Tense Chart: A tense chart is a valuable tool for understanding the complexities of verb conjugation in English grammar. It provides a visual representation of the various tenses, including present, past, and future, and their corresponding forms. The chart typically outlines the simple, progressive, and perfect aspects of each tense, making it easier to identify and use the correct verb forms.
Tense chart in English with Example
In English grammar, there are three types of tenses: present, past and future. Each type has four sub-sections. In this article, we will discuss the tense chart in detail along with rules and examples of tense.
For example, a tense chart shows that the present simple tense is used for habitual actions, while the present progressive tense describes actions in progress. Similarly, the past perfect tense indicates an action completed before another action in the past, whereas the future perfect tense describes an action that will be completed at a specific point in the future.
Tense Chart
Tense Chart: Using a tense chart can help language learners and writers clarify their writing and ensure consistency in verb usage. It’s particularly useful for mastering complex tenses like the past perfect continuous or future perfect continuous.
By referencing a tense chart, individuals can:
- Identify the correct verb form for a specific sentence.
- Understand the nuances of each tense.
- Improve sentence structure and clarity.
- Enhance overall writing coherence.
Tense Chart in English
- Present Simple ⇒ Subject + Verb (base form) | (I walk)
- Present Continuous ⇒ Subject + am/is/are + Verb (-ing) (I am walking)
- Present Perfect ⇒ Subject + have/has + Verb (past participle) (I have walked)
- Present Perfect Continuous ⇒ Subject + have/has been + Verb (-ing) I have been walking
- Past Simple ⇒ Subject + Verb (past form) (I walked)
- Past Continuous ⇒ Subject + was/were + Verb (-ing) I was walking.
- Past Perfect ⇒ Subject + had + Verb (past participle) I had walked.
- Past Perfect Continuous ⇒ Subject + had been + Verb (-ing) I had been walking.
- Future Simple ⇒ Subject + will + Verb (base form) I will walk.
- Future Continuous ⇒ Subject + will be + Verb (-ing) I will be walking.
- Future Perfect ⇒ Subject + will have + Verb (past participle) I will have walked.
- Future Perfect Continuous ⇒ Subject + will have been + Verb (-ing) I will have been walking.
Types of Tense
- Present Tense
- Past Tense
- Future Tense
| Tenses Name | Tenses Type |
| Present Tense | Simple/Indefinite Present Tense |
| Present Perfect Tense | |
| Present Continuous Tense | |
| Present Perfect Continuous Tense | |
| Past Tense | Simple/Indefinite Past Tense |
| Past Perfect Tense | |
| Past Continuous Tense | |
| Past Perfect Continuous Tense | |
| Future Tense | Simple/Indefinite Future Tense |
| Future Perfect Tense | |
| Future Continuous Tense | |
| Future Perfect Continuous Tense |
Present Tense Chart
Present Tense Chart outlines Four primary present tenses: Present Simple, Present Continuous, Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Tense. Each tense has distinct uses and structures.
Present Simple Tense Chart
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Base verb | I play football. |
| You | Base verb | You play football. |
| He/She/It | Base verb+ s/es | He plays football. |
| We | Base verb | We play football. |
| They | Base verb | They play football. |
Present Simple Tense Example
- I eat breakfast every morning.
- You study English every day.
- She writes stories for children.
- We watch movies on weekends.
- They play soccer together.
Present Continuous Tense Chart
| Subject | Verb+ | Example |
| I | am + verb + ing | I am playing football |
| You | are + verb + ing | You are playing football |
| He/She/It | is + verb + ing | He is playing football |
| We | are + verb + ing | We are playing football |
| They | are + verb + ing | They are playing football |
Present Continuous Tense Example
- I am learning French online.
- You are listening to music.
- He is cooking dinner right now.
- We are planning a trip to Europe.
- They are attending a conference.
Present Perfect Tense Chart
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | have + past participle | I have played football |
| You | have + past participle | You have played football |
| He/She/It | has + past participle | He has played football |
| We | have + past participle | We have played football |
| They | have + past participle | They have played football |
Present Perfect Tense Example
- I have finished my homework.
- You have traveled to many countries.
- She has graduated from college.
- We have lived here for five years.
- They have won several awards.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense Chart
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | have been + verb + ing | I have been playing football |
| You | have been + verb + ing | You have been playing football |
| He/She/It | has been + verb + ing | He has been playing football |
| We | have been + verb + ing | We have been playing football |
| They | have been + verb + ing | They have been playing football |
Present Perfect Continuous Tense Example
- I have been studying for three hours.
- You have been working here since 2018.
- She has been teaching for ten years.
- We have been waiting for an hour.
- They have been performing together since 2015.
FAQs – Present Tense Chart
What is the Present Tense Chart?
- The Present Tense Chart outlines three primary present tenses: Present Simple, Present Continuous, and Present Perfect.
What is the structure of Present Simple?
- Subject + Main Verb (e.g., I study)
What is the structure of Present Continuous?
- Subject + am/is/are + Main Verb (-ing)
What is the structure of Present Perfect?
- Subject + have/has + Main Verb’s Past Participle
When do we use Present Simple?
- For habits, facts, and routines.
When do we use Present Continuous?
- For actions happening now or in progress.
When do we use Present Perfect?
- For completed actions with a connection to the present.
What’s the difference between Present Continuous and Present Perfect?
- Present Continuous emphasizes ongoing actions, while Present Perfect emphasizes completed actions.
Past Tense Chart
Past Tense Chart outlines four primary past tenses: Past Simple, Past Continuous, Past Perfect, and Past Perfect Continuous. Each tense has distinct uses and structures, enabling effective communication.
Past Indefinite Tense Chart
- Affirmative
- Negative
- Interrogative
- Interrogative Negative
Affirmative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Verb (2nd form) | I walked to school. |
| You | Verb (2nd form) | You called me yesterday. |
| He/She/It | Verb (2nd form)+ ed | She finished her homework. |
| We | Verb (2nd form) | We visited Paris last year. |
| They | Verb (2nd form)+ ed | They lived in New York. |
Negative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | did not + Verb (1st form) | I didn’t go to the party. |
| You | did not + Verb (1st form) | You didn’t help me. |
| He/She/It | did not + Verb (1st form) | He didn’t pass the exam. |
| We | did not + Verb (1st form) | We didn’t win the game. |
| They | did not + Verb (1st form) | They didn’t attend the meeting. |
Interrogative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Did I + Verb (1st form)? | Did I lock the door? |
| You | Did you + Verb (1st form)? | Did you eat breakfast? |
| He/She/It | Did he/she/it + Verb (1st form)? | Did she graduate? |
| We | Did we + Verb (1st form)? | Did we meet last week? |
| They | Did they + Verb (1st form)? | Did they call you? |
Interrogative Negative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Didn’t I + Verb (1st form)? | Didn’t I tell you? |
| You | Didn’t you + Verb (1st form)? | Didn’t you study? |
| He/She/It | Didn’t he/she/it + Verb (1st form)? | Didn’t he work? |
| We | Didn’t we + Verb (1st form)? | Didn’t we plan? |
| They | Didn’t they + Verb (1st form)? | Didn’t they respond? |
Past Indefinite Tense Example
- She went to the movies last night.
- He studied for three hours yesterday.
- They played soccer at school.
- I visited my grandparents last weekend.
- The bus left the station at 8:00 AM.
- She ate breakfast at 7:00 AM.
- He wrote a letter to his friend.
- They traveled to Europe last summer.
- The company launched a new product in 2018.
- I read a book about history.
Past Continuous Tense chart
- Affirmative
- Negative
- Interrogative
- Interrogative Negative
Affirmative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | was + verb + ing | I was reading a book at 9 pm. |
| You | were + verb + ing | You were playing video games. |
| He/She/It | was + verb + ing | She was writing a letter. |
| We | were + verb + ing | We were watching a movie. |
| They | were + verb + ing | They were traveling to Europe. |
Negative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | was not + verb + ing | I wasn’t studying for the exam. |
| You | were not + verb + ing | You weren’t listening to me. |
| He/She/It | was not + verb + ing | He wasn’t working yesterday. |
| We | were not + verb + ing | We weren’t eating dinner together. |
| They | were not + verb + ing | They weren’t attending the meeting. |
Interrogative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Was I + verb + ing? | Was I singing in the choir? |
| You | Were you + verb + ing? | Were you exercising regularly? |
| He/She/It | Was he/she/it + verb + ing? | Was she dancing at the party? |
| We | Were we + verb + ing? | Were we hiking in the mountains? |
| They | Were they + verb + ing? | Were they playing music? |
Interrogative Negative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Wasn’t I + verb + ing? | Wasn’t I helping you? |
| You | Weren’t you + verb + ing? | Weren’t you studying? |
| He/She/It | Wasn’t he/she/it + verb + ing? | Wasn’t he working? |
| We | Weren’t we + verb + ing? | Weren’t we shopping? |
| They | Weren’t they + verb + ing? | Weren’t they laughing? |
Past Continuous Tense Example
- She was studying for her exam when I called.
- They were watching TV at 9:00 PM last night.
- I was cooking dinner when the doorbell rang.
- He was playing soccer at school during recess.
- We were traveling to New York last weekend.
- The baby was sleeping when I checked on her.
- They were renovating their house all summer.
- I was reading a book when the power went out.
- She was working on her project until midnight.
- The team was practicing their presentation all morning.
Past Perfect Tense chart
- Affirmative
- Negative
- Interrogative
- Interrogative Negative
Affirmative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | had + past participle | I had studied English before moving to the US. |
| You | had + past participle | You had already eaten dinner. |
| He/She/It | had + past participle | She had graduated before getting married. |
| We | had + past participle | We had traveled to many countries. |
| They | had + past participle | They had lived in Paris for five years. |
Negative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | had not + past participle | I hadn’t finished my homework. |
| You | had not + past participle | You hadn’t called me. |
| He/She/It | had not + past participle | He hadn’t attended the meeting. |
| We | had not + past participle | We hadn’t seen the movie. |
| They | had not + past participle | They hadn’t replied to my email. |
Interrogative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Had I + past participle? | Had I locked the door? |
| You | Had you + past participle? | Had you applied for the job? |
| He/She/It | Had he/she/it + past participle? | Had she gotten married? |
| We | Had we + past participle? | Had we met before? |
| They | Had they + past participle? | Had they arrived? |
Interrogative Negative
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| I | Hadn’t I + past participle? | Hadn’t I told you? |
| You | Hadn’t you + past participle? | Hadn’t you studied? |
| He/She/It | Hadn’t he/she/it + past participle? | Hadn’t he worked? |
| We | Hadn’t we + past participle? | Hadn’t we planned? |
| They | Hadn’t they + past participle? | Hadn’t they responded? |
Past Perfact tense Example
- I had eaten dinner before I went to the movies.
- She had finished her homework before she watched TV.
- They had already left when I arrived.
- He had studied English before he moved to the US.
- We had visited Paris twice before we went to Rome.
- I had been studying for three hours before I took a break.
- They had been traveling for two days before they arrived.
- She had been working on her project for a month before it was approved.
- He had been playing soccer for two hours before he got injured.
- We had been waiting for 30 minutes before the concert started.
FAQs – Past Tense Chart
What is the Past Tense Chart?
- The Past Tense Chart outlines four primary past tenses: Past Simple, Past Continuous, Past Perfect, and Past Perfect Continuous.
What is the structure of Past Simple?
- Subject + Main Verb (past form)
What is the structure of Past Continuous?
- Subject + was/were + Main Verb (-ing)
What is the structure of Past Perfect?
- Subject + had + Main Verb’s Past Participle
What is the structure of Past Perfect Continuous?
- Subject + had been + Main Verb (-ing)
When do we use Past Simple?
- Completed actions in the past.
Future Tense Chart
Future Tense Chart comprises four primary future tenses: Future Simple, Future Continuous, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous.
1. Future Simple Tense
- Structure: Subject + will + Main Verb
Examples:
- I will watch a movie tomorrow.
- She will attend the meeting.
- They will travel to Europe next year.
- He will graduate from college in 2025.
2. Future Continuous Tense
- Structure: Subject + will be + Main Verb (-ing)
Examples:
- I will be studying at 5 PM tomorrow.
- She will be working on her project next week.
- They will be traveling to Asia for three months.
- He will be attending a conference in New York.
3. Future Perfect Tense
- Structure: Subject + will have + Main Verb’s Past Participle
Examples:
- I will have watched the movie by tomorrow.
- She will have completed her project next week.
- They will have traveled to 10 countries by the end of the year.
- He will have graduated from college by 2025.
4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense
- Structure: Subject + will have been + Main Verb (-ing)
Examples:
- I will have been studying for 3 hours by tomorrow.
- She will have been working on her project for 6 months.
- They will have been traveling for 2 years by the end of 2025.
- He will have been attending conferences for 5 years.
FAQs – Future Tense Chart
What is the Future Tense Chart?
- The Future Tense Chart outlines four primary future tenses: Future Simple, Future Continuous, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous.
What is the structure of Future Simple?
- Subject + will + Main Verb (I will study).
What is the structure of Future Continuous?
- Subject + will be + Main Verb (-ing) (I will be studying).
What is the structure of Future Perfect?
- Subject + will have + Main Verb’s Past Participle (I will have studied).
What is the structure of Future Perfect Continuous?
- Subject + will have been + Main Verb (-ing) (I will have been studying).
Read This:
Present Continuous Tense in Hindi
100 Sentences of Simple Present Tense in Hindi
Present Indefinite Tense in Hindi
