to start — English conjugation
Indicative
Present (Simple Present) Regular
The simple present describes habitual actions, general truths, and states. It is the most basic tense in English. For most verbs, add -s or -es for the third person singular (he, she, it).
She speaks three languages.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | start |
| you | start |
| he/she/it | starts |
| we | start |
| you (pl.) | start |
| they | start |
Past (Simple Past) Regular
The simple past describes completed actions at a specific time in the past. Regular verbs add -ed. There are around 200 common irregular verbs with unique past forms that must be learned individually.
She spoke to the manager yesterday.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | started |
| you | started |
| he/she/it | started |
| we | started |
| you (pl.) | started |
| they | started |
Present continuous (Present Continuous) Regular
The present continuous describes actions happening right now or temporary situations. Formed with am/is/are + verb-ing. Also used for definite future arrangements.
She is speaking to a client at the moment.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | am starting |
| you | are starting |
| he/she/it | is starting |
| we | are starting |
| you (pl.) | are starting |
| they | are starting |
Past continuous (Past Continuous) Regular
The past continuous describes actions that were in progress at a specific moment in the past, often interrupted by another event. Formed with was/were + verb-ing.
She was speaking when the fire alarm went off.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | was starting |
| you | were starting |
| he/she/it | was starting |
| we | were starting |
| you (pl.) | were starting |
| they | were starting |
Present perfect (Present Perfect) Regular
The present perfect connects the past to the present. It describes experiences, recent events, or situations that started in the past and continue now. Formed with have/has + past participle.
She has spoken at over fifty conferences.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | have started |
| you | have started |
| he/she/it | has started |
| we | have started |
| you (pl.) | have started |
| they | have started |
Past perfect (Past Perfect) Regular
The past perfect describes an action completed before another past event — the past of the past. Formed with had + past participle. Always implies a reference point in the past.
She had spoken to him before the meeting started.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | had started |
| you | had started |
| he/she/it | had started |
| we | had started |
| you (pl.) | had started |
| they | had started |
Future (will) (Future Simple) Regular
The future simple expresses predictions, spontaneous decisions, and promises. Formed with will + base infinitive. The contracted form will not = won't is very common in spoken English.
She will speak at the conference tomorrow.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | will start |
| you | will start |
| he/she/it | will start |
| we | will start |
| you (pl.) | will start |
| they | will start |
Future continuous (Future Continuous) Regular
The future continuous describes an action that will be in progress at a specific future moment. Formed with will be + verb-ing. Often used to describe planned or expected ongoing actions.
This time tomorrow she will be speaking to the board.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | will be starting |
| you | will be starting |
| he/she/it | will be starting |
| we | will be starting |
| you (pl.) | will be starting |
| they | will be starting |
Future perfect (Future Perfect) Regular
The future perfect describes an action that will be completed before a specific point in the future. Formed with will have + past participle. Common with time expressions like by then, by the time.
By Friday she will have spoken to all the clients.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | will have started |
| you | will have started |
| he/she/it | will have started |
| we | will have started |
| you (pl.) | will have started |
| they | will have started |
Subjunctive
Conditional (would) (Conditional) Regular
The conditional describes hypothetical situations and their results. Formed with would + base infinitive. Used in if-clauses, polite requests, and reported speech about future events.
She would speak more if she had the chance.
| Pronoun | English |
|---|---|
| I | would start |
| you | would start |
| he/she/it | would start |
| we | would start |
| you (pl.) | would start |
| they | would start |