Different tenses indicate when actions occur from "summary" of English Grammar for Today by Geoffrey Leech,Margaret Deuchar,Robert Hoogenraad
Tenses in English play a crucial role in indicating the timing of actions. By using different tenses, speakers and writers can convey whether an action is happening in the past, present, or future. This distinction is important for providing clarity and coherence in communication. For example, the simple present tense is used to describe actions that are habitual, factual, or generally true. It indicates actions that occur regularly or as a matter of fact. In contrast, the simple past tense is used to talk about actions that happened at a specific point in the past. It is used to narrate events that are completed. Similarly, the present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or actions that are in progress. This tense indicates actions that are ongoing in the present. On the other hand, the past continuous tense is used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It conveys the idea that an action was ongoing before another event occurred. Furthermore, the future tense is used to talk about actions that will happen in the future. It is used to express predictions, plans, or intentions. By using the future tense, speakers can indicate that an action has not yet taken place but is scheduled to occur at a later time.- Different tenses serve as a tool for conveying the timing of actions in English. By choosing the appropriate tense, speakers and writers can provide a clear and coherent timeline of events. This understanding of tenses is essential for effective communication in both spoken and written English.
