REVISTA LOS TIEMPOS - SARA GONZALEZ

2020
VERB TENSES
Sara Gonzalez
Grado Septimo
4-11-2020

In English, as in any other language, the
verb is the center of the sentence, it is what
is spoken about. Therefore, it is one of the
first topics to consider if you want to learn
English. Surely you know that it consist of
12 different tenses, but it also has many
exceptions and particular expressions. If
you need a refresher on how to use verb
forms correctly or if you have any questions
to resolve, read this short summary of verb
tenses in English. It will help you refresh
your memory and you will always know
how to choose the correct verb. Ready to
star?

In English, there are four verb forms of the
present: the present simple, the present
continuous and two other particular forms
of the verb in the present are: present
perfect continuous.
It is formed with the verb in the infinitive
without the “to”. In the third person
singular it is necessary to add the suffix-s.
Used to indicate
Actions that are usually carried
I study English every Friday
Facts and conditions that do not change
The sun rises at 6 a.m.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
It is formed with the
auxiliary verb in the
present + the main
verb with the suffixing.
It is used to indicate:
Actions that take place at the time of
speaking.
It is raining (it´s raining).
Future action or event that has already been
scheduled.
Are they coming next summer? (Will they
come next summer?)
It is formed using the auxiliary haber in the
present (have/has)+ the past participle of
the main verb. Used to indicate
An action that started in the past and is still
ongoing or that took place in a period of
time that has not yet ended
I have read over books this year.
I have in London
since 1991
An action that has
just ended,
expressed with the
adverb just
I have just finished my homework

Actions that have just finished, but whose
results are still present:
It has been raining all day
It is formed with the verb I the present
perfect+ the participle of the main verb. It is
used in a very similar way to the present
perfect, with the difference that in this case
the focus is not only on the result of the
action but also on its development.
Indicates
(it has rained all day)
Actions started in the past that continue in
the present:
She has been working all day
(Has worked all day) (and still is…)

The tenses in the past in
English are 4: past simple,
past continuous, past
perfect continuous.
It is formed with the base
verb + suffix ed or whit the
appropriate form in the
case of an irregular verb.
Indicates:
Christopher Columbus
discovered America in
1492. (Cristobal Colon
discovered America in
1492)
It is formed with the
auxiliary of the verb to be
(was/were) + present
participle of the main verb.
Used to indicate an action
perceived as unfinished or
in progress in the past.
I was taking a shower
when the phone rang

PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
This verb tense corresponds to the present
perfect continuous but in the past. In this
case too, the emphasis is on the progress of
Had you been waiting for long before the
train arrived?
Event or action that started before another
action in the past
the action and not just its completion. It is
formed with the past perfect of the verb to
be (been) + the present participle of the main
verb. Indicates

Also the future tense consists of 4 verb forms: Future simple (two forms), future continuous
and future perfect.
FUTURE SIMPLE (WILL)
The simple future is formed with
will/shall+the base form of the verb. Express
Spontaneous decision, I will call you back
later. (I will call you latter).
FUTURE
SIMPLE
(GOING TO)
It is formed with the auxiliary ser ++going +
infinitive of the main verb. It is used to
indicate plans or decisions, in particular
future events strongly associated with the
present.
I am going to have dinner with my cousin
tonight.

It is formed with the simple future of the
verb to be + the present
participle. Indicates a future
action that is seen in its
development. At this time
next year, I will be going on holiday
The future perfect is made up of two
elements: the simple future of the verb
haber (will have) + the past participle of the
By December, I will have written my thesis
main verb. Indicates an action that will be
completed in the future tense of which it is
spoken.

The future perfect continuous is made up of two elements: the future perfect of the verb to
be + the present participle. Indicates an action that continues in the future or interrupted by
another event
I’ll have been studying English for three months this summer.