16 Tenses in English

Program Sarjana Ekonomi Manajemen

UNIVERSITAS GUNADARMA

Mata Kuliah
Nama Lengkap
Npm
Dosen
Kelas
Judul Makalah

: Bahasa Inggris
: Sri Setiawaty
: 18211261
: Dwi Prakosa Dicky
: 1EA26
: 16 Tenses in English

PROLOGUE

The author praises and thanksgiving pray Allah SWT for all His mercy and grace so that
authors can complete a paper for English course work, entitled "16 ENGLISH tenses" just in time.
The author would like to thank all those who have helped to motivate and give useful
suggestions that authors can make this paper as well. In particular, authors thank Mr. Dwi Prakosa
Dicky as a lecturer in English who has been given the task of this paper. Thereby increasing knowledge
about the author that there are 16 tenses in English.
In this paper I will discuss about the various and use of tenses in English. Tenses is the syntax.
As we know, tenses are important in learning English, or the use of English in all respects. Therefore I
would like to discuss about the tenses so that we better understand about the tenses, so we did not err in
applying the English language.
Like the Indonesian language, we must consider the use of tenses in a sentence. What should
we say if you make a sentence which we do, we're doing, and we will do. In English, the pattern of
negative and positive sentences are different, there is the addition of the words in the pattern of
negative sentences. Not much different from Indonesian, English only more specific in the use of the
word. Okay, let's start discussing about the tenses.
The author realized that the paper is still far from perfect, for that author expects criticism and
constructive suggestions for the perfection of this paper. Hopefully this paper is particularly useful to
readers and fellow students in general.

Jakarta, March 16th, 2012

Author

DAFTAR ISI

Contents
PROLOGUE...........................................................................................1
DAFTAR ISI..........................................................................................2
BAB I ENGLISH TENSE SYSTEM..............................................................4
I.1
English Tense System...........................................................4
I.2
What is Tense?.....................................................................4
I.3
Tense and Time....................................................................5
I.4
Basic Tenses........................................................................6
I.5
Basic Tenses: Regular Verb...................................................7
I.6
Basic Tenses: Irregular Verb..................................................8
I.7
Basic Tenses: Be.................................................................10
BAB II 16 ENGLISH TENSES TIMELINE ..................................................12
II.1
Simple Present Tenses........................................................12
II.2
Present Continuous /Progressive Tenses..............................13
II.3
Present Perpect Tense........................................................13
II.4
Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive..............................14
II.5
Simple Past tense...............................................................15
II.6
Countinuous or Progressive Tense.......................................16
II.7
Past Perfect Tenses............................................................16
II.8
Past Perfect Continuous/Progessive Tense...........................17
II.9
Future tense......................................................................17
II.10
Future Continuous/Progressive Tense..................................18
II.11
Future perfect Tense..........................................................18
II.12
Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense.....................19
II.13
Past Future Tense...............................................................20
II.14
Past Future Continuous Tense.............................................21
II.15
Past Future Perfect Tense...................................................21
II.16
Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense..................................22
BAB III EXAMPLE OF 16 TENSES..........................................................24
III.1
Present Tenses...................................................................24
III.2
Present Continuous/Progressive Tenses...............................25
III.3
Present Perpect Tense........................................................27
III.4
Present Continuous/Progressive Tense................................27
III.5
Simple Past Tenses.............................................................28
III.6
Past Countinuous/Progressive Tense...................................29
III.7
Past perfect Tenses............................................................29
III.8
Past Perfect Countinuous/Progressive Tense........................30
III.9
Future Tense......................................................................30
III.10 Future Continuous/Progressive Tense..................................31
III.11 Future Perfect Tense..........................................................31
III.12 Future Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense......................32

III.13 Past Future Tense...............................................................32

III.14 Past Future Continuous Tense.............................................33
III.15 Past Future Perfect Tense...................................................33
III.16 Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense..................................34
REFERENCES......................................................................................35

BAB I

ENGLISH TENSE SYSTEM

3

a. English Tense System

In some languages, verb tenses are not very important or do not even exist. In English, the
concept of tense is very important.
In this lesson we look at the idea behind tense, how to avoid confusing tense with time, and the
structure of the basic tenses, with examples using a regular verb, an irregular verb and the verb be.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What is Tense?
Tense & Time
Basic Tenses
Regular Verbs
Irregular Verbs
Be

b. What is Tense?
Tense (noun) is a form of a verb used to indicate the time, and sometimes the continuation or
completeness, of an action in relation to the time of speaking. (From Latin tempus = time). Tense is a
method that we use in English to refer to time - past, present and future. Many languages use tenses to
talk about time. Other languages have no tenses, but of course they can still talk about time, using
different methods.
So, we talk about time in English with tenses. But, and this is a very big but:

we can also talk about time without using tenses (for example, going to is a special construction to
talk about the future, it is not a tense)
one tense does not always talk about one time (see Tense & Time for more about this)

Here are some of the terms used in discussing verbs and tenses :
a. Mood
Indicative mood expresses a simple statement of fact, which can be positive (affirmative) or
negative.
I like coffee.
I do not like coffee.

Interrogative mood expresses a question

Why do you like coffee?

Imperative mood expresses a command

Sit down!

Subjunctive mood expresses what is imagined or wished or possible

The President ordered that he attend the meeting.

b. Voice
Voice shows the relationship of the subject to the action. In the active voice, the subject does
the action (cats eat mice). In the passive voice, the subject receives the action (mice are eaten
by cats). Among other things, we can use voice to help us change the focus of attention.
c. Aspect
Aspect expresses a feature of the action related to time, such as completion or duration. Present
simple and past simple tenses have no aspect, but if we wish we can stress with other tenses
that :

The action or state referred to by the verb is completed (and often still relevant),
For example : I have emailed the report to Jane.
(so now she has the report)
(This is called perfective aspect, using perfect tenses.)
The action or state referred to by the verb is in progress or continuing (that is,
uncompleted),
For example : We are eating.
(This is called progressive aspect, using progressive [continuous] tenses.)

c. Tense and Time

It is important not to confuse the name of a verb tense with the way we use it to talk
about time.
For example :
a present tense does not always refer to present time:
I hope it rains tomorrow.
"rains" is present simple, but it refers here to future time (tomorrow).
Or a past tense does not always refer to past time:
If I had some money now, I could buy it.
"had" is past simple but it refers here to present time (now).

The following examples show how different tenses can be used to talk about different times.

Tense

TIME
Past

Present
I want a coffee.
She likes coffee

Present Simple

Future
I leave tomorrow.

I am having dinner.

Present Continuous

I am taking my exam
next month.

She likes coffee

I have seen ET.
I have finished.
I have been playing
tennis.
We have been working for four hours.
I finished one hour
If she loved you now, If you came tomorrow,
ago.
she would marry you.
you would see her.

Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect
Continuous
Past Simple
Past Continuous

I was working at 2 am
this morning.

Past Perfect Simple

I had not eaten for 24

hours.

Past Perfect Continuous

We had been working

for 3 hours.

Future Simple
Future Continuous
Future Perfect Simple

Future Perfect
Continuous

If I had been working

now, I would have
missed you.
Hold on. I'll do it now.

If I had been working

tomorrow, I could not
have agreed.
I'll see you tomorrow.
I will be working at 9
pm tonight.
I will have finished by
9pm tonight.
We will have been married for ten years next month.
They may be tired
when you arrive
because they will have
been working.
In 30 minutes, we will have been working for four hours.

d. Basic Tenses
For past and present, there are 2 simple tenses + 6 complex tenses (using auxiliary verbs). To
these, we can add 4 "modal tenses" for the future (using modal auxiliary verbs will/shall). This makes a
total of 12 tenses in the active voice. Another 12 tenses are available in the passive voice. So now we
have 24 tenses.

24 Tenses

ACTIVE

PASSIVE

past

present

future*

simple tenses

past

present

future

complex tenses
formed with
auxiliary verbs

past perfect
past continuous
past perfect
continuous

present perfect
present continuous
present perfect
continuous

future perfect
future continuous
future perfect
continuous

past

present

future

past perfect
past continuous

present perfect
present continuous

future perfect
future continuous

past perfect
continuous

present perfect
continuous

future perfect
continuous

Some grammar books use the word progressive instead of continuous. They are exactly the
same.
The use of tenses in English may be quite complicated, but the structure of English tenses is
actually very simple. The basic structure for a positive sentence is:
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb
An auxiliary verb is used in all tenses. (In the simple present and simple past tenses, the
auxiliary verb is usually suppressed for the affirmative, but it does exist for intensification.) The
following table shows the 12 tenses for the verb to work in the active voice.
structure
auxiliar
y

main verb

do

perfect

have

continuous

be

continuous perfect

have
been

normal
intensive

simple

past

present

future*

I worked
I did work

past participle

I had worked

I work
I do work
I have
worked
I am
working
I have been
working

I will work

base

present
participle -ing
present
participle -ing

I was working
I had been
working

I will have
worked
I will be
working
I will have
been working

* Technically, there are no future tenses in English. The word will is a modal auxiliary verb and future
tenses are sometimes called "modal tenses". The examples are included here for convenience and
comparison.

e. Basic Tenses: Regular Verb

This page shows the basic tenses with the regular verb work. It includes the affirmative or
positive form (+), the negative form (-) and the interrogative or question form (?).
The basic structure is:
positive:
negative:
question:

+
?

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb
auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

These are the forms of the main verb that we use to construct the tenses:
base verb
work

past
worke
d

past participle

present participle -ing

worked

working

past

present

future

SIMPLE
do + base verb
(except future:
will + base
verb)
SIMPLE
PERFECT
have + past
participle
CONTINUOUS
be + ing

CONTINUOUS
PERFECT
have been + ing

I did work
I worked

I do work
I work

I will work

I did not work

Did I work?

I do not work
Do I work?

I will not work

Will I work?

I had worked

I have worked

I will have worked

I had not worked

Had I worked?

I have not worked

Have I worked?

I will not have worked

Will I have worked?

I was working

I am working

I will be working

I was not working

Was I working?

I am not working
Am I working?

I had been working

I have been working

I had not been

working

I have not been

working

Had I been working?

Have I been working?

I will not be working

Will I be working?
I will have
been working
I will not have been
working
Will I have been
working?

f. Basic Tenses: Irregular Verb

This page shows the basic tenses with the irregular verb sing. It includes the affirmative or
positive form (+), the negative form (-) and the interrogative or question form (?).
The basic structure is:
positive: +
negative: question: ?

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb
auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

These are the forms of the main verb that we use to construct the tenses:
base verb
sing

SIMPLE
do + base
verb
(except future:
will + base
verb)
SIMPLE

past

past participle

present participle -ing

sang

sung

singing
present
I do sing
I sing
I do not sing
Do I sing?

future
I will sing

past
I did sing
I sang
I did not sing
Did I sing?

I had sung

I have sung

I will have sung

I will not sing

Will I sing?

PERFECT
have + past
participle
CONTINUOU
S
be + -ing

I had not sung

Had I sung?

I have not sung

Have I sung?

I will not have sung

Will I have sung?

+
?

I was singing
I was not singing
Was I singing?

I am singing
I am not singing
Am I singing?

I will be singing
I will not be singing
Will I be singing?

CONTINUOU
S PERFECT
have been +
-ing

I had been singing

I have been singing

I had not been

singing

I have not been

singing

I will have
been singing
I will not have
beensinging

Had I been singing?

Have I been singing?

Will I have
been singing?

The basic structure of tenses for regular verbs and irregular verbs is exactly the same (except to
be). The only difference is that with regular verbs the past and past participle are always the same
(worked, worked), while with irregular verbs the past and past participle are not always the same (sang,
sung). But the structure is the same! It will help you a great deal to really understand that.
past

present

future

SIMPLE
+
present simple or past simple
?
(except future: will
+ be)

I was

I am

I will be

I was not

I am not

I will not be

Was I?

Am I?

Will I be?

SIMPLE
PERFECT +
have + been
-

I had been

I have been

I will have been

I had not been

I have not been

I will not have been

Had I been?

Have I been?

Will I have been?

I was being

I am being

I will be being

I was not being

I am not being

I will not be being

Was I being?

Am I being?

Will I be being?

I had been being

I have been being

I will have been being

I had not beenbeing

I have not beenbeing

I
will not have
beenbeing

Had I been being?

Have I been being?

Will
I
been being?

CONTINUOUS
be + being
CONTINUOUS
PERFECT
have been + being

have

g. Basic Tenses: Be
This page shows the basic tenses with the verb be. It includes the affirmative or positive form
(+), the negative form (-) and the interrogative or question form (?).
The basic structure is:

positive (+):
negative (-):
question (?):

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb
auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

But for simple past and simple present tenses, the structure is not the same. In fact, it's even
easier. There is no auxiliary verb. Here is the structure:
positive (+) :
negative (-) :

subject + main verb

subject + main verb + not

question (?) : main verb + subject

These are the forms of the main verb be that we use to construct the tenses:
base
be

past simple
was, were

past participle
been

present participle
being

present simple
am, are, is

In the following table, we see be conjugated for 12 basic tenses.

SIMPLE
singular
I
you
he/she/it
plural
we
you
they
PERFECT
singular
I
you
he/she/it
plural
we
you
they
CONTINUOUS
singular
I
you
he/she/it
plural
we
you
they
CONTINUOUS PERFECT
singular
I
you
he/she/it
plural
we
you
they

past

present

future

was
were
was
were
were
were
past
had been
had been
had been
had been
had been
had been
past
was being
were being
was being
were being
were being
were being
past
had been being
had been being
had been being
had been being
had been being
had been being

am
are
is
are
are
are
present
have been
have been
has been
have been
have been
have been
present
am being
are being
is being
are being
are being
are being
present
have been being
have been being
has been being
have been being
have been being
have been being

will be
will be
will be
will be
will be
will be
future
will have been
will have been
will have been
will have been
will have been
will have been
future
will be being
will be being
will be being
will be being
will be being
will be being
future
will have been being
will have been being
will have been being
will have been being
will have been being
will have been being

10

BAB II

ENGLISH TENSES TIMELINE

a. Simple Present Tenses
This is the form of the Simple Present of To Be:
Subject

Be (is, am, are) + Complement

Am

We / You / They

Are

He / She / It

Is

....

I
I

We use am with I.
We use are with we, you, they, and with all plural subjects
We use is with he, she, it, and all singular subjects in the third person.
am
am

a teacher
Indonesian

11

you
She
He
Samsul
They (example : James and Jane)
We
You and I (= We)
Ice
It
Running every week
To study hard
What he wants to buy

are
Is
Is not
Is
are
are
are
Is
Is not
Is
Is
is

a student
diligent
a TV repoter
17 years
film starts
happy
on Holiday
cold
sunday
healthy
Very good
a new car

This is the form of the Simpe Present Tenses of Read, Learn, Stop, Speak, Go, etc :
Subject
I/We/You/They
He/She/It

Present Tenses or Verb-1

Read
learn
Stop
reads
Learns
stops

Go
goes

We use read, learn, stop, speak and go with I, we, you, they.
We use reads, learns, stop, speaks and goes with he, she, it, and all singular subjects in the third
person.
The students
They
I
They bus
They Earth
The Sun
Smoking
That this food contains poison
To love him

b.

speak
speaks

Speak
Learn
finish
Stops
Revolves around
Rises
Damages
Surprises
brings

English on Wednesdays
Mathematics everday
My job
At the bus stop
The Sun
In the east
Your lungs
All of us
Her to Europe

Present Continuous /Progressive Tenses

This is the form of the Present Continuous /Progressive Tenses of Practice, Watch, Discuss,
Leave,etc : 1A

Subject

Be (is/am/are)

I
We/You/They
He/She/It

Am practising
Are practising
Is practising

+Verb-1+ing
Am watching
Are watching
Is watching

Am discussing
Are discussing
Is discussing

Am leaving
Are leaving
Are leaving

We use am practising, am watching, am discussing, am leaving with I.

We use are practising, are watching, are discussing, are leaving with we, you they, and with all
plural subjects.

12

We use is practising, is watching, is discussing, is leaving with he, she, it and all singular
subjects in the third person.

Examples :
They
I
We
Anita
We

c.

Are practicing
Am watching
Are discussing
Is writing
Are leaving

English now
TV at the moment
a problem tomorrow
a letter now
For Sumatra next week

Present Perpect Tense

This is the form of the Present Perpect Tense of read, Returned, Lived, Written, etc:

Subject
have/has + Verb Past Participle or Verb3
+...........................................
I
have read
have returned
have lived
have written
We/You/They
have read
have returned
have lived
have written
He/She/It
has read
has returned
has lived
has written
We use have read, have returned, have lived, have written with I, we, you, they, and with all
plural subjects
We use has read, has returned, has lived, has written with he, she, it and all singular subjects in
the third person.
Examples:
Rita
I
Rina
Those people
Irwansyah
Mr. Simon
That old man
The worker
We

d.

has read
have turned on
have just returned
have lived
has worked for
has written
has smoked
has painted
have eaten up

the letter
the letter
the light
in Java for 25 years
PT. Astra Internasional In Jakarta
three books this month
ten cigarettes today
the wall
all apple

Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive

This is the form of the Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense of Learn, Travel, Visit,
Do , etc:
Subject
I
We/You/They

have/has + Verb Past Participle or Verb-3 + ....................

have been learning
have
been have
been have been doing
traveling
visiting
have been learning
have
been have
been have been doing
traveling
visiting

13

He/She/It

has been learning

has been traveling

has been
visiting

has been doing

We use have been learning, have been traveling, have been visiting, have been doing with I,
we, they, and with all plural subjects.
We use has been learning, has been traveling, has been visiting, has been doing with he, she,
it, and all singular subjects in the third person.

Examples :
She
I
I
They
Greg
The mechanic

e.

has been learning

have been traveling
have been visiting
have been doing
has been playing
has been repairing

English since she was in Elementary School

to Australia since 10 oclock
Bogor Palace
a TOEFL test preparation
tennis for five hours
his car

Simple Past tense

This is the form of the Simple Past tense of TO BE:

Subject
I
We/You/They
He/She/It

was/were
was
were
was

+....................................................
......................................................
......................................................
.......................................................

We use was with I

We use were with we, you, they, and with all plural subjects
We use was with he, she, it, and all singular subjects in the third person.

Example :
I
Farida
He
You
We
Rose
It
Her daughter
They
Mr. Simon and Mrs. Grace

was
was
was
were
were
was
was
was
were
were

a student at that time

a teacher in 1975
a TV reporter
an actor then
there yesterday
busy last night
a nice day
in Japan for 5 years
at the beach last Saturday
in Semarang a week ago

This is the form of the Simple Past Tenseof Visit, Meat, Busy, Build, etc:
Subject
I/We/You?They
He/She/It

Verb-2
visited
visited

+.......................................................
met
bought
built
went
met
bought
built
went

14

We use visited, met, bought, built, went, with: I, we, you, they, and he, she, it, and all
singular and plural subjects.
Examples :
I
Rini
Mr. Hasan
They
Thomas A Edison
This hotel
Amanda

f.

visited
met
bought
went
invented
was build
worked for

Bali Last year

her old friend
a new car two day ago
to China yesterday
Electricity
in 1975
TV7 for ten years

Countinuous or Progressive Tense

This is the of the Past Countinuous or Progressive Tense of Watch, Attend, Do, Ask, etc:

Subject + was/were + Verb-1 + ing

Subject + Verb-2
I
We/You/They
He/She/It

was watching
ware watching
was watching

WHEN
WHILE
was attending
was attending
was attending

Subject + Verb-2
or Subject + was/were + Verb-1 + ing
was doing
was doing
was doing

was asking
ware asking
was asking

We use was wathching, was attending, was doing, was working with I, he, she it, and all
singular subjects in the third person.
We use were watching, were attending, were doing, were asking with we, you, they, and with
all plural subjects.

Examples:
Someone knocked the door
Adam was talking to the policeman
I met Lenny
She was having lunch
They were doing their jobs

g.

when
while
when
while
when

I was watching TV
his wife was crying
she was attending a party
a beggar was asking for money
the bomb exploded

Past Perfect Tenses

This is the form of the Past Perfect Tenses of Arrive, Finish, Get, Wait, etc:
Subject + had + verb Past participle or Verb-3 + ..
I
Had arrived
Had finished
Had got
We/You/They
Had arrived
Had finished
Had got
He/She/It
Had arrived
Had finished
Had got

15

Had waited
Had waited
Had waited

We use had arrived, had finished, had got, had waited with I, we, you, they, and he, she, it, and
all singular and plural subjects.
Examples:
All ministers had arrived at the Presidential Palace
Before

I went to Galeria Mall

Hundreds of passengers had waited for two hours
Tanaka had got his university degree

h.

before
Mr.
President
came
after
when
Before

Mr. President came

All ministers had arrived at the
Presidential Palace
I had finished my homework
The plane came
He became a mananger of PT. Suzi.

Past Perfect Continuous/Progessive Tense

This is the form of the Past Perfect Continuous/Progessive Tense of Work, Live, Travel,

etc:
Subject + Had + been + Verb-1 + ing
I
Had been working
We/You/They
Had been living
He/She/It
Had been traveling

Before / after + Subject + past Participle/Verb-3

Had been living
Had been traveling
Had been living
Had been traveling
Had been living
Had been traveling

We use had been working, had been living, had been traveling with I, we, you, they, and he,
she, it, and all singular and plural subjects.
Examples:
Samson had been working at the PT. Gobel for before
twenty years
I had been living in this town for ten years
before
Henny had been traveling to Sumatra for a week before

i.

He died
I moved
She went back to Semarang

Future tense

This is the form of The Future tense of Will take , Will Go, Will Stay, Will Be, etc:
Subject
I/We/You/They
He/She/It

Will + Verb-1
Wil take
Wil go

Will stay
Will be

Will reach
Will consider

We use will take, will go, will be, will stay, will reach, will consider with: I, we, you, they,
and he, she, it, and all singular and plural subjects.
Examples:
I
They

Will take
Will go

An examination tomorrow
To Aceh next Sunday

16

The soldiers
We
The government
You
Mr. Simon

j.

Will be
Will reach
Will consider
Will be
Will stay

Home tonight
Kintamani soon
Your proposal
Safer when you drive carefully
Her ten years from now

Future Continuous/Progressive Tense

This is the form of The Future Continuous/Progressive Tense of Will be arriving, Will be
shining, Will be coming, etc:
Subject
I/We/You/They
He/She/It

Will be + ing + ..
Will be coming
Wil be arriving
Will be coming
Wil be arriving

Will be shining
Will be shining

We use will be coming, will be arriving, Will be shining with: I,We,You,They, and he, she,
it, and all singular and plural subjects.
Examples:
I
The guests
The sun

Will be coming
Will be arriving
Will be shining

Tomorrow
At this time tomorrow
brightly

The Future Continuous/Progressive Tense is a verb form that is used to express:

An activity that will be in progress at a time in the future, for example:
I will be coming tomorrow
The guests will be arriving at this tomorrow
The sun will be shining brightly
Time Markers that are usually used:
At this time tomorrow
Next week
Next month
Next year
Until + S + Verb-1
When, etc.

k.

Future perfect Tense

This is the form of the Future perfect Tense of Pass, Marry, and Check, etc:

Subject

Will + have + Verb in Past Participle/Verb-3 + .

Will have
Will have
Will have By + a phrase
passed
married
checked
atau

17

I/We/You/They
He/She/It

Will have
passed
Will have
passed

Will have
married
Will have
married

Will have
checked
Will have
checked

Before/when + Subject + Verb-1

We use will have passed, will have married, will have checked, with I, we, you, they, and he,
she, it, and all singular and plural subjects
Examples:
I
Dessy
The Mechanic

Will have passed

Will have got married
Will have checked

My examination by the end of this moth

To Robby when you come back
The engine before the pilot flies the plane

The Future Perfect Tense is a verb form that is used to express:

1. An action that will be completed before another event or a certain time in the future, for example:

l.

I will have graduated from Bandung Institute of Technology Bandung

Dessy will have left for Jakarta when you come back
The mechanic will have checked the car before I drive it.

Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense

This is the form of the Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense of Sleep, Work,
Fight, etc
Subject

Will have + been + Verb-1 + ing + .

I/We/You/They
He/She/It

Will have
sleeping
Will have
sleeping
Will have
sleeping

been Will have

working
been Will have
working
been Will have
working

been
been
been

Will have
fighting
Will have
fighting
Will have
fighting

been
been

For..

been

We use will sleeping, Will have been working, Will have been fighting, with I, we, you, they,
and he, she, it, and all singular and plural subjects. Examples:
I
The firefighters
We

Will have been sleeping

Will have been fighting
Will have been working

For two hours before my wife gets home

Against the fire for five hours
For the supermarket

The Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense is a verb that is used to express:

1) An action that will be in progress before another time or event in the future, for example:

I will have been sleeping for two hours before my wife gets home.

18

The firefighters will have been putting the fire out for five hours.
We will have been working for the supermarket for two years.

2) An action that emphasizes the continuity of future achievement, for example:

I will have been teaching here for fifteen years this year
My daughters will have been sleeping for three hours by the time I get home

m.

Past Future Tense

This tense is also basically the same with simple future tense. It explains an activity which will
happen after the conversation happened. The tense is normally used to describe plan or to explain an
estimation. Normally Past Future tense is used as a conditional sentence type 2.

I would come if you invited me

Tom would travel if he had more money

The characteristic of this tense is the use of the word will. Adverbs which are usually used in
future tense are TOMORROW, NEXT etc.
The Pattern of Past Future Tense
A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Tense
Verbal sentence: S + would + Verb1
Nominal sentence: S + would be +
Examples:
Ann would play in the final match tonight if she could recover faster.
Andrea would be at home next week if he finished his exam.
B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Tense
Verbal sentence: S + wouldnt + Verb1
Nominal sentence: S + wouldnt +
Examples:
Joko wouldnt come to the ceremony next Friday if he got sick.
The students would not be absent tomorrow the teacher came to the school.
C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Tense
Verbal sentence: Would + S + Verb1
Nominal sentence: Would + S + be + .
Examples:
Would Emma accompany me to the party tonight if I brought a girlfriend?
Would they be able to come to the class on time if an accident happened?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Tense
Verbal sentence: QW + would + S + Verb1

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Nominal sentence: QW + Would + S + be +

Examples:
What would you wear for the party tonight if you did not have one?
When would the room be available if we did not book one?

n.

Past Future Continuous Tense

Past Future Continuous Tense is used to explain an event or activity that will be happening in
the future in a specific time that is predicted during the conversation takes place. This tense is almost
the same like Present Future Tense but it is commonly used in conditional sentence. The difference is
only in the specification of the time. Present Future Continuous Tense has more specific time.
The adverbs used in this tense are almost the same with the ones used in Present Future Tense. In
Present Future Continuous Tense, the use of specific time is often found.
The Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
S + would + be+ Ving
Examples:
I would be studying math tonight at 8 pm if I had no other schedule.
The teachers will be holding an annual teacher meeting at 9 oclock if they wanted to.
B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
S + would + not + be + Ving
Examples:
The employees would not be working tomorrow if boss did not pay them.
The national soccer players would be performing a charity match at 22nd of June if they
won the PPD competition.
C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
Would + S + be + Ving
Examples:
Would Nami be going to Paris next 22nd of July if she graduated now?
Would he be playing for our volley team tomorrow night if we asked him?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
QW + would + S + be + Ving
Examples:
What would you be doing tomorrow at 8 pm at your house if I came?
Where would the teachers be sitting if we occupied all of them?
By using Past Future Continuous Tense Pattern, we can explains an event or activity that will
be happening in the future in a specific time that is predicted during the conversation takes place. If you
like to find other tenses, you should go to Learn English Category.

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o.

Past Future Perfect Tense

Past Future Tense is actually similar with Present Perfect Tense in the sense of time and
meaning. This tense is normally used as conditional sentence type 3. It has contradictory meaning with
the conditional sentence which is used.
He would have become a rider if his team had won in the previous race.
The adverbs used in Past Future Perfect tense are almost the same with the ones used in Present
Future Perfect Tense.
The Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
Verbal sentence: S + Would + have + V3
Nominal sentence: S + Would + have + been +
Examples:
Jim would have finished his job in the next month if he had not watched the movie.
Mia would have been a good pianist if she had practiced a lot.
B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
Verbal sentence: S + Wouldnt + have + V3
Nominal sentence: S + Wouldnt + have + been +
Examples:
Kai wouldnt have passed the exam if he had not studied sincerely.
The students would have not been in the suspension if they did not play in the class.
C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
Verbal sentence: S + Would + have + S + V3
Nominal sentence: Would + have + S + been +
Examples:
Would have Emma accompanied her friends to the party tonight?
Would have they been able to come by the time class starts?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
Verbal sentence: QW + Will/shall + have + S + Verb1
Nominal sentence: QW + will/shall have + S + be +
Examples:
What would have you done by the time I arrived there?
Why would have the room been available if I ask the janitor first?

p.

Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense is basically the same with Present Perfect Continuous
Tense. Similar with Past Future Perfect Tense, this tense is also used in conditional sentence type 3
normally for its positive and negative pattern.
The race would have been starting since this morning if all riders had come on time.
The adverbs used in this tense are almost the same with the ones used in Present Future Perfect
Continuous Tense.

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The Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense

A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
S + would + have + been Ving
Examples:
Clevany would have been sleeping if she did not drink much coffee.
Rose will have been studying for two hours if she did not watch a serial drama.
B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
S + wouldnt + have + been Ving
Examples:
Ika wouldnt have been filling the requirement if she had come late.
The students would have not been watching a movie if the school had ended faster.
C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Would + have + S + been + Ving
Examples:
Would have Mina been listening to her favorite song if the electricity had downed?
Would have they been playing soccer if the principle had come?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense

QW + would + have + S + been + Ving

Examples:
What would have you been doing if I had fractured your leg?
Where would have the students been studying if the teacher had not come?

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BAB III

EXAMPLE OF 16 TENSES

a. Present Tenses
Simple Present Tenses is a verb form that is used to express:
1) An action that happens all the time or habits. It happens: everyday, every week, every month,
every year, on Sundays, Mondays, etc, for example:

Rose always comes on time.

James goes to school by car

Hassan and I are classmates.
We often meet each other.
The students speak on Wednesdays.
I learn English everyday.

2) A thing that is true in general, for example:

I am Indonesian
Ice is cold
I am a student
You are a nurse
Chriseye is a singer
Bruce Lee and Jet Lee are film stars
Jimmy is a hard worker
The Sun rises in the east
Smoking damages your lungs
3) A schedule/timetable or a plan , example:
The bus arrives at 5:30 a.m
The bank opens at 8:30 and closes a 4:00
Festival on Javanese Culture starts tomorrow
4) A description and definition, for example:
A doctor works in a hospital. He examines the sick people. He gives medicine too.
Teachers teach in schools. They explain and give homework and correct students
worksheet
An architect is a person who plans a new building.

23

Note:
Adjunct can be placed at the beginning or at the end of the sentence, for example:

I learn English everyday or Everyday I learn English.

Time Markers that are usually used for example:

Always
Every day
Every month
Every week
Everyday
Never
Often
On Sunday
Rarely
Seldom
Sometime
Usually
RULES OF THE ENGLISH SPELLING
When a verb ending in : ch, sh, ss and _x, o add es to the stem of the verb, for example:
watch = watches
pass = passes
finish = finishes
fix = fixes
go = goes
When a verb end in : y after a consonant, y changes into ie. Then s is added to the stem of the verb,
for example:
carry = carries
study = studies
cry = cries
When a verb ends in : y after a vowal, y does not change. Then s is added to the stemof the verb, for
example:
play = plays
buy = buys

b. Present Continuous/Progressive Tenses

The Present Continuous/Progressive Tenses is a verb form that is used to express:
1. An action which is happening now or at the moment of speaking, for example:
They are speaking English now

24

We are discussing a problem at the moment

Anita is writing a letter now
I am watching a boxing champion on TV

2. A future time, for example:

We are leaving for Sumatra tomorrow
I am leaving for Lombok next week
I am listening to BBC radio tonight
Time Markers that are usually used :

now
at the moment
at present
tonight
tomorrow

Note :
The following verb may not be formed in The Present Continuous/Progressive Tense:
1. Verb of Perceptions
See,look, hear, feel, taste, smell, seem, recognize, appear.
2. Verbs of Emotion or Wishing Verbs
Want, prefer, inted, dont mind, refuse, forgive, hope, wish, care for, cant bear, love, hate.
3. Verb of Thingking
Agree, believe, expect, forget, guess, have, having a party, having dinner, imagine, know,
mean, need, note, own, realize, remember, sound, suppose, suspect, taste, think,
understand, wonder.
RULERS OF THE ENGLISH SPELLING
1. Verb ending in e drop it when ing is added to them, for example :
come+ing = coming
blame+ing = blaming
hope+ing = hoping
BUT
dye+ing = dyeing
flee+ing = fleeing
see+ing = seeing
2. when ing is added to a verb ending in y, its y does not charge to i, for example :
carry + ing = carrying
marry + ing = marrying
obey + ing = obeying
cry + ing = cryin
3. when ing is added to verb ending in ie, it changes into y, for example:
die + ing = dying

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lie + ing = lying

c. Present Perpect Tense

Present Perpect Tense is a verb form that is used to express:
1. An action that has completed before the present time , for example:

Rina has just returned from school

Sella has played tennis
I has lost my chance to study abroad

2. An action that has an effect on the present situation, for example:

I have read this letter.
He has turned on the light.
The worker has painted the wall.
Tommy has seen that film twice
She has eaten up all apples
3. An activity or a state that has continued for a period of time from a point in the past until the
present. This action is not completed; it is still going on up to present, for example:
They have lived in Jakarta for twenty years.
Betty has got married to Rico since 1990.
He has worked for PT. Free Port Indonesia.
Time Markers that are usually used :
Already
Just
Not yet
Since, for example : since 1997, since I was a child.
For, for example: for three hour, for five years, for the last two years, etc.
Note :

We use The Present Perfect Tense when we are interested in the action that has been
completed or finished. We are interested in the result of the action, Not the action itself.
We use The Present Perfect Tense when we wish to say how much we have done, or
how many times we have done something.

26

d. Present Continuous/Progressive Tense

The Present Continuous/Progressive Tense is a verb form that is used to express:
An action ( quite a long action ) which began in the past and has continued to the present. The
action or state has not stopped at the present time; IT IS STILL HAPPENING OR GOING ON,
for example:

I have been learning English since 1997.

Mr. Smith has been painthing the ceiling of the house since 9:00a.m.
Miranda has been traveling to Australia.
Greg has been playing tennis since 10 oclock.
The mechanic has been repairing his car for five hours.

Time Markers that are usually used:

Since : since 1997, since I was at Senior High School, since I was a child.
For : for tho hours, for five years, for the last two years, etc.

e. Simple Past Tenses

The Simple Past Tenses is a verb form that is used to express:
1. One action which happened or took place at a particular time in the past, for example:
I was a student at that time
She was a teacher in 1975.
He was a TV reporter then.
You were there yesterday.
I was busy last night
He was in Japan last month.
They were at the beach a weak ago.
You and I were in Tegal last year
Rini met her old friend yesterday
Mr. Hassan bought a new car two days ago.
They went to China last night.
Thomas A Edison invented electricity.
This hotel was built in 1975
Hessa worked for Trans TV for ten years.
2. Repeated, habitual action in the past, for example:
He used to have five goats and two cows.
I always went to mosque at night.
Colt used to be the only means of transportation then
Time Markers that are usually used:
Yesterday, for example: yesterday afternoon, yesterday morning, ect.
Last, for example: last week, last month, last year, etc.

27

Ago, for example: two days ago, a week ago, a month ago, a year ago, etc.
In, for example: in 1975, in 1999, in 2010, ect.
At , for example: at 7:00, at 8:30, at 10:15, etc
For, for example: for 25 years, for ten years, etc.
From . to, for example: from 5 years to 50, from 1975 to 1985.
When, for example: whwn I was young, . , etc.

Note :
Sometimes , always, never, often, each year,year after year can be
repeated habitual actions.

used here to describe

RULERS OF THE ENGLISH SPELLING

1. When a word ends in y after a consonant, y changed into ie when d is added to the word. For
example:
Carry carried
Try tried
Copy copied
2. When a suffix is added to a short word ending in a consonant after a vowal, its consonant is doubled,
for example:
Beg begged
Stop stopped
Plan planned

f. Past Countinuous/Progressive Tense

The Past Countinuous/Progressive Tense is a verb form that is used to express:
1. An action that was taking place simultaneously when it was interrupted by another
activity in the past. This tenses is rarely used by itself, example:
Shanty was watching TV when someone knocked the door.
Adam was talking to the policeman while his wife was crying.
I met Tom when he was attending a party.
I was having lunch when the robbery happened.
2. An action which was occurring at some specific time in the past, for example:
What were you doing at 9:50? At 9:50 I was doing my assignment.
Gita was watching TV at 7:00p.m. last night
Time Markers that are usually used:
When
While
At, for example: 9 oclock

g. Past perfect Tenses

The Past perfect Tenses is a verb form that is that is used to express:
1. An action that had happened or was completed in the past before another action in the past, for
example:
28

All ministers had arrived at the Presidential Palace before Mr. President came.
Before Mr. President came, all ministers had arrived at the Presidential palace.
She went to Galeria Mall after she had finished her homework.
Hunderds of passengers had waited for two hours when the plane landed.
Tanaka had got his Master Degree from a reputable university before he became a
manager of PT. Suzuki.
Before I traveled to spain, I had visited London.
Tania went home after she had bought a plane tiket.
Lorenza had gone to the supermarket before she went home.
The policeman came after the robber had shot dead the security staff of the bank.
After he had won the grand prize from PT. Nezo, he went for a tour to Europe.

Time Markers that are usually used:

After, before, and when

h. Past Perfect Countinuous/Progressive Tense

The Past Perfect Countinuous/Progressive Tense is a verb from that is used to express:
1. A longer action that had happened and continued up to the time in the past, and ended or stopped
just before something else in the past, for example:
James had been working at the Pluit Hospital for fifteen years before he died.
I had been living in this city for ten years before I moved to Malang, East Java.
Henny had been traveling to Kalimantan for a week before she went back to
Yogyakarta.
2. An activity which is in progress in the past.
Her hair was dirty because she had been sweeping the yard.
When he got home, he was very tired because he had been working all day.
Time Markers that are usually used:
When
Before
For

i. Future Tense
The Future Tense is averb from that is used to express:
1. An action that is going to happen in the future, for example:
I will take an examination tomorrow
They will go to Aceh next Sunday.
The soldiers will be home tonight.
We will reach Kintamani soon.
Mr. Simon will stay here for 2 years from now.
The government will consider your proposal.
You will be safer when you drive carefully.

29

Note:

We can also use be going to + Verb-1, for example:

I am going to invite a lot of guests.
I am going to visit her tomorrow
I feel I am going to be better.

Time Markers that are usually used:

Tonight
Tomorrow
Next week
Next year
In the future
In ten days
From now
Ten years from now
This weekend
Until + S + Verb-1
when

j. Future Continuous/Progressive Tense

The Future Continuous/Progressive Tense is a verb from that is used to express:
An activity that will be in progress at a time in the future, for example:
I will be coming tomorrow.
The guests will be arriving at this time tomorrow.
The Sun will be shining brightly.
Time Markers that usually used:

At this time tomorrow

Next week
Next month
Next year
Until + S + Verb-1
When, etc.

k. Future Perfect Tense

The future Perfect Tense is a verb from that is used to express:
1. An action that will be completed before another event or a certain time in the future , for
example:
I will have graduated from Bandung Institute of Technology by the end of June.
Dessy will have left for Jakarta when you came back.
The mechanic will have checked the car before I drive it.
Time Markers that are usually used:

30

By this time next week

By June, by September, etc.
By next month
By next year
By 2025
When + S + Verb-1
Before

Note :
Adjunct can be put in front of or behind the sentence, for example:

By the end of this month, I will have graduated from Gadjahmada University
I will have graduated from Gadjahmada University by the end of this month.

l. Future Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense

The Future Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense is a verb from that is used to express:
A. An action that will be in progress before another time or event in the future, for example:
I will have been sleeping for two hours before my wife gets home.
The firefighters will have been putting the fire out for two years.
B. An action that emphasizes the continuity of a future achievement, for example:
I will have teaching here for fifteen years this year.
My daughters will have been sleeping for three hours by the time I get home.
Time Markers that are usually used:

For three hours at that time.

Two hours by six oclock.
The whole time.
Too long by that time.

m. Past Future Tense

The Pattern of Past Future Tense
A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Tense
Examples:
Ann would play in the final match tonight if she could recover faster.
Andrea would be at home next week if he finished his exam.
B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Tense
Examples:
Joko wouldnt come to the ceremony next Friday if he got sick.
The students would not be absent tomorrow the teacher came to the school.

31

C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Tense

Examples:
Would Emma accompany me to the party tonight if I brought a girlfriend?
Would they be able to come to the class on time if an accident happened?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Tense
Examples:
What would you wear for the party tonight if you did not have one?
When would the room be available if we did not book one?

n. Past Future Continuous Tense

The Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
Examples:
I would be studying math tonight at 8 pm if I had no other schedule.
The teachers will be holding an annual teacher meeting at 9 oclock if they wanted to.
B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
Examples:
The employees would not be working tomorrow if boss did not pay them.
The national soccer players would be performing a charity match at 22nd of June if they
won the PPD competition.
C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
Examples:
Would Nami be going to Paris next 22nd of July if she graduated now?
Would he be playing for our volley team tomorrow night if we asked him?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Continuous Tense
Examples:
What would you be doing tomorrow at 8 pm at your house if I came?
Where would the teachers be sitting if we occupied all of them?
By using Past Future Continuous Tense Pattern, we can explains an event or activity that will
be happening in the future in a specific time that is predicted during the conversation takes place.

o. Past Future Perfect Tense

The Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
Examples:
Jim would have finished his job in the next month if he had not watched the movie.
Mia would have been a good pianist if she had practiced a lot.

32

B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense

Examples:
Kai wouldnt have passed the exam if he had not studied sincerely.
The students would have not been in the suspension if they did not play in the class.
C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
Examples:
Would have Emma accompanied her friends to the party tonight?
Would have they been able to come by the time class starts?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Perfect Tense
Examples:
What would have you done by the time I arrived there?
Why would have the room been available if I ask the janitor first?

p. Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense

The Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
A. The Positive Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Examples:
Clevany would have been sleeping if she did not drink much coffee.
Rose will have been studying for two hours if she did not watch a serial drama.
B. The Negative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Examples:
Ika wouldnt have been filling the requirement if she had come late.
The students would have not been watching a movie if the school had ended faster.
C. The Interrogative Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Examples:
Would have Mina been listening to her favorite song if the electricity had downed?
Would have they been playing soccer if the principle had come?
D. The Question-word Pattern of Past Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Examples:
What would have you been doing if I had fractured your leg?
Where would have the students been studying if the teacher had not come?

33

REFERENCES
A Handbook of English Grammar (Tata Bahasa Inggris Lengkap)- Oleh Slamet Riyanto, Emilia NH,
Leila NH.
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_sys-what.htm

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