Verb Tenses Explained, With Examples

Structure/Formula
Subject + had been + present participle + time reference
Examples

1. 
   Betty Ann had been working for many hours that day.
   
2. 
   I had been waiting there since ten o’clock when she entered the room.
   
3. 
   Before they left, my friends had been travelling for two days in the car.
   
4. 
   She had been working for 3 hours before her friend phoned her.
   
5. 
   I had been painting the house when the rain stopped.
   

Present Tense
We use the present tense to talk about actions or events happening now or completed. It has also four types i.e. simple present, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.
Simple Present Tense
Definition
Simple present tense is a verb tense that talks about what happens habitually or continually. It can also talk about what is happening right now.
Structure/Formula
Subject + main verb (s/es for third person)
Examples

1. 
   Tom works in a garage
   
2. 
   Ali lives in a flat in Brixton
   
3. 
   ‘What do you usually do on Sundays?’ ‘I read.’
   
4. 
   I work in the marketing department.
   
5. 
   We write content for clothing and fashion websites.
   

Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense
Definition
Present continuous tense is used to describe an action happening now, or an ongoing action. It can also be used to talk about something that will happen in the future. To form present continuous, add “ing” to the base form of a verb (without “to”) and use the following formula:
Structure/Formula
Subject + is/am/are + present participle
Examples

1. 
   He is cleaning the windows.
   
2. 
   I am not washing my hands in the sink.
   
3. 
   They are talking to their boss.
   
4. 
   We are having fun with our family.
   
5.