The following table illustrates the proper use of verb tenses:

Simple Present Simple Past Simple Future

Last night,
I read nearly every I will read as much as
I read an entire
day. I can this year.
novel.
Present Continuous Past Continuous Future Continuous
I am I will be
I was reading Edgar
reading Shakespeare at reading Nathaniel
Allan Poe last night.
the moment. Hawthorne soon.
Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect
I have read so many I had read at least I will have read at
books I can’t keep 100 books by the time least 500 books by the
count. I was twelve. end of the year.
Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect
Continuous Continuous Continuous
I had been
I will have been
I have been reading for at least
reading for at least
reading since I was a year before my
two hours before dinner
four years old. sister learned to
tonight.
read.