Progressive and Perfect Tense
Progressive TenseThe progressive tense involves action that is, was, or will be in progress at a certain time. In the progressive tense, verbs are formed with a "be" verb + ing.
run
The past perfect tense describes an action that started and ended in the past. Usehad + the past participle form of the verb.
The future perfect tense describes future actions that will occur before some other action. Use will have + the past participle form of the verb.
run
Progressive TenseThe progressive tense involves action that is, was, or will be in progress at a certain time. In the progressive tense, verbs are formed with a "be" verb + ing.
run
- I am running a marathon right now. (present progressive)
- I was running a marathon at this time last year. (past progressive)
- I will be running a marathon next Sunday. (future progressive)
- I am eating lunch now.
- I was eating lunch when you saw me.
- I will be eating lunch in the meeting.
- I am learning English at my desk.
- I was learning English the last two years.
- I will be learning English then.
- I am cooking my supper now.
- I was cooking our dinner when you called me.
- I will be cooking breakfast by the time you come home.
The past perfect tense describes an action that started and ended in the past. Usehad + the past participle form of the verb.
The future perfect tense describes future actions that will occur before some other action. Use will have + the past participle form of the verb.
run
- I have run several marathons this year. (present perfect)
- I had run many marathons in the past. (past perfect)
- I will have run a marathon by the time I turn 30. (future perfect)
- I have learned a lot about English grammar this semester.
- I had learned the basics of English grammar in elementary school.
- I will have learned a lot about English grammar when I finish college.
- I have known her since I was young.
- I had known her until she passed away.
- I will have known her for 20 years next month.
- I have cooked supper every night this week.
- I had cooked supper every night until the stove broke.
- I will have cooked supper every night by the time this diet ends.