The following table illustrates the proper use of verb tenses:

Simple Present Simple Past Simple Future

Last night, I read an
I read nearly every day entire novel.
Neg: I don’t read Neg: I didn’t read
I will/shall read as much
She/he/it reads. I met John 2 years
as I can this year.
Neg: She doesn’t read ago
Neg: I won’t let you go.
Interro: does she read a Neg: I didn’t meet
Interro: will I let you go?
book? John
Interro: Did I meet
John?
Present Continuous Past Continuous Future Continuous
I am /she is I was / you were
reading Shakespeare at the reading Edgar Allan
moment. Poe last night. I will be
Neg: she is not/isn’t Neg: I wasn’t/ reading Nathaniel
reading Shakespeare now? You weren’t reading Hawthorne soon.
Interro: is she reading W.S Interro: were you
now ? reading?
Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect
I have/she has read so
many books I can’t keep
I had read at least
count.
100 books by the
Neg: she has not/hasn’t
time I was twelve. I will have read at least
read.
Neg: I had not/hadn’t 500 books by the end of
I have not/haven’t read.
travelled the year.
Interro: has she written her
Interro: had you
lesson?
travelled?
Have you finished all the
book?