post | Present | Future
SIMPLE ‘An action that ended in | An action that is ‘A plan for an action in
the past. habitual orrepeated. _| the future.
Formula Painted Paints/Paint Will paint.
Word clue He painted yasterday | She paints every
weekend.
CONTINUOUS ‘an action that was ‘An action is in the ‘An action that will
{be}+ (verb) + ing. happening (past process of happening —_| happen in the future for
continuous) when now. 4 length of time.
another action finished
Formula Was/were painting Am/are/is painting Will be painting
Word clue Twas painting when! | Sheispaintingnow. _| They will be painting
saw the accident. when you arrive
tomorrow.
PERFECT ‘An action that finished | An action that ‘An action that will finish
(have)+ (verb) before another action | happened atan unsaid | before another action
or time in the past. time in the past. or time in the future.
Formula Had painted. Hove/has painted Will have painted
Word clue We had painted the She has painted many | He will have painted the
house before the rain | portraits. bedroom before his
started. daughter comes home.
PERFECT CONTINUOUS | Ait action that ‘An action that happens | Afvaction that happens
(have)+been + (verb)+ | happened overtime in | over time, startingin _| over time in the future
ing the past before another | the past and continuing | before another action.
action. into the present.
Formula Had been painting Have/has been painting | Will have been painting
Word clue Shehad been painting | Ihave been painting —_| We will have been
fora while when she | landscapes since! painting for several
started classes. started school. hours before we can
see how it looks.