VERB

TENSES

SIMPLE
(Simple Tense)

PROGRESSIVE
(Continuous Tense)

PERFECT
(Completed Tense)

PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

V + ed/d except irregular

Was/ were + V(ing)

[2 actions!]

had + Vpp
[2 actions!]

had been + V(ing)

FUNCTION:
- It shows a fact or truth
- It reports a past event

PAST

Eg. The phone rang repeatedly

earlier this morning.

FUNCTION:
- It shows a past continuous action
before it is interrupted by another
past action
*should cause surprise, urgency/
emergency, shock, must be sudden
and cannot be ignored.
Eg. The phone was ringing when
suddenly the baby pulled the
telephone cord.

V + es/s except plural

PRESENT

FUNCTION:
- Shows a fact or truth
- Shows an ability (adv)
- Shows a recurring event
Eg.
-

The phone rings everytime

someone calls.
The phone rings loudly
because its on loudspeaker.

will + V (base form)

FUTURE

am/is/are + V(ing)

FUNCTION:
- It shows a past completed action
before it is followed by another past
action. An action precedes another.
st
1 action: VPP
nd
2 action: simple past
Eg. The girl had sung in the concert
before the judge announced the
winner.
I had chosen what to wear before I
took a bath.

has/have + Vpp

has been / have been +

V(ing)

FUNCTION:
- Shows an action that has begun
and has yet to stop
- It is an action that is currently
occurring or happening.

FUNCTION:
-It shows an action that has begun in
the past and is completed in the
present or the very moment the
speaker has mentioned it.

FUNCTION:
-It shows an action that begun in the
past, continuous in the present, and
may continue in the future.

Eg. The phone is ringing while I was

at the kitchen.

Eg. I have gone to the washroom.

I have listened to what you were
saying.
I have written in my diary.

Eg. My hair has been growing ever

since I was born.
I had been standing here for an hour
now.

will be + V(ing)

FUNCTION:
- Shows an action yet to develop
- It shows a plan or prediction

FUNCTION:
-It shows a continuous action yet to
develop.

Eg. The phone will ring later because

my brother plans to call.

Eg. The phone will be ringing soon

for I am expecting a call.

will have + Vpp

[2 actions!]
FUNCTION:
-It shows an action to be completed
in the future before it is followed by
another action.
Eg.I will have opened the door
before closing it.

will have been + V(ing)