Mind Map Gallery English Tenses

English Tenses

English tenses are an essential aspect of the language, indicating the time of an action or event. They help convey when something happened, is happening, or will happen. English has several tenses, including present, past, and future tenses, which are further divided into simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous forms. Understanding these tenses is crucial for effective communication and proper expression of time in English. This mind map will explore the different English tenses, their structures, and common usage, providing a comprehensive overview of this fundamental aspect of the language.

Edited at 2022-06-19 10:16:53

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English Tenses

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Outline

Present and past tenses

Past

Simple

Use

Events in the past that are now finished

I went to school

Situation in the past

They lived a normal life unitl they won a lottery

A series of actions in the past

He entered a room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests

Form

Subject + verb + ed or irregular form

I lived in New York for 10 years

Subject + auxiliary verb + not + verb

I wasn't at my grandma's when you came

Auxiliary verb + subject + verb

How long did he work there?

Continuous

Use

Actions in progress

[use example]

Interrupted actions in progress

[use example]

Actions in progress at the same time in the past

[use example]

Irritation

[use example]

Timid / Polite question

I was wondering if you could carry my bag.

Form

Subject + auxiliary verb was/were + verb + ing

We were all thinking about our holidays.

Subject + auxiliary verb wasn´t/weren´t + verb + inbg

He asked me why I wasn't having dinner at the hotel.

Auxiliary verb was/were + subject + verb + ing

Was she going to the theater when it started raining?

Perfect

Use

A completed action before another activity in the past

[use example]

Third conditional sentences

[use example]

Reported speech

[use example]

Dissatisfaction with the past

[use example]

Form

Subject + auxiliary verb had + past participle

My mum asked me whether I had visited grandma the previous day.

Subject + auxiliary verb hadn´t + past participle

If I hadn't taken my keys from the drawer, I would be able to get into my house.

Auxiliary verb had + subject + past participle

Had they had any pet before they bought the giraffe?

Perfect Continuous

Use

Duration of a past action up to a certain point in the past

[use example]

Third conditional sentences

[use example]

Reported speech

[use example]

Form

Subject + had + been + verb + ing

I had been running for an hour when it started raining.

Subject + hadn´t + been + verb + ing

If it hadn't been raining, we would have played football.

Had + subject + been + verb + ing

How long had the player been playing before he scored?

Present

Simple

Use

Facts and generalization

The government steals public money everyday

Habits and routines

I don't eat breakfast in the mourning

Permanent situations

State verbs (eg. be, have, think, know)

Fixed/official arrangement that we can´t change

Form

Subject + verb

I learn English every day

Subject + auxiliary verb + not + verb

They don't live in New York anymore

Auxiliary verb + subject + verb

Does he learn English everyday?

Continuous

Use

Activities or Situations

happening around now

in progress now

incomplete

temporary

Future (personal) arrangements

Mike is preparing to eat his big chicken

Form

Subject + auxiliary verb to be + verb + ing

He is getting married this month

Subject + auxiliary verb + not + verb + ing

We aren't waiting for my uncle

Auxiliary verb + subject + verb + ing

Is she eating my cake now?

Perfect

Use

Actions

which happened at indefinite (unknown) time before now

in the past which have an effect in the present moment

which began in the past and continue in the present

Form

Subject + have/has + past participle

I have bought new shades

Subject + haven´t/hasn´t + past participle

He hasn't taken any drug for two years

Have/has + subject + past participle

Where has she lived for the past 21 years?

Perfect Continuous

Use

Actions

that started in the past and continue in the present

that have recently stopped

bom

Form

Subject + has/have + been + verb + ing

We've been waiting for a good offer to buy a car since March

Subject + hasn´t/haven´t + been + verb + ing

John hasn't been using his A drive for a long time

Has/have + Subject + been + verb + ing

Has Tom been walking the dog?