In this guide, we will discuss the 12 tenses in English grammar with examples. To master tenses, it’s helpful to practice using the 12 Tense Formula Chart with examples. This page provides a clear overview of the 12 tenses in English, complete with examples to enhance your understanding.
12 Tenses Formula Chart
The formula chart provides you the shortcut to keep the tenses in mind. The tenses have been classified according to the three different times phases; the past, the present, and the future.
12 Tenses In English Grammar
There are three main tenses in English grammar and each of them has its four conditions which comprise the 12th tenses as below.
Present Tense In English Grammar Rules With Examples:
The present tense is a tense which expresses an action that is currently going on or habitually performed.
Formula: Subject + 1st Form of Verb + Object
Example
- I write a letter.
- He goes to school daily.
- I do not write a letter.
- He does not get up early in the morning.
Types Of Present Tense:
- Present Indefinite Tense
- Present Continuous Tense
- Present Perfect Tense
- Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Present Tenses with Structure and Examples
Past tense is a tense that indicates an action that began in the past and was also done in the past within or with not in a confirmed period of time or date or year.
Past Indefinite Tense:
- Simple: Subject + Verb + Complements
- Negative: Subject + Did not + Verb + Complements
- Interrogative: Why + Did + Subject + Verb + Complements +?
Past Continuous Tense:
- Simple: Subject + was/ were + Verb (ing) + Complements
- Negative: Subject + was not/ were not + Verb (ing) + Complements
- Interrogative: Why + was / were + Subject + Verb (ing) + Complements +?
Past Perfect Tense:
- Simple: Subject + had + Verb + Complements
- Negative: Subject + had not + Verb + Complements
- Interrogative: Why + had + Subject + Verb + Complements +?
Future Tense In English Grammar Rules With Examples:
The future tense is a tense that indicates an action or a work which is not yet happened but it is to be predicted to do in the future or will be happening in the future.
Structure of Future Indefinite Tenses:
- Simple/ Indefinite: Subject + Shall, Will + 1st form of Verb + Object
- Negative: Subject + Shall Not, Will Not + 1st Form of Verb + Object
- Interrogative: Shall, Will + Subject + 1st Form of Verb + Object +?
Structure of Future Continuous Tense:
- Simple/ Indefinite: Subject + will / shall + be + 1st Form of Verb with (ing) + Objective
- Negative: Subject + Will/ shall + Not + be + 1st Form of Verb with (ing) + Object
- Interrogative: Will / shall + Subject + be + 1st form of verb with (ing) + Object +?
Structure of Future Perfect:
- Simple/ Indefinite: Subject + Will/ shall + Have + 3rd form of verb + Object
- Negative: Subject + Will/ shall + Not + Have + 3rd form of Verb + Object
- Interrogative: Will / Shall + Subject + Have + Been + Object +?
Structure of Future Perfect Continuous:
Subject + Will Have/ Shall Have + Been + Being + 3rd Form of Verb + By + Object
