English Tenses (past, present and future)

1. Simple past
   1. He walked to school yesterday.
   2. He was in this room a while ago.
   3. Where did you go this morning?
   4. It snowed yesterday.
   5. I watched television last night.
      (At one particular time in the past, this happened.)
2. past perfect (passive)
   1. The letter had been written when I arrived yesterday.
   2. I had already eaten when they arrived.
      

      First I finished eating. Later they arrived. My eating was completely finished before another time in the past.

3. past perfect progressive
   1. I had been studying for two hours before my friend came.
      

      Event in progress: studying. When? Before another event in the past. How long? For two hours.

4. Past continuous passive
   1. The letter was being written at five o'clock yesterday
5. Future in the past
   1. He said that he would write a letter the following day.
6. Here and now
   1. I am tall.
   2. What is your name?
7. Present Simple = usually/these days
   1. It snows in Alaska.
   2. I watch television every day.

   In general, the simple present expresses events or situations that exist always, usually, habitually.

8. Present Simple indefinite (passive form)
   1. Letters are written every day.
   2. Tomorrow I will go to school
   3. What shall we do tomorrow?
9. Present Continuous passive
   1. The letter is being written now
10. Simple future
    1. It will snow tomorrow.
    2. I will watch television tonight. (At one particular time in the future, this will happen. )
11. Simple indefinite (passive form)
    1. The letter will be written tomorrow.
    2. I will be working all day tomorrow. (a kind of plan for the future)
12. Future Continuous
    1. I will be travelling tomorrow
13. Future in the past
    1. He said that he would be writing a letter at five o'clock the following day.
    2. What are you doing? I'm driving a car (present)
    3. I'm going out tonight (Future!)
14. ALL continuous passive
    1. The letter will be being written at midday tomorrow.
15. Continuous passive future
    1. The letter will be being written at midday tomorrow. (This form is not used very often)
    2. When I started university I had already learnt how to drive
16. Future in the past
    1. He said that he would have written a letter by five o'clock the following day.
    2. Have you been to France?
    3. I've done it already
    4. I would have played for Manchester united if I'd been good enough (Conditional)
    5. I don't care if you missed the bus this morning. You have been late to work too many times. You are fired!
    6. Julian lives a long way from the coast and he has never seen the ocean.
17. present perfect (passive)
    1. The letter has already been written
    2. By this evening I will have been at work for 12 hours!
       (Not ..I will be at work for 12 hours)
    3. I have already eaten.
       

       I finished eating sometime before now. The exact time is not important.

18. Future perfect (passive)
    1. The letter will have been written by the time you arrive tomorrow.
    2. When I got married, I had already been living with my wife.
    3. I have been painting the living room.
       (The action is important and not so much whether or not it is completed. I have painted the living room (past simple=finished)
    4. I will already have eaten when they arrive.
       

       First I will finish eating. Later they will arrive. My eating will be completely finished before another time in the future.

19. Future perfect continuous (in the past)
    1. (He said that) he would have been writing a letter for an hour or so by the time I came.
    2. I have been learning English for 5 years now.
    3. I won't come on the trip next week because, I will have been working all week by then.
    4. I will have been studying for two hours by the time you arrive. Event in progress: studying. When? Before another event in the future. How long? For two hours.