Verb Tenses: When to Use Each One, with Examples

Verb tense shows when something happens: in the past, the present, or the future. English has several tenses, so you have to pick the right one to make your timeline clear.

Key takeaways

• Use the present simple for habits and facts, and the present continuous for what is happening now.
• Use the past simple for finished actions at a known time.
• Use the present perfect for something that started in the past and still continues, often with since or for.
• Use will for predictions and on-the-spot decisions, and be going to for plans you already have.

How to use verb tenses

Present

1. Use the present simple for habits, routines, and general facts.

• ✓ I check my email every morning.
• ✗ I am checking my email every morning.

2. Use the present continuous for what is happening now or around now.

• ✓ She is talking to a client right now.
• ✗ She talks to a client right now.

Past

3. Use the past simple for a finished action at a specific past time.

• ✓ We arrived yesterday.
• ✗ We have arrived yesterday.

4. Use the present perfect for something that began in the past and still continues, often with since or for.

• ✓ I have worked here for five years.
• ✗ I work here for five years.

Future

5. Use will for a prediction or a decision you make as you speak.

• ✓ I think it will rain later.
• ✗ I think it rains later.

6. Use be going to for a plan you already have.

• ✓ We are going to move house this summer.
• ✗ We move house this summer.

Test yourself

Tenses take a little practice, but once the pairs click, your English flows more smoothly. Practise them out loud and get instant feedback on Speechful. Start practising free →