Education of all times present. Tenses in English. General information. Negative form of the verb

English tenses- one of the most difficult topics for a Russian-speaking person. First of all, this is due to the fact that the student often simply does not understand their meaning and meaning. Traditionally, experts distinguish 12 tenses, while in their native language there are 3. In order to finally master this material, you need to structure your knowledge on this topic. The article will be useful to people who are already familiar with the theory, but can not begin to practice.

Where to begin?

All English times are divided into three large groups:

• Present (Present).
• Future (Future).
• Past (Past).

As you can see, at this stage, English does not differ from Russian.

Further, in each of the presented groups, different categories of times are distinguished: Simple(simple) continuous(continued) Perfect(Perfect) and Perfect Continuous(perfect continuous). Why is such a large number of times needed? This greatly facilitates the understanding of the interlocutor in the process of communication. Each of these times has its own meaning. Having understood this issue, you will never again make mistakes in the process of using English sentences.

Simple tenses

present simple

This is the simple present tense. It is used to denote a sequence of different actions or a general fact:

She gets up, washes her face and has breakfast.
She wakes up, takes a shower and has breakfast.

My name is Jane, I'm from London.
My name is Jane. I'm from London.

The Present Simple is also used to express scientifically proven facts and regularly recurring events:

I always help my mother.
I always help my mom.

Ice melts at 0 degrees.
Ice melts at 0 degrees.

past simple

Expresses an ordinary fact or action in the past tense:

Yesterday I played football.
Yesterday I played football.

As well as Present Simple, it can denote a regular action, but already in the past:

This house was built 20 years ago.
The house was built 20 years ago.

Using the simple past tense - Past Simple, we are interested in conveying the fact itself.

Future Simple

And in this case, the total value of time does not change.

The Future Simple can be used either for regular actions in the future:

I will visit you very often.
I will visit you very often.

Or to pass a simple fact down the road:

She will move to her mother next year.
She will move in with her mother next year.

Brief conclusion:
The English tenses of the Simple group are the most commonly used. They are used to exchange information. Attention is not focused on either the duration or the completion of actions.

Continuous tenses

Here it is necessary to remember the main meaning of the whole group - the process.

Present Continuous is any process that takes place in the present tense. The action could begin in the recent past and may end within a certain period of time:

She is sleeping now.
Now she is sleeping.

It's raining at the moment.
It is raining at the moment.

Another use case is an expression of dissatisfaction, irritation:

You are always playing computer games!
You always play computer games!

The same goes for the time Past Continuous. It expresses a certain process at a specific moment in the past:

She was sleeping at 10 p.m. yesterday.
She was sleeping at 10 pm yesterday.

The Future Continuous also expresses a process at a certain point in the future:

Tomorrow at 9 a.m. I will be helping my best friend.
Tomorrow at 9 am I will be helping my best friend.

Brief conclusion:
English tenses of the Continuous group are used to demonstrate a fragment of a long time. This tense is almost always used with words like now(now) and at the moment(currently).

Perfect tenses

At this time, people have a lot of confusion. The key value of this group is the result. In the process of using this tense, we are interested precisely in the final result of some action or event.

Present Perfect

This is the result we've been able to get so far:

I have already done my homework and I can go for a walk.
I have already done my homework and I can go for a walk.

It turns out that the action itself (preparation of lessons) is no longer being carried out, it is completely completed. But in the current moment, we can see the result of the action: the opportunity to go for a walk.

Verbs in Present Perfect, as a rule, are translated into Russian in the past tense. However, the action at this time is perceived in the present, as it is tied to the current moment by the result.

past perfect

It is used to indicate the result to a specific moment in the past:

He had done the task by 11 p.m.
By 11 p.m., he completed the task.

The Past Perfect can also be used to denote a sequence of actions in the past and, accordingly, to coordinate tenses:

James said that he had noticed his old friend.
James said he spotted an old friend.

Thus, first James noticed an old friend, and then he told about it. The opposite could not have happened.

Future Perfect

This time is necessary to transfer the future result:

I will have cleaned my room by 5 p.m.
I will have cleaned the room by 5 pm.

At 5 o'clock, the action will no longer be performed, but the result will remain - a clean room.

Thus, the Future Perfect tense is used to express an action that will begin and end up to a certain point in the future with a certain result.

Brief conclusion:
Perfect - perfect tense, which necessarily implies a certain result, which can also be negative.

Perfect Continuous tenses

Present Perfect Continuous

She has been sleeping for 2 hours already.
She has been sleeping for 2 hours.

That is, the action began in the past and continues at the present moment.

Past Perfect Continuous

This is a process that began a long time ago and continued until a specific point in time in the past.

She had been sleeping for 3 hours when I came back.
By the time I got back, she had been asleep for 3 hours.

The return is the very moment of the past before which the process (dream) took place.

Future Perfect Continuous

It is a process that continues for a specific amount of time to a specific point in the future.

She will have been sleeping for 4 hours when you come back.
By the time you get back, she will have slept for 4 hours.

Brief conclusion:
A rather cumbersome construction of this tense can be "facilitated" by the use of Perfect tense. True, this advice is appropriate if you are not preparing for some important exam: they like to test knowledge of all times on tests.

1. Having firmly decided to learn the tenses of the English language, first of all, make a table for yourself with a theory and some examples of the use of tenses. Similar tables can be easily found on the Internet. In the process of writing, you will inevitably remember some information.

2. Do not try to focus on the theoretical material. Try to immediately translate the examples and understand their meaning. It is great if you have the opportunity to consult with a specialist who will clarify incomprehensible points.

3. Do not try to learn everything at once. Organize content by topic. For example, you will devote a week to familiarizing yourself with the times of the Simple group, a week - Continuous, and so on. It is definitely not worth rushing: you will find many pitfalls, subtleties of use, and even exceptions.

4. Keep practicing. As experienced people and qualified teachers say, the best way to learn the tenses of the English language is constant practice. The more exercises you do, the faster you will be able to achieve a positive result. It is especially good if you decide to do translations from Russian into English: tighten up the times and at the same time expand your own vocabulary.

5. Is it possible to communicate with a foreigner who knows English well? Be sure to use this chance. Do not underestimate the benefits of virtual communication.

6. Use any modern opportunities to improve your own knowledge. For example, on GooglePlay you can find many useful applications for learning the tenses of the English language.

What tools to use to study tenses?

1. First of all, you need a decent book with theoretical material. It is worth paying attention to the Round-Up benefit from Virginia Evans. This is a modern colorful edition. Books are presented in different difficulty levels: from 1 to 7. Contains a lot of grammar material.

2. Table of English tenses and table of irregular verbs. Essential materials for successful language learning. At first, be sure to keep these benefits in front of your eyes during classes. Over time, you will look into such a “cheat sheet” less and less. It is also worth finding various exercises on the topic of interest on the Internet. There are plenty of them freely available.

3. Grammar of Golitsinsky. This Russian-language edition is positioned as a manual for schoolchildren, but it does not have the easiest tasks. Using this collection of tasks, you will have to work hard, because the book has quite a few translation exercises. If you decide to study on your own, be sure to buy or download the correct keys to the textbook. Mistakes should be highlighted with a marker and carefully worked out. In the process of studying, try to formulate the reason for using this or that tense on your own.

4. Textbooks for preparing for various international tests: TOEFL, IELTS and so on. These exams are characterized by rather high requirements for the level of knowledge of all aspects of grammar, so after a few weeks you will notice a positive effect. In addition, you have to complete written tasks: write an essay or an essay. It will be great if you can find a qualified person who can check the work.

Thus, it is quite possible to master the tenses of the English language. To do this, you just need to understand their correct meaning, after which you can immediately begin to work out in practice. The main thing is not to despair if any difficulties arise that you will definitely meet on the way. Make an effort - and everything will definitely work out!

There are present, past and future tenses in both Russian and English. Verbs ( verbs ) change with time ( tenses ). But this is where the similarity with Russian times ends, because for each of these three times the English have more varieties. In this article, we will provide a short and simple guide based on diagrams and tables to understand tenses in English for dummies ( dummies ).

Table and examples of tenses:

Aspect	Time
	present	Past	Future
Simple	Martha cooks every day.(Martha cooks every day.)	Martha cooked a roast chicken yesterday.(Martha cooked fried chicken yesterday.)	Martha will cook a huge cake for my birthday.(Martha will make a huge cake for my birthday.)
continuous	Martha is cooking fish at the moment.(Martha is cooking fish now.)	Martha was cooking a soup when we came home.(When we got home, Martha was making soup.)	Martha will be cooking a rice pudding soon.(Martha will be making rice pudding soon.)
Perfect	Martha has already cooked many dishes.(Martha has already prepared many dishes.)	Martha had cooked for 2 hours by the time I joined her.(Martha had been cooking for 2 hours by the time I joined her.)	Martha will have cooked at least 20 dishes by 10 o'clock.(Martha will have cooked at least 20 meals by 10 o'clock.)

All three tenses (past, present and future) have three main aspects: simple ( simple ), long ( continuous ) and perfect ( perfect ). Long are used for repeated actions, or those actions that last in time.

Perfect tenses exist to describe actions or states of being that happened in the past, no matter when. The main thing is that at the time of the conversation they had already ended. These tenses are used whenever we need to link past and present.

Simple tenses in English for dummies

simple tenses ( simple tenses ) are applied to actions or states in the past, present or future.

The table shows that the form of the verb in the simple past tense does not change by person, so it is very easy to remember the scheme for constructing sentences. Well, knowledge of irregular verbs will come with the practice of reading and listening.

Simple future tense ()

Talks about events that have not yet happened. It is formed the same for all persons - by adding an auxiliary verb will + base verb.

Long tenses in English for dummies.

long times ( continuous tenses ) are needed to describe the actions that occur at the moment of speech. It can be both in the present period, and in a specific period in the past or future.

Present continuous ()

The diagram clearly shows the difference between the long and simple forms of the present tense.

Formed with an auxiliary verb to be + ing - the form of the semantic verb (Present Participle) .

Past continuous (Past Continuous)

Built with an auxiliary verb to be in past tense + semantic verb in ing-form .

Future continuous (Future Continuous)

This tense is used to talk about activities that may be interrupted in the future, or to say what will happen at a certain time in the future. Compare the diagram with Future Simple .

Future Continuous is formed according to the following formula: Will be + verb-ing

Perfect or perfect tenses in English for dummies

They express completed actions, the result of which is important at the moment of the story. May be accompanied by adverbs already (already), yet (not yet), just (just now), for (during), since (since) ever (ever) never (never). Formed with an auxiliary verb have + semantic verb in the Past Participle form.

present perfect

From the following diagram, it can be understood that the main difference between the present perfect and the simple past is in the moment of the past when the action ended. For Present Perfect, it doesn’t matter when it happened, but for Past Simple, it matters.

How is the present perfect tense formed?

Example: Has not already paid for the dinner. (He has already paid for dinner.)

They are divided into 4 groups: simple (Simple / Indefinite), continued (Continuous / Progressive), perfect (Perfect) and continued perfect (Perfect Continuous) tenses. What will help us choose the right option?

marker words time in English help to correctly determine the species-temporal form, therefore it is recommended to memorize them. Asterisk* ambiguous indicators of time are marked, which can occur in different cases.

Table of satellite words for all tenses of the English language

Used to describe actions in the present that occur regularly, with repetition, and not just at the moment of speech. Used to describe routines, schedules, habits, etc.

Usually- usually
I usually wake up at 7 o'clock. I usually wake up at 7 o'clock.
Always- always
Alice always gets good marks at school. Alice always gets good grades at school.
Often- often
Terry often drinks tea in the morning. Terry often drinks tea in the morning.
Every day / morning / week – every day/every morning/every week
Every week Rob goes to the gym. Rob goes to the gym every week.
Sometimes / from time to time / occasionally - sometimes
Sometimes I visit my Granny in the suberbs of Moscow. Sometimes I visit my grandmother in the suburbs of Moscow.
At the weekend / on weekends / on Saturdays / on Friday – Weekends / Saturdays / Fridays
We have a party on Fridays. On Fridays we have a party.
Seldom / rarely- rarely
We rarely go to the swimming pool. We rarely go to the pool.
Never* / hardly ever- never/almost never
Ann never watches horror films. Ann never watches horror films.

2. Companion words Past Simple

Used to describe actions that happened in the past.

Yesterday- yesterday
Yesterday we were at home. Yesterday we were at home.
A week / a year ago– a week/year ago
Alex moved to the USA a week ago. Alex moved to the US a week ago.
Last month / year– last month/year
Last month Fred sold his car. Fred sold his car last month.
When*- when
I was in the kitchen when you came. I was in the kitchen when you arrived.

3. Companion words Future Simple

Used to describe actions that will take place in an indefinite future.

Tomorrow- tomorrow
Tomorrow Jared will go to London. Tomorrow Jared will leave for London.
Next month / year– next month/year
Jack will finish school next year. Jack will finish school next year.
In … days/years– after … days/years
Ronald will arrive in 2 days. Ronald will arrive in 2 days.

4. Companion words Present Continuous

Used to describe actions that are happening at the moment, at the moment of speech.

Now- now
Mary is playing the guitar now. Now Mary plays the guitar.
At the moment- At the moment
The refrigerator isn't working at the moment. The refrigerator is not working at the moment.
Still*- still
John is still washing the dishes. John is still washing the dishes.

5. Companion words Past Continuous

It is used to describe actions that took place at some point or period in the past.

From … till …*- From to …
Helen was watching a movie at the cinema yesterday from 5 till 7. Helen was watching a movie at the cinema yesterday from 5 to 7.
- all day
He was working hard all day long. He worked hard all day.

6. Companion words of Future Continuous

Used to describe actions that will take place at a particular moment or period in the future.

from … till …*- From to …
Tony will be working in the office tomorrow from 9 to 11 o'clock. Tony will be working in the office tomorrow from 9 am to 11 am.
All day long* / for the whole day* - all day
He will be writing an article all night long. He will be writing the article all night.

7. Companion words Present Perfect

Used to describe actions completed by the time of speech or by the present as a whole.

Just- just now
Harry has just made a cake. Harry just made a cake.
Already- already
I have already done my homework. I have already done my homework.
Yet- still
Liza hasn't chosen the flowers yet. Lisa still hasn't picked flowers.
Since- with
I haven't played football since finishing the university. I haven't played football since graduating from university.
Recently- recently
Sally has recently been at the theatre. Sally was at the theater recently.
Never* / ever*- never / ever
I have never been to London. I've never been to London.

8. Companion words Past Perfect

Used to describe an action that has completed at some point in the past.

before* / after*- before after
I had brushed my teeth before I went to bed. I brushed my teeth before going to bed.
By*- to
Ann had spoken with her boss by 12 o'clock yesterday. By 12 o'clock yesterday Ann had spoken to her boss.

9. Companion words of Future Perfect

Used to describe actions that will last until a specific moment or period in the future.

By*- to
I will have been finished my project by the end of the month. I will finish my project by the end of the month.
Before*- before
Chris will have found a job before Christmas. Chris will find a job before Christmas.

10. Perfect Continuous Marker Words

As you might guess from the name, the Perfect Continuous tenses are a mixture of Perfect and Continuous. Therefore, their function is a long-term action that led to a result in the past / present / future.

for*- during
I had been reading for 5 hours. I have been reading for 5 hours.
I have been reading for 5 hours. I have been reading for 5 hours now.
I will have been reading for 5 hours. I will be reading for 5 hours already.

WARNING: marker words are not a panacea! As we can see, some of them occur in several times at once. Often this can be explained like this: take the phrase “from … till …” and see that it is a sign of the duration of the action, and the duration can be in the past, present and future tenses. However, the presence of a satellite word is a very good sign of the correct tense form.

English tenses are considered the most difficult topic, because in Russian we have only 3 tenses, and in English there are 12.

When studying them, everyone has many questions.

• What time should be used?
• Would it be considered a mistake to use one tense instead of another?
• Why is it necessary to use this tense and not another?

This confusion is due to the fact that we learn the rules of grammar, but do not fully understand them.

However, English tenses are not as complicated as they seem.

Their use depends on what idea you want to convey to your interlocutor. To do this correctly, you need to understand the logic and use cases of English tenses.

I immediately warn you, in this article I will not explain to you the grammatical formation of sentences. In it, I will give precisely the understanding of times.

In the article, we will look at the use cases of 12 tenses and compare them with each other, as a result of which you will understand how they differ, and when which time should be used.

Let's start.

What tenses are there in English?

In English, as well as in Russian, there are 3 blocks of tenses familiar to us.

1. Present (present) - indicates an action that is happening in the present tense.

2. Past (past) - denotes an action that takes place in the past tense (once upon a time).

3. Future (future) - denotes an action that will take place in the future tense.

However, the English tenses do not end there. Each of these time groups is subdivided into:

1. Simple- simple.

2. continuous- lengthy.

3. Perfect- completed.

4. Perfect Continuous- long-term completed.

The result is 12 times.

It is the use of these 4 groups that confuses English learners. Indeed, in Russian there is no such division.

How do you know what tense to use?

To use English tenses correctly, you need 3 things.

• Understand the logic of English tenses
  That is, to know what time is intended for what and when it is used.
• Be able to build sentences according to the rules
  That is, not only to know, but to be able to speak these sentences.
• Understand exactly what idea you want to convey to the interlocutor
  That is, to be able to choose the right time depending on the meaning that you put into your words.

To understand English tenses, let's take a closer look at each group.

Once again, I will not explain the grammatical formation of sentences. And I will explain to you the logic by which we determine which group time should be used.

Let's start with the easiest group - Simple.

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Times of the Simple group in English

Simple translates as "simple".

We use this tense when we talk about facts that:

• taking place in the present
• happened in the past
• will take place in the future.

for example

I drive a car.
I drive a car.

We say that a person knows how to drive a car and this is a fact.

Let's look at another example.

She bought a dress.
She bought a dress.

We are talking about the fact that sometime in the past (yesterday, last week or last year) she bought herself a dress.

Remember: when you talk about some action as a fact, then use the Simple group.

You can study in detail all the tenses of this group here:

Now let's compare Simple with another group of tenses - Continuous.

Continuous tenses in English

Continuous is translated as "long, continued."

When we use this tense, we are talking about an action as a process that:

• happening at the moment
• happened in the past at some point,
• will happen in the future at a certain moment.

for example

I am driving a car.
I'm driving.

Unlike the Simple group, here we do not mean a fact, but we are talking about a process.

Let's see the difference between fact and process.

Fact:"I can drive a car, I have a license."

Process:“I got behind the wheel some time ago and now I am driving a car, that is, I am in the process of driving.”

Let's consider one more example.

I will be flying to Moscow tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will fly to Moscow.

We are talking about the fact that tomorrow you will get on a plane and for some time you will be in the process of flying.

That is, for example, you need to get in touch with the client. You tell him that you will not be able to talk to him at this time, as you will be in the process of flying.

Remember: when you want to emphasize the duration of an action, that is, that the action is a process, use the Continuous group times.

You can read more about each time of this group here:

Now let's move on to the Perfect group.

Perfect tenses in English

Perfect translates as "complete / perfect."

We use this time when we focus on the result of an action, which:

• we got by now,
• we got to a certain point in the past,
• we will get to a certain point in the future.

Note that even in the present tense, this tense is translated into Russian as the past. However, despite this, you say that the result of this action is important at the present moment.

for example

I have fixed my car.
I fixed the car.

We focus on the result that we currently have - a working machine. For example, you say that you fixed the car, now it works, and you can go to your friends' country house.

Let's compare this group with others.

We are talking about the fact (Simple):

I cooked dinner.
I was cooking dinner.

For example, you tell a friend about the fact that you cooked a delicious dinner yesterday.

I was cooking dinner.
I was cooking dinner.

You say you were in the process of cooking. For example, they did not pick up the phone, because they were preparing (were in the process) and did not hear the call.

We are talking about the result (Perfect):

I have cooked dinner.
I cooked dinner.

You currently have the result of this action - dinner ready. For example, you invite the whole family to dinner because dinner is ready.

Remember: when you want to focus on the result of an action, use the Perfect group.

Read more about all the times of the Perfect group in these articles:

And now let's move on to the last group of Perfect Continuous.

Tenses of the Perfect Continuous group in English

Perfect Continuous translates as "completed continuous." As you noticed by the name, this group of times includes signs of 2 groups at once.

We use it when we talk about a long-term action (process) and about obtaining a result.

That is, we emphasize that the action began some time ago, lasted (was in progress) a certain time and at the moment:

1. We got the result of this action

For example: "He repaired the car for 2 hours" (the action lasted 2 hours, and at the moment he has a result - a working car).

2. The action still continues

For example: “He has been fixing the car for 2 hours” (he started fixing the car 2 hours ago, was in the process and is still fixing it).

We can say that the action began some time ago, lasted and:

• ended/continues in the present,
• ended / continued until a certain point in the past,
• will end / will continue until a certain point in the future.

for example

I have been cooking this dinner for 2 hours.
I cooked dinner for 2 hours.

That is, you started cooking 2 hours ago and by now you have the result of your action - a ready dinner.

Let's compare this time with others like it.

We are talking about the process (Continuous):

I am painting a picture.
I am drawing a picture.

We say that we are currently in the process of drawing. It doesn't matter to us how much time it has already taken, it is important to us that at the moment you are involved in this process.

Talking about the result (Perfect)

I have painted a picture.
I drew a picture.

We say that at the moment we have a result - a finished picture.

We talk about the result and the process (Perfect Continuous)

1. I have been painting a picture for an hour.
I drew a picture for an hour.

We say that at the moment we have a result - a finished picture. You also emphasize that you spent one hour in the process of drawing to get this result.

2. I have been painting a picture for an hour.
I paint a picture for one hour.

We say that we are now in the process of drawing, while we focus on the fact that we have been busy with this process for an hour. In contrast to Continuous times, where we only care about what happens at a certain (current) moment, and not how much we are already doing it.

Remember: if you want to emphasize not only the result, but also its duration (how long it took you to get it), then use Perfect Continuous.

General table for comparing the times of the Simple, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous groups

Let's look again at what each group of tenses is responsible for. Look at the table.

Time	Example	Accent
Simple	I did my homework. I did my homework.	We are talking about a fact. For example, you once studied at the university and did your homework. It is a fact.
continuous	I was doing my homework. I did my homework.	We talk about the process, we emphasize the duration of the action. For example, you didn't clean your room because you were busy doing homework.
Perfect	I have done my homework. I've done my homework.	We are talking about the result. For example, you came to class with your homework ready. The teacher doesn't care how long it took you. He is interested in the result - the work is done or not.
Perfect Continuous	I have been doing my homework for 2 hours. I did my homework for 2 hours.	We emphasize not only the result, but also the duration of the action until it is received. For example, you complain to a friend that homework is too difficult. You spent 2 hours doing it and: did it (got the result), still doing at the moment.

Outcome

Use English tenses depending on what meaning you want to convey to the interlocutor. The most important thing is to understand what the emphasis is on in each of the tenses.

1. We talk about action as a fact - Simple.

2. We talk about action as a process - Continuous.

3. We talk about action, focusing on the result - Perfect.

4. We talk about the action, emphasizing that it took a certain time before getting the result - Perfect Continuous.

I hope that now the logic of English times has become clear to you, and you will be able to convey the correct meaning to your interlocutor.

Beginners to learn the language of Shakespeare or continuing their studies have repeatedly asked the question: "How many tenses are there in English?" Today, disputes and disagreements about the quantity do not subside. And the whole problem is that we, Russian speakers, consider them as past, present and future, and "brothers" who speak English call them shades.

Various reference books give numerous definitions of this grammatical phenomenon, but all are similar in that English tenses are a way of expressing actions with an indication of the period of its course, and they are all built on the basis of changing the forms of the verb. Actions can be expressed in Active Voice (active voice) and Passive Voice (passive voice). It is the first one that we will consider in this article.

English verb tenses - formation and use

The study of this category is better to start with an understanding of the whole essence. So, as in Russian, there are three tenses in English: present (Present), past (Past) and future (Future - although many grammarians also call it a shade). Each of these segments has subcategories, the rules for the use and formation of which cause difficulties.

Table: formation of tenses in English

Sub categories	Time	Education formula
Indefinite (Simple)	present	+ S+Vs(V) — S + doesn't (don't) + V ? Does (Do) + S + V ?
	Past	+ S + V 2 (V ed) — S + didn't + V ? Did+S+V?
	Future	+ S + shall/will + V - S + shall / will + not + V ? Shall/will+S+V
Continuous (Progressive)	present	+ S + is/am/are + Ving — S + is/am/are+ not + V ing ? Is/am/are + S + Ving
	Past	+ S + was/were + Ving — S + was/were + not + Ving ? Was/were + S + Ving
	Future	+ S + shall/will + be + Ving — S + shall/will+ not + be + Ving ? Shall/will + S + be + Ving
Perfect	present	+ S + have/has + V 3 (V ed) — S + have/has+ not + V 3 (V ed) ? Have/has + S + V 3 (V ed)
	Past	+ S + had + V 3 (V ed) — S + had + not + V 3 (V ed) ? Had + S + V 3 (V ed)
	Future	+ S + will/shall + have + V 3 (V ed) — S + will/shall + not + have + V 3 (V ed) ? Will/shall + S + have + V 3 (V ed)
Perfect Continuous	present	+ S + have/has+ been + Ving — S + have/has+ not + been + Ving ? Have/has + S + been + Ving
	Past	+ S + had+ been + Ving — S + had + not + been + Ving ? Had + S + been + Ving
	Future	+ S + will/ shall + have + been + V ing — S + will/ shall + not + have + been + V ing ? Wll/shall + S + have+ been + V ing

We got acquainted with education, it's time to move on to use. Here comes the most difficult part. If education is trained and memorized 2-3 times, then using it is more and more confusing. Consider English tenses with examples by subgroups.

The Indefinite (Simple) group reflects single, common actions. Continuous (Progressive) emphasizes the duration of the process, as well as Perfect Continuous. Their difference lies in the fact that the second, despite the duration, nevertheless ended or will end by a certain moment. But the Perfect group is used to describe a completed event, or which will be completed.

All this description is approximate, each of them needs to be studied, worked out, compared separately, and then you can easily move to a new level. To clarify the situation a little, let's look at the temporary forms in the table.

Table: usage of English tenses

present simple	past simple	Future Simple
1. An action that always happens, often, usually	1. An action that happened in the past, but we just know the fact	1. Normal, single action in the future
My father often goes to see his friends on Saturday.	I wrote a letter last week.	Next year I will come to this village again.
2. What you can’t argue with: scientific facts, results, natural phenomena, patterns	2. Chronologically sequential actions in the past: one after the other.	2. Consistent actions in the future
The earth goes around the sun.	Yeterday morning I called my sister at first. Then I went to work.	I will come home. Then I will write a letter to my pen friend.
3. Repetitive actions in the present	3. Repetitive actions in the past	3. Repetitive actions in the future
I usually get up at 7 oclock. Then I take a shower and have breakfast.	Last year I often traveled abroad.	Next year I will not often travel abroad.
4. To express the future in subordinate conditions and time		4. Assumptions about a future event (not a plan)
As soon as I write a letter I'll send it immediately.		I expect Mary will get this place.
5. In jokes, sports commentary		5. Requests, threats, refusal to do something, offers to do something, promises
What's worse than having termites in your piano? Crabs on your body.		Thank you for lending me the dvd disk. I'll give it back on Monday.
6. With verbs not used in Continuous (feelings, desires, perceptions)
I don't understand what are you talking about.
7. Schedules of trains, buses, movies in the cinema, matches, lessons
The train leaves at 5 p.m.
Present Continuous	Past Continuous	Future Continuous
1. Action at the moment of speaking or covering a longer period in the present	1. The action took place (lasted) at a certain moment in the past	1. An action that will last in the future
Don't bother the teacher, she is writing a letter now.I am attending music classes now.	This time last month I was sitting in the lovely French cafe.	Would you like to visit a museum tomorrow evening? No, I will be watching the match at this time.
2. Happens around at the time of the conversation	2. In the main clause with a when clause, where the first lasted when the other happened	2. If plans are reported, intentional action
look! He is falling down.	I was sleeping when my cell phone suddenly rang.	I will be going to the cinema tomorrow.
3. Situation that is changing	3. Parallel long-term actions in the past	3. Asking about someone's plans as a polite request
His French is becoming better and better.	While I was taking a shower, my husband was cooking the dinner.	Will you be going out at 7? I need your car.
4. Planned actions for the future (In the meaning of gathering = to be going to)	4. Actions that took place within a certain time frame, in a limited period.	4. Parallel actions in the future
I am buying a new flat tomorrow.	I was cleaning the flat the whole weekend.	While you will be doing shopping I will be repairing my car.
5. Too often repeated actions that cause irritation, reproach, disapproval	5. Too often repeated actions, habits that caused irritation, censure, reproach
He is too often complaining about.	Yesterday my friend was too often losing his papers, books and tests.
Present Perfect	past perfect	Future Perfect
1. An action that began in the past, but its result is connected with the present, so to speak, on the face	1. An action that took place before another, later action in the past	1. Will end before a certain point, events in the future
Is Jim at home? No, he has already gone to Paris.	I had come home before my sister washed the dishes.	I will have done my homework before the match begins.
2. The action started in the past and continues now	2. Ended by a certain point	2. To communicate the likelihood, the intended action
My mother has always wanted to live in a small country house.	I had given up smoking by the end of the holidays.	The citizens will have noticed the false government's solutions.
3. To indicate actions with an indication of the period, how many times they were repeated	3. An action that started in the past happened before or during another event in the past
It is the first time I have driven.	I knew exactly that my friends hadn't met since Andy's party.
Present Perfect Continuous	Past Perfect Continuous	Future Perfect Continuous
1. An action that began in the past and lasts is happening in the present (at the time of the conversation)	1. An action that started in the past and was happening when another event happened	1. An action that starts in the future and will last until another point in the future.
They have already been painting the wall for 5 hours.	He had been driving a car yesterday when his father came.	I will have been having dinner when my boyfriend comes.
2. An action that was completed before the moment of the conversation	2. An action that began in the past and lasted a certain time
She has been ironing all day long. Now, she is too tired to go out.	He had been repairing his car for an hour last weekend.

The grammar of tenses in English is very extensive, which is why this table is not enough to fully understand and figure out where is what. It is better to study each separately, and then in a complex.

Sometimes it is really difficult to understand whether the action lasted or ended, in the past or in the present it is happening. But everything is learned in practice. That is why it is recommended to study the tenses of the English language with examples that will not only demonstrate the way of formation and use, but also show typical situations of use.

Remember, when choosing verb tenses in English, follow following scheme .

1. Determine whether the action refers to the past, present or future (Present, Past, Future)
2. Understand: what you see, or what you know.
3. If you know exactly about the event (no matter where), then the Simple.
4. If you see, then: the action itself is Continuous, traces or signs, the result is Perfect, I see the action, but I compare it with what I saw earlier - Perfect Continuous.

So let's recap. We can say that in the active voice there are 12 tenses, reflecting the periods of the action.

• Present Simple (Indefinite), Past Simple (Indefinite), Future Simple (Indefinite)
• Present Continuous (Progressive), Past Continuous (Progressive), Future Continuous (Progressive)
• Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future Perfect
• Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous, Future Perfect Continuous

Tenses in English will take a lot of your strength. Well, what can you do. But tables will help to remember and put everything in memory faster and easier, although they are not enough for a complete understanding.