| |
Explanation |
Past |
Present |
Future |
| |
Simple Past |
Simple Present |
Future I Simple |
|
action that takes place once,
never or several times |
He played football every Tuesday. |
He plays football every Tuesday. |
He will / is going to play
football every Tuesday. |
| actions
that happen one after another |
He played football and then he
went home. |
He plays football and then he goes
home. |
He will play football and then he
will go home. |
| state |
He loved football. |
He loves football. |
He will love football. |
| |
Past
Progressive |
Present
Progressive |
Future I
Progressive |
|
action going on at that moment |
He was playing football. |
He is playing football. |
He will be playing football. |
| actions
taking place at the same time |
He was playing football and she
was watching. |
He is playing football and she is
watching. |
He will be playing football and
she will be watching. |
| |
Past
Perfect Simple |
Present
Perfect Simple |
Future II
Simple |
|
action taking place before a
certain moment in time; emphasises the result |
He had won five matches until
that day. |
He has won five matches so far. |
He will have won five matches by
then. |
| |
Past
Perfect Progressive |
Present
Perfect Progressive |
Future II
Progressive |
|
action taking place before a
certain moment in time (and beyond), emphasises the duration |
He had been playing football for
ten years. |
He has been playing football for
ten years. |
He will have been playing football
for ten years |
