Simple A: He speaks.

action in the present taking place regularly, always, every …, never,

Present N: He does not speak. never or several times normally, often, seldom,
Q: Does he speak? facts sometimes, usually
actions taking place one after another if sentences type I (If
action set by a timetable or schedule I talk, …)
Present A: He is speaking. action taking place in the moment of speaking at the moment, just, just now,
Progressiv N: He is not speaking. action taking place only for a limited period of time Listen!, Look!, now, right now
e Q: Is he speaking? action arranged for the future

Simple A: He spoke. action in the past taking place once, never or several yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in
Past N: He did not speak. times 1990, the other day, last
Q: Did he speak? actions taking place one after another Friday
action taking place in the middle of another action if sentence type II (If
I talked, …)
Past A: He was speaking. action going on at a certain time in the past while, as long as
Progressiv N: He was not actions taking place at the same time
e speaking. action in the past that is interrupted by another action
Q: Was he speaking?
Present A: He has spoken. putting emphasis on the result already, ever, just, never, not
Perfect N: He has not spoken. action that is still going on yet, so far, till now, up to now
Simple Q: Has he spoken? action that stopped recently
finished action that has an influence on the present
action that has taken place once, never or several times
before the moment of speaking
Present A: He has been putting emphasis on the course or duration (not the all day, for 4 years, since
Perfect speaking. result) 1993, how long?, the whole
Progressiv N: He has not been action that recently stopped or is still going on week
e speaking. finished action that influenced the present
Q: Has he been
speaking?
Past A: He had spoken. action taking place before a certain time in the past already, just, never, not yet,
Perfect N: He had not spoken. sometimes interchangeable with past perfect once, until that day
Simple Q: Had he spoken? progressive if sentence type III (If I had
putting emphasis only on the fact (not the duration) talked, …)
Past A: He had been action taking place before a certain time in the past for, since, the whole day, all
Perfect speaking. sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple day
Progressiv N: He had not been putting emphasis on the duration or course of an action
e speaking.
Q: Had he been
speaking?
Future I A: He will speak. action in the future that cannot be influenced in a year, next …, tomorrow
Simple N: He will not speak. spontaneous decision If-Satz Typ I (If you ask her,
Q: Will he speak? assumption with regard to the future she will help you.)
assumption: I think, probably,
perhaps
Future I A: He is going to speak. decision made for the future in one year, next week,
Simple N: He is not going to conclusion with regard to the future tomorrow
(going to) speak.
Q: Is he going to
speak?
Future I A: He will be speaking. action that is going on at a certain time in the future in one year, next week,
Progressiv N: He will not be action that is sure to happen in the near future tomorrow
e speaking.
Q: Will he be speaking?
Future II A: He will have spoken. action that will be finished at a certain time in the future by Monday, in a week
Simple N: He will not have
spoken.
Q: Will he have
spoken?
Future II A: He will have been action taking place before a certain time in the future for …, the last couple of hours,
Progressiv speaking. putting emphasis on the courseof an action all day long
e N: He will not have
been speaking.
Q: Will he have been
speaking?