20 topics

Tense & Aspect

All English verb tenses and aspects from Present Simple to Future Perfect Continuous. Covers how to express time, duration, completion, and habit through verb forms.

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2

Topics in this Category

  1. 1
    A1

    Present Simple (To Be)

    Learn the present simple form of the verb 'to be' (am, is, are) to describe identity, appearance, nationality, age, location, and feelings.
  2. 2
    A1

    Present Simple

    The Present Simple tense describes habits, routines, general truths, and fixed timetables. Learn the rules, spelling patterns, and signal words.
  3. 3
    A2

    Past Simple (To Be: was / were)

    Learn was and were — the past simple forms of 'to be' — to describe past states, identities, locations, and conditions.
  4. 4
    A2

    Past Simple

    The Past Simple tense describes completed actions at a definite past time. Learn regular and irregular forms, negatives, questions, and key signal words.
  5. 5
    A2

    Present Continuous

    The Present Continuous describes actions in progress now, temporary situations, changing trends, and future plans. Learn the -ing form rules and stative verbs.
  6. 6
    A2

    Future with Going To

    Use 'going to' for pre-planned intentions and predictions based on visible evidence. Contrasts with 'will' for spontaneous decisions.
  7. 7
    A2

    Present Perfect (Introduction)

    An introduction to the Present Perfect: form, the concepts of 'ever/never', 'already/yet', and how it connects past events to the present.
  8. 8
    B1

    Present Perfect (Extended)

    Extended uses of the Present Perfect: for/since with duration, just/already/yet/still, and the crucial contrast with the Past Simple.
  9. 9
    B1

    Past Continuous

    The Past Continuous describes actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Learn its form, uses with while/when, and contrast with Past Simple.
  10. 10
    B1

    Future Simple (will)

    Use 'will' for spontaneous decisions, predictions based on opinion, promises, and offers. Contrasts with 'going to' for planned intentions.
  11. 11
    B1

    Future Continuous

    The Future Continuous describes actions that will be in progress at a specific future moment. Used for planned arrangements, polite enquiries, and parallel future actions.
  12. 12
    B2

    Present Perfect Continuous

    The Present Perfect Continuous focuses on the duration and ongoing nature of an activity up to now. Contrasts with Present Perfect Simple.
  13. 13
    B2

    Past Perfect

    The Past Perfect (had + past participle) describes an action completed before another past action. Essential for narrative sequencing.
  14. 14
    B2

    Past Perfect Continuous

    The Past Perfect Continuous (had been + -ing) emphasises the duration of an activity that was ongoing before a past event.
  15. 15
    B2

    Causative Verbs

    Causative verbs (have, get, make, let, help) describe situations where one person causes another to do something. Each verb has a distinct structure and meaning.
  16. 16
    C1

    Future Perfect

    The Future Perfect (will have + past participle) describes an action that will be completed before a specific future point in time.
  17. 17
    C1

    Future Perfect Continuous

    The Future Perfect Continuous (will have been + -ing) emphasises the ongoing duration of an activity up to a future point.
  18. 18
    C1

    Habitual Past (Used To vs Would)

    Both 'used to' and 'would' describe past habits and states, but they differ: 'used to' covers states and habits; 'would' covers habitual actions only.
  19. 19
    C2

    Stative vs Dynamic Verbs (Advanced Uses)

    Advanced exploration of stative vs dynamic verbs: verbs with dual meanings, progressive forms of stative verbs for special effect, and aspect in complex contexts.
  20. 20
    C2

    Aspect in Complex Narrative and Discourse

    At C2 level, aspect (simple vs continuous, perfect vs non-perfect) is a precise tool for controlling narrative pace, background, and foreground in sophisticated writing.