Present Tenses

This page covers the present simple, present continuous, and present perfect simple tenses, providing clear explanations of their structures and uses.

Present Simple

The present simple tense is used for habits, daily routines, and general truths. Its structure is:

Subject + verb (+ -s for 3rd person singular)

Example: She always drinks coffee in the morning.

For questions: Do/Does + Subject + verb...?

Highlight: Time expressions commonly used with present simple include always, usually, often, sometimes, never, ever, rarely.

Present Continuous

This tense is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking or ongoing situations. Its structure is:

Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing

Example: They are studying for their exams right now.

For questions: Am/Is/Are + Subject + verb-ing...?

Vocabulary: Common time expressions include at the moment, now, in this moment/period/year/month/week.

Present Perfect Simple

The present perfect simple is used for past actions with present relevance or without specific time references. Its structure is:

Subject + has/have + past participle

Example: I have lived in Italy since 2012.

For questions: Has/Have + Subject + past participle...?

Highlight: This tense is often used with time expressions like already, just, yet, never, ever, recently, up to now, so far, in my life, for, since.

Past Tenses

This section explains the past simple, past continuous, and past perfect simple tenses.

Past Simple

Used for completed actions in the past, its structure is:

Subject + verb-ed (or 2nd column for irregular verbs)

Example: We visited Paris last summer.

For questions: Did + Subject + verb...?

Vocabulary: Common time expressions include yesterday, ago, last (week/month/year).

Past Continuous

This tense describes actions in progress at a specific time in the past. Its structure is:

Subject + was/were + verb-ing

Example: She was reading a book when I called her.

For questions: Was/Were + Subject + verb-ing...?

Past Perfect Simple

Used for actions that occurred before another past action, its structure is:

Subject + had + past participle

Example: I had finished my homework before dinner.

For questions: Had + Subject + past participle...?

Future Tenses

This part covers various ways to express future actions, including future simple, future for plans, and "be going to" structure.

Future Simple

Used for predictions and sudden decisions, its structure is:

Subject + will/won't + verb

Example: I think it will rain tomorrow.

For questions: Will/Won't + Subject + verb...?

Future for Plans

Used for scheduled events, its structure is:

Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing

Example: We are meeting the clients next week.

Be Going To

Used for intentions and predictions based on evidence, its structure is:

Subject + am/is/are + going to + verb

Example: Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.

Highlight: This structure is particularly useful for expressing plans and intentions that have already been made.