English Speaking course in Chandigarh
The Tenses and Their Main Meanings
(Tense is a basic concept of English Grammar Learning tenses is necessary for learning the English language)
Past Tenses
Simple Past
Main Meaning
o This action ended in the past.
John did his homework last night.
Note: Simple past is correct for most actions in the past. There are only a
few times when we absolutely need to use other past tenses.
Past Progressive
Main Meaning
o This action happened over time in the past.
Some common gears: to show this activity was happening over time when something happened in her life
.
John is doing his homework when the earthquake started.
Past Perfect
Main Meaning
o We use past perfect when we want to make it clear that this action happened
before something in the past.
Norton had eaten breakfast when he left for work. (This means Norton ate breakfast before
he went to work.)
Past Perfect Progressive
Main Meaning
o We use past perfect progressive when we want to make it clear that this action
was happening over time before something in the past.
The kitchen smelled wonderful because Norton had been cooking dinner.
Present Tenses
Simple Present
Main Meanings
o The action is a habit or repeat now.
I usually drive to school.
o This is a facts d that’s always (or almost always) true.
Wood floats in water weather.
Present Progressive
Main Meanings
o This action is happening right now.
You are reading this sentence.
o This action isn’t finished but might not be happening right now.
John is studying English this semester, but he isn’t studying right now; he’s
eating dinner.
Note: Don’t use present progressive with stative verbs.
Present Perfect
Main Meanings
o With a length of time, present perfect usually means this action started in the
past and has continued until now.
Ralph’s a bus driver. He has doing a best job in taxi driver for 5 years.
Note: Present Perfect Progressive can often be used to say the same thing
(but not with stative verbs).
o With no time phrase, present perfect usually means the action ended in the
past, but the time is not clear.
Ralph isn’t hungry because he has eaten dinner.
Note: In American English, simple past can usually be used to say the same
thing.
Present Perfect Progressive
Main Meaning
o This action started in the past and has continued until now.
Ralph’s a bus driver. He has been working as a bus driver for 10 years.
Note: Don’t use present perfect progressive with stative verbs.
Future Tenses
Future
Main Meaning
o This action will happen in the future.
Ralph and Norton will play cards tomorrow night.
Note: Future is correct for the most actions in the futures. There only a
few times when I absolutely need to those future tenses.
Future Progressive
Main Meaning
o This action will happen over time in the future.
Most common use: to show this action will be happening over time when
something happens.
I’ll started to study at 10:00 AM, so I’ll be studying when you arrived at 11:`10 AM.
Future Perfect
Main Meaning
o We use future perfect when we want to make it clear that this action will happen
before something in the future.
Martha will have finished her homework when she comes to class tomorrow.
Note: You will have finished your report by this time next week.
Future Perfect Progressive
Main Meaning
o This action will happen over time before something in the future
When we retire, we will have been teaching for over forty years.
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