10 November, 2008

English Tenses – Graphic Comparison

Course / Duration

  • action taking place before a certain moment in time
  • puts emphasis on the course or duration of the action

    Result
  • action taking place before a certain moment in time
  • puts emphasis on the result



    period of time
  • action that started before a certain moment and lasts beyond that moment
  • actions taking place at the same time


moment in time

  • action that takes place once, never or several times
  • actions that happen one after another
  • actions that suddenly take place