As a non-native English speaker, understanding and using the 12 English tenses can be challenging. But mastering the tenses is essential for effective communication and can significantly improve your English skills. In this post, we will provide you with a complete guide to the 12 English tenses, including formulas and usage.
1. Simple Present Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that are happening now or are always true.
Formula: Subject + verb (s/es) + object
Example: She sings beautifully.
2. Present Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment or are in progress.
Formula: Subject + am/is/are + present participle + object
Example: He is writing a novel.
3. Present Perfect Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and have a connection to the present.
Formula: Subject + has/have + past participle + object
Example: They have seen that movie before.
4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still happening now.
Formula: Subject + has/have + been + present participle + object
Example: She has been studying for four hours.
5. Simple Past Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that happened in the past.
Formula: Subject + verb (past tense) + object
Example: He ran a marathon last year.
6. Past Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
Formula: Subject + was/were + present participle + object
Example: They were playing soccer when it started raining.
7. Past Perfect Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that were completed before another action in the past.
Formula: Subject + had + past participle + object
Example: He had finished his work before he went to bed.
8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that were in progress for a specific time before another action in the past.
Formula: Subject + had + been + present participle + object
Example: She had been working for six hours before she took a break.
9. Simple Future Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will happen in the future.
Formula: Subject + will/shall + base form of the verb + object
Example: I will travel to Japan next month.
10. Future Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
Formula: Subject + will/shall + be + present participle + object
Example: They will be watching a movie at 7 pm.
11. Future Perfect Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will be completed by a specific time in the future.
Formula: Subject + will/shall + have + past participle + object
Example: She will have finished her project by tomorrow.
12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will have been in progress for a specific time by a certain time in the future.
Formula: Subject + will/shall + have + been + present participle + object
Example: He will have been studying for two hours by the time you arrive.
In conclusion, understanding and using the 12 English tenses can be challenging, but it is essential for effective communication in English. By following the formulas and examples provided in this guide, you can master the tenses and communicate with confidence.