Past Present Future

Explanation

Simple Past Simple Present Future I

Simple

action that takes place once, He played football He plays football He will / is
never or several times every Tuesday. every Tuesday. going to play
football
every
Tuesday.
actions that happen one after He played football He plays football He will play
another and then he went and then he goes football and
home. home. then he will
go home.
state He loved football. He loves football. He will love
football.

Past Progressive Present Future I

Progressive Progressive
action going on at that He was playing He is playing He will be
moment football. football. playing
football.
actions taking place at the He was playing He is playing He will be
same time football and she was football and she is playing
watching. watching. football and
she will be
watching.

Past Perfect Present Perfect Future II

Simple Simple Simple
action taking place before a He had won five He has won five He will have
certain moment in time; matches until that matches so far. won five
emphasises the result day. matches by
then.

Past Perfect Present Perfect Future II

Progressive Progressive Progressive
action taking place before a He had been playing He has been He will have
certain moment in time (and football for ten playing football for been playing
beyond), emphasises the years. ten years. football for
duration ten years.

 table of English tenses