English Grammar Tenses Overview

Introduction

• 90% to 95% of written and spoken English is done in just five grammar tenses
• A free PDF is available with information on these five tenses, plus a quiz to test understanding
• The PDF also contains other lessons and offers
• English technically has only three tenses: present, past, and future
• There are four different aspects within these tenses: simple, continuous, perfect simple, and perfect continuous
• When combined, the four aspects and three tenses create the 12 verb tenses
• Conditionals are not typically included in the 12 verb tenses, hence some people consider there to be 16 tenses

Verb Tenses Overview

• Present Simple : General truths, habits, and permanent situations
• Present Continuous : Actions happening now or around the present moment
• Present Perfect : Past actions with a connection to the present or for experiences
• Present Perfect Continuous : Actions that started in the past and are ongoing up to the present
• Past Simple : Talks about completed actions in the past
• Past Continuous : Actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past
• Past Perfect : Actions completed before a specific time in the past
• Past Perfect Continuous : Actions that started in the past, continued, and were completed before another past event
• Future Simple : Actions that will happen in the future
• Future Continuous : Actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future
• Future Perfect : Actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future
• Future Perfect Continuous : Actions that will start in the future, continue, and be completed before another future event

Key Verb Tense Usage

• The five most common verb tenses in English are: present simple (60%), past simple (20%), future simple (8%), present perfect simple (6%), and present continuous (5%)
• This equates to nearly 99% of all English usage
• All verb tenses have their place, but the five mentioned above are critical for everyday communication

Present Simple Uses

• Statements that are always true (Facts)
• Statements that are true in the present
• Routine actions or habits (Often used with an adverb of frequency)
• Scheduled Events in the future
• Directions or instructions

Past Simple Uses

• Actions that occurred at a specific time in the past
• Narrating a series of past events
• Habitual or repeated actions in the past
• Past states or conditions

Future Simple Uses

• Spontaneous decisions
• Predictions
• Promises
• Offers
• Requests

Present Perfect Simple Uses

• Unfinished states or actions that started in the past
• Completed actions relevant to the present
• Life events and experiences
• Actions or events at an unspecified time in the past

Present Continuous Uses

• Describing things happening right now
• Activities that are not permanent
• Plans or events that will happen in the future
• Actions happening around a specific time
• Describing things that are gradually changing or improving

Conclusion

• All of the covered verb tenses are explained in detail in the free PDF, with more examples and a quiz for practice.
• The PDF also provides information on the structure and formation of these tenses.
• English with Lucy offers online level programs for B1, B2, and C1 English learners.

Introduction

• English grammar uses 12 verb tenses: three tenses (present, past, and future) and four aspects (simple, continuous, perfect simple, and perfect continuous)
• 90% - 95% of written and spoken English involves just five verb tenses
• Conditionals are not usually considered a tense, but some people include them, which would bring the total to 16 tenses

Verb Tenses Overview

• Present Simple: general truths, habits, and permanent situations
• Present Continuous: actions occurring in the present moment
• Present Perfect: Actions with a connection to the present or experiences
• Present Perfect Continuous: actions begun in the past and still ongoing
• Past Simple: completed actions in the past
• Past Continuous: actions in progress at a specific past time
• Past Perfect: actions completed before a specific time in the past
• Past Perfect Continuous: actions begun in the past, continued, and completed before another past event
• Future Simple: actions that will occur
• Future Continuous: actions in progress at a future time
• Future Perfect: actions completed before a specific future time
• Future Perfect Continuous: actions that will start, continue, and complete before another future event

Key Verb Tense Usage

• Five verb tenses account for nearly 99% of English usage
• The five most common verb tenses are:
  • Present Simple (60%)
  • Past Simple (20%)
  • Future Simple (8%)
  • Present Perfect (6%)
  • Present Continuous (5%)

Present Simple Uses

• Statements that are always true (Facts)
• Current truths
• Routine actions (with adverbs of frequency)
• Scheduled future events
• Directions and Instructions

Past Simple Uses

• Actions completed at a specific past time
• Narrating past events in order
• Past habits and repeated actions
• Past states and conditions

Future Simple Uses

• Spontaneous decisions
• Predictions
• Promises
• Offers
• Requests

Present Perfect Simple Uses

• Unfinished states or actions from the past
• Completed actions relevant to the present
• Life events and experiences
• Actions or events at an unspecified time in the past

Present Continuous Uses

• Actions occurring right now
• Non-permanent activities
• Future plans or events
• Actions happening around a specific time
• Gradually changing or improving things

Conclusion

• The verb tenses are explained in the PDF, with examples and a quiz for practice.
• The structure and formation of the verb tenses are also explained.
• English with Lucy offers online programs for B1, B2, and C1 English learners.