1. VERB TENSES

2. Verbs can change their form according to
Time of the action
The nature of the action
(whether it is completed or is still continuing
This change of form is called tense.

3. There are 3 groups of tenses
The Simple Tense
The Continuous Tense
The Perfect Tense

4. THE USES OF TENSES

5. THE SIMPLE TENSES TENSE EXAMPLES USES Simple present
The sun rises in the east.
I sleep at ten o’clock every night.
To express a fact or general truth
To express a habit
Simple past
It rained yesterday.
He visited me last night.
To express an action that took place and ended in the past.
Simple future
We shall be ready soon.
The parcel will reach him tomorrow.
To express an action that will take place in the future.

6. THE CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE TENSES
EXAMPLES
USES
Present continuous
They are watching television.
To show an action that begins, is going on at present, and will probably continue.
Past continuous
She was having dinner when I called.
To show an action that was going on in the past when something else took place.
Future continuous
They will be playing football tomorrow evening.
To show an action that will be going on at some time in the future.

7. THE PERFECT TENSES TENSE EXAMPLES USES Present perfect
He has just closed the door.
He has gone out for two hours.
We have lived in this house since 1995.
To express an action just completed.
To express an action that began in the past and is still continuing or is connected to the present moment
Past perfect
After he had finished his work, he went out.
To express an action that took place before another past action.
Future perfect
He will have completed his assignment before the deadline.
To express an action that will be completed at some later time in the future.