THE VERB TENSES

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SIMPLE

 

 

  • Simple Present ►Expresses an action or condition that regularly or usually exists. It exists now, has existed in the past, and will probably exist in the future.

I work all week.

Steven does  his homework every day.

  • Simple Past ►Expresses an action or condition that began and ended in the past.

I worked last night.

Steven did his homework yesterday.

  • Simple Future ►Expresses an action or condition that will happen some time after the present moment.

I will work hard tomorrow.

I am going to work hard tomorrow.

Steven will do his homework.

Steven is going to do his homework.

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PROGRESSIVE / CONTINUOUS

 

  • Present Progressive/Continuous ►Expresses an action or condition that is in progress or that is taking place at the moment of speaking.

 I am working on the project.

Steven is doing his homework now.

  • Past Progressive/Continuous ►Expresses an action or condition that began, continued for a period of time, and ended in the past.

 I was working all night.

Steven was doing his homework when I called.

  • Future Progressive/Continuous ►Expresses an action or condition that will begin some time in the future and will continue for a period of time.

I will be working next week.

Steven will be doing  his homework during lunch break tomorrow.

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PERFECT

 

 

  • Present Perfect ►Expresses an action or condition that occurred at some unspecified time in the (recent) past and persists in the present.

I have worked hard all my life.

Steven has done his homework.

  • Past Perfect ►Expresses an action or condition that was completed in the  (distant) past, or one that occurred before another event took place.

I had worked for this company before.

Steven had done his homework before he left.

  • Future Perfect ►Expresses an action or condition that will be completed in the future before another future event occurs.

I will have finished my work by the time you get home.

Steven will have done his homework for hours before he goes to bed.

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PERFECT PROGRESSIVE / CONTINUOUS

 

 

  • Present Perfect Progressive/Continuous ►Expresses an action or condition that began in the past and has continued up to the present moment.

I have been working for many years.

Steven has been doing his homework for hours.

  • Past Perfect Progressive/Continuous ►Expresses an action or condition that happened over a period of time in the past, or that was in progress until another event occurred.

I had been working hard on the project.

Steven had been doing his homework until you arrived.

  • Future Perfect Progressive/Continuous ►Expresses an action or condition that will be in progress before or until another event in the future occurs.

I will have been working here for 12 years this summer.

Steven will have been doing his homework for hours before he goes to bed.