Verb Tenses & Moods – Study Notes
1. Overview
| Aspect |
Definition |
Why It Matters |
| Tense |
Shows when an action or state occurs (past, present, future). |
Places the event on a timeline. |
| Mood |
Shows the attitude of the speaker toward the action (reality, possibility, command, etc.). |
Indicates certainty, doubt, obligation, or desire. |
2. Verb Tenses (English)
2.1 Simple Tenses
| Tense |
Form |
Example |
Typical Use |
| Simple Present |
base verb (‑s for 3rd‑person singular) |
She writes. |
Regular habits, general truths. |
| Simple Past |
verb + ‑ed (regular) / irregular form |
They walked. |
Completed actions in the past. |
| Simple Future |
will + base verb (or “be going to”) |
I will call. |
Future intention or prediction. |
2.2 Progressive (Continuous) Tenses
| Tense |
Form |
Example |
Typical Use |
| Present Progressive |
am/is/are + ‑ing |
He is reading. |
Ongoing action now. |
| Past Progressive |
was/were + ‑ing |
We were dancing. |
Action in progress at a past moment. |
| Future Progressive |
will be + ‑ing |
She will be traveling. |
Ongoing action at a future time. |
2.3 Perfect Tenses
| Tense |
Form |
Example |
Typical Use |
| Present Perfect |
have/has + past‑participle |
I have finished. |
Action completed before now with relevance to the present. |
| Past Perfect |
had + past‑participle |
They had left. |
Action completed before another past event. |
| Future Perfect |
will have + past‑participle |
By June, we will have moved. |
Action that will be completed before a future point. |
2.4 Perfect‑Progressive Tenses
| Tense |
Form |
Example |
Typical Use |
| Present Perfect Progressive |
have/has been + ‑ing |
She has been studying. |
Action started in the past, continues to now, emphasizing duration. |
| Past Perfect Progressive |
had been + ‑ing |
He had been waiting. |
Ongoing action that ended before another past event. |
| Future Perfect Progressive |
will have been + ‑ing |
By 5 p.m. I will have been working. |
Ongoing action that will have lasted up to a future point. |
3. Verb Moods
| Mood |
Primary Function |
Typical Markers |
| Indicative |
States facts or asks questions; assumes reality. |
Simple verb forms, no special auxiliary. |
| Imperative |
Issues commands, requests, or instructions. |
Base verb (subject “you” is implied). |
| Subjunctive |
Expresses wishes, hypotheticals, demands, or conditions contrary to fact. |
If I were you…, I suggest that he go. |
| **Conditional |
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