Tenses in English
Here is a recap of tenses in English.
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PAST |
PRESENT |
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Simple FACTUAL |
Past simple or prétérit Form V + -ed / 2nd column irr vbs Aff - Francis learnt English when he started school. Neg - I did not learn English. Ques - Did you learn English at school? Use action finished in the past |
Present simple Form V + Ø or 3rd person sing V + -s Aff - He learns English / They learn English Neg - We do not learn English. Susan does not learn English. Ques - Do you learn English at school? Does Lewis learn English? Use repeated actions sequence of actions in the present things in general |
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Be + ing COMMENT |
Past be + ing or past continuous or past progressive Form Be in the past (was/were) + V+-ing Aff - We were not learning English. Neg - You were not learning English. Ques - Was he learning English? Use action was in progress at special time in the past |
Present be + ing or present continuous or present progressive Form Be in the present (am/is/are) + V+-ing Aff - I am currently learning English. Neg - He is not learning English. Ques - Are you learning English ? Use action happening at the moment of speaking |
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Perfect LINK BETWEEN TWO EVENTS |
Past perfect Form Have in the past (had) + V +-ed / 3rd column irr vbs Aff - He had learnt English - I had travelled before I went there. Neg - They had not learnt English - We had not travelled. Ques - Had you learnt English? - Had he travelled? Use the past equivalent of Present Perfect → to talk about an action that happened before a past action. |
Present perfect Form Have in the present (have/has) + V +-ed / 3rd column irr vbs Aff - He has learnt English - I have travelled. Neg - They have not learnt English - We have not travelled. Ques - Have you learnt English? - Has he travelled? Use result of an action in the past is important in the present recently completed action state beginning in the past and still continuing |
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Perfect be + ing LINK BETWEEN TWO EVENTS WITH A FOCUS ON THE ACTION |
Past perfect be + ing or past perfect continuous Form Had been + V +-ing Aff - I had been learning English for 12 years when I moved to London. Neg - I had not been learning English Ques - Had you been learning English? Use how long something had been happening before something else happened |
Present perfect be + ing or present perfect continuous Form Has/have been + V +-ing Aff - I have been learning English for 12 years now. Neg - Tom have been learning English Ques - Have you been learning English? Use action beginning in the past and still continuing (focus is on the action) |
Download the grid "Tenses in English"
You can also visit the following websites for more explanations and practice:
In English - Englisch Hilfen: Present tenses contrasted - Past tenses contrasted
In French - e-anglais: Present simple / Present be + ing - Past simple / Past be + ing - Present perfect / present perfect be+ing