Tenses
Keywords
.
Keywords
Some words that match
certain verb tenses. These
keywords can help you
understand which verb
tense to use, which will
improve your English.
Present Simple
Usage
• for habits and regular actions. For example: I brush my teeth before I go to bed.
• for truths (facts that do not change): For example: Ice melts when it is hot.
Keywords
• always, usually, normally, often, sometimes, rarely, seldom, never
• every day, every week, every month, every year, daily, weekly, annually
Present Progressive
(Present Continuous)
Usage & Form: BE + Verb in ~ing form
• for actions happening at this moment. For example: You are
reading this webpage.
Keywords
• now, right now, at this moment, presently, currently, today
Present Perfect Simple
Usage & Form: HAVE + Past Participle
• Youfor actions that happened in a period that started in the past and have not yet finished.
For example: I have exercised twice this month. (This month has not finished).
• for actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past (the speaker doesn't say
yesterday, or last month). In this case, the speaker is talking about their life experience. For
example:
• I have been to Japan. (Correct)
• She has seen the movie. (Correct)
• He has bought it yesterday. (Wrong -- yesterday is a specific time in the past that is finished).
Keywords :
● for, yet, just already, since, once, twice, several times, lately, recently
Present Perfect Progressive
(Present Perfect Continuous)
Usage Have + BEEN + Present Participle (Verb in ~ING form)
• For actions that started in the past and continue until now. For
example: You have been reading this webpage for 2 minutes.
Keywords
• how long, for, since, all day
Past Simple
Usage & Form:
• For actions that finished at a specific time in the past. E.g:
• The company started in 2003.
Keywords
• yesterday, last week, last year, in 2017 (or any year before that), ago
Past Progressive
(Past Continuous)
Usage & Form: BE Verb + Present Participle (Verb in ~ING Form)
• Used to focus on actions happening at a specific time in the past.
E.g. I was driving my car at 9:20 p.m last night.
Keywords
• while, when, at (a time)
Past Perfect
Usage & Form: Had + Past Participle
• Used for past actions that occurred before another past action. E.g.
I had met my wife before I graduated university.
Keywords
• before [a past event], by the time
Future Simple (Will)
Usage & Form: Will + Verb
• For future actions that are not 100% decided. E.g. I think I will go to
the party.
• To show that a future action is done voluntarily (the actor chooses to
do it). E.g. I will help you tomorrow.
Keywords
• probably, likely, maybe
Quiz
Time
Choose the correct answr.
1. A: When (you / join) the company? / B: Ten
months ago.
2. (you / ever/ work) in Europe?
3. That was the worst presentation (I / see) in my
life.
4. Sales (rise) in 1993 but then (fall) in
1996.
5. Ryan is still working. He (not / finish) his
homework yet.
6. A: What (you / do) when I (call)
you last night?
