Types of Tenses in English Grammar with Examples is a great collection of 12 tenses. Before we start the topic, read the following examples.
- I invite you to the marriage party.
- We taught the students during lockdown.
- They will definitely pay for hardwork.
In the very first sentence, the verb ‘invite’ tells about the present time.
In the second sentence, the verb ‘taught’ refers to the past time.
And in the third sentence, the verb ‘will’ tells about the future time.
Therefore, we can say that a verb may tell us about –
- present time
- past time
- future time.
On the basis of the above examples, let us come to definition of tense in the sequence of types of tenses in English Grammar with examples.
Defining the Types of tenses in English Grammar with examples
We have read the above examples to make them clear. They will help us to define 12 tenses.
A verb that tells about the present time is present tense. For example –
- We listen to our teacher.
- She smiles at the kids.
A verb that tells about the past time is past tense. For example –
- We listened to our teacher.
- She smiled at the kids.
A verb that tells about the future time is future tense. For example –
- We shall listen to our teacher.
- She will smile at the kids.
So, based on the above examination, we can categories tenses into three main tenses.
- The Present Tense
- The Past Tense
- The Future Tense
| Note: Hey, there are alwasy some exceptions for the rules. A past tense may tell us for the present time as well. And sometimes, a present tense may tell us about the future time as well. See the examples below – I wish I knew his name and address. Let us see when he realizes his duty. |
Here in the first sentence, ‘I wish’ is in present tense while ‘I knew his name and address’ is in past tense. However, the second sentence refers to the present time. It means that I am sorry I do not know his name and address.
Likewise, in the second sentence, ‘when he realizes his duty’ refers to the future time. It means when he will realize his duty.
Now, this is the time to move forward with the topic the types of tenses in English Grammar with examples.
Chief Tenses (Present, Past and Future)
Let us proceed with the topic types of tenses in English Grammar with examples. First of all, see the sentences below in an active voice. Examine the indicative mood of the verb ‘learn’.
Present Tense
| Person | Singular Number | Plural Number |
| First Person | I lean | We learn |
| Second Person | You learn | You learn |
| Third Person | He learns | They learn |
We need to see the same verb in the past tense and the future tense.
Past Tense
| Person | Singular Number | Plural Number |
| First Person | I learnt. | We learnt. |
| Second Person | You learnt. | You learnt. |
| Third Person | He learnt. | They learnt. |
Future Tense
| Person | Singular Number | Plural Number |
| First Person | I shall/will learn. | We shall/will learn. |
| Second Person | You will learn. | You will learn. |
| Third Person | He will learn. | They will learn. |
The chief tenses are not enough to understand the sentences. Hey, it doesn’t mean that they are not the least important.
Let us see the subtypes of these chief tenses for the topics of types of tenses in English Grammar with examples.
Subtype of all types of tenses in English Grammar with examples
See the subtypes of all the types of tenses in English Grammar with examples below.
| Present Tense | Past Tense | Future Tense |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present Tense | Simple Past Tense | Simple Future Tense |
| Present Continuous Tense | Past Continuous Tense | Future Continuous Tense |
| Present Perfect Tense | Past Perfect Tense | Future Perfect Tense |
| Present Perfect Continuous Tense | Past Perfect Continuous Tense | Future Perfect Continuous Tense |
To understand the above subtype of tenses, read the table below-
| Tenses | Sentences |
|---|---|
| Simple Present Tense | I learn tenses. |
| Present Continuous Tense | I am learning tenses. |
| Present Perfect Tense | I have learnt tenses. |
| Present Perfect Tense | I have been learning tenses. |
If you examine the verb of the above sentences, you will find that all the sentences refer to the present time. Therefore, you can say that the above sentences are in the present tense.
Let us examine the sentences one by one.
In the sentence first, if you see the verb, you can find that the verb does not tell about the action, whether complete or incomplete.
See the sentence second. Here in the sentence, the verb clearly shows the incompleteness of the action. The action is incomplete. It means the action is still going on.
In the third sentence, when the speaker tells about the action, the action is complete. It is finished.
In sentence four, the verb tells that the action is not complete at the time of speaking. It is running continuously.
After examining the above sentences, you can come to the point of subtype definition. It will push the topic of the types of tenses in English Grammar with examples ahead.
Before defining subtype, let us see some past tense sentences and future tense sentences in the table below.
| Tenses | Past Tense Sentences | Future Tense Sentences |
|---|---|---|
| Indefinite Tense | I leant tenses. | I shall/will learn tenses. |
| Continuous Tense | I was learning tenses. | I shall/will be learning tenses. |
| Perfect Tense | I had learnt tenses. | I shall/ will have learnt tenses. |
| Perfect Continuous Tense | I had been learning tenses. | I shall/will have been learning tenses. |
Definition of tenses (Subtype)
On the basis of the above tense table and examination of sentences, we can find the definition of tenses subtypes.
Definition of Indefinite Tense
Indefinite tense tells us that the action of the sentence is incomplete or continuous. It is not complete. See the table above.
Definition of Continuous Tense
Continuous tense shows that the action is in going on at the time of speaking. It is not complete. And it does not give the information of the completeness of the action as well.
Definition of Perfect Tense
Perfect tense shows that the action is finished or complete at the time of speaking.
Definition of Perfect Continuous Tense
Perfect continuous tense shows that the action is going on continuously at the time of speaking. For examples, you can see the above table and observe closely.
You have travelled long here. But don’t worry. We are at the last step of the types of tenses in English Grammar with examples.
Verb Agreement of all Types of Tenses in English Grammar with Examples
Here in this section you can see how a verb agrees with the subject in number and person. Examine the tense table below.
Let us see preset tense first in types of tenses in English Grammar with examples.
| Simple Present Tense | Present Continuous Tense |
| I translate Hindi into English. | I am translating Hindi into English. |
| You translate Hindi into English. | You are translating Hindi into English. |
| He translates Hindi into English. | He is translating Hindi into English. |
| We translate Hindi into English. | We are translating Hindi into English. |
| They translate Hindi into English. | They are translating Hindi into English. |
| Present Perfect Tense | Present Perfect Continuous Tense |
| I have translated Hindi into English. | I have been translating Hindi into English. |
| You have translated Hindi into English. | You have been translating Hindi into English. |
| He has translated Hindi into English. | He has been translating Hindi into English. |
| We have translated Hindi into English. | We have been translating Hindi into English. |
| They have translated Hindi into English. | They have been translating Hindi into English. |
Let us see some examples of past tense as well.
| Simple Past Tense | Past Continuous Tense |
| I explained with examples. | I was explaining with examples. |
| You explained with examples. | You were explaining with examples. |
| He explained with examples. | He was explaining with examples. |
| We explained with examples. | We were explaining with examples. |
| They explained with examples. | They were explaining with examples. |
| Past Perfect Tense | Past Perfect Continuous Tense |
| I had explained with examples. | I had been explaining with examples. |
| You had explained with examples. | You had been explaining with examples. |
| He had explained with examples. | He had been explaining with examples. |
| We had explained with examples. | We had been explaining with examples. |
| They had explained with examples. | They had been explaining with examples. |
Finally, there are some examples of future tense.
| Simple Future Tense | Future Continuous Tense |
| I will teach types of tenses. | I will be teaching types of tenses. |
| You will teach types of tenses. | You will be teaching types of tenses. |
| He will teach types of tenses. | He will be teaching types of tenses. |
| We will teach types of tenses. | We will be teaching types of tenses. |
| They will teach types of tenses. | They will be teaching types of tenses. |
| Future Perfect Tense | Future Perfect Continuous Tense |
| I will have taught types of tenses. | I will have been teaching types of tenses. |
| You will have taught types of tenses. | You will have been teaching types of tenses. |
| He will have taught types of tenses. | He will have been teaching types of tenses. |
| We will have taught types of tenses. | We will have been teaching types of tenses. |
| They will have taught types of tenses. | They will have been teaching types of tenses. |
Hope you understand the above article of types of tenses in English Grammar with examples. If you understand well, write a comment in the section below.
For translation click the link below.