英語時態(tài)是英語語法中的第一道難關，攻下此難關是作文、閱讀、口語之關鍵。漢語用不同詞表達相應時態(tài)，而英語用同一詞的不同變化形式表達時態(tài)。
英語各種時態(tài)構(gòu)成表，以play為例：
一般時態(tài) |
進行時態(tài) | 完成時態(tài) | 完成進行時態(tài) | |
| 現(xiàn)在 | play llays | is am playing are | has have played | has have been playing |
| 過去 | playe | was were playing | had played | had been playing |
| 將來 | shall will play | shall will be playing | shall will have played | shall will have been playing |
| 過去 將來 |
should would play |
should would be playing |
should would have played |
should would have been playing |