English verb tenses are essential for expressing when actions happen. There are 12 main tenses that combine three time periods - past, present, and future - with four aspects: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous. Each tense serves a specific purpose in communication.
Present tenses are used to describe current situations. Present Simple expresses habits and general truths. Present Continuous shows actions happening right now or temporary situations. Present Perfect connects past actions to the present moment. Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration of ongoing actions.
Past tenses describe actions that happened before now. Past Simple shows completed actions at specific times. Past Continuous describes ongoing actions in the past or background situations. Past Perfect indicates actions completed before other past events. Past Perfect Continuous emphasizes duration of actions before past reference points.
Future tenses express actions that will happen after now. Future Simple with will shows predictions and spontaneous decisions. Be going to expresses planned intentions and predictions based on evidence. Future Continuous describes ongoing actions at future times. Future Perfect indicates completion before future reference points.
Mastering English tenses requires understanding context and time relationships. Pay attention to time markers like yesterday, now, and already. Consider whether actions are ongoing or completed, and how different actions relate to each other in time. Regular practice with reading and speaking will help you choose the correct tense naturally.