Skip to page index
Grammar Reference

English Tenses

A complete visual guide to all 12 English tenses. Learn the structure, when to use each tense, and see real examples — from Simple Present to Future Perfect Continuous.

3 Time Frames 4 Aspects Each 12 Tenses Total

Quick Test

Try these 3 questions before we dive in — see how many you get right!

She __________ English every day.
They __________ dinner when I arrived.
By next year, I __________ here for 10 years.
Your Score: 0 / 3

Tenses at a Glance

Tap each time frame to explore its four tenses. Watch the cards appear as you scroll.

Present Simple
Simple Aspect
Subject + V1 (s/es) + Object
Use for: Facts, habits, routines, schedules, and general truths.
She reads books every day. Habit — a regular action.
Water boils at 100°C. Scientific fact — always true.
The train leaves at 6 PM. Scheduled event in the near future.
always usually often sometimes never every day on Mondays
Present Continuous
Continuous Aspect
Subject + am / is / are + V-ing + Object
Use for: Actions happening right now, temporary situations, and fixed future arrangements.
She is reading a book right now. In progress at this moment.
I am staying with my cousin this week. Temporary situation.
We are meeting John tomorrow. A fixed arrangement in the future.
now right now at the moment today this week Look! Listen!
Present Perfect
Perfect Aspect
Subject + have / has + V3 (past participle) + Object
Use for: Past actions with present relevance, life experiences, and unfinished actions.
She has read that book. Experience — we don't say when.
I have lived here for 5 years. Unfinished — still living here.
They have just arrived. Recent past — result is important now.
ever never just already yet since for so far
Present Perfect Continuous
Perfect Continuous Aspect
Subject + have / has + been + V-ing + Object
Use for: Actions that started in the past and continue to the present, with focus on duration.
She has been reading for 3 hours. Emphasises the duration of a continuous action.
It has been raining all day. Ongoing with a visible result (wet ground).
I have been working here since 2020. Started in the past and continues now.
for since all day recently lately how long
Past Simple
Simple Aspect
Subject + V2 (past form) + Object
Use for: Completed actions in the past, past habits, and past states.
She read a book yesterday. Completed action at a specific past time.
I lived in London in 2010. Past state — no longer true.
They walked to school every day. Past habit — no longer happens.
yesterday last week in 2010 ago then when
Past Continuous
Continuous Aspect
Subject + was / were + V-ing + Object
Use for: Actions in progress at a specific past time, interrupted actions, and parallel actions.
She was reading when I called. Interrupted by another action.
They were playing football at 5 PM. In progress at a specific time.
While I was cooking, he was watching TV. Two parallel actions in progress.
while when as at 5 PM yesterday at that time
Past Perfect
Perfect Aspect
Subject + had + V3 (past participle) + Object
Use for: An action that was completed before another action in the past ("the past of the past").
She had already left when I arrived. Action 1 (leave) happened before Action 2 (arrive).
I had finished my homework before dinner. Completed before another past event.
They had never seen snow before. Experience before a point in the past.
already just never before by the time after
Past Perfect Continuous
Perfect Continuous Aspect
Subject + had + been + V-ing + Object
Use for: A continuous action that was in progress before another action in the past.
She had been reading for 2 hours before I arrived. Duration of a continuous action before another past event.
They had been traveling for days. Ongoing action up to a past moment.
I had been waiting for 30 minutes when the bus finally came. Emphasis on the duration before a past event.
for since before by the time how long
Future Simple
Simple Aspect
Subject + will + V1 + Object
Use for: Predictions, promises, spontaneous decisions, and future facts.
She will read that book. Prediction or intention.
I will help you tomorrow. Promise / offer.
The sun will rise at 6:30 AM. Future fact — certain.
tomorrow next week soon in the future probably definitely
Future Continuous
Continuous Aspect
Subject + will + be + V-ing + Object
Use for: Actions that will be in progress at a specific future time.
She will be reading at 8 PM. In progress at a specific future moment.
This time next week, I will be flying to Paris. Imagining a scene in the future.
Don't call at 6 — we will be having dinner. An action that will be ongoing.
at this time tomorrow at 8 PM all day tomorrow while
Future Perfect
Perfect Aspect
Subject + will + have + V3 + Object
Use for: An action that will be completed before a specific future time.
She will have finished the book by Friday. Completed before a future deadline.
By 2027, I will have graduated. Goal achieved by a future point.
They will have left before we arrive. One future action completed before another.
by by the time before in 3 years by next month
Future Perfect Continuous
Perfect Continuous Aspect
Subject + will + have + been + V-ing + Object
Use for: The duration of an action that will be in progress up to a specific future time.
She will have been reading for 5 hours by noon. Duration of an action up to a future point.
By December, I will have been working here for 2 years. Emphasis on the length of time.
They will have been traveling for a month by then. Continuous action with duration up to a future moment.
by for by the time for ... by

Tense Timeline

See where each tense sits on the timeline of time.

← Past Present Future →
Past Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect
Past Continuous
Past Simple
Present Perfect Continuous
Present Perfect
Present Continuous
Present Simple
Future Continuous
Future Simple
Future Perfect
Future Perfect Continuous

Full Comparison

A complete overview of all 12 tenses in one table.

Tense Structure Example Use
Present Simple V1 (s/es) She reads books. Facts, habits, routines
Present Continuous am/is/are + V-ing She is reading now. Ongoing now, temporary, future plans
Present Perfect have/has + V3 She has read it. Experience, past with present result
Present Perfect Continuous have/has + been + V-ing She has been reading for hours. Duration from past to now
Past Simple V2 (past form) She read a book. Completed past actions
Past Continuous was/were + V-ing She was reading at 5 PM. In progress at past time, interrupted
Past Perfect had + V3 She had read it before I arrived. Completed before another past action
Past Perfect Continuous had + been + V-ing She had been reading for hours before I came. Duration before a past action
Future Simple will + V1 She will read it. Prediction, promise, spontaneous decision
Future Continuous will + be + V-ing She will be reading at 8 PM. In progress at a future time
Future Perfect will + have + V3 She will have read it by Friday. Completed before a future time
Future Perfect Continuous will + have + been + V-ing She will have been reading for 5 hours by noon. Duration up to a future time