English Tenses: Forms, Uses, and Time References

What is the formula for the continuous tense?

(be) + (verb) + ing

What is the formula for the perfect tense?

(have) + (verb)

What is the formula for the perfect continuous tense?

(have) + been + (verb) + ing

What defines a past action?

An action that ended in the past.

Give an example of a past action.

He painted yesterday.

What is the past continuous tense used for?

An action that was happening when another action finished.

Provide an example of past continuous.

I was painting when I saw the accident.

What is the formula for the past perfect tense?

Had + (verb)

Provide an example of past perfect.

We had painted the house before the rain started.

What is the past perfect continuous tense used for?

An action that happened over time in the past before another action.

Provide an example of past perfect continuous.

She had been painting for a while when she started classes.

What defines a present action?

An action that is habitual or repeated.

Give an example of a present action.

She paints every weekend.

What is the present continuous tense used for?

An action that is in the process of happening now.

Provide an example of present continuous.

She is painting now.

What is the present perfect tense used for?

An action that happened at an unsaid time in the past.

Provide an example of present perfect.

She has painted many portraits.

What is the present perfect continuous tense used for?

An action that happens over time, starting in the past and continuing into the present.

Provide an example of present perfect continuous.

I have been painting landscapes since I started school.

What defines a future action?

A plan for an action in the future.

Provide an example of a future action.

She will paint tomorrow.

What is the future continuous tense used for?

An action that will happen in the future for a length of time.

Provide an example of future continuous.

They will be painting when you arrive tomorrow.

What is the future perfect tense used for?

An action that will finish before another action or time in the future.

Provide an example of future perfect.

He will have painted the bedroom before his daughter comes home.

What is the future perfect continuous tense used for?

An action that happens over time in the future before another action.

Provide an example of future perfect continuous.

We will have been painting for several hours before we can see how it looks.