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English Tenses Master Chart

Use this English tenses chart as a quick guide to formulas, uses, examples, signal words, common mistakes, and study order. It is designed for learners who want a simple and clear overview of English grammar.

English Tenses Chart

TenseFormulaMain UseExample
Present SimpleSubject + base verbroutines, facts, habitsI study English every day.
Present ContinuousSubject + am/is/are + verb ingactions happening nowShe is studying now.
Present PerfectSubject + have/has + past participleexperiences, resultsThey have finished the lesson.
Present Perfect ContinuousSubject + have/has been + verb ingduration, ongoing actionsWe have been studying for two hours.
Past SimpleSubject + past verbfinished past actionsI visited London last year.
Past ContinuousSubject + was/were + verb ingactions in progress in the pastShe was reading when I called.
Past PerfectSubject + had + past participleearlier past actionThey had left before we arrived.
Past Perfect ContinuousSubject + had been + verb ingduration before another past actionHe had been working all day.
Future SimpleSubject + will + base verbpredictions, promisesI will help you.
Be Going ToSubject + am/is/are going to + base verbplans, intentionsShe is going to travel next month.
Future ContinuousSubject + will be + verb ingfuture action in progressWe will be studying tonight.
Future PerfectSubject + will have + past participlecompleted future actionThey will have finished by noon.
Future Perfect ContinuousSubject + will have been + verb ingduration before a future momentI will have been working for five hours.
Used ToSubject + used to + base verbpast habits and statesI used to play football.
Would for Past HabitsSubject + would + base verbrepeated past actionsMy grandfather would tell stories.
Future in the PastSubject + would + base verbfuture from a past point of viewShe said she would call later.

Signal Words Chart

TenseCommon Signal Words
Present Simplealways, usually, often, every day, never
Present Continuousnow, right now, at the moment, today
Present Perfectalready, yet, just, ever, never
Present Perfect Continuoussince, for, lately, recently
Past Simpleyesterday, last week, ago, in 2020
Past Continuouswhile, when, at that moment
Past Perfectbefore, after, already
Future Simpletomorrow, next week, soon
Going Totonight, this weekend, next year
Future Continuousthis time tomorrow
Future Perfectby tomorrow, by next week
Future Perfect Continuousfor, by the time

Quick Comparison Chart

Tense PairDifference
Present Simple vs Present Continuoushabits vs actions happening now
Present Perfect vs Past Simplelife experience vs finished past action
Past Simple vs Past Continuouscompleted action vs action in progress
Will vs Going Tospontaneous decision vs planned intention
Used To vs Wouldpast states and habits vs repeated actions

Common Mistakes Chart

IncorrectCorrect
She play football.She plays football.
I am study now.I am studying now.
They has finished.They have finished.
He go yesterday.He went yesterday.
I will to help you.I will help you.
She used to played tennis.She used to play tennis.

Learning Tips

  • Practice one tense at a time.
  • Learn signal words.
  • Compare similar tenses.
  • Speak English every day.
  • Write short example sentences.
  • Watch English videos with subtitles.
  • Practice storytelling.
  • Read English conversations.

Recommended Study Order

  1. Present Simple
  2. Present Continuous
  3. Past Simple
  4. Future Simple
  5. Present Perfect
  6. Past Continuous
  7. Going To
  8. Present Perfect Continuous
  9. Past Perfect
  10. Future Continuous
  11. Past Perfect Continuous
  12. Future Perfect
  13. Future Perfect Continuous
  14. Used To and Would
  15. Future in the Past