Verb Tenses Anchor Chart
THE 12 VERB TENSES MASTER CHART
Reference Guide: Time (When) × Aspect (How the action unfolds) • Formulas & Clue Words
Grammar Reference Notebook Insert
Past Time
Occurred before now
Present Time
Happening now / habit
Future Time
Yet to occur
1. Simple Aspect Expresses facts, general truths, routines, or completed events
Past Simple
V2 / -ed
Completed at a definite past time.
“Maria wrote a letter yesterday.”
Clues: yesterday, last night, in 2022
Present Simple
Base / -s
Regular habits, routines, or facts.
“Maria writes stories every day.”
Clues: always, usually, every day, often
Future Simple
will + Base
Decisions, promises, or predictions.
“Maria will write an essay soon.”
Clues: tomorrow, next week, soon
2. Progressive (Continuous) Aspect Shows unfinished, continuous actions actively in progress
Past Progressive
was/were + -ing
Ongoing past action interrupted by event.
“Maria was writing when we called.”
Clues: while, when, as, at 5 PM yesterday
Present Progressive
am/is/are + -ing
Action happening right now at this moment.
“Maria is writing her poem now.”
Clues: right now, currently, at present
Future Progressive
will be + -ing
Will be in progress at a specific time.
“Maria will be writing at 10 AM.”
Clues: this time tomorrow, at [time]
3. Perfect Aspect Shows completion; links an earlier action to a later point of reference
Past Perfect
had + V3 (p.p.)
Completed before another past action.
“Maria had written it before dinner.”
Clues: before, already, by the time
Present Perfect
have/has + V3
Past event connected to the present.
“Maria has written two chapters.”
Clues: already, yet, since, for, ever, just
Future Perfect
will have + V3
Will be finished prior to a future deadline.
“Maria will have written it by 5 PM.”
Clues: by tomorrow, before, by the time
4. Perfect Progressive Aspect Emphasizes the ongoing duration of an action up to a milestone
Past Perf. Prog.
had been + -ing
Ongoing past action leading to a moment.
“Maria had been writing for an hour.”
Clues: for 2 hours, since, before [action]
Present Perf. Prog.
have/has been + -ing
Started in past, still continuing right now.
“Maria has been writing all morning.”
Clues: for [time], since [time], lately
Future Perf. Prog.
will have been + -ing
Ongoing duration reaching a future point.
“Maria will have been writing for 3 hrs.”
Clues: by noon for [duration], by next year
Simple: Single action / fact
Progressive: be + -ing
Perfect: have + V3
Perf. Prog.: have been + -ing
Tip: Regular past participle (V3) ends in -ed (walk → walked); irregulars change form (write → wrote → written). • Keep this sheet handy for writing & revision •
