English Tenses Active

1. Simple Present (Present Simple) – Introduction
Simple present is also called present simple.



The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present

2. Present Progressive – Introduction
The present progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action.

The present progressive is used for actions going on in the moment of speaking and for actions taking place only for a short period of time. It is also used to express development and actions that are arranged for the near future.
Present progressive is also known as present continuous.

3. Simple Past (Past Simple)
The simple past expresses an action in the past taking place once, never, several times. It can also be used for actions taking place one after another or in the middle of another action.
Form of Simple Past

Positive Negative Question
no differences I spoke. I did not speak. Did I speak?

For irregular verbs, use the past form (see list of irregular verbs). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’
Exceptions in spelling when adding ed Example
after a final e only add d love – loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled admit – admitted
travel – travelled
final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried




Use of Simple Past
• action in the past taking place once, never or several times
Example: He visited his parents every weekend.
• actions in the past taking place one after the other
Example: He came in, took off his coat and sat down.
• action in the past taking place in the middle of another action
Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.
• if sentences type II (If I talked, …)
Example: If I had a lot of money, I would share it with you.
Signal Words of Simple Past
• yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday
• If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, …)

4. Past Progressive (Past Continuous)
The past progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past.
Form
Positive Negative Question
I/he/she/it I was speaking. I was not speaking. Was I speaking?
you/we/they You were speaking. You were not speaking. Were you speaking?
Exceptions in spelling when adding ing Example
final e is dropped (but: ee is not changed) come – coming
(but: agree – agreeing)
after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled sit – sitting
l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English) travel – travelling
final ie becomes y lie – lying
Exceptions in Spelling
Use of Past Progressive
• puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past
Example: He was playing football.
• two actions happening at the same time (in the past)
Example: While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.
• action going on at a certain time in the past
Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.
Signal Words of Past Progressive
• when, while, as long as

5. Present Perfect Simple
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.
Form of Present Perfect
Positive Negative Question
I/you/we/they I have spoken. I have not spoken. Have I spoken?
he/she/it He has spoken. He has not spoken. Has he spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, ). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’
Exceptions in spelling when adding ed Example
after a final e only add d love – loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled admit – admitted
travel – travelled
final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried
Use of Present Perfect
• puts emphasis on the result
Example: She has written five letters.
• action that is still going on
Example: School has not started yet.
• action that stopped recently
Example: She has cooked dinner.
• finished action that has an influence on the present
Example: I have lost my key.
• action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking
Example: I have never been to Australia.
Signal Words of Present Perfect
• already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now

6. Future I Simple will
Will future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced.
Form of will Future
positive negative question
no differences I will speak. I will not speak. Will I speak?
Use of will Future
 a spontaneous decision
example: Wait, I will help you.
 an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future
example: He will probably come back tomorrow.
 a promise
example: I will not watch TV tonight.
 an action in the future that cannot be influenced
example: It will rain tomorrow.
 conditional clauses type I
example: If I arrive late, I will call you.
Signal Words
 in a year, next …, tomorrow
 Vermutung: I think, probably, we might …, perhaps

7. Future I Simple going to
Going to future expresses a conclusion regarding the immediate future or an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared.
Form of going to Future
positive negative question
I I am going to speak. I am not going to speak. Am I going to speak?
you/we/they You are going to speak. You are not going to speak. Are you going to speak?
he / she / it He is going to speak. He is not going to speak. Is he going to speak?
Use of going to Future
 an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared
example: I am going to study harder next year.
 a conclusion regarding the immediate future
example: The sky is absolutely dark. It is going to rain.
Signal Words
 in one year, next week, tomorrow

8. Future I Progressive (Future I Continuous)
Future I progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action taking place in the future.
Form
 A: He will be talking.
 N: He will not be talking.
 Q: Will he be talking?
Use
 action that is going on at a certain time in the future
 action that is sure to happen in the near future
Signal Words
 in one year, next week, tomorrow

9. Future II Simple
Future II Simple expresses an action that will be finished at a certain time in the future.
Form
 A: He will have talked.
 N: He will not have talked.
 Q: Will he have talked?
Use
 action that will be finished at a certain time in the future
Signal Words
 by Monday, in a week
10. Future II Progressive (Future II Continuous)
Future II progressive puts emphasis on the course / duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the future. It can also be used to express an assumption regarding a future action.
Future II progressive is not used very often as it can usually be replaced by future II simple.
Form
 A: He will have been talking.
 N: He will not have been talking.
 Q: Will he have been talking?
Use
 action taking place before a certain time in the future
 puts emphasis on the course of an action
Signal Words
 for ..., the last couple of hours, all day long