Visual Explanations of Each English Tense

10/31/2018 Visual Explanations of Each English Tense
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Visual Explanations of Each English Tense

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by Kenneth Beare
Updated February 01, 2018
01 Present Simple
of 19
Structure and Usage.
The present simple is used to express daily routines and habits. Adverbs of frequency such as
'usually', 'sometimes', 'rarely', etc. are often used with the present simple.
https://www.thoughtco.com/english-grammar-tenses-chart-4123178 1/36
This tense is often used with the following time expressions:
always, usually, sometimes, etc.

... every day
... on Sundays, Tuesdays, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + Present Tense + object(s) + time Expression
Frank usually takes a bus to work.
Negative
Subject + do / does + not (don't / doesn't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression
They don't often go to Chicago.
Question
(Question Word) + do / does + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression
How often do you play golf?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the present simple.
02 Present Continuous for Action at the Moment

of 19
One use of the present continuous tense is for action that is occurring at the moment of
speaking. Remember that only action verbs can take the continuous form.
... at the moment

... now
... today
... this morning / afternoon / evening
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
She's watching TV now.
Negative
Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
They aren't having fun this morning.
Question
(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
What are you doing?
03 Present Continuous for Current Projects

of 19
Use the present continuous to describe projects and actions that are happening around the
present moment in time. Remember that these projects have begun in the recent past and will
end in the near future. This usage is popular for talking about current projects at work or
hobbies.
... at the moment

... now
... this week / month
Basic Construction
Positive
We're working on the Smith account this month.
Negative
He isn't studying French this semester.
Question
Which account are you working on this week?
04 Present Continuous for Scheduled Events

of 19
One use of the present continuous tense is for scheduled future events. This usage is especially
useful when talking about appointments and meetings for work.
... tomorrow
... on Friday, Monday, etc.
... today
... this morning / afternoon / evening
... next week / month
... in December, March, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive

I'm meeting our CEO at three o'clock this afternoon.
Negative
Shelley isn't attending the meeting tomorrow.
Question
When are you discussing the situation with Tom?
If you are a teacher, use this guide on how to teach the present continuous.
05 Past Simple
of 19
The past simple is used to express something that happened a past point in time. Remember to
always use a past time expression, or a clear contextual clue when using the past simple. If you
do not indicate when something happened, use the present perfect for unspecified past.
... ago
... in + year / month
...yesterday
...last week / month / year... when ....
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + Past Tense + object(s) + time Expression
I went to the doctor's yesterday.
Negative
Subject + did + not (didn't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression
They didn't join us for dinner last week.
Question
(Question Word) + did + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression
When did you buy that pullover?
06 Past Continuous for Exact Times in the Past

of 19
The past continuous tense is used to describe what was happening at a specific moment in the
past. Do not use this form when referring to longer periods of time in the past such as 'last
March', 'two years ago', etc.
... at 5.20, three o'clock, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
We were meeting with Jane at two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Negative
Subject + was / were + not (wasn't, weren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
They weren't playing tennis at five o'clock on Saturday.
Question
(Question Word) + was / were + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
What were you doing at two-thirty yesterday afternoon?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the past continuous tense.
07 Past Continuous for Interrupted Action

of 19
Use the past continuous to express what was happening when something important happened.
This form is almost always used with the time clause '... when xyz happened'. It is also possible
to use this form with '... while something was happening' to express two past actions that were
occurring simultaneously.
... when xyz happened

... while xyz was happening.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
Sharon was watching TV when she received the telephone call.
Negative
Subject + was / were + not (wasn't, weren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
We weren't doing anything important when you arrived.
Question
(Question Word) + was / were + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
What were you doing when Tom gave you the bad news?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the past simple tense.
08 Future with Going to for Future Plans

of 19
The future with 'going to' is used to express future plans or scheduled events. It is often used
instead of the present continuous for future scheduled events. Either form can be used for this
purpose.

... tomorrow
... on Monday, Tuesday, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + be + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression
Tom is going to fly to Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Negative
Subject + be not (isn't, aren't) + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression
They aren't going to attend the conference next month.
Question
(Question Word) + be + subject + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression
When are you going to meet Jack?
09 Future with Will for Promises and Predictions

of 19
The future with 'will' is used to make future predictions and promises. Often the precise
moment the action will occur is unknown or not defined.
... soon
... next month / year / week
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + will + verb + object(s) + time Expression
The government will increase taxes soon.
Negative
Subject + will not (won't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression
She won't help us much with the project.
Question
(Question Word) + will + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression
Why will they reduce taxes?
10 Future with Going to for Future Intent

of 19
The future with 'going to' is used for future intent or plans. You can express a future intent
without expressing the exact time that something will occur.

... tomorrow
... on Monday, Tuesday, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + be + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression
Anna is going to study medicine at university.
Negative
Subject + be not (isn't, aren't) + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression
They aren't going to develop any new projects for the next few years.
Question
(Question Word) + be + subject + going to + verb + object(s) + time Expression
Why are you going to change your job?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach future forms.
11 Present Perfect for Past to Present States and Actions

of 19
Use the present perfect to express a state or repeated action that began in the past and
continues into the present.
... for + amount of time

... since + specific point in time
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + have / has + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
I have lived in Portland for four years.
Negative
Subject + have / has not (haven't, hasn't) + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
Max hasn't played tennis since 1999.
Question
(Question Word) + have / has + subject + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
Where have you worked since 2002?
12 Present Perfect to Express Recent Events

of 19
The present perfect is often used to express recent events that affect the present moment. These
sentences often use the time expressions 'just', 'yet', 'already', or 'recently.' If you give a specific
time in the past, the past simple is required.
just
yet
already
recently
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + have / has + just / recently + past participle + object(s)
Henry has just gone to the bank.
Negative
Peter hasn't finished his homework yet.
Question
(Question Word) + have / has + subject + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
Have you spoken to Andy yet?
13 Present Perfect for Unspeci ed Past Events

of 19
The present perfect is often used to express events that occurred in the past at an unspecified
moment or cumulative life experiences up to the present. Remember that if you use a specific
past time expression, choose the past simple.
twice, three times, four times, etc.

ever
never
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + have / has + past participle + object(s)
Peter has visited Europe three times in his life.
Negative
I haven't played golf many times.
Question
(Question Word) + have / has + subject + (ever) + past participle + object(s)
Have you ever been to France?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the present perfect tense.
14 Present Perfect Continuous

of 19
The present perfect continuous is used to express how long a current activity has been going on.
Remember that continuous forms can only be used with action verbs.
...since + specific point in time

... for + amount of time
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + has / have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
He's been cleaning house for two hours.
Negative
Subject + has / have not (hasn't / haven't) + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
Janice hasn't been studying for long.
Question
(Question Word) + has / have + subject + been + verb + ing + object(s) + (time Expression)
How long have you been working in the garden?
Take this present perfect continuous quiz to check your understanding.
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the present perfect continuous tense.
15 Future Perfect
of 19
Use the future perfect tense to express what will have happened by a certain time in the future.
... by Monday, Tuesday, etc.

... by the time ...
... by five o'clock, two-thirty, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + will + have + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
They will have finished the report by tomorrow afternoon.
Negative
Subject + will not (won't) + have + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
Mary won't have answered all the questions by the end of this hour.
Question
(Question Word) + will + subject + have + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
What will you have done by the end of this month?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the future perfect tense.
16 Future Perfect Continuous

of 19
The future perfect continuous is used to express the duration of an action up to a future point in
time. This tense is not commonly used in English.
... by / ... by the time ...
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + will + have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
We will have been studying for two hours by the time he arrives.
Negative
Subject + will not (won't) + have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
He won't have been working long by two o'clock.
Question
(Question Word) + will + subject + have + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
How long will you have been working on that project by the time he arrives?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the future perfect continuous tense.
17 Past Perfect Continuous

of 19
The past perfect continuous is used to describe how long an activity had been going on before
something else happened.
... for X hours, days, months, etc

... since Monday, Tuesday, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + had + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
She had been waiting for two hours when he finally arrived.
Negative
Subject + had not (hadn't) + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
They hadn't been working long when the boss asked them to change their focus.
Question
(Question Word) + had + subject + been + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
How long had Tom been working on that project when they decided to give it to Pete?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the past perfect continuous tense.
18 Past Perfect
of 19
The past perfect is used to express something that happened before another point in time. It is
often used to provide context or an explanation.
... before
already
once, twice, three times, etc.
... by the time
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + had + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
She had already eaten by the time the children came home.
Negative
Subject + had not (hadn't) + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
They hadn't finished their homework before the teacher asked them to hand it in.
Question
(Question Word) + had + subject + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
Where had you gone before the class began?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the past perfect tense.
19 Future Continuous
of 19
Usage and Construction.
The future continuous is used to talk about an activity that will be in progress at a specific point
in time in the future.
...this time tomorrow / next week, month, year

...tomorrow / Monday, Tuesday, etc. / at X o'clock
... in two, three,Advertisement
four, etc. / weeks, months, years time
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + will + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
Peter will be doing his homework this time tomorrow.
Negative
Subject + will not (won't) + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
Sharon won't be working in New York in three weeks time.
Question
(Question Word) + will + subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
What will you be doing this time next year?
If you are a teacher, see this guide on how to teach the future continuous tense.
CITE
Learn how to use the present, past

and future simple tenses in English
Basic English - Essential Lessons for

Beginning English Learners
Guide to Present Tenses for

ESL
Here's a comparison of English tenses
on a timeline
Guide to Past Simple and Past ESL: How to Use Expressions of Time
Continuous Verb Tenses
Learn the differences between the Review All Tenses in English With
past perfect and past perfect This Sentence Structure Explanation
continuous
English Verb Tense Resources for ESL Do You Know How to Use the Passive
Teachers Voice in English?
How to Teach ESL Present Perfect

Continuous
How Many Verb Tenses Are There in

English?
How to Teach the Past Perfect

Continuous
How to Talk About the Future With
'Will' and 'Going to'
Test Knowledge of Simple vs.

Progressive Tenses With This Quiz
Perfect your understanding of the

present continuous tense
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10/31/2018 Visual Explanations of Each English Tense

Visual Explanations of Each English Tense

Structure and Usage.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

always, usually, sometimes, etc.

Subject + Present Tense + object(s) + time Expression

Frank usually takes a bus to work.

Subject + do / does + not (don't / doesn't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression

They don't often go to Chicago.

(Question Word) + do / does + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression

How often do you play golf?

02 Present Continuous for Action at the Moment

Structure and Usage.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

... at the moment

Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

She's watching TV now.

Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

They aren't having fun this morning.

(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

What are you doing?

03 Present Continuous for Current Projects

Structure and Usage.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

... at the moment

Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

We're working on the Smith account this month.

Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

He isn't studying French this semester.

(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

Which account are you working on this week?

04 Present Continuous for Scheduled Events

Structure and Usage.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

I'm meeting our CEO at three o'clock this afternoon.

Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

Shelley isn't attending the meeting tomorrow.

(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

When are you discussing the situation with Tom?

Structure and Usage.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

Subject + Past Tense + object(s) + time Expression

I went to the doctor's yesterday.

Subject + did + not (didn't) + verb + object(s) + time Expression

They didn't join us for dinner last week.

(Question Word) + did + subject + verb + object(s) + time Expression

When did you buy that pullover?

06 Past Continuous for Exact Times in the Past

Structure and Usage.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

... at 5.20, three o'clock, etc.

Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

We were meeting with Jane at two o'clock yesterday afternoon.

They weren't playing tennis at five o'clock on Saturday.

What were you doing at two-thirty yesterday afternoon?

07 Past Continuous for Interrupted Action

Structure and Usage.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

... when xyz happened

Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

Sharon was watching TV when she received the telephone call.

We weren't doing anything important when you arrived.

08 Future with Going to for Future Plans