Learn All English Verb Tenses (Easiest Method)

Summary

In this educational video, Brian Wilds explains the usage of all 12 English tenses, covering the present, past, and future in simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous forms. He provides examples to clarify each tense's application, making complex grammar concepts accessible. The video also features a personal anecdote about discovering heritage through DNA tests, adding a relatable touch to the content.

Takeaways

• 😀 English has 12 tenses, divided into four present, four past, and four future tenses.
• 📚 The present simple is the most common tense, used for facts, habits, and schedules.
• 🎥 Present continuous is used for actions happening right now, like watching a video or speaking on camera.
• 🕰️ Present perfect is for actions from the past that describe the subject now, such as experiences or states.
• 🔄 Present perfect continuous describes ongoing actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
• 🧬 The speaker shared a personal story about discovering his heritage through DNA tests, revealing surprising results.
• 📚 Past simple is used for actions that started and finished in the past.
• 🏃‍♂️ Past continuous provides context or background for another action in the past.
• 🔄 Past perfect is used to provide context for an action that happened before another in the past.
• 🏠 Future simple is for actions expected to occur in the future, with 'will' often shortened to 'll or 's going to.
• 🕒 Future continuous is for actions that will continue over a period in the future.
• 🗓️ Future perfect is for actions that will be completed by a certain time in the future.
• 🚗 Future perfect continuous emphasizes the duration of an action that will be completed in the future.

Q & A

What are the four present tenses in English according to the video?

The four present tenses in English are the present simple, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.

Why is the present simple tense the most common in English?

The present simple tense is the most common because it is used when talking about facts, habits, and schedules, which are everyday occurrences and statements.

How is the present continuous tense used in the video?

The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now, such as 'you are watching this video right now' or 'I am speaking on camera'.

What does the present perfect tense describe in the video?

The present perfect tense is used to talk about an action from the past that describes the subject now, such as someone's experience or lack of experience.

Can you give an example of the present perfect continuous tense from the video?

An example from the video is 'I have been studying Spanish for 8 years,' which emphasizes the duration of an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present.

What is the purpose of the past simple tense in the video?

The past simple tense is used when talking about an action that started and finished in the past, such as 'she worked last night' or 'I lived in Chicago when I was a child'.

How does the past continuous tense provide context in the video?

The past continuous tense is used to give context or background for another action, like 'I was studying when the phone rang' or 'he was running when he caught the ball'.

What does the past perfect tense signify in the video?

The past perfect tense is used to provide context for another action in the past that happened before another past action, such as 'Sarah had already left by the time he got home'.

What is the future simple tense used for in the video?

The future simple tense is used to talk about actions that are believed to happen in the future, like 'we'll call you tomorrow' or 'he'll be there by 6:00 p.m.'

How does the future continuous tense differ from the future simple tense?

The future continuous tense is used to talk about an action that will continue over a period of time in the future, such as 'we will be eating dinner from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.', whereas the future simple tense talks about actions that will happen at a specific point in the future.

What is the purpose of the future perfect tense in the video?

The future perfect tense is used to talk about actions that will be finished by a certain time in the future, such as 'she will have moved to a new apartment before the end of the year'.

Why is the future perfect continuous tense rarely used according to the video?

The future perfect continuous tense is rarely used but when it is, it emphasizes the duration of an action, such as 'he will have been driving for 6 hours straight when he arrives'.