Verb Tense Chart based on Azar

simple present present continuous present perfect present perfect continuous

I study every day. I am studying right now. I have studied Chapter 1. I have been studying for two hours.
(habitual action – past to present to future) (action began in past, may continue into (past action with indefinite time span) (action began in past and continues until
future) now)

simple past past continuous past perfect past perfect continuous

I studied last night. I was studying when you called. I had studied drawing before I began to I had been studying for two hours when my
(action completed in the past) (action begun in past, implies possible study painting. friends came over.
continuation after second past event) (past action completed before second past (past continuous action occurring when
action) second past action occurred)

simple future future continuous future perfect future perfect continuous

I will study tomorrow. I will be studying when you arrive. He will have finished reading by the time I will have been studying for two hours by
(action will occur in the future) (continuous future action will continue to you arrive. the time you arrive.
happen when another future action occurs) (future action will be completed by time (future continuous action will happening
another future action occurs) when another future action occurs )

Chart adapted from Betty S. Azar, Understanding & Using English Grammar, Prentice-Hall, Inc.: Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1981, pages 74-77.

Guidelines for working with NNS (first edition by Renata Fitzpatrick; edited in 2007 by Kit Hansen, et al.) Page 16