The three main verb tenses can each be further broken down to include the four aspects of verb tenses: simple, progressive, perfect and perfect progressive. The most predominant tense is the simple tense.

Simple tenses are the basic versions of past, present and future tense verbs. They describe either one event or all events of one action.

Progressive tenses discuss an ongoing (or progressing) action.

Perfect tenses discuss a future action that will be completed (or perfected).

Perfect progressive tenses discuss a future action that will be ongoing.