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Tenses help you realize the time of the event mentioned in a sentence. Their understanding is essential in mastering any language. Mentioned below are various types of tenses in the English language.

Types Of Tenses

Tense of a sentence gives you an idea of the time when the incident mentioned in a statement takes place. At the same time, it is that critical factor that can most commonly leads people to mistakes while framing a sentence or while identifying the time of events. With your knowledge of tenses strong, fluent English and flawless grammar isn't too far away from you. Here, in this article, all the various types of tenses are explained, along with their structure and examples, to help you get a much clearer picture of this important part of speech; it would also provide you the confidence to pick the right type of tense. Though it might seem complicated when you try to glance through the write-up, tenses aren't that difficult to understand; spend some time on each tense mentioned and see yourself framing better sentences than before. Read the following section carefully. The examples mentioned below can guide you through for sure.

Tenses In English

Present Tense

Simple Present Tense
A sentence is presented in simple present tense when it is used to describe an action that's happening at present and does not indicate when the action is expected to end. Simple present tense is used when:
Structure:
Verb "+s/es" form is used;
Some Examples:
Present Progressive Or Present Continuous
Though the simple present and present continuous tenses are used interchangeably, present continuous usually defines an act that is going on at the time of speaking.

The sentences with present progressive tense are used when:
Structure:
In other words, it is "Subject + be (is, am, are) + Verb+ -ing + Object"

Some Examples:
Present Perfect Tense
It's probably the most used tense form in English Grammar and is also considered difficult to understand. The Present Perfect Tense explains the incident that has happened in the past and that continues until the present time.

Examples
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Usually, Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for a situation that has occurred in the past and which continues until that moment.

Structure:
Examples:
Past Tense

Simple Past Tense
Simple past tense is used to narrate an action of the past. The verb in the past tense ends with an '-ed' and hence, there are seven ways of marking the irregular verbs in the past tense. The most common being the change of the vowel as in 'drink' - 'drank'.

Construction
Subject + verb + Object

Examples:
Past Continuous Tense
This from of tense indicates activities that have already happened in the past and have been completed before the time of mention. These sentences are formed with the help of an auxiliary verb and giving the main verb an 'ing' ending.

Structure
Subject + was/were + Verb in its -ing form + Object

Examples:
Past Perfect Tense
This tense refers to a non-continuous action that was already completed in the past. Such sentences are formed by using the Simple Past form of the auxiliary verb 'to have', followed by the past participle form of the verb.

Structure
Subject + had + past participle form of verb + Object

Example:
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
A continuous action that was completed sometime in the past falls under Past Perfect Continuous tense. Such sentences are framed by using the modal, 'had' + 'been' + the present participle of the verb (-ing).

Structure:
Subject + had + been + Verb (ing) + object

Example:
Future Tense

Simple Future Tense
This tense is used for those sentences which refer to the actions which will occur later, in future. This requires a future tense auxiliary verb even though the verb would be unmarked.

Examples:
Future Continuous Tense
This tense defines those acts which will be continued at a future point of time. In order to form a future continuous tense sentence, a future auxiliary verb is required followed by a main verb that ends with -ing.

Structure:
'will' + 'be' + present participle of the verb (ing).

Construction
However, nowadays this distinction of 'will' and 'shall' is not followed. Instead, 'will' is used wherever absolute conviction is required to be expressed while the usage of 'shall' depends on individual writing style.

Examples:
Future Perfect Tense
This tense is used to express an act that is predicted to be finished within a certain span of time in the future. Such sentences are formed by 'will' + 'have' + 'past participle of the verb'.

Examples:
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense form indicates an action that is continuous and, at some point in the future, it will be completed. It is formed using the modal 'will/shall' + 'have' + 'been' + 'the past participle of the verb (-ing)'.

Examples:
Tenses are critical to sensible and flawless language. They help you convey your ideas clearly by way of words. They help indicate the time of the statement and provide the reader with a crystal-clear picture of incidents. With mere practice, you will be able to grab all the concepts of the correct usage of the tenses.