Verb Tenses

The Important of Time

Verb Tense expresses the time of an event or action. Time and how it is expressed in writing is very important for English readers

There are 12 Verb Tenses in English Grammar:
1. The Simple Tenses ( Simple Present, Simple Past, Simple Future )
2. The Progressive Tenses ( Present Progressive, Past Progressive, Future Progressive )
3. The Perfect Tenses ( Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future Perfect )
4. The Perfect Progressive Tenses ( Present Perfect Progressive, Past Perfect Progressive, Future Perfect Progressive )
We will use this chart below to explain about tense:
past                               now                                  future

We will try to explore thoroughly these all tenses above.
1. The Simple Present Tense

 In general, the simple present expresses events or situations that exist always, usuallt, habitually; they exist now, have existed in the past, and probably will exist in the future

Example:
It snows in Texas
I watch CNN everyday
This tense also expresses general truths or facts that are timeless
Example :
Water boils at 100 degree Celcius
The sun rises from east


2. The Simple Past Tense

We use the simple past tense to indicate exactly when an action or event took place in the past. At one particular time in the past, this happened. It began and ended in the past

Example :
I watched TV last night

3. The Simple Future

We use this tense to describe future actions
At one particular time in the future, this will happen


Example:
It will snow tomorrow
I will watch TV tonight

4. The Present ProgressiveTense
          10:00   11:00                    
This tense is used to describe an action that is occuring right now ( at this moment, today, this year, etc). The action has begun and is still in progress. 

Example:
He is sleeping right now

Means:
He went to sleep at 10:00 tonight. It is now 11:00 and he is still asleep. His sleep began in the past, is in progress at the present time, and probably will continue.

5. The Past Progressive Tense
10:00   11:00                               
This tense is used to talk about an activity that was in progress at a specific time in the past. The emphasis is on the duration of the activity in the past. Let's figure out this chart :

Example:
I was studying for exam while my mother was cooking dinner.


The Past Progressive Tense is often used with The Simple Past to show that one action was in progress when another action occured. Let's figure out the chart below:
10:00   11:00

Example : He was sleeping when I arrived.
He is sleeping at 10:00 last night. I arrived at 11:00.
He was still asleep.
His sleep began before and was in progress at a  particular time in the  past. It probably continued.

6. The Future Progressive Tense
                           09:00  10:00

This tense is used to describe an event or action that will occur over a period of time at a specific point in the future.


Example:
I will be teaching at class by the time you arrive tomorrow.
Means: I will teach at 09:00 tomorrow. You will arrive at 10:00. The action of teaching will begin before you arrive and it will be in progress at a particular time in the future. Probably my teaching will continue.

7. The Present Perfect Tense
The Present Perfect Tense is used to talk about an event that began in the past and continues up to the present.
Figure out this chart:

Example: He has lived in Jakarta for two years.
Means : He began living in Jakarta two years ago and he still lives there.


The Present Perfect is also used to talk about an event that was completed in the past, but the specific time of the event is not important.Please figure out this chart:

Example: I have already eaten.
Means : I finished eating some time before now. The exact time is not important.

8. The Past Perfect Tense
This tense describes completed events that took place in the past before another past event.

 Example:
1. The titanic had received many warnings before it hit the iceberg
Means: First, The titanic received many warnings. Later it hit the iceberg.
The warnings was completely received before another time in the past.
2. I had already eaten when my friend stopped by to visit.
Means: First, I finished eating. Later my friend stopped by. My eating was completely finished before another time in the past.


9. The Future Perfect Tense
This tense is used to describe an event or action that will be completed before another event or time in the future. Let's figure out this chart:

 Example:
We will have finished the exam by the time class ends tomorrow.
First, we will finish the exam. Later the class will end. The exam will be completely finished before another time in the future.

10. The Present Perfect Progressive Tense
This tense is used to describe the duration of an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Let's see the chart below:   
             2 hrs                                  Example:

I have been studying for two hours.
Event in progress : studying.
When? Before now, up to now.
How long? for 2 hours.
This tense is also used to describe events that have been in progress recently and are rather temporary.  Example:
She has been living in Taiwan for the last two months, but she plans to move soon.


11.The Past Perfect Progressive Tense
This tense is used to emphasize the duration of an action that was completed before another action or event in the past. Please, figure out the chart below:
        2 hrs                                    
Example:
She had been driving around the city for two hours before she finally found the right office.

Means:
Event in progress: driving.
When? Before another event in the past.
How long ? For two hours.

12. The Future Perfect Progressive Tense
This tense describes an action that hasbeen in progress for a duration of time before another event or time in the future. Let's see the chart below:
                             2 yrs                 

Example: 
By the time he finishes law school, we will have been living in U.S for two years.

Means:
Event in progress : living in U.S
When? Before another event in the future
How long? For two years

Ok,...what do you think, Buddies?
I hope this post can remind you about the verb tenses that probably you got these lesson when you were at school.
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