All 16 Tenses in English Grammar – Definitions, Rules, Examples with Exercises

Do English tenses feel confusing? You are not alone.
Tenses show when something happens. It can be in the past, the present, or the future. One small verb change can change the whole meaning.

• I eat.
• I ate.
• I will eat.

The action is the same, but the time is not.

In this guide, English Thrive will teach you all 16 tenses in a simple way. You will see clear rules, easy examples, common mistakes, and short practice tasks. This guide is for anyone who wants to learn English and feel more sure when they speak or write.

Let’s start learning English tenses step by step.

What is Tense?

Tense is the way English shows when an action happens. By changing the form of the verb, we understand whether something:

• is happening now (present)

• happened before (past)

• will happen later (future)

Think of tense as a time marker for verbs. It helps readers and listeners instantly know when an action takes place.

Tenses in English Grammar

Examples:

• Present: I walk. (happening now or regularly)

• Past: I walked. (happened before)

• Future: I will walk. (will happen later)

In English, these three main time periods expand into 16 tenses, each showing different aspects of time — such as whether an action is ongoing, completed, or repeated

Present Tense Forms

1. Simple Present Tense

 Definition

The Simple Present Tense shows habits, facts, and things that happen regularly. It’s the “everyday tense” for routines and general truths.

Examples:
 I brush my teeth every morning.
 The Earth revolves around the Sun.

Structure

 Usage

• Habits or daily routines → I wake up at 6 AM.

• Facts and universal truths → Water boils at 100 °C.

• Scheduled events → The train leaves at nine.

• Feelings and opinions → I think English is fun.

Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. She ____ (play) the piano every day.

2. They ____ (not/watch) TV on weekdays.

3. ____ (you/like) coffee ?
   ✅ Answers: plays / don’t watch / Do you like

2. Present Continuous Tense

 Definition

The Present Continuous Tense shows actions happening right now or temporary situations.

Examples:
 I am writing an email.
 They are studying for exams.

 Structure

 Usage

• Actions happening right now → I am typing this.

• Temporary actions → They are living in London this month.

• Future arrangements → We are meeting tomorrow.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. He ____ (watch) TV right now.

2. They ____ (not/play) football today.

3. ____ (she/come) to school ?
   ✅ Answers: is watching / are not playing / Is she coming

3. Present Perfect Tense

 Definition

The Present Perfect Tense connects the past to the present — it describes actions that happened recently or started in the past and still matter now.

Examples:
 I have finished my homework.
 She has lived here for ten years.

 Structure

 Usage

• Recent actions → They have just arrived.

• Life experience → I have visited Paris.

• Actions continuing till now → We have lived here since 2015.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. I ____ (finish) my work.

2. She ____ (not/see) him today.

3. ____ (you/ever/be) to Japan ?
   ✅ Answers: have finished / has not seen / Have you ever been

4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Definition

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense highlights an activity that started in the past and continues into the present, often showing duration.

Examples:
 I have been studying English for three hours.
 She has been cooking since morning.

 Structure

 Usage

• Long actions continuing till now → I have been reading for two hours.

• Explaining results → She’s tired because she has been running.

• Repeated actions till now → He has been calling you all day.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. I ____ (work) here for five years.

2. She ____ (not/sleep) well lately.

3. ____ (you/wait) long ?
   ✅ Answers: have been working / has not been sleeping / Have you been waiting

Past Tense Forms

1. Simple Past Tense

Definition

The Simple Past Tense shows actions that happened and finished in the past. It’s used when you clearly know when something occurred.

Examples:
 I visited my grandparents last weekend.
 She cooked dinner yesterday.

Structure

 Usage

• Completed actions in the past → I watched that movie yesterday.

• Past habits or routines → She walked to school every day.

• Series of past actions → I woke up, brushed my teeth, and left home.

Common Mistakes

Quick Practice

1. They ____ (play) cricket yesterday.

2. I ____ (not/go) to the party.

3. ____ (you/see) that movie ?
   ✅ Answers: played / didn’t go / Did you see

2. Past Continuous Tense

Definition

The Past Continuous Tense describes actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.

Examples:
 I was reading when you called.
 They were playing football at 5 PM.

 Structure

 Usage

• Ongoing past actions → He was watching TV at 9 PM.

• Interrupted actions → I was cooking when the phone rang.

• Two actions happening together → While he was driving, I was reading.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. I ____ (sleep) when you called.

2. They ____ (not/watch) TV at that time.

3. ____ (he/read) when she arrived ?
   ✅ Answers: was sleeping / were not watching / Was he reading

3. Past Perfect Tense

Definition

The Past Perfect Tense shows an action that happened before another past action. It’s the “past of the past.”

Examples:
 I had finished dinner before she arrived.
 They had left when I got there.

 Structure

 Usage

• Action completed before another past action → I had eaten before he came.

• Reported speech → She said she had met him.

• Unreal or conditional past → If I had known, I would have helped.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. He ____ (finish) his work before 6 PM.

2. They ____ (not/leave) when we arrived.

3. ____ (you/see) her before yesterday ?
   ✅ Answers: had finished / had not left / Had you seen

4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Definition

The Past Perfect Continuous Tense shows a long action that continued up to another point in the past.

Examples:
 I had been studying for hours before dinner.
 They had been working all day before they rested.

 Structure

 Usage

• Long action before another past event → He had been working for years before retirement.

• To explain cause in the past → She was tired because she had been studying.

• Emphasizing duration before a past point → We had been waiting for an hour before the bus came.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. I ____ (study) for two hours before dinner.

2. She ____ (not/sleep) well for days.

3. ____ (they/work) there long before they quit ?
   ✅ Answers: had been studying / had not been sleeping / Had they been working

Future Tense Forms

1. Simple Future Tense (Will)

Definition

The Simple Future Tense is used when you talk about something that will happen later — decisions, predictions, or promises.

Examples:
 I will call you tomorrow.
 It will rain tonight.

 Structure

 Usage

• Predictions → It will be cold tomorrow.

• Promises or offers → I’ll help you with homework.

• Decisions made instantly → I’ll take the red one.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. I ____ (call) you tonight.

2. They ____ (not/come) to the party.

3. ____ (you/help) me with this ?
   ✅ Answers: will call / will not come / Will you help

2. Future Continuous Tense

Definition

The Future Continuous Tense describes actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future.

Examples:
 I will be sleeping at 10 PM.
 They will be traveling tomorrow morning.

 Structure

 Usage

• Actions happening at a future time → This time tomorrow, I’ll be flying to Rome.

• Polite questions → Will you be using the laptop later?

• Predictions about continuing activities → They’ll be studying all night.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. I ____ (study) at 8 PM tonight.

2. They ____ (not/sleep) when we arrive.

3. ____ (she/work) tomorrow morning ?
   ✅ Answers: will be studying / will not be sleeping / Will she be working

3. Future Perfect Tense

Definition

The Future Perfect Tense shows an action that will be completed before a specific future moment.

Examples:
 By next week, I will have finished this project.
 They will have arrived by 6 PM.

 Structure

 Usage

• Completion before a future time → By 2026, she will have graduated.

• Predictions about finished actions → You’ll have eaten before the movie starts.

• Expressing deadlines → I’ll have completed the work by Monday.

 Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. By tomorrow, I ____ (complete) the report.

2. They ____ (not/arrive) before 9 PM.

3. ____ (you/finish) by then ?
   ✅ Answers: will have completed / will not have arrived / Will you have finished

4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Definition

The Future Perfect Continuous Tense focuses on the duration of an activity that will continue up to a certain future time.

Examples:
 By next month, I will have been working here for five years.
 She will have been studying since morning.

 Structure

Usage

• To show ongoing action continuing to a future time → I’ll have been driving for hours by then.

• To express cause → She’ll be tired because she will have been working all day.

• To highlight duration → By June, we’ll have been learning English for six months.

 Common Mistakes

Quick Practice

1. By next year, I ____ (work) here for ten years.

2. He ____ (not/sleep) well for days.

3. ____ (they/live) in London for long ?
   ✅ Answers: will have been working / will not have been sleeping / Will they have been living

SPECIAL FUTURE FORMS & MIXED TENSE USAGE

 1. “Going to” Future

 Definition

The “Going to” Future form is used for plans, intentions, or predictions based on current evidence.
Think of it as the “I already decided” future.

Examples:
I am going to study tonight.
Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain.

Structure

 Usage

• Future plans → We are going to buy a car.
• Intentions → I’m going to start a new course.
• Predictions with present signs → Watch out! You’re going to fall.

Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. I ____ (go) visit my friend this weekend.
2. They ____ (not/watch) the match.
3. ____ (you/start) the project soon ?
   ✅ Answers: am going to / are not going to / Are you going to

2. Future in the Past

Definition

Future in the Past is used when you talk about a future event from a past point of view.
It’s like looking ahead from yesterday.

Examples:
I was going to call you, but I forgot.
She said she would help me.

Structure

 Usage

• Plans that didn’t happen → I was going to bake a cake, but I ran out of eggs.
• Reported future speech → She said she would meet us.
• Unfulfilled intentions → They were going to move abroad.

Common Mistakes

Quick Practice

1. I ____ (be/go) to the party, but I got sick.
2. She said she ____ (call) me later.
   ✅ Answers: was going / would call

3. Time Clauses in the Future

Definition

When you use time words (like when, after, before, until, as soon as) to talk about future events, you actually use the Present Tense, not the Future Tense.

Examples:
When I see her, I will tell her.
After you finish dinner, we’ll go out.

Common Time Words

when, after, before, until, as soon as, once, by the time

 Usage

• Present Simple replaces future after time words.
• Expresses timing of connected future actions.

Common Mistakes

Quick Practice

1. When I ____ (finish), I’ll call you.
2. Before he ____ (leave), tell him goodbye.
3. Wait here until she ____ (come).
   ✅ Answers: finish / leaves / comes

4. Mixed Tenses (How English Really Works)

Definition

Mixed tenses happen when different time frames appear in one sentence — and that’s totally natural in English!
They show logical or conditional relationships between past, present, and future.

Common Mixed Forms

Common Mistakes

 Quick Practice

1. If it ____ (rain), I will stay home.
2. Once you ____ (finish), we will eat dinner.
3. If I ____ (study) harder, I would know more.
   ✅ Answers: rains / finish / had studied

Narrative & Real-Life Context Mix

Definition

In real communication, tenses often mix naturally to show sequence, duration, and cause — especially in stories, conversations, and essays.

Examples:
I was reading when she called, and now I’ve just finished the book.
By the time you arrive, I’ll have been waiting for an hour.

Usage

• To connect past, present, and future smoothly.
• Used in storytelling, essays, and real conversations.

Common Tense Mistakes Learners Often Make

Even fluent English learners mix up tenses sometimes! Let’s fix that with simple corrections and logic-based examples :

Real-Life Usage: Choosing the Right Tense in Context

Let’s see how tenses sound natural in real situations:

Conversation Example

Teacher: Have you finished your homework yet?
Student: Yes, I finished it this morning.

Why it works:

• Have you finished → Present Perfect (asks about a recent action).
• I finished → Simple Past (gives a time reference).

Business Example

➡️ By next quarter, our company will have achieved its annual goals.
→ Future Perfect tense used for completion before a future deadline.

 Academic Writing Example

➡️ Researchers have found that early exposure improves fluency.
→ Present Perfect connects past research to current understanding.

 Travel Story Example

➡️ I was packing my bags when my phone rang.
→ Past Continuous shows background action interrupted by another past event.

Comprehensive Tense Practice Exercises

        ( Check the answer below)

Exercise Set 1: Present Tenses

Fill in the blanks with the correct present tense form:

1. Sarah _____ (work) at the hospital now.
2. They _____ (live) in Paris since 2010.
3. I _____ (study) English for six months.
4. He usually _____ (take) the bus to work.
5. The Earth _____ (revolve) around the Sun.
6. We _____ (wait) here for two hours.
7. She _____ (cook) dinner every Sunday.
8. John _____ (read) this book for a week.
9. The baby _____ (sleep) right now.
10. They _____ (play) tennis every weekend.
11. I _____ (work) on this project since Monday.
12. The sun _____ (rise) in the east.
13. She _____ (teach) at this school for ten years.
14. The children _____ (play) in the garden now.
15. He _____ (not/smoke) anymore.
16. We _____ (discuss) this issue since morning.
17. The train always _____ (leave) on time.
18. I _____ (think) about changing my job.
19. They _____ (build) a new house currently.
20. Mary _____ (practice) piano for three hours.

Exercise Set 2: Past Tenses

Complete with appropriate past tense forms:

21. When I arrived, she _____ (already/leave).
22. I _____ (study) when you called.
23. They _____ (live) here before they moved.
24. He _____ (work) all day when I saw him.
25.  We _____ (wait) for an hour when she came.

Exercise Set 3: Future Tenses

Complete with appropriate future tense forms:

26. By next week, I _____ (finish) this project.
27. This time tomorrow, we _____ (fly) to Paris.
28. He _____ (work) here for ten years by June.
29. I _____ (meet) her at 6 PM tomorrow.
30. They _____ (arrive) by the time we get there.
31. She _____ (study) medicine next year.
32. We _____ (live) here for twenty years by 2025.
33. The train _____ (leave) at 9 AM tomorrow.
34. I _____ (complete) the task before you return.
35. They _____ (wait) when you arrive.

Exercise Set 4: Mixed Tenses

Choose the correct tense:

36. By the time you get there, I _____ (leave).
37. If I _____ (know) earlier, I would have told you.
38. She _____ (work) here since she graduated.
39. While he _____ (cook), I cleaned the house.
40. I _____ (never/see) such a beautiful sunset before.
41. When the phone rang, I _____ (take) a shower.
42. After she _____ (finish), she went home.
43. He _____ (live) here for ten years now.
44. I _____ (study) when the earthquake happened.
45. They _____ (already/eat) when we arrived.

Exercise Set 5: Special Cases

Fill in the blanks with appropriate tenses:

46. I wish I _____ (be) taller.
47. If only he _____ (tell) me earlier.
48. It’s time we _____ (go) home.
49. You’d better _____ (start) working.
50. Would you rather _____ (stay) or go?

Exercise Set 6: Mixed Complex Tenses

Complete the sentences with appropriate tenses:

51. By the time the police arrived, the thieves _____ (disappear).
52. I _____ (work) on this novel for the past three months.
53. She _____ (teach) at this school since before I _____ (be) born.
54. After we _____ (finish) dinner, we _____ (go) for a walk.
55. They _____ (travel) around Europe before they _____ (settle) here.
56. While I _____ (shop), I _____ (meet) an old friend.
57. He _____ (not/sleep) well since he _____ (start) his new job.
58. We _____ (live) here by the time the new mall _____ (open).
59. The movie _____ (already/begin) when we _____ (reach) the theater.
60. She _____ (study) English before she _____ (move) to London.

Exercise Set 7: Passive Voice Tenses

Transform these sentences into passive voice with correct tenses:

61. They build this bridge in 1990. (Past Simple)
62. Someone has stolen my wallet. (Present Perfect)
63. They are repairing my car. (Present Continuous)
64. They will announce the results tomorrow. (Future Simple)
65. They had completed the project before the deadline. (Past Perfect)

Exercise Set 8: Conditional Tenses

Complete these conditional sentences:

66. If I _____ (have) time, I _____ (help) you yesterday.
67. Unless it _____ (rain), we _____ (go) to the beach tomorrow.
68. If she _____ (study) harder, she _____ (pass) the exam last week.
69. If I _____ (be) you, I _____ (take) the job.
70. Had I known earlier, I _____ (come) to help.

Exercise Set 9: Reported Speech Tenses

Change to reported speech with correct tense changes:

71. “I am studying.” → He said that…
72. “I have finished my work.” → She told me…
73. “We will visit Paris.” → They said…
74. “I can help you.” → He promised…
75. “I have been waiting.” → She mentioned…

Exercise Set 10: Perfect Modal Tenses

Complete with perfect modal forms:

76. She _____ (must + work) late last night; her car was there.
77. They _____ (could + win) if they tried harder.
78. He _____ (should + tell) me about the meeting.
79. You _____ (might + lose) your way in the dark.
80. We _____ (would + finish) earlier with more help.

Exercise Set 11: Advanced Mixed Tenses

Fill in with appropriate tenses:

81. No sooner _____ (I/arrive) than it _____ (start) raining.
82. Hardly _____ (she/leave) when the guest _____ (arrive).
83. By next month, I _____ (work) here for 20 years.
84. Not only _____ (he/lose) his job, but also _____ (he/break) his leg.
85. Scarcely _____ (we/begin) when the power _____ (go) out.

Exercise Set 12: Time Clauses

Complete with correct time-related tenses:

86. Before she _____ (arrive), we _____ (clean) the house.
87. After they _____ (eat), they _____ (watch) a movie.
88. As soon as he _____ (come), we _____ (leave).
89. Until she _____ (return), we _____ (wait) here.
90. The moment _____ (she/walk) in, everyone _____ (start) clapping.

Exercise Set 13: States vs. Actions Tenses

Complete with appropriate tenses based on state or action:

91. I _____ (think) she’s right. (state of belief)
92. I _____ (think) about the problem. (action of considering)
93. He _____ (have) a new car. (possession)
94. We _____ (have) lunch now. (action)
95. She _____ (look) tired today. (state/appearance)

Exercise Set 14: Future Time Clauses

Use correct tense combinations:

96. When she _____ (arrive), we _____ (go) to dinner.
97. Before the sun _____ (set), we _____ (reach) the top.
98. After I _____ (finish) work, I _____ (call) you.
99. As soon as he _____ (get) here, we _____ (leave).
100. Until it _____ (stop) raining, we _____ (stay) inside.

Exercise Set 15: Final Mixed Practice

Complete with any appropriate tense:

101. By the time you read this, I _____ (already/leave).
102. I _____ (never/be) to Paris before last summer.
103. She _____ (work) here since she _____ (graduate).
104. While he _____ (cook), the phone _____ (ring).
105. Tomorrow at this time, I _____ (sit) on the beach.

Exercise Set 1: Present Tenses

Exercise Set 2: Past Tenses

Exercise Set 3: Future Tenses

Exercise Set 4: Mixed Tenses

Exercise Set 5: Special Cases

Exercise Set 6: Mixed Complex Tenses

All 16 Tenses in English Grammar

Exercise Set 7: Passive Voice Tenses

Exercise Set 8: Conditional Tenses

Exercise Set 9: Reported Speech Tenses

Exercise Set 10: Perfect Modal Tenses

Exercise Set 11: Advanced Mixed Tenses

Exercise Set 12: Time Clauses

Exercise Set 13: States vs. Actions Tenses

Exercise Set 14: Future Time Clauses

Exercise Set 15: Final Mixed Tense Practice

Summary

Mastering English tenses isn’t just about memorizing formulas — it’s about telling time through words.
When you understand when something happens (past, present, or future) and how long it lasts, your English becomes fluent, precise, and professional.

Ready to Practice More?

Check out our full exercises and guides here: https://englishthrive.com/100-examples-of-present-past-and-future-tense/