VERB TENSES

12 Verb Tenses in English Explained - Grammar

1. Verb to be (am / is / are – was / were)

Use: to describe people, things, places, time, emotions.

Examples:

  • I’m tired today.
  • She was at the gym yesterday.
  • They are friends.

✏️ Exercises:

  1. Complete with am, is, are, was or were:
    a) I ___ at home right now.
    b) She ___ a teacher.
    c) We ___ in Paris last summer.
    d) You ___ very kind!
    e) It ___ rainy yesterday.
  2. Make the sentences negative:
    a) He is my brother. →
    b) They were late. →
    c) I’m happy. →
  3. Make questions:
    a) She is from Brazil. →
    b) You were at the party. →

2. Simple Present

Use: habits, routines, general truths.
Structure: subject + base verb (+s/es in 3rd person)

Examples:

  • I study English every day.
  • She goes to the gym on Mondays.
  • The sun rises in the east.

✏️ Exercises:

  1. Complete:
    a) He ___ (play) soccer every weekend.
    b) I ___ (not like) coffee.
    c) ___ you ___ (work) on Saturdays?
  2. Write/say 3 sentences about your daily routine.
  3. Correct the mistakes:
    a) She go to school by bus.
    b) Do he like pizza?
    c) They doesn’t live here.

3. Simple Past

Use: finished actions in the past.
Structure: subject + past form of verb (regular: +ed / irregular: 2nd column)

Examples:

  • I visited my grandparents yesterday.
  • They went to the beach last weekend.

✏️ Exercises:

  1. Complete:
    a) We ___ (watch) a movie last night.
    b) She ___ (go) to bed late.
    c) I ___ (not see) him yesterday.
    d) ___ you ___ (study) for the test?
  2. Transform to negative:
    a) He worked on Sunday. →
    b) They met their friends. →
  3. Write 3 sentences about what you did last weekend.

4. Present Perfect

Use: experiences, recent events, unfinished time.
Structure: have/has + past participle

Examples:

  • I have been to London.
  • She has finished her homework.
  • We haven’t seen that movie yet.

✏️ Exercises:

  1. Complete:
    a) I ___ (never / eat) sushi.
    b) She ___ (just / call) you.
    c) They ___ (not / visit) New York.
    d) ___ you ever ___ (try) surfing?
  2. Rewrite in present perfect:
    a) I saw this movie. →
    b) She finished her project. →

5. Present Continuous

Use: actions happening now or around now.
Structure: am/is/are + verb + ing

Examples:

  • I’m studying English.
  • She is cooking dinner.
  • They are not working today.

✏️ Exercises:

  1. Complete:
    a) I ___ (read) a book now.
    b) She ___ (not / sleep).
    c) ___ they ___ (watch) TV?
  2. Choose the correct option:
    a) Listen! The birds (sing / are singing).
    b) We (study / are studying) for the test now.
  3. Write 3 sentences about what people in your family are doing right now.

6. Going to – future plans and intentions

Use: plans already decided or clear intentions.
Structure: am/is/are + going to + verb

Examples:

  • I’m going to travel next month.
  • They’re going to buy a new car.

✏️ Exercises:

  1. Complete:
    a) We ___ (visit) Grandma tomorrow.
    b) She ___ (not / study) tonight.
    c) ___ you ___ (take) the test again?
  2. Write 3 sentences about what you’re going to do this weekend.

7. Will – predictions, promises, spontaneous decisions

Use:

  • Predictions: It will rain tomorrow.
  • Promises: I’ll help you.
  • Instant decisions: I’ll call her now!

✏️ Exercises:

  1. Complete:
    a) I think it ___ (rain) tonight.
    b) Don’t worry, I ___ (help) you.
    c) She ___ (not / be) late.
  2. Make sentences using “will” for:
    a) a promise
    b) a prediction
    c) a quick decision

✏️ 8. Mixed Practice

Complete with the correct tense of the verb in parentheses:

  1. I ___ (be) very tired yesterday.
  2. She ___ (study) English every day.
  3. They ___ (just / arrive).
  4. We ___ (go) to the park tomorrow.
  5. Look! It ___ (rain)!
  6. I ___ (not see) him since last year.
  7. He ___ (be) a teacher for 10 years.
  8. Don’t worry — I ___ (help) you with your homework.
  9. She ___ (watch) TV now.
  10. ___ you ___ (ever / travel) abroad?

🗣️ 9. Personal Practice (Speaking or Writing)

Answer in complete sentences:

  1. Where are you from?
  2. What do you usually do on Sundays?
  3. What did you do yesterday?
  4. Have you ever eaten something exotic?
  5. What are you doing right now?
  6. What are you going to do next weekend?
  7. What will you do if it rains tomorrow?

🌀 Mixed Practice – Level up!

A. Complete the sentences with the correct verb form.

  1. I ______ (be) tired yesterday, but I ______ (feel) great today.
  2. She ______ (not / see) that movie yet.
  3. Look! It ______ (snow)!
  4. We ______ (go) to the beach every summer.
  5. They ______ (not / be) at school last Friday.
  6. I think it ______ (rain) tonight.
  7. He ______ (study) English for three years.
  8. We ______ (go) to travel to Canada next year.
  9. I ______ (not / have) breakfast this morning.
  10. Where ______ you (be) at 9 a.m.?

B. Rewrite the sentences as requested.

  1. She goes to work by bus. (make negative) →
  2. They watched a movie last night. (make a question) →
  3. I’ve been to Italy. (make negative) →
  4. He’s cooking dinner. (change to simple present) →
  5. I’m going to call my friend. (change to will) →

C. Choose the correct answer.

  1. I ____ my keys. Can you help me find them?
    a) lost b) have lost c) lose
  2. She ____ TV when the phone rang.
    a) watches b) was watching c) has watched
  3. We ____ in this city since 2010.
    a) live b) lived c) have lived
  4. Don’t worry! I ____ you with that.
    a) help b) am helping c) will help
  5. What ____ you ____ tonight?
    a) do / do b) are / doing c) did / do

D. Fill in with your own ideas (personal answers).

  1. I’m really happy because I’m ______.
  2. Yesterday I ______.
  3. I have never ______.
  4. Next weekend I’m going to ______.
  5. I think I will ______ in the future.

E. Translate into English.

  1. Eu estava cansado, mas feliz.
  2. Ela nunca visitou Nova York.
  3. Está chovendo muito agora.
  4. Eles vão comprar um carro novo.
  5. Acho que vou dormir cedo hoje.

F. Challenge: Combine the tenses!

Write a short paragraph (5–6 sentences) that includes at least four different tenses.
Example:

I’m studying English because I’ve always loved languages. I started when I was ten. My teacher is amazing! Next year, I’m going to take an exam, and I’m sure I’ll pass it.

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