How to Write English Sentences using Verb Tenses

When writing English sentences the writer may have a simple subject or a combination of subject and an object. To describe any actions or states of being the writer must use a verb or verbs to show who or what initiated, experienced or received the action or state of being.

The selection of verb and verb tense provides the writer with a wide variety of choices when expressing the relationships between the subjects, objects and external factors such as time.

The following is a simple set of examples of verb tenses and sentences.


SIMPLE PRESENT

1. [verb]

I study English everyday.



SIMPLE PAST

1. [verb + ed]

Two years ago, I studied English in Canada.



SIMPLE FUTURE

1. [am/is/are] + [going to] + [verb]

I am going to study English next year in Canada.

2. [will] + [verb]

I will study English tomorrow.



PRESENT CONTINUOUS

1. [am / is / are] + [verb + ing]

I am studying English now.



PAST CONTINUOUS

1. [was /were] + [verb + ing]

I was studying English when you called this morning.



FUTURE CONTINUOUS

1. [will be] + [verb + ing] 2. [am /is /are] + [going to be] + [verb + ing]

I will be studying English when you arrive today.

We are going to be studying English next year in Canada.



PRESENT PERFECT

1. [has /have] + [past participle]

I have studied English in several Canadian cities.



PAST PERFECT

1. [had] + [past participle]

I had studied English before I moved to Canada.



FUTURE PERFECT

1. [will have] + [past participle]

I will have studied all the verb tenses by the end of today.

2. [am/is/are] + [going to have] + [past participle]

We are going to have studied all the chapters by five o'clock.



PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

1. [has/have] + [been] + [verb + ing]

I have been studying English for two years.



PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

1. [had been] + [verb + ing]

I had been studying English for two years before I moved to Canada.



FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

1. [will have been] + [verb + ing]

I will have been studying English for one hour by the time you arrive.

2. [am/is/are] + [going to have been] + [verb + ing]

We are going to have been studying for three hours.

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