What is Tense?
Understanding Tense
A tense is the form of a verb that shows when an action happens—whether in the past , present , or future . It helps us describe the time and continuity of an action or event.
Main Types of Tenses
Tense
Time
Example
Present
Now / Regularly
I write letters.
Past
Before now
I wrote a letter.
Future
After now
I will write a letter.
Forms of Each Tense
Form
Use
Example
Simple
Basic action or fact
She reads daily.
Continuous
Ongoing action
She is reading now.
Perfect
Completed action
She has read the book.
Perfect Continuous
Ongoing action with duration
She has been reading for an hour.
Quick Summary
Time
Simple
Continuous
Perfect
Perfect Continuous
Present
I write
I am writing
I have written
I have been writing
Past
I wrote
I was writing
I had written
I had been writing
Future
I will write
I will be writing
I will have written
I will have been writing
English Tenses
English Tenses Overview
1. Present Tenses
Tense
Example
Use
Simple Present
She reads books.
Habits, general truths
Present Continuous
She is reading now.
Actions happening now
Present Perfect
She has read five books.
Past actions with present relevance
Present Perfect Continuous
She has been reading all day.
Ongoing action from past to present
2. Past Tenses
Tense
Example
Use
Simple Past
She read the book yesterday.
Completed actions in the past
Past Continuous
She was reading at 5 PM.
Ongoing action in the past
Past Perfect
She had read it before lunch.
One past action before another
Past Perfect Continuous
She had been reading for hours.
Ongoing action up to a point in the past
3. Future Tenses
Tense
Example
Use
Simple Future
She will read tomorrow.
Future actions or predictions
Future Continuous
She will be reading at 5 PM.
Ongoing action at a future time
Future Perfect
She will have read it by Friday.
Action completed before a future point
Future Perfect Continuous
She will have been reading for 3 hours.
Ongoing action leading to a future time
