Verb Tenses — Uses and Examples
What is verb tense?
Verb tense identifies when the action of a sentence takes place – the past, present, or future. The action in a sentence (also known as the time frame) has either happened, is happening, or will happen.
Each verb tense has its own set of grammar rules.
English verb tense forms also identify their aspect, which refers to the state of the action.
These types of verb aspects include simple, perfect, progressive (sometimes called continuous tenses), and perfect progressive.
Aspects provide information that indicates a specific time in the past, present, or future that the action occurred.
Past tense
A past tense verb indicates that the identified action already occurred. When the action took place in the past depends upon the following:
Simple past tense: Details an action that has already happened
John entered himself into the limbo contest.
Past perfect tense: Specifies an action completed before a specific point in the past
Stan was excited that John had entered the limbo contest.
Past progressive tense: Indicates a continuing action that was happening in the past
Shauna was making the limbo stick for the contest.
Past perfect progressive tense: Conveys that an ongoing past event has been completed
Lisa had been looking forward to the limbo contest.
Present tense
Present tense verbs indicate that the action is currently happening or ongoing.
Simple present tense: Indicates the present condition or an action taking place right now or regularly/continuously
Kelly practices soccer every day after school.
Present perfect tense: Refers to an action that began in the past and finishes or continues in the present
Kelly has practiced soccer all year.
Present progressive tense: Identifies a present action that is in progress or repeating
Tyler is waiting for Kelly to finish practice.
Present perfect progressive tense: Indicates something started in the past and is continuing into the present
Kelly has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old.
Future tense
A future tense verb indicates an action is going to or will continue to happen.
Simple future tense: Details an action that has yet to happen
Jessica will play the piano at next week's recital.
Future perfect tense: Indicates an action that is expected to be completed in the future
By next week, Tim will have attended two of Jessica's recitals.
Future progressive tense: Identifies something that will happen in the future and continue for a length of time
Erin will be attending the rest of Jessica's recitals.
Future perfect progressive tense: Refers to an action that will continue until a certain point
By the end of the year, Jessica will have been playing the piano for 10 years.
English grammar and verb tenses
The following charts detail the structure necessary to form each verb tense:
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past | past tense verb | walked |
| Past Perfect | had + past tense verb | had walked |
| Past Progressive | was/were + present participle (verb + -ing) | were walking |
| Past Perfect Progressive | had been + present participle (verb + ing) | had been walking |
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | present tense verb | work |
| Present Perfect | have/has + past participle | has worked |
| Present Progressive | am/is/are + present participle (verb + ing) | is working |
| Present Perfect Progressive | has/have been + present participle (verb + ing) | has been working |
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Future | will + verb (root form) | will talk |
| Future Perfect | will have + past tense verb | will have talked |
| Future Progressive | will + be + present participle (verb + -ing) | will be talking |
| Future Perfect Progressive | will + have + been + present participle (verb + ing) | will have been talking |
Verb tense examples
The following sentences incorporate the use of the past, present, and future tenses:
Past
Simple Past
Tina walked into the house.
The team picked Wendy as their captain.
Mike and Grace graduated last summer.
Past Perfect
Ophelia had left the supermarket before the blizzard hit.
The family had stopped by the park late last week.
After I had finished my work, I helped Tony with his.
Past Progressive
Rita was leaving the house when she heard the phone ring.
Antonio and Mario were driving when a deer raced in front of the car.
James was trying to fall asleep, but thunder kept him awake.
Past Perfect Progressive
Ken had been practicing for weeks to prepare for tryouts.
Erica had been waiting all year to visit the beach.
The family had been saving for a vacation in Hawaii.
Present
Simple Present
His dad works for the government.
Ian enjoys watching baseball under the lights.
We see the Smith family every summer.
Present Perfect
Ophelia has wanted to be a doctor since she was young.
They have lived in San Francisco their entire lives.
Kevin has published two books in the last five years.
Present Progressive
I am thinking of moving to New York.
Wendy is leaving for Ireland in the morning.
Habitat for Humanity is building three new houses in town.
Present Perfect Progressive
We have been waiting in line for over two hours.
Trent has been working here for three years.
Stacey has been staying late so she could finish the project.
Future
Simple Future
Sally will leave after the fireworks.
Lucas and Brayden will visit the zoo tomorrow.
Lena and Matthew will arrive before dinner.
Future Perfect
After next month, we will have finished restoring the kitchen.
By the end of the week, we will have completed five interviews.
Ryan will have fixed the car by the time we need it.
Future Progressive
The group will be performing at venues along the east coast.
Soon enough all cars will be driving themselves.
At next week's meeting, we will be asking for more help.
Future Perfect Progressive
We will have been flying for 12 hours by the time we land in London.
Troy will have been working here for 15 years come next October.
This June, Liza and Paul will have been married for 10 years.