The 12 English Language Tenses – First Business English

First Business English has provided here the English language twelve tenses, which are divided into four categories: simple, progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive. Each tense is used to express a different aspect of time, such as past, present, and future, as well as the duration and completion of actions. We also provide a definition and explanation of each tense including practical examples.

1. Simple Present Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that are habitual, general truths or facts, and events that happen in the present. Example: “I eat breakfast every day.” 

2. Present Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now, ongoing actions, and future actions that have been planned or arranged. Example: “I am eating breakfast right now.”

3. Simple Past Tense: This tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. Example: “I ate breakfast yesterday.”

4. Past Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that were ongoing in the past. Example: “I was eating breakfast when the phone rang.”

5. Present Perfect Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past and have a connection to the present. Example: “I have eaten breakfast today.”

6. Present Perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe ongoing actions that started in the past and continue up to the present. Example: “I have been eating breakfast for 30 minutes.”

7. Past Perfect Tense: This tense is used to describe completed actions that happened before another action in the past. Example: “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work.”

8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe ongoing actions that had started and continued up to a specific time in the past. Example: “I had been eating breakfast for 30 minutes before I had to leave for work.”

9. Simple Future Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. Example: “I will eat breakfast tomorrow.”

10. Future Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will be ongoing at a specific time in the future. Example: “I will be eating breakfast at 8 am tomorrow.”

11. Future Perfect Tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will have been completed by a specific time in the future. Example: “I will have eaten breakfast by 9 am tomorrow.”

12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe ongoing actions that will have been happening for a specific amount of time by a certain time in the future. Example: “By 9 am tomorrow, I will have been eating breakfast for an hour.”

About First Business English

First Business English is a premium business English language online education center that provides individuals and groups the opportunity to learn Business English that enhances their careers and lives through a structured Business English curriculum. Contact Us