15th June 2023

In English grammar, there are twelve verb tenses that are commonly used to express
different time relationships. These tenses are formed using different combinations of
auxiliary verbs (such as "be," "have," and "will") and the main verb in different forms. These
tenses can be grouped into three main categories: present, past, and future. Here is an
overview of the twelve verb tenses in the English language:

Present Tenses:
1. Present Simple: Used to describe general truths, habits, and regular actions.
Example: "I eat breakfast every morning."
2. Present Continuous: Used to describe actions happening at the moment of speaking
or around the present time. Example: "She is reading a book right now."
3. Present Perfect: Used to describe actions that started in the past and have a
connection to the present. Example: "I have visited Paris before."
4. Present Perfect Continuous: Used to describe actions that started in the past, are
still ongoing, and have a connection to the present. Example: "They have been
working on this project for months."

Past Tenses:
5. Past Simple: Used to describe completed actions or states in the past. Example: "He
went to the store yesterday."
6. Past Continuous: Used to describe ongoing actions in the past. Example: "She was
studying when the phone rang."
7. Past Perfect: Used to describe an action that happened before another action in the
past. Example: "I had already finished my homework when she called."
8. Past Perfect Continuous: Used to describe a continuous action that happened before
another action in the past. Example: "They had been waiting for hours before the
concert started."

Future Tenses:
9. Future Simple: Used to describe actions that will happen in the future. Example: "I
will meet you tomorrow."
10. Future Continuous: Used to describe ongoing actions that will happen in the future.
Example: "They will be traveling next week."
11. Future Perfect: Used to describe an action that will be completed before another
action in the future. Example: "By the time you arrive, I will have finished cooking."
12. Future Perfect Continuous: Used to describe an ongoing action that will be
completed before another action in the future. Example: "They will have been
waiting for two hours when the train arrives."