12 Tenses in English: Mastering Verb Forms, Examples, Rules & Exercises

Many students make errors in tenses, especially in verbal communication. Here are some of the common errors in tenses in English.

1. Using the wrong form of the verb

Usually, the students make the mistake of using the wrong form of verb hence mixing the present and past tense.

Example:

Incorrect sentence: I go to the market yesterday.

Correct sentence: I went to the market yesterday.

Here the verb ‘go’ is in the present simple tense but the event has happened in the past, i.e. ‘yesterday’. Hence, in English when talking about the past event, we need to use the Present Simple Tense of the verb. We do not use the base form of the verb in past simple tense in affirmative sentences.

Rule: Subject + Past Form of Verb + Object

Incorrect sentence: He didn’t went to the school.

Correct sentence: He didn’t go to the school.

The verb ‘went’ is in the past simple tense, but is being used with the negative word ‘didn’t’. In negative sentences in the Past Simple Tense, we do not use the past form of the main verb. Instead, we use the base form of the verb. Hence, instead of ‘went’ we use the base form, i.e. ‘go’.

Rule: Subject + Didn’t + Base Verb + Object

2. Incorrect Use of Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Incorrect sentence: I have seen that movie last week

Correct sentence: I saw that movie last week.

The phrase ‘last week’ refers to a specific time frame. The present perfect tense (verb), (Have Seen, in this case) is used when the time is not specifically mentioned or when the action has a relevance in the present scenario. Since ‘last week’ is a completed time in the past, Past Simple Tense should be used.

Note:

• Use Past Simple tense with time specific events such as yesterday, last week, in 2020, two years ago, etc.
• Use Present Perfect tense with unspecified time events or actions such as I have seen that movie before.

3. Incorrect Use of Future Tense in Time Clause

Incorrect sentence: He will come after he will finish her food.

Correct sentence: He will come after he finishes her food.

Future tense is not used in time clauses. In English, generally, after time conjunctions such as ‘before’, ‘after’, ‘as soon as’, ‘when’, etc. we do not use ‘will’ in the sentence even if it is set in the future. Instead, we use Present Simple Tense in the time clause.

The word ‘after’ indicates that the action will happen in the future before another. Hence, there is no need to use the word ‘will’ because the sentence structure already shows the sequence of events.

Rule: Main Clause (Future) + Time Clause (Present Simple)

Note:

• Do not use ‘will’ in time clause (after, before, as soon as, until, once, etc.)
• Use present simple tense in time clause even if the sentence talks about a future event
• The main clause can still have the word ‘will’ for future meaning

4. Confusing Past Perfect and Past Simple

One of the most common mistake made by students is getting confused when to use past perfect and when to use past simple.          

Incorrect Sentence: Mary had eaten her lunch and then she went to the park.

Correct Sentence: Mary ate her lunch and then she went to the park.

Rule: Past Simple tense is used when there is a sequence of actions.

The sequence of the actions is clear here. In a normal sequence of actions (first event 1 happened and then the event 2 happened), Past Simple Tense is used for both the actions. Here, the sequence of the actions has already been made clear by using the word ‘then’. Since, ‘ate’ happened before ‘went’, using the Past Simple Tense is correct.

Past Perfect (had + past participle) is used when the sequence of actions or events is unclear. It is used only when we need to show that one past action happened before another past action in a way that is not clear.

5. Forgetting ‘-ing’ in Continuous Tense

In the Present Continuous Tense and the Past Continuous Tense, it is necessary to use the ‘-ing’ form after the verb.

Note: The continuous tense is also known as the Progressive Tense

Incorrect Sentence: Are you watch a play tonight?

Correct Sentence: Are you watching a play tonight?

Rule: Subject + is/am/are + Verb (-ing) + Object 

Here, ‘is’ is the auxiliary verb for Present Continuous, but the main verb ‘watch’ is in the base form. The present continuous tense is used for the actions which are ongoing or are happening now.

Incorrect Sentence: The students were wait when the professor came in.

Correct Sentence: The students were waiting when the professor came in.

Rule: Subject + was/were + verb (-ing) + object

Here, ‘were’ is an auxiliary verb for Past Continuous tense and the main verb ‘wait’ is in the base form. Past Continuous tense is used for the actions that were in progress in the past when another action interrupted it. Hence the main verb will include –ing and change to ‘waiting’ to follow the correct structure and rule of the sentence.

6. Incorrect Use of ‘Used to’ vs ‘Would’

Another common mistake made by the students is the use of ‘would’ instead of ‘used to’.

‘Used to’ describes past states and past repeated actions or habits. It is used to describe past habits that are true and repeatedly happened but is no longer the case. On the other hand, ‘would’ is used to talk about past habits only that occurred repeatedly. It emphasizes the situation or habit that happened repeatedly, often in a narrative or a story.

Incorrect Sentence: When I was a kid, my mother used to read me stories before bed.

Correct Sentence: When I was a kid, my mother would read me stories before bed.

Incorrect Sentence: I would be very shy, but now I am confident.

Correct Sentence: I used to be very shy, but now I am confident.

When to Use "Used to" vs. "Would"

7. Incorrect Use of Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences are used to express hypothetical situations, possibilities or past possibilities which have not happened.

Incorrect Sentence: If Shreya will study, she will pass the exam.

Correct Sentence: If Shreya studies, she will pass the exam.

This is the first conditional sentence. The first condition in this sentence (If Shreya will study) talks about real and possible future situation. Here the ‘if’ clause should be in the Present Simple tense and not the future tense. The main clause can use ‘will’ or other modal verbs such as may, can, should, etc..

‘If Shreya studies’ – Present Simple

‘She will pass the exam’ –Future Simple

Hence, real possibility + future result

Incorrect Sentence- If she studied harder, she will pass the test.

Correct Sentence- If she studied hard, she would pass the test.

This is the second conditional sentence. The second conditional sentence talks about hypothetical situations in the present or in the future. Hence, the ‘if’ clause must use the Past Simple tense ‘studied’ and the main clause must use the ‘would + base form of the verb’ (would pass).

Note: ‘Will’ is only used with the first conditional sentence (real situations).

Here, the sentence states that he is not studying hard right now but if he did, passing the test would be a possibility.

Summary of Conditionals:

Check out the table below to get an overview to learn tenses in conditional sentences:

8. Overusing Future Tense in Predictions

A common error that most students make is overusing the future continuous tense instead of the future simple tense when making a general prediction. The future continuous tense is used to describe an event in progress at a specific time in the future, using the structure ‘Subject + will/shall be + verb (ing) + Object’

Incorrect Sentence: I think it will be snowing tomorrow.

Correct Sentence: I think it will snow tomorrow.

The Future Continuous tense is used for ongoing actions at a specific time and NOT for general predictions. Simple Future Tense is used for general predictions, assumptions and general expectations about the future. (will + base form of the verb). The word ‘tomorrow’ already specifies the future, so there is no need for a continuous form.

Note:

• Future Simple for General Predictions (will + base verb)
• Future Continuous for ongoing actions at a specific time in the future (will be + verb + ing)

9. Mixing Up Continuous and Perfect Tense

Another mistake is using the Present Continuous tense (am/is + verb + ing) instead of the Present Perfect Continuous (have been/has been + verb + ing)

Incorrect Sentence: Rita is working here for five years.

Correct Sentence: Rita has been working here for five years.

‘For five years’ indicates that the action started five years back and is still happening. Present Continuous (is working) is only for temporary actions and not for long-term situations.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense (has been working) shows Rita started working five years ago and is still working now.

Note:

• Use has/have been + verb + ing for things that started in the past and are still continuing
• Use ‘since’ or ‘for’ with the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
• Don’t use Present Continuous (am/is/are + verb + ing) for long term actions.

Check out the table below to know some tenses examples, including present, past and future tense.

Also Read:

It is important to understand the meaning and usage of tenses to effectively prepare for the Tenses. Practice and revision of the rules of tenses is equally important. Given below are some of the tips to prepare for Tenses in English Grammar.

• Understand the Basics: It is important to start the preparation for tenses with the basics. The three main tenses can be understood in a simple way as follows:
  • Present Tense- Happening Now
  • Past Tense- Has Already Happened
  • Future Tense- Yet to Happen

These four are further divided into four forms each, which can be understood by looking at the picture below:

• Grammar Rules of Verb Tenses in English: Once a student learns the rules of tenses, it will become very easy for the student to form sentences correctly and accurately. Another way to learn the rules of tenses is by identifying the keywords such as ‘yesterday’, ‘next month’, ‘verb+ing’, etc. Some common exceptions can be understood, such as no use of the future tense after words such as ‘when’, ‘if’, ‘before’, etc.
• Practice and Identify Tenses: Practice is the ultimate way to prepare strategically for tenses. Students can incorporate simple exercises to practice tenses. They can describe their daily routine, narrate a story about the past event, talk about future plans, etc. They can also use common tenses in normal and usual conversations. Such as instead of saying “Yesterday I go to the workshop”, say- “Yesterday I went to the workshop.”
• Tenses Structure and Chart: Rote learn the tenses chart. Pay attention to the tenses used in different contexts in newspapers, books, magazines, etc. Try to identify how the tenses change in a story or a movie.
• Practice with a Partner: Practicing with a partner can be a very effective preparation technique for tenses. One person can say a sentence and the other person can identify the tense in that sentence.
• Be Consistent: Consistency is the key to ace the tenses. Set a daily goal, for instance- 20 sentences, one exercise or 5-10 minutes of speaking practice. This will make the students learn better and have an effective communication, both written and verbal.

It is crucial to refer to the recommended books for an effective preparation strategy for tenses. Refer to the table below to know the best books for Tenses:

Read More:

Exercise 1: Identify the type of tenses in the sentence given below:

Q1. Rohan drinks coffee every morning.

Q2. Sheldon graduated from Caltech University.

Q3. Mr. Trump will be staying in New York next week.

Q4. The students have been working on the project for a long time.

Q5. We will have met Juliana.

Q6. They will have finished the project by Friday.

Q7. The little boy helped the old man cross the road.

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of tense:

Q1. Simon______(watch) news on the television every day and it _____(help) her with her English. 

Q2. An accident________ (happen) near the bridge last night. A car ____ (hit) an old man. He _____ (walk) when a speeding bike ____(lose) control. Many standbyers ____ (see) the incident. The police _____(Interrogate) them last night. 

Q3. My brother_____ (fly) home from London today. His flight____________(arrive) in an hour so I ______ (leave) for the airport right now to get there in time. 

Q4. Harry _____(not sleep) at all last night. Someone in his neighbourhood _____(listen) to music all night. 

Q5. Unless she_____(sell) more she won't get much money. 

Exercise 1 Answers:

Q1. Simple Present Tense

Q2. Simple Past Tense

Q3. Future Continuous Tense
Q4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Q5. Future Perfect Tense

Q6. Future Perfect Tense

Q7. Simple Past Tense

Tenses Exercise 2 and Answers:

Q1: Simon watches the news on television every day and it helps her with her English. 

Q2. An accident happened near the bridge last night. A car hit an old man. He was walking when a speeding bike lost control. Many bystanders saw the incident. The police interrogated them last night. 

Q3. My brother is flying home from London today. His flight will arrive in an hour, so I am leaving for the airport right now to get there in time. 

Q4. Harry did not sleep at all last night. Someone in his neighbourhood was listening to music all night. 

Q5. Unless she sells more he won't get much money.

You can check the complete English Grammar study material required for a thorough understanding of the English Language. Access the study material for various grammar topic PDFs from the table below:

Check out some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Tenses to understand the topic better: