| Verbs Tenses | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Expresses events/situations that exist always, usually, habitually. | Tom studies every day.The sun rises in the East. |
| Simple Past | Expresses a specific time where the action began and ended in the past. | It snowed yesterday.In 2004, I moved to Paris. |
| Simple Future (will) | Expresses an action that will take place in the future.The decision is made at the time of speaking. (Volunteering at that time).The speaker thinks that something will be true (prediction) | If you don’t understand the problem, I will help you. (decided time of speaking)I think we will be late because of the traffic. (Predicting) |
| Simple Future (be going to) | Expresses an action that will take place in the future.The speaker thinks that something will be true (prediction).The speaker has already decided to do something in the future.(Prior plan).The result of the situation is obvious. | I think we are going to be late because of the traffic. (Predicting)I have decided to paint my room. I am going to paint it blue. (Prior decision)Look at those black clouds, it is going to rain. (Obvious result). |
| Present Continuous/Progressive | Expresses something that started in the past and is still happening now and may continue in the future. The action is not finished. | The phone is ringing, could you answer it? |
| Past Continuous/Progressive | Expresses something that started in the past and was in progress (in the middle of an action) at a particular time in the past. The action did not finish. | At 10:30, Johnny and Jenny were playing tennis. They started at 10am and the will not finish until 11am. |
| Future Continuous/Progressive | Expresses something that will start at a specific time in the future and will be continuing in the future. The action is not finished. | If you call me tonight at six, I will be working. |
| Present Perfect (simple) | For actions in the past, at an unspecified time, that have a result in the present or have a connection in the present; it may or may not have occurred in the past; the activity may be repeated before now. | Jim has already eaten lunch.I have worked here for 10 years.She has eaten at that restaurant twice.Have you ever driven across Canada? |
| Past Perfect (simple) | For an action that has recently stopped or just stopped before another one in the past. | Fred had already done his homework when his friend arrived.Someone had forgotten to lock the door, so the thief was able to rob them. |
| Present Perfect Progressive | Used to express the duration of an event that is in progress immediately before now or up to now. It is used with time words such as: for, since, all morning/day/week. | Johnny has been reading for two hours.It has been raining all day. |
| Past Perfect Progressive | Used to express the duration of an activity that was in progress before another activity or time in the past. | The police had been looking for the criminal for two years before they caught him. |
| Future Perfect | Expresses an activity that will be completed before another time or event in the future. | By the time I see you in July, I will have graduated. |
| Future Perfect Progressive | Emphasizes the duration of an activity that will be in progress before another time or event in the future. | I will have been sleeping for three hours by the time John gets home at midnight. |
| Present Participle (participial adjectives) | Serves as an adjective with an active meaning. The noun it modifies performs the action. Formed by adding “ing”. | It is an amusing story. (The story amuses the speaker).What a frightening experience. (The experience frightens the speaker) |
| Present Participle | The form of a verb used with “to Be” in progressive tenses by adding “ing” | Right now I am reading.Yesterday, I was cooking dinner.Tomorrow, I will be dancing in the moonlight. |
| Past participle (participial adjectives) | Used as an adjective/modifier with a passive meaning. Typically formed by adding “d” “ed” to the base form. | Since the dishes were washed, we left the kitchen. (were washed by someone)The broken vase needs to be fixed. (broken by someone) |
| Past Participle | The form of a verb used with “ to have” in perfect tenses, or with the verb “ to be” in the passive | I have read the chapter.The pizza was eaten. |
| Indicative (mood) | It is used to make factual statements | Jill carries a bucket of water.Jill carried a bucket of water.Jill will carry a bucket of water. |
| Imperative (mood) | It is used to make a request or a command. | Call me tomorrow.Sit down! |
| Subjunctive (mood) | Expresses doubt or a wish using clauses beginning with “ if” “that”; it can also express a request, demand or proposal in a clause beginning with “that” | He talks about grammar as if he were an expert.( expresses doubt or an idea contrary to the fact)I wish that I were fast. (wish)The teacher request that the homework be handed in. (request)The rules require that each player have a physical. (demand)
I suggest that the air conditioner be turned on. (proposal) |
| Gerund | A verb form ending in “ing”, which acts as a noun | Dancing is my favourite activity.We enjoyed listening to the concert.Alice prefers camping than hiking. |
| Auxiliary Verbs/Helping verbs | Verbs that are used to help form verb phrases but cannot do so independently: To Be; to Have; to Do;Modals: Can, should, would, must, could, need, etc. | You are laughing.She has eaten.I can run.Do you drive? |
| The Passive | The object of an active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb.Often used without a by-phrase either because it is not known who performs the action, or it’s not important. (Only transitive verbs can be used). | The student is helped by the teacher.Our house was built in 1990. |
| Transitive Verbs | Verbs that can be followed by an object. | I enjoyed the party.She went to bed. |
| Intransitive Verbs | Verbs that cannot be followed by an object. | Birds fly.Smoke rises. |
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