to happen

• Jessica will play the piano at next week's recital.

Future perfect tense: Indicates an action that is expected to be completed in the future

• By next week, Tim will have attended two of Jessica's recitals.

Future progressive tense: Identifies something that will happen in the future and continue for a length of time

• Erin will be attending the rest of Jessica's recitals.

Future perfect progressive tense: Refers to an action that will continue until a certain point

• By the end of the year, Jessica will have been playing the piano for 10 years.