Tenses in English Grammar: 16 Tenses with Formulas and Examples
In English grammar, tenses are used to express the time of an action or event. There are 16 tenses in English, each with its own formula and example sentences. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you master the tenses:
1. Present Simple
- Formula: Subject + Verb (base form)
- Example: I live in Jakarta.
Used to describe habitual or regular actions.
2. Present Continuous
- Formula: Subject + is/am/are + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I am studying English now.
Used to describe an action in progress at the moment of speaking.
3. Present Perfect
- Formula: Subject + has/have + Verb (past participle)
- Example: I have eaten breakfast already.
Used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present.
4. Present Perfect Continuous
- Formula: Subject + has/have + been + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I have been studying English for three years.
Used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present.
5. Past Simple
- Formula: Subject + Verb (past tense)
- Example: I lived in Jakarta when I was a child.
Used to describe a completed action in the past.
6. Past Continuous
- Formula: Subject + was/were + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I was watching TV when you called.
Used to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.
7. Past Perfect
- Formula: Subject + had + Verb (past participle)
- Example: I had eaten breakfast before I went to school.
Used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past.
8. Past Perfect Continuous
- Formula: Subject + had + been + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I had been studying English for two years before I moved to the US.
Used to describe an action that started before another action in the past and continued up to that time.
9. Future Simple
- Formula: Subject + will + Verb (base form)
- Example: I will go to the movies tonight.
Used to describe a future action or event.
10. Future Continuous
- Formula: Subject + will be + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I will be studying for my exam at this time tomorrow.
Used to describe an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
11. Future Perfect
- Formula: Subject + will have + Verb (past participle)
- Example: I will have graduated from university by the time I am 25.
Used to describe an action that will be completed at a specific time in the future.
12. Future Perfect Continuous
- Formula: Subject + will have been + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I will have been studying English for five years by the time I finish my course.
Used to describe an action that will start before a specific time in the future and continue up to that time.
13. Conditional Simple
- Formula: Subject + would + Verb (base form)
- Example: I would buy a car if I had enough money.
Used to describe a hypothetical or uncertain situation and its consequences.
14. Conditional Continuous
- Formula: Subject + would be + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I would be studying English if I were you.
Used to describe a hypothetical or uncertain situation and its consequences.
15. Conditional Perfect
- Formula: Subject + would have + Verb (past participle)
- Example: I would have gone to the party if I had been invited.
Used to describe a hypothetical or uncertain past situation and its consequences.
16. Conditional Perfect Continuous
- Formula: Subject + would have been + Verb (present participle)
- Example: I would have been studying English for three years if I had started earlier.
Used to describe a hypothetical or uncertain past situation and its consequences.
Mastering the 16 tenses in English grammar takes practice and patience. With this guide, you're one step closer to becoming a pro in using the correct tenses in your writing and conversation.
