The following tables provide contexts and examples for when each of the 12 Engli
The following tables provide contexts and examples for when each of the 12 English verb tenses can be used.
The Present Simple
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Facts or generalization |
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Electric cars run on lithium batteries. Carbon emissions accelerate global warming. The sun emits solar power. |
| Habits |
Sales representatives send their monthly reports to accounting at the end of each month. Canadian employees often take their vacations in the summer. Regrettably, he never provides prompt updates. |
| States of being |
He is here now. The reporter has the microphone in her hand. Marianne Stemberger is 60 years old. Julian has the flu. |
The Present Continuous
The present continuous is sometimes also called the present progressive.
| Context | Examples |
|---|---|
| An action(s) going on at this moment |
I am replying to an e-mail. They are adjusting the faulty cable. David and Sylvia are packing the orders. |
| A trend |
Are you still working at Deloitte? Many corporations are adding CSR to their mission plans. |
| An action(s) or event(s) in the near future |
I’m meeting the office administrator in five minutes. We’re going to the session on fiscal restraint tonight. |
| To emphasize a series of actions (used with forever, always, constantly) |
He is constantly complaining about the air quality in the office. We are always looking for new products to add to our line. |
The Present Perfect
| Context | Have + Past Participle |
|---|---|
| An action(s) that began in the past but continues or is still relevant in the present |
Peter has worked here since 2010. He still works here. Jane has led the sales team for five years. She still leads the team. |
| An action(s) that was completed in the past but still has future possibility |
Joanne has already had two cups of coffee this morning. The day is not finished, so Joanne has the potential to drink more coffee. Lau and Oleg have begun the monthly sales report review. They started, but they have the potential to do a more thorough review. Our team has worked hard this week. The team still has more time to continue working. |
| An action(s) that occurred during unspecified time |
She has discussed the findings of the study with our manager on several occasions. It’s unclear and doesn’t matter when. We have visited the factory many times. It’s unclear and doesn’t matter when. |
| An action(s) that has been completed in the recent past |
They have just sent out the order. Milan Manocheri has just announced the merger. The word just is used in both sentences. |
The Present Perfect Continuous
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| An action(s) that started in the past but continues in the present |
We have been waiting for you all day. She has been working on the draft all morning. |
The Past Simple
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| An action(s) that occurred in the past and that are completely finished |
They sent the expense report to me last night. Acme Restaurant Supp