English Tenses Explained Simply
Textbooks usually list twelve English tenses, which can feel overwhelming. But they all follow one logic: time (when) plus aspect (how). Below is that logic, the four groups of tenses with examples and which tenses to learn first.
How the System Works
Strictly speaking, English grammar has only two tenses, past and non-past, and the future is expressed with will, shall or be going to. In teaching, though, every combination of time and aspect is called a tense, which gives twelve: three times (present, past and future) and four aspects, namely simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous.
Simple: Just the Fact
- Present simple, for habits and general truths: I go to school every day. Water boils at 100 °C.
- Past simple, for a finished action in the past: I went to the park yesterday.
- Future simple: I will call you tomorrow.
Continuous: In Progress
The pattern be plus a verb in -ing shows an action in progress: I am reading now, I was reading when you called, I will be reading at eight.
Perfect: The Result
The pattern have plus the past participle describes a past action that matters for its result: I have finished my homework, so I am free now. The past perfect shows an action completed before another past moment: I had finished before dinner.
Perfect Continuous: Ongoing up to a Point
The pattern have been plus a verb in -ing describes an action that has gone on up to now or up to another moment: I have been studying for two hours.
Where to Start
- First the present simple, present continuous and past simple, which carry most everyday speech.
- Then the future with will and be going to, and the present perfect.
- Learn situations, not tables: what I usually do, what I am doing now, what I did yesterday and what I have already done.
- Note that the English present can also refer to the future: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.
How to build your grammar study online is covered in English Grammar Online: How to Master It, and how to start English from scratch in Online English from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide.
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