English Grammar Tense Chart with Uses
Tense Structure Use Example
Present Simple Subject + V1 (s/es) Daily routines, facts, general truths
She plays daily.
Present Continuous Subject + is/am/are + V-ing Actions happening now She is playing now.
Present Perfect Subject + has/have + V3 Completed actions with present result
She has played.
Present Perfect Continuous
Subject + has/have been + V-ingAction started in past and continuing
She has been playing.
Past Simple Subject + V2 Completed actions in the past She played yesterday.
Past Continuous Subject + was/were + V-ing Ongoing action in the past She was playing.
Past Perfect Subject + had + V3 Action completed before anotherShe
pasthad
action
played.
Past Perfect ContinuousSubject + had been + V-ing Ongoing action before a past point
She had been playing.
Future Simple Subject + will + V1 Future decisions or predictions She will play.
Going to Future Subject + is/am/are going to + V1Planned future actions She is going to play.
Future Continuous Subject + will be + V-ing Ongoing future actions She will be playing.
Future Perfect Subject + will have + V3 Completed before a future time She will have played.
Tense Structure Use Example
Present Simple Subject + V1 (s/es) Daily routines, facts, general truths
She plays daily.
Present Continuous Subject + is/am/are + V-ing Actions happening now She is playing now.
Present Perfect Subject + has/have + V3 Completed actions with present result
She has played.
Present Perfect Continuous
Subject + has/have been + V-ingAction started in past and continuing
She has been playing.
Past Simple Subject + V2 Completed actions in the past She played yesterday.
Past Continuous Subject + was/were + V-ing Ongoing action in the past She was playing.
Past Perfect Subject + had + V3 Action completed before anotherShe
pasthad
action
played.
Past Perfect ContinuousSubject + had been + V-ing Ongoing action before a past point
She had been playing.
Future Simple Subject + will + V1 Future decisions or predictions She will play.
Going to Future Subject + is/am/are going to + V1Planned future actions She is going to play.
Future Continuous Subject + will be + V-ing Ongoing future actions She will be playing.
Future Perfect Subject + will have + V3 Completed before a future time She will have played.
