OVERVIEW OF VERB TENSE

The simple tenses

Examples(a) It snows in Alaska.(b) Mona watches TV every day.

MeaningIn general, the simple present expressesevents or situations that exist always,usually, habitually; they exist now, haveexisted in the past, and probably will existin the future.

Simple Past

Examples (c) It snowed yesterday. (d) Mona watched TV last night.MeaningAt one particular time in the past, thishappened. It began and ended in the past.

Simple Future

Examples (e) It will snow tomorrow. It is going to snow tomorrow.(f) Mona will watch TV tonight. Mona is going to watch TV tonight.Meaning• At one particular time in the future, this willhappen.

The Progressive Tenses

Form: be + -ing (present participle)Meaning: The progressive tenses (continuous)

give the idea that an action is in progress during a particular time. The tenses say

that an action begins before, is in progress during, and continues after another time or action.

Present Progressive

Example

Mona is sleeping right now.Meaning

It is now 11:00. Mona went to sleep at 10:00 tonight, and she is still asleep. Her sleep began in the past, is in progress at the present time, and probably will continue.

Past Progressive

Example Mona was sleeping when I arrived.Meaning Mona went to sleep at 10:00 last night. I arrived at 11:00. She was still asleep. Her sleep

began before and was in progressat a particular time in the past. Itcontinued after I arrived.

Future Progressive

Example Mona will be sleeping when we arrive.Meaning Mona will go to sleep at 10:00 tomorrownight. We will arrive at 11:00. The actionof sleeping will begin before we arrive, andit will be in progress at a particular time inthe future. Probably her sleep willcontinue.

The Perfect Tenses

Form: have + past participle.Meaning: The perfect tenses all

give the idea that one thing happens before another time or event.

Present Perfect

Example Mona has already eaten.MeaningMona finished eating sometime before now.The exact time is not important.

Past Perfect

Example Mona has already eaten when her

friend arrived.Meaning First Mona finished eating. Later her

friend arrived. Mona’s eating was completely finished before another time in the past.

Future Perfect

Example Mona will already have eaten when her

friend arrives.MeaningFirst Mona will finish eating. Later her friendwill arrive. Mona’s eating will be completelyfinished before another time in the future.

The Perfect Progressive Tenses

Form: have + been + -ing (present participle)Meaning: The perfect progressive tenses give the idea

that one event is in progress immediately before, up to, until another time or event. The tenses are used to express the duration of the first event.

Present Perfect Progressive

Example Mona has been studying for two hours.MeaningEvent in progress: studying.When? Before now, up to now.How long? For two hours.

Past Perfect Progressive

Example Mona has been studying for two hours

before her friend arrived.MeaningEvent in progress: studying.When? Before another event in the past.How long? For two hours.

Future Perfect Progressive

Example(c) Mona will have been studying for two hours

by the time her friend arrives.MeaningEvent in progress: studying.When? Before another event in the future.How long? For two hours.