Types of Tenses

In English grammar, there are three main types of tenses: past, present, and future. Each of these tenses can be further divided into four aspects: simple, continuous (progressive), perfect, and perfect continuous. Here's a brief overview of the types of tenses:

Past Tense

Simple Past: Describes an action that happened in the past.
Example: She walked to the store yesterday.

Past Continuous: Describes an ongoing action in the past.
Example: They were playing games when I arrived.

Past Perfect: Describes an action completed before another action in the past.
Example: By the time she arrived, we had already eaten.

Past Perfect Continuous: Describes a continuous action completed before another action in the past.
Example: I had been waiting for hours when he finally showed up.

Present Tense

Simple Present: Describes actions happening in the present.
Example: She works at a company in the city.

Present Continuous: Describes actions happening at the moment or around the present time.
Example: I am writing a letter.

Present Perfect: Describes actions completed recently or actions that have an effect on the present.
Example: I have finished my homework.

Present Perfect Continuous: Describes a continuous action that started in the past and continues into the present.
Example: They have been living here since last year.

Future Tense

Simple Future: Describes actions that will happen in the future.
Example: They will arrive tomorrow.

Future Continuous: Describes ongoing actions in the future.
Example: At this time tomorrow, I will be studying.

Future Perfect: Describes actions that will be completed before a specific point in the future.
Example: By next week, she will have completed her project.

Future Perfect Continuous: Describes a continuous action that will be ongoing before a specific point in the future.
Example: By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for two hours.