On this page I explain some of the most commonly-used tenses for everyday English. Bear in mind that these are simple, easy-to-understand and brief no substitute for learning English with a teacher!
The present simple is used for events which do not change or are true regularly.
- My name is Fred
- I am a vegetarian
- I live in Germany
- I go on holiday
This tense can be used with words and phrases like:
- “Every hour / week / year”
- Always / never
- Often / rarely
- Sometimes / usually
The present progressive is used for events which are happening now or temporarily.
- I am eating lunch
- I am staying in a hotel
- I am not going on holiday
This tense can be used with words and phrases like:
- “This week / month/ year”
- Right now
- Temporarily
- At the moment
The present perfect is used for events which happened in the past but are important now.
- I have eaten lunch
- I have been to China
- I have drunk too much coffee
It can also be used to show duration for events which started in the past and are not finished.
- I have worked here since 2010
- They have been married for 15 years
This tense can be used with words and phrases like:
- “For 8 years” or “since January”
- Recently
- “This week / month/ year”
- Never / ever
The past simple is used for events which happened in the past and are not important now.
- I was a vegetarian
- I lived in Germany
- I went on holiday
This tense can be used with words and phrases like:
- Yesterday
- “Last week / month / year”
Russell Greenwood 