100 Rules for Tense with Examples

Let’s be honest—tenses confuse almost everyone at some point. One moment you’re saying “I eat,” the next it’s “I have eaten,” and then you wonder, “Wait… should it be had eaten instead?” That’s where things get tricky. But don’t worry—you’re not alone. English learners often get tangled up in tenses because they’re the backbone of how we talk about time, action, and meaning.

That’s exactly why I put together these 100 Rules for Tense with Examples. We’ll break down the present, past, and future tenses—along with their continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous forms—in plain English. You’ll see simple rules, lots of examples, common mistakes to avoid, and even practice tips. By the end, you won’t just know the rules—you’ll feel confident using them in conversations, writing, and exams.

What Are Tenses in English Grammar?

Tenses are how we express time in English. Every action or state we describe is either happening now (present), already happened (past), or will happen (future). On top of that, we add aspects like simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous to show whether the action is regular, ongoing, finished, or connected across time.

There are three types of tense in English grammar:

1. Present Tense
2. Past Tense
3. Future Tense

Each tense has four subcategories:

1. Present Indefinite Tense
2. Present Continuous Tense
3. Present Perfect Tense
4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense
5. Past Indefinite Tense
6. Past Continuous Tense
7. Past Perfect Tense
8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
9. Future Indefinite Tense
10. Future Continuous Tense
11. Future Perfect Tense
12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Altogether, there are 12 tenses in English. Now we are going to learn the rules of all tenses in an easy and simple way.

Present Tense Rules with Examples

Simple Present Rules

• Rule 1: Subject + V1 (+s/es for he/she/it)
  • Example: She writes every morning.
• Rule 2: Use for habits and routines.
  • Example: They play football on Sundays.
• Rule 3: Use for general truths.
  • Example: Water boils at 100°C.
• Rule 4: Add “do/does” for negatives.
  • Example: He doesn’t like coffee.
• Rule 5: Add “do/does” for questions.
  • Example: Does she work here?

Present Continuous Rules

• Rule 6: Subject + is/am/are + V1+ing
  • Example: I am reading now.
• Rule 7: Use for actions happening at the moment.
  • Example: She is cooking dinner.
• Rule 8: Use for temporary situations.
  • Example: They are staying in London for a week.
• Rule 9: Use with “always” for irritation.
  • Example: He is always forgetting his keys.
• Rule 10: Negative = not + V1+ing.
  • Example: I’m not watching TV.

Present Perfect Rules

• Rule 11: Subject + has/have + V3
  • Example: She has finished her homework.
• Rule 12: Use for past action with present relevance.
  • Example: I’ve lost my wallet (so I can’t pay now).
• Rule 13: Use with “since/for” for duration.
  • Example: They have lived here for five years.
• Rule 14: Negative = hasn’t/haven’t + V3.
  • Example: He hasn’t called yet.
• Rule 15: Questions use “Have/Has + subject + V3.”
  • Example: Have you eaten yet?

Present Perfect Continuous Rules

• Rule 16: Subject + has/have + been + V1+ing
  • Example: She has been studying all morning.
• Rule 17: Focus on duration of ongoing action.
  • Example: They’ve been waiting since 9 a.m.
• Rule 18: Often used with “since” and “for.”
  • Example: I’ve been learning English for 2 years.
• Rule 19: Negative = hasn’t/haven’t + been + V1+ing.
  • Example: He hasn’t been sleeping well.
• Rule 20: Question = Have/Has + subject + been + V1+ing?
  • Example: Have you been working here long?

Past Tense Rules with Examples

Simple Past Rules

• Rule 21: Subject + V2
  • Example: She walked to school yesterday.
• Rule 22: Use for completed actions in past.
  • Example: They visited Rome last year.
• Rule 23: Negative = didn’t + V1.
  • Example: He didn’t like the movie.
• Rule 24: Questions = Did + subject + V1?
  • Example: Did you go to the party?
• Rule 25: Time expressions: yesterday, ago, last.
  • Example: I met him two days ago.

Past Continuous Rules

• Rule 26: Subject + was/were + V1+ing
  • Example: I was reading at 9 p.m.
• Rule 27: Use for interrupted actions.
  • Example: She was cooking when I arrived.
• Rule 28: Use for background actions.
  • Example: The sun was shining and birds were singing.
• Rule 29: Negative = wasn’t/weren’t + V1+ing.
  • Example: They weren’t listening.
• Rule 30: Questions = Was/Were + subject + V1+ing?
  • Example: Were you waiting long?

Past Perfect Rules

• Rule 31: Subject + had + V3
  • Example: She had finished before dinner.
• Rule 32: Show earlier action before another past action.
  • Example: I had eaten when he arrived.
• Rule 33: Negative = hadn’t + V3.
  • Example: He hadn’t studied before the test.
• Rule 34: Questions = Had + subject + V3?
  • Example: Had she left when you called?
• Rule 35: Use with “already/just.”
  • Example: They had already started the meeting.

Past Perfect Continuous Rules

• Rule 36: Subject + had been + V1+ing
  • Example: She had been working all night.
• Rule 37: Duration before another past event.
  • Example: They had been waiting for two hours before the bus came.
• Rule 38: Negative = hadn’t been + V1+ing.
  • Example: He hadn’t been sleeping well before exams.
• Rule 39: Question = Had + subject + been + V1+ing?
  • Example: Had you been studying for long?
• Rule 40: Use with “since/for.”
  • Example: I had been living there since 2010.

Future Tense Rules with Examples

Simple Future Rules

• Rule 41: Subject + will/shall + V1
  • Example: She will travel tomorrow.
• Rule 42: Use for predictions.
  • Example: It will rain soon.
• Rule 43: Use for promises/decisions.
  • Example: I’ll help you with that.
• Rule 44: Negative = won’t + V1.
  • Example: He won’t agree to this plan.
• Rule 45: Questions = Will/Shall + subject + V1?
  • Example: Will you join us?

Future Continuous Rules

• Rule 46: Subject + will be + V1+ing
  • Example: She will be studying at 8 p.m.
• Rule 47: Use for ongoing action in future.
  • Example: I’ll be waiting for you.
• Rule 48: Negative = won’t be + V1+ing.
  • Example: They won’t be coming today.
• Rule 49: Questions = Will + subject + be + V1+ing?
  • Example: Will you be staying long?
• Rule 50: Often used with “at this time tomorrow.”
  • Example: This time tomorrow, I’ll be flying to Paris.

Future Perfect Rules

• Rule 51: Subject + will have + V3
  • Example: She will have finished by 5 p.m.
• Rule 52: For completion before a future time.
  • Example: I will have graduated by next year.
• Rule 53: Negative = won’t have + V3.
  • Example: He won’t have arrived by then.
• Rule 54: Questions = Will + subject + have + V3?
  • Example: Will you have finished by tomorrow?
• Rule 55: Use with “by + future time.”
  • Example: They will have left by Monday.

Future Perfect Continuous Rules

• Rule 56: Subject + will have been + V1+ing
  • Example: She will have been working here for 10 years by 2025.
• Rule 57: Duration of activity up to a point in future.
  • Example: By June, I’ll have been studying for 3 months.
• Rule 58: Negative = won’t have been + V1+ing.
  • Example: He won’t have been living here long.
• Rule 59: Questions = Will + subject + have been + V1+ing?
  • Example: Will they have been traveling long?
• Rule 60: Often with “for/since + future point.”
  • Example: By next week, we’ll have been working together for a year.

Master List — 100 Rules for Tense with Examples

Present Tense Rules

1. Use base verb for plural subjects. → They walk every day.
2. Add -s/-es for singular (he/she/it). → She walks every day.
3. Use do/does for negatives. → He doesn’t drive.
4. Use do/does for questions. → Does she study?
5. General truths use simple present. → The sun rises in the east.
6. Habits use simple present. → He drinks tea daily.
7. Schedules use simple present. → The train leaves at 7.
8. Use “always, often, usually” with simple present. → She always sings in the shower.
9. Use “never” for negative frequency. → He never eats meat.
10. Use continuous for now actions. → I am writing now.
11. Use continuous for temporary states. → She is staying with us this week.
12. Continuous can show planned future. → We are meeting tomorrow.
13. Use “always” in continuous for irritation. → He is always losing his keys.
14. Stative verbs (know, love, believe) rarely use continuous. ❌ I am knowing → ✅ I know.
15. Present perfect shows past action affecting present. → I have lost my keys.
16. Use “since” with present perfect. → I have lived here since 2010.
17. Use “for” with present perfect. → She has worked here for 5 years.
18. Present perfect never uses exact past time (yesterday). → ❌ I have eaten yesterday.
19. Use “just, already, yet” with present perfect. → I’ve just finished work.
20. Present perfect continuous = action continuing to now. → They’ve been studying for 3 hours.
21. Use “how long” with present perfect continuous. → How long have you been waiting?
22. Negative = hasn’t/haven’t been + V-ing. → He hasn’t been sleeping well.
23. Avoid stative verbs in continuous even with perfect. → ❌ I have been knowing her. → ✅ I have known her.
24. Use contractions in informal writing: I’ve, She’s, They’ve.
25. Exam tip: Subject-verb agreement in present is tested heavily.

Past Tense Rules 

26. Simple past = V2 for all subjects. → They played cricket.
27. Use “did” for negatives. → I didn’t go.
28. Use “did” for questions. → Did she call you?
29. Use “yesterday, ago, last, in 2000” with past. → I saw him last week.
30. Use simple past for completed actions. → She cooked dinner yesterday.
31. Past continuous = was/were + V-ing. → I was reading at 9 p.m.
32. Use past continuous for background actions. → It was raining when he arrived.
33. Use past continuous with “while.” → She was singing while he was playing guitar.
34. Negative = wasn’t/weren’t + V-ing. → He wasn’t listening.
35. Past perfect = had + V3. → I had finished before you arrived.
36. Use past perfect for earlier action. → She had left before I came.
37. Past perfect pairs with simple past. → I had eaten when he called.
38. Negative = hadn’t + V3. → She hadn’t studied.
39. Past perfect continuous = had been + V-ing. → He had been working all night.
40. Use for duration before another past event. → They had been waiting for 2 hours before the bus came.
41. Negative = hadn’t been + V-ing. → She hadn’t been sleeping well.
42. Questions = Had + subject + been + V-ing? → Had you been studying?
43. Use contractions in informal past: didn’t, wasn’t, weren’t.
44. Stative verbs stay in simple past. → I knew her well.
45. Use time clauses with past perfect: after, before, when.
46. Common exam trap: ❌ I didn’t knew → ✅ I didn’t know.
47. Simple past doesn’t need helping verbs. → She went home.
48. Use “used to” for past habits. → I used to play cricket.
49. Use “would” for repeated past actions. → He would visit us every summer.
50. Narrative writing often mixes past simple and continuous.

Future Tense Rules

51. Simple future = will/shall + V1. → I will travel tomorrow.
52. “Shall” is formal/rare; mostly “will.” → I shall be there (formal).
53. Use “going to” for planned future. → I am going to study tonight.
54. Use “will” for decisions at the moment. → I’ll answer the phone.
55. Negative = won’t + V1. → He won’t join us.
56. Questions = Will + subject + V1? → Will she come?
57. Future continuous = will be + V-ing. → They will be traveling tomorrow.
58. Use for interrupted future action. → I’ll be working when you arrive.
59. Negative = won’t be + V-ing. → He won’t be attending.
60. Questions = Will + subject + be + V-ing? → Will you be staying long?
61. Future perfect = will have + V3. → She will have finished by 5 p.m.
62. Use “by + time” with future perfect. → I will have completed by Monday.
63. Negative = won’t have + V3. → He won’t have arrived by then.
64. Questions = Will + subject + have + V3? → Will they have left by 6?
65. Future perfect continuous = will have been + V-ing. → She will have been working here 10 years by 2025.
66. Use for duration before a future point. → By June, I’ll have been studying for 6 months.
67. Negative = won’t have been + V-ing. → He won’t have been living there long.
68. Use “shall” in offers/suggestions. → Shall we dance?
69. Informal contractions: I’ll, We’ll, They’ll.
70. Formal future in schedules uses present simple. → The meeting starts at 9 tomorrow.
71. Common exam trap: ❌ I will to go → ✅ I will go.
72. Future continuous often softens tone. → I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.
73. Use “be about to” for immediate future. → I’m about to leave.
74. Use “likely to” for probability. → She’s likely to win.
75. Use “supposed to” for planned future obligations. → We’re supposed to meet at 6.

Advanced & Common Usage Rules

76. Don’t mix two time frames in one tense. ❌ I am went.
77. Use present continuous for near future. → We are leaving tonight.
78. Future simple is often replaced by “going to” in conversation.
79. Use past continuous + when clause for interruption. → I was sleeping when he called.
80. Present perfect never coexists with exact past time.
81. Past simple often pairs with ago. → 5 years ago, I graduated.
82. Perfect tenses often use adverbs (already, just, yet).
83. Continuous tenses use dynamic verbs, not statives.
84. Negative contractions are natural in speech. → I haven’t, I won’t.
85. Avoid double helping verbs. ❌ He didn’t went.
86. In reported speech, tenses often shift back. → She said she was tired.
87. Conditionals rely heavily on tense choice.
88. Present perfect continuous emphasizes duration.
89. Past perfect continuous emphasizes ongoing before another past event.
90. Future perfect emphasizes completion before deadline.
91. Tenses often rely on context clues, not form alone.
92. Progressive tenses show temporary or changing actions.
93. Simple tenses show permanent or repeated actions.
94. Practice is the only way to master tense usage.
95. Reading English texts strengthens tense recognition.
96. Listening helps identify real-life tense patterns.
97. Exams test exceptions more than simple rules.
98. Learn signal words for each tense for clarity.
99. Write daily sentences in each tense to build confidence.
100. The golden rule: Use the tense that matches the time of action—always..

FAQs on 100 Rules for Tense with Examples

What are the 12 tenses in English grammar?

→ Present (4), Past (4), Future (4).

How many rules are there for tense in English?

→ Around 100 practical rules when you cover all structures, uses, and exceptions.

What is the easiest way to learn tenses?

→ Break them into Present, Past, Future and practice each with examples.

Which tense is most used?

→ The Simple Present (especially in everyday speech).

Can I learn 100 rules for tense in one day?

→ You can review them in one sitting, but mastery takes practice.

Conclusion

So here’s the thing—tenses aren’t as scary once you break them down. After going through these 100 Rules for Tense with Examples, you’ve seen how each tense follows a simple pattern, how small words like since, for, already, or yesterday change the meaning, and how avoiding little mistakes can make your English sound much more natural.

The truth is, mastering tenses isn’t about memorizing 100 rules overnight—it’s about practicing them a little bit every day. Try using one new tense in your daily conversation, or rewrite a sentence in two or three different ways. The more you play with them, the more natural they’ll feel