Verb Tenses Timeline

John started (swimming) at 1 p.m. yesterday.

1 CE

Past Simple - past finished action

John was swimming at 2 p.m. yesterday.

2

Past Continuous - past action in progress

John finished (swimming) at 3 p.m. yesterday.

3

Past Simple - past finished action

The bus leaves at 4 p.m.

4

Present Simple - timetable

John is going by bus now.

5

Present Continuous - action at the moment of speaking

The bus arrives at 6 p.m.

6

Present Simple - timetable

John will start (doing his homework) at 7 p.m.

7

Future Simple - prediction

John will be doing his homework at 8 p.m.

8

Future Continuous - future action in progress

John will finish (doing his homework) at 9 p.m.

9

Future Simple - prediction