What does TENSE Mean?
A tense is a form of a verb which shows the time at which an action happens.
■ A Simple tense
A Simple tense is a form of a verb that simply shows when the action takes place.
• The Simple Past is a form of the verb that shows the action took place in the past.
For example: Lisa danced yesterday.
• The Simple Present is a form of the verb that shows the action takes place in the present.
For example: Lisa dances every day.
• The Simple Future is a form of the verb that shows the action will take place in the future.
For example: Lisa will dance tomorrow.
■ Progressive (Continuous) Tenses
Couple dancing
PROGRESSIVE means "continuing".
A Progressive tense is a form of a verb that shows the action is in progress. Or in other words, that it continues.
• The Past Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action was in progress at some time in the past.
For example: Lisa was dancing yesterday at 8 o'clock.
• The Present Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action is in progress in the present.
For example: Lisa is dancing right now.
• The Future Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action will be in progress at some time in the future.
For example: Lisa will be dancing tomorrow at 8 o'clock.
■ Perfect Tenses
PERFECT means "complete, finished".
A Perfect tense is a form of a verb that shows the action is complete. It does not mean the action is "perfect" (100%). It means the action is finished.
• The Past Perfect is a form of the verb that shows the action was complete before some time in the past.
For example: Lisa had danced before she came.
• The Present Perfect is a form of the verb that shows the action was complete before the present.
For example: Lisa has already danced.
• The Future Perfect is a form of the verb that shows the action will be complete before some time in the future.
For example: Lisa will have danced tomorrow by 9 o'clock.
■ Perfect + Progressive?!
A Perfect Progressive tense is a form of the verb that shows the action started, continued, and was complete until some point.
• The Past Perfect Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action started in the past and continued until some point in the past.
For example: Lisa had been dancing for 2 hours before she was tired.
• The Present Perfect Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action started in the past and continued until the present.
For example: Lisa has been dancing for 3 hours without stopping!
• The Future Perfect Progressive is a form of the verb that shows the action will continue until some point in the future.
For example: By tomorrow morning, Lisa will have been dancing for 12 hours!