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English Tenses – Examples

  Explanation Past Present Future
  Simple Past Simple Present Future I Simple
a moment in time action that takes place once, never or several times He played football every Tuesday. He plays football every Tuesday. He will / is going to play football every Tuesday.
actions that happen one after another He played football and then he went home. He plays football and then he goes home. He will play football and then he will go home.
state He loved football. He loves football. He will love football.
  Past Progressive Present Progressive Future I Progressive
a period of time action going on at that moment He was playing football. He is playing football. He will be playing football.
actions taking place at the same time He was playing football and she was watching. He is playing football and she is watching. He will be playing football and she will be watching.
  Past Perfect Simple Present Perfect Simple Future II Simple
result action taking place before a certain moment in time; emphasises the result He had won five matches until that day. He has won five matches so far. He will have won five matches by then.
  Past Perfect Progressive Present Perfect Progressive Future II Progressive
Course / Duration action taking place before a certain moment in time (and beyond), emphasises the duration He had been playing football for ten years. He has been playing football for ten years. He will have been playing football for ten years.