English Verb Tenses
Made Simple Course

Lesson 01

Welcome to the first lesson of this special course!

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

First, let's start with a short overview of what this course will cover:

What is a TENSE?
Why do you need to know English verb tenses?
The simple way to understand English verb tenses
What is the secret to choosing the right tense when facing several different options?
What are the 2 most important questions you must ask yourself before deciding which tense to use?
How tenses are used in everyday English
Important frequently asked questions about the English verb tenses
Many different examples and exercises
A final test

So let's jump right in...

What Is a TENSE?

In English (and in many other languages) we don't use a verb the same way all the time. We usually change it in different situations.

When we change the verb to show WHEN something happens, it is called the TENSE of the verb.

For example, there is the verb "to work."

If you want to say the action happened in the past you have to change it into "worked."

So you say: "I worked very hard yesterday."

In this sentence "worked" is in the past tense.

It is interesting to note that the word "tense" itself comes from the Latin word "tempus", which means "time".

Why Do You Need to Know About It?

Okay, that's nice to know, but why should you care?

Why not simply study vocabulary and use just the words to communicate?

Well, at first, this is exactly what you should do.

But as soon as you get your basic vocabulary in place, you should definitely work on your grammar, and verb tenses are a major part of it.

Why?

Grammar is the way we combine words together so that other people can understand us.

If we don't use correct grammar, people will have harder time understanding us.

For example, let's say I want to visit my friend (in the future), but I tell her: "I visit you."

She will not understand I want to visit her in the future. She may not be at home when I come!

Now, this is an obvious example, but that's the way things are.

And this is why YOU should know how to use English verb tenses correctly.

It can really help your communication in English!

The Trick to Understanding
English Verb Tenses

English verb tenses can be made very complicated, but they really don't have to be.

You just need to understand 2 basic things. These 2 key things can make your life a lot easier...

Read all about them on the next lesson of the English Verb Tenses Made Simple Course.