How many tenses are there in English grammar? How to remember tenses in English: a detailed explanation.

The English tense system has 3 large groups: Past (past), Present (present) and Future (future).

In all these groups there are 4 times:

Simple (simple),
Continuous (continued),
Perfect (perfect),
Perfect Continuous (perfect continuous).

Group Present (present)

1. Present Simple. This is a tense that indicates an action that occurs (or does not occur) regularly, constantly.

We hunt and fish every summer. We hunt and fish every summer.
She often cooks pizza. She often makes pizza.

2. Present Continuous (or Present Progressive) denotes an action happening right now, at the present moment.

I am singing my favorite song just now. I'm singing my favorite song right now.
My chief is talking to the partners at the moment. My boss is talking to partners at the moment.

3. The action in the Present Perfect was just now, today, this week, this year, month, etc.).

I have just painted this fence. I just painted this fence.
This week my sister has left for China. This week my sister went to China.

4. The action in the Present Perfect Continuous began in the past, is still happening and will end unknown when.

The plane has been flying for some hours. The plane flies for several hours.
The grandparents have been reading your newspapers since early morning. Grandparents read their newspapers from early morning.

Past times group

1. Past Simple. Past simple. The action happened once in the past, happened constantly, regularly.

We graduated from the University in 1998.
Our neighbors moved to Moscow 3 years ago. Our neighbors moved to Moscow 3 years ago.

2. Past Continuous. The subject was in the process of action at a specific moment in the past or during a specific period of time.

Yesterday from 10 till 11 a.m. my son was writing his test. Yesterday from 10 to 11 am my son was writing a test.
On the 12th of June at 7 p.m. I was enjoying a new film. On June 12 at 7 pm I was enjoying a new film.

3. Past Perfect indicates that an action occurred in the past before some point.

I had watered the vegetables in the garden by the moment my wife cooked dinner. I watered the vegetables in the garden by the time my wife cooked dinner.

4. The action in the Past Perfect Continuous began before some time in the past and was still happening at that time.

She had been ironing the clothes for 20 minutes when the iron was broken. She had been ironing clothes for 20 minutes when the iron broke.

Future times

1. Future Simple. These are processes that will take place in the future regularly, constantly.

I will become a good lawyer. I will become a good lawyer.

2. Actions in the Future Continuous will be relevant for a specified time in the future or will continue for a certain period of time.

In 3 days at this time we will be climbing a mountain. In 3 days at the same time we will be climbing the mountain.
Tomorrow since 17.00 till 20.00 we will be walking around Novgorod. Tomorrow from 17.00 to 20.00 we will walk around Novgorod.

3. Future Perfect is used extremely rarely. Indicates an action that will occur in the future at a certain point.

Tomorrow at 5 p.m. he will have repaired his bike. Tomorrow by 5 o'clock he will have repaired his bicycle.

4. Future Perfect Continuous. A process that will begin and will still be in progress at a specified time in the future. It is used, just like Future Perfect, extremely rarely.

Next year you have been writing your novel for 2 years. Next year it will be 2 years since you wrote your novel.

Those beginning to study the language of Shakespeare or those continuing their studies have repeatedly asked the question: “How many tenses are there in the English language?” Today, disputes and disagreements over quantity continue. And the whole problem is that we, Russian speakers, consider them as past, present and future, and our “brothers” who speak English call them shades.

Various reference books give numerous definitions of this grammatical phenomenon, but all are similar in that English tenses are a way of expressing actions indicating the period of its occurrence, and they are all built on the basis of changing verb forms. Actions can be expressed in Active Voice (active voice) and Passive Voice (passive voice). It is the first one that we will consider in this article.

English verb tenses - formation and use

It is better to start studying this category with an understanding of the whole essence. So, as in Russian, English has three tenses: present (Present), past (Past) and future (Future - although many grammarians also call it shade). Each of these segments has subcategories, the rules of use and formation of which cause difficulties.

Table: formation of tenses in English

Sub categories	Time	Education formula
Indefinite (Simple)	Present	+ S+Vs(V) — S + doesn’t (don’t) + V ? Does (Do) + S + V ?
	Past	+ S + V 2 (V ed) — S + didn't + V ? Did + S + V?
	Future	+ S + shall/will + V — S + shall/will + not + V ? Shall/will + S + V
Continuous (Progressive)	Present	+ S + is/am/are + V ing — S + is/am/are+ not + V ing ? Is/am/are + S + V ing
	Past	+ S + was/were + V ing — S + was/were + not + V ing ? Was/were + S + V ing
	Future	+ S + shall/will + be + V ing — S + shall/will+ not + be + V ing ? Shall/will + S + be + V ing
Perfect	Present	+ S + have/has + V 3 (V ed) — S + have/has+ not + V 3 (V ed) ? Have/has + S + V 3 (V ed)
	Past	+ S + had + V 3 (V ed) — S + had + not + V 3 (V ed) ? Had + S + V 3 (V ed)
	Future	+ S + will/shall + have + V 3 (V ed) — S +will/shall+ not + have + V 3 (V ed) ? Will/shall + S + have + V 3 (V ed)
Perfect Continuous	Present	+ S + have/has+ been + V ing — S + have/has+ not + been + V ing ? Have/has + S + been + V ing
	Past	+ S + had + been + V ing — S + had + not + been + V ing ? Had + S + been + V ing
	Future	+ S +will/ shall + have+ been + V ing — S +will/ shall + not + have+ been + V ing ? Wll/shall + S + have+ been + V ing

Now that we've gotten acquainted with education, it's time to move on to consumption. Here comes the tricky part. If you have practiced and memorized the formation 2-3 times, then using it becomes more and more confusing. Let's look at English tenses with examples by subgroups.

The Indefinite (Simple) group reflects single, ordinary actions. Continuous (Progressive) emphasizes the duration of the process, just like Perfect Continuous. Their difference is that the second, despite the duration, is still completed or will be completed by a certain moment. But the Perfect group is used to describe an event that has been completed, or that will be completed.

This entire description is approximate, each of them must be studied, practiced, compared separately, and then you can easily move to the next level. To clarify the situation a little, let's look at the temporary forms in the table.

Table: use of English tenses

Present Simple	Past Simple	Future Simple
1. An action that always happens, often, usually	1. An action that happened in the past, and we simply know the fact	1. Normal, single action in the future
My father often goes to see his friends on Saturday.	I wrote a letter last week.	Next year I will come to this village again.
2. Something you can’t argue with: scientific facts, results, natural phenomena, patterns	2. Chronologically sequential actions in the past: one after another.	2. Consistent actions in the future
The earth goes around the sun.	Yeterday morning I called my sister at first. Then I went to work.	I will come home. Then I will write a letter to my pen-friend.
3. Repeated actions in the present	3. Repeated actions in the past	3. Recurring actions in the future
I usually get up at 7 oclock. Then I take a shower and have breakfast.	Last year I often traveled abroad.	Next year I will not often travel abroad.
4. To express the future in subordinate conditions and time		4. Assumptions about a future event (not a plan)
As soon as I write a letter I’ll send it immediately.		I expect Mary will get this place.
5. In jokes, sports commentary		5. Requests, threats, refusal to do something, offers to do something, promises
What’s worse than having termites in your piano? Crabs on your organ.		Thank you for lending me the dvd disk. I'll give it back on Monday.
6. With verbs not used in the Continuous (feelings, desires, perceptions)
I don’t understand what are you talking about.
7. Schedules of trains, buses, movies in the cinema, matches, lessons
The train leaves at 5 p.m.
Present Continuous	Past Continuous	Future Continuous
1. Action at the moment of conversation or covering a longer period in the present	1. The action took place (lasted) at a certain moment in the past	1. An action that will last in the future
Don’t bother the teacher, she is writing a letter now.I am attending music classes now.	This time last month I was sitting in the lovely French cafe.	Would you like to visit a museum tomorrow evening? No, I will be watching the match at this time.
2. Happens around you at the time of conversation	2. In the main clause with a when clause, where the first lasted when the other happened	2. If plans, deliberate action are reported
Look! He is falling down.	I was sleeping when my cell-phone suddenly rang.	I will be going to the cinema tomorrow.
3. A situation that changes	3. Parallel long-term actions in the past	3. Asking about someone's plans as a polite request
His French is becoming better and better.	While I was taking a shower, my husband was cooking the dinner.	Will you be going out at 7? I need your car.
4. Planned actions for the future (Meaning: to gather = to be going to)	4. Actions that took place within a certain time frame, during a limited period.	4. Parallel actions in the future
I am buying a new flat tomorrow.	I was cleaning the flat the whole weekend.	While you will be doing shopping I will be repairing my car.
5. Too often repeated actions that cause irritation, reproach, disapproval	5. Too often repeated actions, habits that caused irritation, blame, reproach
He is too often complaining about.	Yesterday my friend was too often* losing his papers, books and tests.*
Present Perfect	Past Perfect	Future Perfect
1. An action that began in the past, but its result is connected with the present, so to speak, in person	1. An action that occurred before another, later action in the past	1. Will end before a certain point, events in the future
Is Jim at home? No, he has already gone to Paris.	I had come home before my sister washed the dishes.	I will have done my homework before the match begins.
2. The action began in the past and continues now	2. Finished by a certain point	2. To communicate the likelihood of an expected action
My mother has always wanted to live in a small country house.	I had given up smoking by the end of the holidays.	The citizens will have noticed the false government’s solutions.
3. To indicate actions indicating the period, how many times they were repeated	3. An action that began in the past occurred before or during another event also in the past
It is the first time I have driven.	I knew exactly that my friends hadn’t met since Andy’s party.
Present Perfect Continuous	Past Perfect Continuous	Future Perfect Continuous
1. An action that began in the past and continues, occurs in the present (at the time of conversation)	1. An action that began in the past and was happening when another event occurred	1. An action that begins in the future and will continue until another moment in the future.
They have already* been painting the wall for 5 hours.*	He had been driving a car yesterday when his father came.	I will have been having dinner when my boyfriend comes.
2. An action that was completed before the conversation took place	2. An action that began in the past and lasted for a certain time
She has been ironing all day long. Now, she is too tired to go out.	He had been repairing his car for an hour last weekend.

The grammar of tenses in English is very extensive, which is why this table is not enough to fully understand and figure out which is which. It is better to study each separately and then together.

Sometimes it is actually difficult to understand whether an action lasted or ended, whether it is happening in the past or in the present. But everything is learned in practice. That is why it is recommended to study the tenses of the English language with examples that will not only demonstrate the method of formation and use, but also show typical situations of use.

Remember, when choosing verb tenses in English, follow following diagram .

Determine whether the action refers to the past, present or future (Present, Past, Future)
Figure it out: what you see or what you know.
If you know exactly about the event (no matter where), then the Simple group.
If you see, then: the action itself is Continuous, traces or signs, the result is Perfect, I see the action, but I compare it with what I saw before - Perfect Continuous.

So, let's summarize. We can say that there are 12 tenses in the active voice, reflecting the periods of action.

Present Simple (Indefinite), Past Simple (Indefinite), Future Simple (Indefinite)
Present Continuous (Progressive), Past Continuous (Progressive), Future Continuous (Progressive)
Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future Perfect
Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous, Future Perfect Continuous

Tenses in English will take a lot of your energy. Well, what can you do? But tables will help you remember and put everything in your memory faster and easier, although they are not enough for complete comprehension.

1. We study the properties of verbs from school textbooks (there are already 6 of them) and understand the difference between grammatical and logical tenses

2. Pay attention to the method of action (completed/incomplete)

3. We divide tenses according to the type present / future / past (time) * simple / perfect / continuous / perf. continuous(time type)

4. We look for point 2 here and compare it with Russian (where verbs are divided into two types, guess which ones)

It is necessary.

1. Simple - indicates a certain fact; real time for it is global in nature, therefore what is said with it is true only for the type of logical time. For this type of times, the action simply exists having being (its beginning and end are not known (especially if present))

1) Present * - a habitual action for something, at the time of speech it may or may not be performed (which is absolutely not implied and does not affect anything), for example - I usually wake up at 7 am . Also, scientific truths go with him

2) Past * - (1) like Present, but in the past; (2) an action performed once with an INDICATION OF TIME (the time itself cannot be a definite interval (from 4 to 10 - an interval, “yesterday” is an undetermined interval) IN THE PAST)

3) Future * - a single action in the future indicating an indefinite time in the future (“yesterday”, “later”) or some truth expressed in the future (less often)

Perfect - the specified action has already been completed (completely) before the moment of speech and is associated with the current moment of speech. In a negative form - the action has not been started but for the current situation it needs to be completed. For this time type, the action has already completed.

1) Present * - The action is completed (or not started) at the time of speech, and is logically connected with it.

2) Past * - The action was completed before the central event in the past in question (or has not yet begun before it)

3) Future * - the action will be completed until some moment (which is indicated)

The most difficult of them is the present perfect, because in others the event before which the action is completed is usually indicated.

I have (already) finished polishing the floor (you washed the floor before -> the current moment)

I had already finished polishing the floor before the bell rang (you washed the floor before -> when the bell rang)

I will have finished polishing the floor by the moment he comes (you will wash the floor before -> before he comes)

If there is a sequence of events, the past simple is used, but if you do not name them in direct order, then you can also use the past perfect with those that happened before it (I shaved my face, but before that I had washed it = I washed my face and shaved it)

Continuous - an action is performed in a certain(!) period of time and in Russian it is used with verbs of unfinished action. At all times this is the only feature of use. When used in the current tense it means that the action is happening now

I was studying the English tenses from 5 am till 10 pm.

Perfect continuous - for any of the three times, the only thing that is true is that the action was started before the moment described and is still being performed without being completed. (I"ve been doing it for years). If in the case of continuous the action is “born and dies,” here it is “born and lives.” There is an exception - if the result of something unknown is visible, then not perfect is used, but perfect continuous - Your eyes are reading, you"ve been crying!

Each type of tense can be put on a modular scale, where 0 is the central moment of speech (for the present - the moment of speaking, for all others - mentally transfer yourself there and substitute the moment as in the present d:)

For each of these tenses there are words with which they are usually used (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, they are in any textbook)

If it’s not clear what tense to use, try substituting some of these words and see if it makes sense.

When speaking, focus on these words, and if they are not there, on the properties of tenses described above.

There are present, past and future tenses in both Russian and English. Verbs ( verbs ) change over time ( tense ). But this is where the similarity with Russian times ends, because for each of these three times the British have other varieties. In this article, we will provide a short and simple guide, based on diagrams and tables, to understand tenses in English for dummies ( dummies ).

Table and examples of times:

Aspect	Time
Aspect	Present	Past	Future
Simple	Martha cooks every day.(Martha cooks every day.)	Martha cooked a roast chicken yesterday.(Martha cooked fried chicken yesterday.)	Martha will cook a huge cake for my birthday.(Martha will make a huge cake for my birthday.)
Continuous	Martha is cooking fish at the moment.(Martha is cooking fish now.)	Martha was cooking a soup when we came home.(When we returned home, Martha was preparing soup.)	Martha will be cooking a rice pudding soon.(Martha will be making rice pudding soon.)
Perfect	Martha has already cooked many dishes.(Martha has already prepared many dishes.)	Martha had cooked for 2 hours by the time I joined her.(Martha had been cooking for 2 hours by the time I joined her.)	Martha will have cooked at least 20 dishes by 10 o’clock.(Martha will have prepared at least 20 dishes by 10 o'clock.)

All three tenses (past, present and future) have three main aspects: simple ( simple ), long ( continuous ) and perfect ( perfect ). Long-term are used for repeated actions, or those actions that last over time.

Perfect tenses exist to describe actions or states of being that occurred in the past, and it does not matter when. The main thing is that at the time of the conversation they had already ended. These tenses are used whenever we need to connect the past and present.

Simple tenses in English for dummies

Simple times ( Simple tenses ) apply to actions or states in the past, present or future.

The table shows that the form of the verb in the simple past tense does not change depending on the person, so it is very easy to remember the structure of sentences. Well, knowledge of irregular verbs will come with practice of reading and listening.

Simple future tense ()

Talks about events that have not yet happened. Formed the same way for all persons - by adding an auxiliary verb will + base verb.

Long tenses in English for dummies.

Long times ( Continuous tenses ) are needed to describe the actions that occur at the time of speech. This can be either in the present period or at a specific period in the past or future.

Present continuous ()

The diagram clearly shows the difference between the continuous and simple forms of the present tense.

Formed using an auxiliary verb to be + ing - form of the semantic verb (Present Participle) .

Past Continuous

Constructed with an auxiliary verb to be in the past tense + semantic verb in the ing form .

Future Continuous

This tense is used to talk about actions that may be interrupted in the future, or to say what will happen at a specific time in the future. Compare the diagram with Future Simple .

The Future Continuous is formed using the following formula: Will be + verb-ing

Perfect or perfect tenses in English for dummies

Express completed actions, the result of which is important at the time of the story. May be accompanied by adverbs already (already), yet (Not yet), just (just now), for (during), since (since) ever (ever) never (never). Formed using an auxiliary verb have + semantic verb in the Past Participle form.

present perfect

From the following diagram you can understand that the main difference between the present perfect and simple past tense is the moment in the past when the action ended. For the Present Perfect it is not important when it happened, but for the Past Simple it is important.

How the present perfect tense is formed:

Example: Has not already paid for the dinner. (He has already paid for dinner.)

Understand, repeat or learn tenses in English? You're kidding! This is almost a Chinese letter! Actually, no, and we know several secrets on how to easily and quickly learn and remember English tenses (table attached).

It is the times that become the main brake that prevents you from easily and simply mastering this most beautiful and popular language in the world. Sit back, sit back, because now we will tell you how to quickly and easily learn and remember verb tenses in English.

Method 1: how to quickly learn verb tenses in English

Students are confused from the very beginning, believing that there are 100,500 tenses in English. In fact, there are also 3 tenses in English: present, past and future. Then, as soon as you have mastered these basics, you will need to add other knowledge to the existing foundation.

Now is the time to find out that all verbs denoting actions in English can be divided into ongoing and non-continuous (i.e. continuous and non-continuous).

How to distinguish them: if an action occurs, has occurred or will occur over a certain period of time, then it is continuous (long or long-lasting). For example, Kolya was sleeping, Lena was doing her homework, Artem was reading a book.

If a sentence contains the following constructions, use Continuous - long time:

at the moment,
from 5 to 7,
the whole day,
when he came and so on.

It is used when it comes to about an unfinished process, action, which was done, is being done or will be done in a specific period of time.

Band Times Indefinite or Simple are used to denote an action that occurs regularly, every day, and its exact moment is unknown. It is characterized by indicator words: usually, twice, a week, on Sundays, often, sometimes, never, in summer, hardly, ever and so on. These words state the fact that an action is being performed.

When talking about a completed action, use Perfect, if the sentence contains phrases:

already,
just,
recently
lately, etc.

These indicator words indicate about the presence of a result by a certain moment: something happened now or yesterday by 5 o’clock, or will be ready by tomorrow morning.

Now we define Is it important for understanding the meaning by what point in time this action will be completed?. Thanks to this, we will understand whether we should use the perfect tense or not (Perfect or non-Perfect). Now is the time to bring together all the signs of action we have identified. This way we get a complete definition of the available time. For example, Past continuous Perfect.

The Perfect Continuous tenses are practically never used in real life. However, to pass the test and understand the literary language, it still won’t hurt to study them. For example: In April I’ll have been working on the book for 10 months. In Russian it will sound something like this: in April it will be 10 months since I started working on the book.

Method 2: how to quickly learn English tenses (table)

There is another way if the previous one didn’t work out. There is nothing easier than learning the English tense table.

This table shows all the signs of action. By comparing one sign with another, it will not be difficult for you to determine what time appears before you.

When studying tenses, you will need to learn the forms of auxiliary verbs and verbal words that serve in the formation of a particular tense. And be sure to learn the table with irregular verbs!

And if you still don’t have enough time to prepare for taking a test or test in English, don’t hesitate - contact the student assistance service. Service specialists know everything, if not more, about the times, and they certainly know how to help you. And to broaden your horizons or just keep up to date with student life, subscribe to our telegram channel.

And here is a video about how to quickly and easily learn time in English: