 Verb tense timeline. Here's a useful infographic showcasing the different verb tenses in the English language. The past tenses. Past perfect, used for an action that was completed before some point in the past. For example, I had written a book. Past simple, used for an action that occurred in the past. For example, I wrote a book. Past perfect continuous, used for an action that was completed over a period of time before some point in the past. For example, I had been writing a book. Past simple continuous, used for a continuing action that began in the past. For example, I was writing a book. The present tenses. Present perfect, used for a completed action or an action that began in the past and continued until the present. For example, I have written a book. Present simple, used for an action that is happening usually or regularly. For example, I write a book. Present perfect continuous, used for an ongoing action that began in the past. For example, I have been writing a book. Present simple continuous, used for an action that is happening now and many continue. For example, I am writing a book. The future tenses. Future perfect, used for an action that will be completed before some point in the future. For example, I will have written a book. Future simple, used for an action that will begin and be completed in the future. For example, I will write a book. Future perfect continuous, used for an action that will continue until some point in the future. For example, I will have been writing a book. Future simple continuous, used for an action that will begin in the future and continue. For example, I will be rying a book.