Basic English Tenses

Here you will find examples of the most common English tenses (and aspects).

Present Simple

Common time expressions: usually, every day, often, occasionally, always, never, etc.

Example: I drink coffee every day.

Example: She never travels to New York.

Example: We watch a lot of movies every week.

Present Continuous

Common time expressions: now, right now, as we speak, etc.

Example: I am drinking coffee right now.

Example: She is travelling to New York as we speak.

Example: We are watching a movie now, please don't bother us!

Present Perfect

Common time expressions: by now, already, never, yet, before, ever, etc.

Example: I have never drunk coffee in my entire life.

Example: She has been to New York several times (by now).

Example: We have already finished watching the movie.

Past Simple

Common time expressions: ago, last Monday (night, month, etc.), in 1991, etc.

Example: I drank coffee 10 minutes ago.

Example: She went to New York in 2008.

Example: We watched that movie last week.

Past Continuous

Common time expressions: yesterday at 8 p.m., when [something else happened], while

Example: I was drinking coffee at 9 a.m. yesterday.

Example: She was travelling to New York when I called her on her cellphone.

Example: While we were watching a movie, someone broke into the house.

Past Perfect

Common time expressions: before [something else happened], after, by [specific time in the past]

Example: I had finished my coffee before she came to meet me.

Example: She had traveled to New York several times by the time she turned 20.

Example: After we had watched the movie, John said he didn't care for it so much.

Future Simple

Common time expressions: tomorrow, next week (month, etc.), soon, etc.

Example: I will drink my coffee tomorrow.

Example: She will travel to New York next month.

Example: I will watch this movie soon.

Future Continuous

Common time expressions: at [specific time in the future], when [something else happens in the future]

Example: I will be drink my coffee tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

Example: She will be travelling to New York right when he mother turns 60.

Example: I will be watching this movie when everyone else leaves the house.

Future Perfect

Common time expressions: by [specific time in the future], before [something else happens in the future]

Example: I will have drunk my coffee by the time she arrives.

Example: She will have travelled to New York at least two times by next Monday.

Example: I will have watched this movie before you come home from work tonight.

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