So, tenses in English can be ...

• Present
• Past
• Future

But they never occur alone. They combine with different aspects:

• Simple
• Perfect
• Progressive
• Perfect Progressive

Important: we only need to know 5 combinations of tenses + aspects:

1. Present Simple
2. Past Simple
3. The Perfects (Present Perfect & Past Perfect)
4. The Progressives (Present Progressive & Past Progressive)
5. Future Simple
   

When you sign up here, you will learn to use these tense + aspect combinations easily and correctly. You will receive an email to register on the platform and ...

As soon as you are registered on the platform...

Watch this video for a quick overview of the tense + aspect combinations. Keyword to remember: C(L)UES

• Note: Once the video has ended, click the 'go back' button in your browser to return to this page.

1. PRESENT SIMPLE

• Let's start with the Present Simple by watching this video. Keywords to remember: Emotions, Logical & Mental States
• Note: You will need a pen and paper for the exercise.
• Note 2: You can track your progress in the table below:

Progress Table1

2. PAST SIMPLE

• Next in line is Past Simple. Start by watching this video. Keywords to remember: Verbs of Reported Speech & Reaction
• Note 1: You will need a pen and paper for the 1^st
• Note 2: At the end of the video, do this 2^nd exercise to practice Present Simple and Past Simple.

Progress Table2

3. THE PERFECTS

• It's time for the Perfect Tenses. Let's start with a quick introduction to Present Perfect here.
• Note: You will learn all about the Present Perfect Tenses in 4 simple steps explained below. Just follow the steps:

Step 1: Present Perfect. Keywords to remember: Verbs that Describe Change

• Note: This video will show you which verbs are usually in Present Perfect.

Step 2: Let's now combine Present Perfect with Adverbials!

• Note 1: Learn how Present Perfect can be correctly combined with adverbials here.
• Note 2: At the end of the video, do this exercise to practice the adverbials. The table below will help you.

Step 3: Present Perfect OR Past Perfect? Keyword to remember: Anteriority

• Note: As their names show, Present Perfect refers to the present. Past Perfect refers to the past (=anteriority). Find examples and sentences here.

Step 4: Present Perfect OR Past Simple. Keywords to remember: Adverbials for Present Perfect. Verbs of Reported Speech & Reaction for Past Simple

• Note: Find examples and explanations here.

Progress Table3

4. THE PROGRESSIVES

• It's time for the Present Progressive. Keyword to remember: At The Moment.
• Note 1: Learn about the Present Progressive tense here.
• Note 2: Specific verbs that are usually found in the Present Progressive.

• Let's now compare the Present Progressive with the Present Simple. Keywords to remember: At The Moment for Present Progressive / In General for Present Simple
• Note: Learn how to distinguish the two tenses here.

• Let's now compare the Present Progressive with the Past Progressive. Keywords to remember: Past Progressive is usually found next to Past Simple.
• Note: Learn how to distinguish the two tenses here.

Progress Table4

One tense left!

5. FUTURE SIMPLE

• The last tense you need to know is the Future Simple. Keyword to remember: Hope
• Note 1: Specific verbs are usually found in Future Simple.

• Note 2: After you watch this video, do this exercise to practice Future Simple.

Progress Table5

WRAP-UP VIDEO

Now, here's a video to revise and easily remember all those things you've learnt.

You can find the exercises as PDF documents and their answer keys below: