How Many Tenses in English?
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How Many Tenses in English?
There are three English tenses; past, present, and future. But, the three can be categorized based on their function. I lump the future in with the simple present and present progressive, so I get 12 categories.
1) Simple present: used to make statements of fact, to show repeated actions, or to describe scheduled events in the future.
a) The sky is blue.
b) We take the bus to work everyday.
c) The flight leaves tomorrow.
2. Present Progressive: used to show actions with duration in the present, events happening in the current time, or plans for the future.
a) Rebecca is studying Russian Literature in university.
b) Please be quite. The baby is sleeping.
c) She is going to be a famous actress.
3. Present Perfect Progressive: used to show duration that began in the past but continues in the present.
a) I have been watching TV for three hours.
4. Present Perfect (actually a past tense): used to describe an event that happened at an unspecified time in the past
a) Humans have walked on the moon.
5. Simple past: used to make statements of fact in the past, to show completed actions in the past, or to show repeated actions in the past.
a) In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
b) John walked to school this morning.
c) My grandfather used to smoke.
6. Past Progressive: used to show actions with duration in the past, or actions happening in the past that were interrupted.
a) I was sleeping.
b) I was sleeping when the fire alarm rang.
c) I was sleeping while the fire alarm was ringing.
7. Past Perfect: used to show an action (with duration) completed before another action completed in the past [sometimes referred to as “the past of the past”]
a) John had lived in Paris before he lived in Berlin.
8. Past Perfect Progressive: an action with duration completed at an unspecified time in the past
a) John had been running for 30 minutes before he collapsed.
9. Simple Future: used to show actions that have not happened yet or promises for the future.
a) When the new iPhone arrives, I will be the first in line.
10. Future Progressive: used to show actions with duration in the future.
a) Uncle Frank will be staying at Aunt Sarah’s house.
11. Future Perfect: used to show that an action will be completed in the future
a) By the time you arrive, dinner will have served already.
12. Future Perfect Progressive: used to show an action with duration in the future [sometimes called “the past of the future”]
a) By the time I arrive, I will have been traveling for three days.
Enjoy.
Time Base: 5 minutes, Passing Score – 90% + ( >= 13 questions).
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Reference: Warren Sentes. ( Foundational English Grammar instructor ). ” How many tenses are there in English? ” originally appeared on Quora, the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.