Note

Regular Verbs
If it's a regular verb, the simple past tense is formed like this:

Add "ed" to most verbs:

jump > jumped
paint > painted
If a verb of one syllable ends [consonant-vowel-consonant], double
the final consonant and add "ed":
chat > chatted
stop > stopped
If the final consonant is w, x or y, don't double it:
sew > sewed
play > played
What Is the Simple Past Tense? (with Examples) fix > fixed
The simple past tense is used to describe a completed activity that happened in the past. In other words, it If last syllable of a longer verb is stressed and ends [consonant-
started in the past and ended in the past. vowel-consonant], double the last consonant and add "ed":
Uses of the Simple Past Tense incur > incurred

prefer > preferred

Here are some examples of the simple past tense (shaded):
The Martians landed near the aqueduct. If the first syllable of a longer verb is stressed and the verb ends
[consonant-vowel-consonant], just add "ed":
The burglar considered using the fire escape. open > opened
Of course, you can also have the negative version, which is formed "did not" + "[verb in base form]": enter > entered
The Martians did not land near the aqueduct. swallow > swallowed
(We could have used didn't instead of did not.) If the verb ends "e", just add "d":
The burglar did not consider using the fire escape. thrive > thrived
And the question versions: guzzle > guzzled
Did the Martians land near the aqueduct? If the verb ends [consonant + "y"], change the "y" to an "i" and add
"ed":
Why didn't the burglar consider using the fire escape? cry > cried
Forming the Simple Past Tense fry > fried
Irregular Verbs
The Simple Past Tense with Time Expressions If it's an irregular verb, the simple past tense is formed in all sorts of different ways. Here are some examples
The simple past tense is often seen with a time expression explaining when the activity took place or how break > broke
long it lasted. catch > caught
find > found
Examples of "when an activity took place":
On Tuesday last week, the Martians landed near the aqueduct. see > saw

("On Tuesday last week" tells you when it happened. It's called an adverbial phrase of time. Other examples are"Yesterday," "Last year,"
You"Before breakfast,".
just have to learnTheythem.
are really common. When any adverb appears at the front of a sentence, it is us

Read more about commas with adverbial phrases.

The Martians landed near the aqueduct on Tuesday last week. Click here for a list of the most common irregular verbs.
(Note: No comma)
Just before he was caught, the burglar considered using the fire escape.
("Just before he was caught" tells you when the activity took place.)
Examples of "how long an activity took":
Last week, the council inspected the drains.
("Last week" tells you when it happened and for how long.)
Her daughter hid under the bed for three hours.
(Using "for" is a common way of describing how long an activity lasted.)
The Other Past Tenses
The simple past tense is one of four past tenses. They are:

The 4 Past Tenses Example

simple past tense I went
past progressive tense I was going
past perfect tense I had gone
past perfect progressive tense I had been going
What Is the Past Progressive Tense? (with Examples)
The past progressive tense is used to describe an on-going activity in the past. Often, it is used to
set the scene for another action.
Examples of the Past Progressive Tense

The past progressive tense can be used to describe an activity in the past which was interrupted:
He was painting the door when a bird struck the window.
They were sleeping when the alarm went off.
You can also have a negative version:
He wasn't painting the door when a bird struck the window.
They weren't sleeping when the alarm went off.
And the question version:
Was he painting the door when a bird struck the window?
Were they sleeping when the alarm went off?
The past progressive tense can also be used for describing an action taking place when another occurred.
While they were painting the door, I painted the windows.
While they weren't painting the door, I painted the windows.
Were they painting the door when I painted the windows?
Weren't they painting the door when I painted the windows?
And, it can be used for describing an action which was taking place at the same time as another:
While they were painting the door, I was painting the windows.
 Note
The past progressive tense is formed like this:

For singular:

was + [verb] + ing

For plural:

were + [verb] + ing

The [verb] + "ing" part is known as a present participle. It is formed like this:

Add "ing" to most verbs:

play > playing
it is used to
shout > shouting

interrupted: For verbs that end "e", remove the "e" and add "ing":
prepare > preparing
ride > riding

For verbs that end "ie", change the "ie" to "y" and add "ing":
lie > lying
untie > untying

For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant]

en another occurred. and is stressed, double the final consonant and add "ing":
run > running
forget > forgetting

as another:
What Is the Past Perfect Tense? (with Examples)
The past perfect tense is used to emphasize that an action was completed before another took
place.

Examples of the Past Perfect Tense

Here are some examples of the past perfect tense (shaded):
Silverfinger had taken the pill before the team reached him.
(First: He took the pill. Next: The team reached him.)
I had called the police before I investigated the noise in the garden.
(First: I called the police. Next: I investigated the noise.)
The weather changed, but the team had planned its next move.
(First: The team planned. Next: The weather changed.)
Of course, you can also have the negative version, which is formed "had not" + "[past particple]":

Silverfinger had not taken the pill before the team reached him.

I had not called the police before I investigated the noise in the garden.
The weather changed, and the team had not planned its next move.

And the question versions:

Had Silverfinger taken the pill before the team reached him?
Had the team planned its next move before the weather changed?
Using Contractions
Don't forget that in speech and writing (especially informal writing), you will encounter the following
contractions:
I had > I'd
You had > You'd
He had > He'd
She had > She'd
It had > It'd
We had > We'd
They had > They'd

Also, for the negative version, you will commonly see hadn't instead of had not.
 Note
Forming the Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is formed:

had + [the past participle]

For example:
I had jumped
I had met
Forming the Past Participle (Regular Verbs)
If it's a regular verb, the past participle is the same as the simple past tense.
In other words, it is formed like this:

Add "ed" to most verbs:

jump > jumped
paint > painted
other took

If a verb of one syllable ends [consonant-vowel-consonant], double the final

consonant and add "ed":
chat > chatted
stop > stopped

If the final consonant is w, x or y, don't double it:

sew > sewed
play > played
fix > fixed
particple]":
If last syllable of a longer verb is stressed and ends [consonant-vowel-
consonant], double the last consonant and add "ed":
incur > incurred
prefer > preferred

If the first syllable of a longer verb is stressed and the verb ends [consonant-
vowel-consonant], just add "ed":
open > opened
enter > entered
swallow > swallowed
the following
If the verb ends "e", just add "d":
thrive > thrived
guzzle > guzzled

If the verb ends [consonant + "y"], change the "y" to an "i" and add "ed":
cry > cried
fry > fried
Forming the Past Participle (Irregular Verbs)

If it's an irregular verb, the past participle is formed in all sorts of different ways. Here are some examples:
arise > arisen
catch > caught
choose > chosen
know > known

You just have to learn them.

Click here for a list of the most common irregular verbs.

What Is the Past Perfect Progressive Tense? (with Examples)

The past perfect progressive tense is used to show that an on-going action in the past has ended.
Examples of the Past Perfect Progressive Tense
Here are some examples of the past perfect progressive tense (shaded):
She had been painting the door before the dog scratched it.
The jury had been considering its verdict for several hours when the judge effectively ordered
them to find Jones guilty.
He just couldn't summon the energy. He had been working at the dock all afternoon.
Of course, you can also have a negative version:
She had not been painting the door.
The jury had not been considering its verdict for very long when the judge effectively ordered them
to find Jones guilty.
He had plenty of energy. He had not been working at the dock at all that afternoon.
And the question version:
Had she been painting the door?
Had the jury been considering its verdict for very long when the judge ordered them to
find Jones guilty.
Why was he so tired? Had he been working at the dock all afternoon?
 Note
The past perfect progressive tense is formed:

had been + [present participle]

For example:
I had been jumping.
They had been meeting.

The last word in each example above (i.e. the[verb] + "ing" part) is known as a present participle. It is formed like this:

Add "ing" to most verbs:

play > playing
shout > shouting
prepare > preparing
ride > riding

t has ended.
For verbs that end "ie", change the "ie" to "y" and add "ing":
lie > lying
untie > untying
ordered
For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant] and is
stressed, double the final consonant and add "ing":
run > running
forget > forgetting
ordered them

ed them to
What Is the Simple Present Tense? (with Examples)
The simple present tense is quite simple to form (see spelling rules on the right), but it's not simple
in terms of how it's used. In fact, it's quite complicated.

Examples of the Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is used:

(1) To describe facts and habits:

I like chocolate. (Fact)
Angela runs a youth club full of glue-sniffers. (Fact)

I ride horses in the summer. (Fact and habit)

This type of sentence, especially if it's describing a habit, will usually include a time expression
like always, every year, never, often, on Mondays, rarely, sometimes, or usually.

(2) To describe scheduled events in the future

The train gets in at 5 o'clock.
It is low tide at 0234.
(Yep, I know! It's supposed to be the present tense!)
(3) To tell stories (particularly jokes) to make your listener or reader feel more engaged with
the story.
A horse walks into a bar, and the barman says, "why the long face?"
(Compare to: A horse walked into a bar, and the barman said, "why the long face?")
We heard the helicopter overhead. Suddenly, the radio bursts into life.
(This is sometimes called the fictional present or the historic present.)
The Negative Version
To create a negative sentence, use "do not" + [base form of the verb]. (Use "does not"with
third person singular (he / she / it).) For example:
I do not like chocolate.
Angela does not run a youth club full of glue-sniffers.
I do not ride horses in the summer.
It does not always snow here in January.
Dawn
not is often does nottoplay
shortened chessIfinyou
doesn't. thewant
evenings.
to add some emphasis, use one of the long versions
(i.e., do not or does not), and emphasize the word not.
The Question Version
Do I like chocolate?
Does Angela run a youth club full of glue-sniffers?
Why does it always snow here in January?
When does Dawn play chess?
 Note
Forming the Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is quite easy to form. Let's take the verb to run (whose base form is run). In the simple present te

First person singular I run

Second person singular You run
Third person singular He/She/It runs
First person plural We run
Second person plural You run
Third person plural They run

In other words, it only changes in the third person singular

(he / she / it). It adds either s, es or ies.
The Spelling Rules
For regular verbs, just add s:
t's not simple
talk > talks

improve > improves

For verbs that end in s, ss, sh, ch, x and o, addes:
guess > guesses
mash > mashes
fix > fixes
go > goes

For verbs ending [consonant]y, change the yto i and

add es:

xpression
ngaged with

ng face?")

not"with

ng versions
What Is the Present Progressive Tense? (with Examples)
The present progressive tense is used for an on-going action in the present.

Examples of the Present Progressive Tense

Caroline is looking for the latest brochure.
Dan and Billy are fishing off the pier.
You can also have a negative version:
Caroline is not looking for the latest brochure.
Dan and Billy are not fishing off the pier.
And the question version:
Is Caroline looking for the latest brochure?
Are Dan and Billy fishing off the pier?
The present progressive tense can also be used to describe an activity which is going to happen in
the future (especially for planned activities). For example:
We are moving to New Zealand in the summer.
The train is arriving in 2 minutes.
 Note
The present progressive tense is formed like this:

[am, is, or are] + [verb] + ing

Choose am, is, or are based on the following table:

Subject Verb "to be" Present Participle

I am
You are
He / She / It (or singular noun) is
[verb] + "ing"
We are
You are
They (or plural noun) are

For example:
She is running.

I am talking.

The [verb] + "ing" part is known as a present participle. It is formed like this:

Add "ing" to most verbs:

play > playing
shout > shouting

For verbs that end "e", remove the "e" and add "ing":
prepare > preparing
to happen in
ride > riding

For verbs that end "ie", change the "ie" to "y" and add "ing":
lie > lying
untie > untying

For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant]

and is stressed, double the final consonant and add "ing":
run > running
forget > forgetting
What Is the Present Perfect Tense? (with Examples)

The present perfect tense is oddly named because it is used to describe actions that began in the past. However, it is different f

Examples of the Present Perfect Tense

Here are some examples of the present perfect tense (highlighted):
Janet has run two miles.
(This is the present perfect tense. In this example, Janet is still running when the words were said.)
Janet ran two miles.
(This is the simple past tense. In this example, Janet has stopped running when the words were
said.)
David has worked alongside two of the world's finest scientists in the field of entomology.

(This is the present perfect tense. In this example, David might have finished working with those scientists, but the sentence ca

David worked alongside two of the world's finest scientists in the field of entomology.
(This is the simple past tense. This example carries the connotation that David no longer works as
an entomologist.)
More Examples of the Present Perfect Tense
Here are some more examples of the present perfect tense:
The board has decided not to uphold the appeal.
(Connotation: The board continues to uphold the appeal.)
 I have taken the wrong path again.
(Connotation: I am still on the wrong path.)
Of course, you can have the negative version, which is formed "has not" or "have not" + "[past
particple]":
The board has not decided not to uphold the appeal.
I have not taken the wrong path again.
And the question versions:
Has the board decided to uphold the appeal?
Have I taken the wrong path again?
 Note
The present perfect tense is formed:

has/have + [the past participle]

For example:
I have worked
She has painted
Forming the Past Participle (Regular Verbs)
If it's a regular verb, the past participle is the same as the simple past
tense. In other words, it is formed like this:

Add "ed" to most verbs:

jump > jumped
paint > painted

If a verb
. However, it is different of the
from onesimple
syllable
pastends
tense [consonant-vowel-consonant],
because quite often the actions beingdouble theare
described final
still continuing into the present.
consonant and add "ed":

chat > chatted

stop > stopped
sew > sewed
ds were said.) play > played
fix > fixed
ords were

ntomology.

If lastcarries
tists, but the sentence syllable
the of a longer that
connotation verbheisisstressed and
still working ends
as an [consonant-vowel-
entomologist.)
consonant], double the last consonant and add "ed":

ger works as
incur > incurred

prefer > preferred

If the first syllable of a longer verb is stressed and the verb ends
[consonant-vowel-consonant], just add "ed":
open > opened
 enter > entered
swallow > swallowed
+ "[past

If the verb ends "e", just add "d":

thrive > thrived
guzzle > guzzled

If the verb ends [consonant + "y"], change the "y" to an "i" and add "ed":
cry > cried
fry > fried

Forming the Past Participle (Irregular Verbs)

If it's an irregular verb, the past participle is formed in all sorts of different ways. Here are some examples:
arise > arisen
catch > caught
choose > chosen
know > known

You just have to learn them.

Click here for a list of the most common irregular verbs.

What Is the Present Perfect Progressive Tense? (with Examples)
The present perfect progressive tense has two uses. It is used for:

(1) a continuous activity that began in the past and continues into the present, or
(2) a continuous activity that began in past but has now finished (usually very recently).

It might seem a little unusual that an activity which started in the past and finished in the past can
be categorized as present tense, but this is because it normally has a relevance to the present.

Examples of the Present Perfect Progressive Tense

Here are some examples of the present perfect progressive tense:
Amanda has been relying on a pay rise to pay her student loan.

(Amanda might still be relying on a pay rise, or she might have received the pay rise.
You can't tell from this sentence. However, this information is just setting the scene for
some more information about Amanda's present situation.)

Mr and Mrs Cox have been taking the wrong pills for years.

(The Coxes might still be taking the wrong pills or not. You can't tell from this
sentence. However, this information is just setting the scene for some more
information about the Coxes' present situation.)

Of course, you can also have the negative version, which is formed "has not been" or "have not
been" + "[present particple]":
Amanda has not been relying on a pay rise to pay her student loan.
 Mr and Mrs Cox have not been taking the wrong pills for years.
And the question version:
Has Amanda been relying on a pay rise to pay her student loan?
Have Mr and Mrs Cox been taking the wrong pills for years?
 Note
The present perfect progressive tense is formed:

"has/have been" + [present participle]

For example:
I have been working since yesterday evening.
She has been chewing for two minutes.

In the examples above, the words "working" and "chewing" (i.e., the [verb] + "ing" part of the construction) are known as

Add "ing" to most verbs:

play > playing
prepare > preparing
mples) ride > riding

For verbs that end "ie", change the "ie" to "y" and add "ing":
lie > lying
untie > untying

he past can For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant]

e present. and is stressed, double the final consonant and add "ing":

run > running

forget > forgetting

he pay rise.
the scene for

this
re

"have not
Future Tense (with Examples)
The future tense expresses a future event or a future state of being. For example:
I will jump in the lake.
(future event)
I will be happy.
(future state of being)
The tense of a verb is determined by when the action took place. The three main tenses are:
past tense
present tense
future tense
Examples of the Types of Future Tense
The future tense is categorized further depending on whether the action will be in progress or will be
completed. The four future tenses are:

The 4 Future Tenses Examples

simple future tense
future progressive tense
I will go.
We will celebrate our
anniversary by flying to
New York.
I will be going.
The Moscow State Circus
will be performing in
Cheltenham for the next 3
weeks.

I will have gone.

future perfect tense
future perfect tense
By the time you arrive, we
will have finished the meal
and the speeches.

I will have been going.

future perfect progressive

In July next year, you will
have been studying for
three years.

Diagrams for the Four Future Tenses

The infographics below show how each future tense is formed and a quick overview of how each
one is used:
Simple Future Tense

For example:
I will play after breakfast.
Future Progressive Tense
For example:
I will be playing for an hour.
Future Perfect Tense

For example:
I will have played by breakfast.
Future Perfect Progressive Tense
For example:
I will have been playing for 2 hours by breakfast.
a future state of being. For example:

took place. The three main tenses are:

re Tense
ding on whether the action will be in progress or will be

Uses

The simple future tense is used for an action

that will occur in the future.

The future progressive tense is used for an

on-going action that will occur in the future.

The future perfect tense is used to describe

an action that will have been completed at
some point in the future.
 The future perfect tense is used to describe
an action that will have been completed at
some point in the future.

The future perfect progressive tense is used fo

e tense is formed and a quick overview of how each

What Is the Simple Future Tense? (with Examples)
The simple future tense is used for an action that will occur in the future.

Examples of the Simple Future Tense

Here are some examples of the simple future tense (shaded):
The Moscow State Circus will perform in Cheltenham next year.
We will celebrate our anniversary by flying to New York.
Of course, you can also have the negative version, which is formed "will not" + "[verb in base
form]":

The Moscow State Circus will not perform in Cheltenham next year.

We won't celebrate our anniversary by flying to New York.

(Note: "Will not" can be shortened to "won't" in English.)
And the question versions:
Will the Moscow State Circus perform in Cheltenham next year?

Will we celebrate our anniversary by flying to New York?

 Note
Forming the Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense is formed:

will + [base form of verb]

For example:
She will play.
Martin will paint.
Contractions with the Simple Future Tense

Be aware that in speech and writing (particularly informal writing), it is common for will to be shortened to 'll. This is espe

I will > I’ll

he will > he’ll
she will > she’ll
it will > it'll
(This is not as common as the others.)
you will > you’ll
we will > we’ll
they will > they’ll
who will > who'll
(This is not as common as the others.)
in base
Expressing a Negative with the Simple Future Tense
When expressing a negative, the simple future tense is formed "will not" +
"[base form of the verb]". For example:
She will not play.
Martin will not paint.

Be aware that will not is often shortened towon't in speech and informal
writing.
Getting Some Emphasis in There
Be aware that will can be stressed for emphasis. (When looking for emphasis,
you can't use the shortened versions.)
When will the cake be ready?
I can tell you now. She will be accepted.
(NB: You can't use She'll if you want to stress the word will for emphasis.)

With the negative version, the not is stressed, but, again, you can't use the
shortened version.
I will not tolerate sloppy drills.
(NB: You can't use I'll if you want to stress the word not for emphasis. You
have to use "I will not...".)
Future Progressive Tense (with Examples)
The future progressive tense is used for an on-going action that will occur in the future.
Examples of the Future Progressive Tense
Here are some examples of the future progressive tense (shaded):
The Moscow State Circus will be performing in Cheltenham for the next 3 weeks.
We will be celebrating like Kings if it works.

You can also have a negative version:

The Moscow State Circus will not be performing in Cheltenham for the next 3 weeks.
We will not be celebrating like Kings if it fails.

And the question version:

Will the Moscow State Circus be performing in Cheltenham for the next 3 weeks?
Will we be celebrating like Kings if it works?
Note
Forming the Future Progressive Tense
The future progressive tense is formed like this:

Will be + [verb] + ing

(for singular and plural)

The word that ends ing is known as a present participle. It is formed like this:

Add ing to most verbs:

play > playing
shout > shouting

For verbs that end e, remove the e and add ing:

prepare > preparing
ride > riding

For verbs that end ie, change the ie to y and adding:

lie > lying
untie > untying

For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant] and

is stressed, double the final consonant and add ing:

run > running

forget > forgetting
Future Perfect Tense (with Examples)
The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will have been completed at some point
in the future. It is often used with a time expression which identifies that point in the future.

Examples of the Future Perfect Tense

Here are some examples of the future perfect tense (shaded):
By the time you arrive, we will have finished the meal and the speeches.
(Note: "By the time you arrive" identifies the point in the future.)
I will have read every magazine in the waiting room before I see the dentist.
(Note: The clause "before I see the dentist" identifies the point in the future.)
Of course, you can also have the negative version, which is formed "will not have" + "[past
particple]":

By the time you arrive, we will not have finished the meal and the speeches.

I will not have read every magazine in the waiting room before I see the dentist.
And the question versions:
Will you have finished the meal and the speeches by the time I arrive?

Will you have read every magazine in the waiting room before you see the dentist?
 Note
Forming the Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is formed:

will have + [the past participle]

For example:
I will have completed my assignment by 3 o'clock.
After this event, Simon will have walked over 10,000 miles in those boots.

Forming the Past Participle (Regular Verbs)

If it's a regular verb, the past participle is the same as the simple past
tense. In other words, it is formed like this:

Add ed to most verbs:

jump > jumped

t some point
paint > painted
ture.

If a verb of one syllable ends [consonant-vowel-consonant], double the

final consonant and added:
chat > chatted
stop > stopped
If the final consonant is w, x or y, don't double it:
sew > sewed
play > played
[past
fix > fixed

If last syllable of a longer verb is stressed and ends [consonant-vowel-

consonant], double the last consonant and add ed:
incur > incurred
prefer > preferred
If the first syllable of a longer verb is stressed and the verb ends
[consonant-vowel-consonant], just add ed:
open > opened
enter > entered
swallow > swallowed
If the verb ends e, just add d:
thrive > thrived
guzzle > guzzled
If the verb ends [consonant + y], change the y to an i and add ed:
cry > cried
fry > fried
Forming the Past Participle (Irregular Verbs)
If it's an irregular verb, the past participle is formed in all sorts of different ways. Here are some examples:
arise > arisen
catch > caught
choose > chosen
know > known
You just have to learn them.

Click here for a list of the most common irregular verbs.

Future Perfect Progressive Tense (with Examples)
The future perfect progressive tense is used for an on-going action that will be completed at some
specified time in the future.
Examples of the Future Progressive Tense
Here are some examples of the future perfect progressive tense (shaded):
In July next year, you will have been studying for three years.
("In July next year" is the specified time)
I will have been playing poker for 30 years by then.

("by then" is the specified time)

Of course, you can also have the negative version, which is formed "will not have been" + [present
participle]:
In July next year, you will not have been studying for three years.
I will not have been playing poker for 30 years by then.
And the question versions:
In July next year, will you have been studying for 3 years?
Will I have been playing poker for 30 years by then?
 Note
Forming the Future Perfect Progressive Tense
The future perfect progressive tense is formed:

will have been + [present participle]

For example:
At 10 pm, I will have been swimming for a six hours.
They will have been talking for two hours by then.

The last word in each example above (i.e., the one that ends ing) is known as a present participle. It is formed like this:

Add ing to most verbs:

play > playing
shout > shouting
eted at some
For verbs that end e, remove the e and add ing:
prepare > preparing
ride > riding
For verbs that end ie, change the ie to y and adding:
lie > lying
untie > untying
For verbs whose last syllable is written [consonant-vowel-consonant] and is
stressed, double the final consonant and add ing:
n" + [present
run > running

forget > forgetting