Types of Tenses in English

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Types of Tenses in English

In the English language, it is common to hear about tenses and their proper usage when writing and speaking. Tenses are simply word forms that when used will indicate the time frame during which an incident occurred in relation to when it is being spoken about. Tenses are used to indicate the state of completion or continuance of a specific action/verb.

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Whether you are taking studies with English as the language of instruction or preparing for English proficiency tests, you will have a much easier time with a proper understanding of the tenses. To start with, it is important to know how many tenses exist, the rules to apply to derive them and how to use them. English tenses are ideally classified under 3 major categories, namely Past Tense, Present Tense, and Future Tense.

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The different types of tenses are utilized when the user wants to describe an event or situation with reference to time. Let us now have a look at how the main tenses can be broken down future to make reference to the exact moment that an action is taking place.

Present Tense

With the present tense, the task in focus should be executed within a time frame in the present time.

1. Simple Present Tense

This tense is used when explaining conditions, events and actions taking place presently (as they are being reported).

Examples:

  • He drives a car.
  • She cleans the dishes.

2. Present Continuous Tense

This tense is used to describe an action that is on-going as at the moment of speaking.

Examples:

  •  Maria is playing basketball.
  • Christopher is running.

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3. Present Perfect Tense

This tense is used to indicate that the action being referenced began in the past but is on-going even in the present time.

Examples:

  • The cat has drunk the milk.
  • She has completed the homework.

4. Present Continuous Tense

This tense is used to describe events, moments or actions that have been occurring for some time and continue at the time of their reference.

Examples:

  • She has been attending the wrong class.
  • He has been playing the guitar.

Past Tense

Using this tense, English speakers are able to indicate that the events, moments or actions they are describing took place in the past.

1. Simple Past Tense

This tense is used to describe an action that occurred in the past. It is in reference to a historical event.

Examples:

  • She finished the assignment 2 days ago.
  • The dog attacked the journalist yesterday.

2. Past Continuous Tense

This tense is used to describe an action that was taking place in the past. It might be complete in the present time but was happening in the past. The reference is to moment in time taking place in the past.

Examples:

  • He was cleaning the dishes.
  • She was watching television.

3. Past Perfect Tense

This tense is used in reference to a series of activities or events that took place in the past.

Examples:

  • He had climbed out of bed.
  • She had eaten her breakfast.

4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense is used when describing an action that is continuing in the present, has taken place in the past and will go on even in the future. It is mostly used when connecting two actions that are dependent on one another.

Examples:

  • He had been climbing out of bed.
  • I had been eating.

Future Tense

According to the rules of tenses, the future tense is used in the expression of an action that does not yet exist in the present, has not happened but is certainly going to take place in the future.

1. Simple Future Tense

This tense is used for predicting future events or actions. It is often used to refer to an action that has been planned to take place.

Examples:

  • He will go to the movies.
  • She will clean the garage.

2. Future Continuous Tense

This tense is used to describe an action of a continuous nature that will take place in the future. In other words, this tense refers to actions will be ongoing at a future moment.

Examples:

  • She will be mowing the lawn after breakfast.
  • He will be eating his lunch after the test.

3. Future Perfect Tense

This tense is used in reference to actions that are going to take place in future before another action happens.

Examples:

  • She shall have completed the assignment before lunchtime.
  • He shall have played the piano before the first break.

4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense is used to indicate that the ongoing activities will be completed at a certain specific moment in the future.

Examples:

  • She shall be running the race after the opening ceremony.
  • He shall be playing the guitar after lunch.

Tenses in English are make it possible for people to communicate effectively to each other; define what is needed, explain what has already been done and share plans for the future. It would be practically impossible to speak English if the language rule of the tenses is not observed. This article contains plenty of information – actually, this is everything you need to know about tenses to speak and write proper English.

The language rules you learn in English will come in handy when you begin to learn a new language and understand why English is important.

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