Englisch Übersicht Zeiten: Past, Present and Future.

Übersicht über alle Zeiten in Englisch, 

Past Simple
Past Progressive
Past Perfect
Present Simple
Present Progressive
Present Perfect 
Will Future
Going to Future

mit typischen Verwendungen

und Signalwörtern und einem Beispiel 

Zeitform	Typische Verwendungen	Signalwörter / Zeitangaben (häufig, nicht erschöpfend)	Beispiel
Past Simple	• Abgeschlossene Handlung/Zustand in der Vergangenheit • Routinen / Gewohnheiten in der Vergangenheit • Aufeinanderfolgende Handlungen in der Vergangenheit	yesterday, last week, in 2022, two days ago, when…, then, after that, in April, the other day, …	They visited Rome last summer.
Past Progressive (was / were + Verb‑ing)	• Andauernde Handlung zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt in der Vergangenheit • Hintergrundszene, die von einer kürzeren Handlung (Past Simple) unterbrochen wird • Zwei gleichzeitige länger dauernde Handlungen in der Vergangenheit	while, as, when (für Unterbrechung), at 5 o’clock yesterday, this time last week, all evening, the whole day, as long as,	Thomas was waiting for the bus when it started to rain.
Past Perfext	• Handlung die vor einem Punkt in der Vergangenheit stattgefunden hatte.	Bevor, after,	She  had played Soccer.
Present Simple	• Routinen, Gewohnheiten • Allgemeine Wahrheit/Fakten • Feste Zeitpläne (Fahrplan, Stundenplan)	always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day/week…, on Mondays, at 6 pm, rarely, in the morning, in the afternoon,	She plays tennis every Saturday.
Present Progressive (am / is / are + ‑ing)	• Handlung passiert gerade jetzt • Vorübergehende Situationen • Feststehende Zukunft („arranged future“)	now, at the moment, right now, currently, just, still, this week, tonight (in fester Planung), Look!, at present, this month, this year, today (wenn es jetzt gerade passiert)	I am reading an interesting article at the moment.
Present Perfect (have/has + past participle)	• Ergebnis ist jetzt relevant • Erfahrungen im Leben (ohne genaue Zeit) • Handlungen, die gerade eben beendet wurden • könnte man „bis jetzt“ ergänzen.	already, just, yet, ever (in Fragen), never (noch nie), so far, until now, recently, since, for, up to now, lately, for a week, for 3 hours, several times, many times, today,	We have finished our homework already. I haven’t done my homework, Have you studied English?
Will‑Future (will + base verb)	• Spontane Entscheidungen • Vorhersagen ohne Beleg (Vermutungen) • Versprechen, Angebote, Bitten, Ankündigungen, Termine (Geburtstag), Bedingungen,	I think, I hope, probably, maybe, I’m sure, in the future, tomorrow, I expect, I fear, I’m certain, it is possible, perhaps, in ten years, when I’m older, in that case, I bet,	It will rain tomorrow, I think.
Going‑to‑Future (am/is/are going to + base verb)	•         Geplante Absicht (Plan existiert) •         Nahe Zukunft mit klarer Evidenz/Jetzt‑Hinweis •         Überlegte Entscheidungen, •         Unmittelbar bevorstehendes Ereignis	this evening, next month, soon, look!, watch out! I can see, it’s clear that, I’m sure,	Look at those clouds! It is going to snow.

Hinweise & Tipps

1. Signalwörter sind Helfer, keine Gesetze
   Sie zeigen nur typische Kontexte. Entscheidend ist immer, ob das beschriebene Ereignis als abgeschlossen, anhaltend, geplant etc. dargestellt wird.
2. Present Perfect vs. Past Simple
   Have/has + ‑ed/3rd form wird benutzt, wenn kein konkreter Zeitpunkt genannt ist oder das Ergebnis noch zählt. Sobald eine Zeitangabe auftaucht (yesterday, last year), rutscht man ins Past Simple.
3. Will vs. going to
   – Will = spontane Idee, unbestätigte Vorhersage, Höflichkeitsformeln
   – Going to = Plan steht fest oder aktuelle Anzeichen machen das Ereignis offensichtlich.
4. Present Progressive für Zukunft
   Bei fixen, oft „eingetragenen“ Terminen (Flug, Arzttermin) verwendet man laufende Form + Zukunftswort:
   I’m flying to London next Monday.
5. Past Progressive: Past Progressive stellt die laufende Tätigkeit dar: We were chatting when the bus arrived.

Merksätze

• Dauer + bis jetzt? → have/has been (+ ‑ing) / have/has (+ pp)
• Konkrete Vergangenheit? → Past Simple
• Regelmäßigkeit? → Present Simple
• Gerade jetzt? → Present Progressive
• Länger andauernde Tätigkeit in der Vergangenheit → Past Progressive
• Geplanter Schritt? → going to
• Spontan, Versprechen? → will

 

1 | Past Simple (Einfache Vergangenheit)

Bildung

Affirmativ: Infinitiv + -ed (regulär) / 2. Verbform (irregulär)
Negativ: did not (didn't) + Infinitiv
Frage: Did + Subjekt + Infinitiv ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Abgeschlossene Handlungen/Ereignisse in der Vergangenheit

• Aufeinanderfolgende Handlungen in Erzählungen

• Vergangene Zustände/Gewohnheiten (mit always, often usw.)

• Kurzzeitige Fakten in der Vergangenheit

Signalwörter

yesterday, last week/month/year, …ago, in 1990 (konkretes Datum), when (Past Simple → Past Simple)^, tow days agon, then, after,that, in April, the other day. 

Beispiele

1. I visited London last spring.

2. She lost her keys yesterday.

3. They played volleyball after school.

4. The museum closed at six.

5. He bought a new camera two days ago.

6. We stayed at a small B&B.

7. Our team won the match.

8. I met Sarah at the conference.

9. The weather was perfect all day.

10. Their flight arrived on time.

Verneinung

1. She didn’t finish her essay.

2. We didn’t see the eclipse.

3. They didn’t agree on the price.

Fragen

1. Did you enjoy the concert?

2. Did he call the client?

3. Did they know the address?

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2 | Past Progressive (Past Continuous)

Bildung

Affirmativ: was/were + Verb‑ing
Negativ: was/were not (wasn’t/weren’t) + Verb‑ing
Frage: Was/Were + Subjekt + Verb‑ing ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Hintergrundhandlungen, die im Verlauf waren, als etwas Neues (Past Simple) eintrat

• Längere parallele Handlungen in der Vergangenheit

• Vorübergehende Situationen oder wiederholtes Verhalten (mit always etc.)

Signalwörter

while, when (Past Prog. → Past Simp.), at … o’clock yesterday, all day/night, the whole morning, as, this time, last week, all evening, the whole day, as long as

Beispiele

1. I was reading when the phone rang.

2. They were driving through the Alps last night.

3. She was packing her suitcase all afternoon.

4. The children were playing in the snow.

5. He was always forgetting his key that winter.

6. We were watching a documentary.

7. The hotel staff were preparing the conference room.

8. The sun was setting behind the mountains.

9. Tourists were queuing outside the cathedral.

10. I was studying English grammar at 10 p.m.

Verneinung

1. I wasn’t listening to the announcement.

2. They weren’t expecting you so early.

3. She wasn’t staying at our hotel.

Fragen

1. Were you working late again?

2. Was he using your laptop?

3. Were they planning a surprise?

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3 | Past Perfect

Bildung

Affirmativ: had + Past Participle
Negativ: had not (hadn’t) + Past Participle
Frage: Had + Subjekt + Past Participle ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Vorvergangenheit: Handlung, die vor einer anderen vergangenen Handlung/Zeit stattfand

• Begründungen oder Ursachen in der Vergangenheit

• Unausgesprochene Erwartungen („I had hoped…“)

Signalwörter

after, before, when, as soon as, already, just, never, no sooner…than, until, by the time

Beispiele

1. She had left before the meeting started.

2. We had already checked in when the storm began.

3. They had finished dinner by eight.

4. I had never visited Scotland until last year.

5. He had saved enough money to buy the car.

6. The guests had gone when the music stopped.

7. Jane had booked the tickets in advance.

8. The train had departed when we reached the platform.

9. We had just sat down when the fire alarm went off.

10. The team had practiced hard, so they felt confident.

Verneinung

1. I hadn’t seen the email before Friday.

2. They hadn’t been aware of the rule.

3. She hadn’t tried sushi before that night.

Fragen

1. Had you visited Rome before 2023?

2. Had he met the CEO previously?

3. Had they finished the report on time?

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4 | Present Simple (Einfache Gegenwart)

Bildung

Affirmativ: Infinitiv (+ ‑s bei he/she/it)
Negativ: do/does not (don’t/doesn’t) + Infinitiv
Frage: Do/Does + Subjekt + Infinitiv ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Allgemeine Fakten und Gewohnheiten

• Regelmäßig wiederkehrende Handlungen, Fahrpläne, Programme

• Dauerhafte Zustände, Meinungen, Vorlieben

• Ablaufbeschreibungen (Kommentare, Anleitungen)

Signalwörter

always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day/week…, on Mondays, generally, seldom, at 6 pm, rarely, in the morning, in the afternoon, 

Beispiele

1. The sun rises in the east.

2. She works at a travel agency.

3. We offer guided tours daily.

4. The train leaves at 7 a.m. sharp.

5. My colleague speaks three languages.

6. They play tennis every Friday.

7. Water boils at 100 °C.

8. I love Austrian pastries.

9. The hotel provides free Wi‑Fi.

10. Guests check out before noon.

Verneinung

1. He doesn’t like crowded beaches.

2. I don’t drink coffee after 4 p.m.

3. They don’t accept cash here.

Fragen

1. Do you need assistance?

2. Does the tour include lunch?

3. Do guests receive a map on arrival?

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5 | Present Progressive (Present Continuous)

Bildung

Affirmativ: am/is/are + Verb‑ing
Negativ: am/is/are not (isn’t/aren’t) + Verb‑ing
Frage: Am/Is/Are + Subjekt + Verb‑ing ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Handlung, die gerade jetzt passiert

• Temporäre, begrenzte Situationen

• Fest vereinbarte Zukunftspläne (meist mit Zeitangabe)

• Wiederholtes, oft nerviges Verhalten (always, constantly + ‑ing)

Signalwörter

now, at the moment, right now, currently, today, this week, Look!, Listen! tonight (in fester Planung), at present, this month, today (wenn es jetzt gerade passiert) 

Beispiele

1. I am writing an itinerary now.

2. The guests are checking in at the reception.

3. She is studying Chinese this semester.

4. They are flying to Vienna tomorrow morning.

5. We are upgrading the booking system this week.

6. He is always leaving his phone behind!

7. The chef is preparing tonight’s specials.

8. I am waiting for the confirmation email.

9. Our team is meeting the clients at 2 p.m.

10. The river is rising because of heavy rain.

Verneinung

1. I am not working late tonight.

2. They aren’t staying in the city centre.

3. She isn’t answering her phone right now.

Fragen

1. Are you coming to the workshop?

2. Is he using this seat?

3. Are they looking for a guide?

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6 | Present Perfect

Bildung

Affirmativ: have/has + Past Participle
Negativ: have/has not (haven’t/hasn’t) + Past Participle
Frage: Have/Has + Subjekt + Past Participle ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Vergangenheit → Gegenwart: Ergebnis oder Erfahrung ist wichtig (wann genau, egal)

• Lebens‑ und Berufserfahrungen („I have visited…“)

• Wiederholte Handlungen bis jetzt („so far, this year“)

• Gerade eben abgeschlossene Handlung (just, already, yet)

Signalwörter

already, just, yet, ever, never, so far, up to now, since, for, recently, lately, this year, lately, for a week, for 3 hours, 

Beispiele

1. I have visited Salzburg five times.

2. She has just finished the report.

3. They have lived here since 2019.

4. We have already booked the conference venue.

5. He has never tried skiing.

6. The guests have checked out recently.

7. I have worked in tourism for ten years.

8. Our profits have increased this quarter.

9. They have sent all invoices by email.

10. She has grown more confident.

Verneinung

1. I haven’t received the brochure yet.

2. He hasn’t responded to my request.

3. They haven’t decided on the date.

Fragen

1. Have you ever visited Hallstatt?

2. Has the manager approved the budget?

3. Have they finished the renovation work?

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7 | Will‑Future (will + Infinitiv)

Bildung

Affirmativ: will + Infinitiv
Negativ: will not (won’t) + Infinitiv
Frage: Will + Subjekt + Infinitiv ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Spontane Entschlüsse / Sofort‑Entscheidungen

• Vorhersagen, Vermutungen ohne Beleg

• Versprechen, Angebote, Bitten, Drohungen

• Unvermeidliche, zukünftige Tatsachen (Naturgesetze etc.)

Signalwörter

tomorrow, next …, in two hours, I think, probably, maybe, certainly, I’m sure, I hope, in the future, I expect, I fear, I'm certain, It is possible, In ten years, perhaps, when I'm older, in that case, I bet, 

Beispiele

1. I will call the client right away.

2. The weather will probably improve tomorrow.

3. She will help you with the luggage.

4. They will arrive at noon.

5. I’m sure he will love the hotel.

6. Prices will rise next year.

7. Don’t worry, I will handle it.

8. Our team will present the proposal.

9. The ferry will leave at eight.

10. People will travel more sustainably.

Verneinung

1. I won’t forget your request.

2. They won’t attend the seminar.

3. The machine won’t start without power.

Fragen

1. Will you join us for dinner?

2. Will the guide speak German?

3. Will it take long?

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8 | Going‑to‑Future

Bildung

Affirmativ: am/is/are + going to + Infinitiv
Negativ: am/is/are not going to + Infinitiv
Frage: Am/Is/Are + Subjekt + going to + Infinitiv ?

Anwendungsfälle

• Geplante/intendierte Handlungen (Plan existiert bereits)

• Zukünftige Ereignisse mit klar sichtbarem Anzeichen

• Vorhersagen auf Basis von Belegen (Look at those clouds – it’s going to rain.)

Signalwörter

tomorrow, next …, in a minute, this evening, plan, intend, look (!), evidence‑based predictions next month, soon, watch out (!), I can see, It's clear, I'm sure

Beispiele

1. We are going to launch a new website.

2. I am going to meet the partners at five.

3. They are going to renovate the lobby soon.

4. Look at the sky – it is going to snow.

5. She is going to study tourism management.

6. He is going to buy a rail pass.

7. The company is going to expand into Asia.

8. I am going to try that local dish.

9. Tourists are going to flock here next summer.

10. We are going to send the contract today.

Verneinung

1. I am not going to attend the fair.

2. They aren’t going to change the itinerary.

3. She isn’t going to accept the offer.

Fragen

1. Are you going to book a rental car?

2. Is he going to stay for the weekend?

3. Are they going to complete the project on time?

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So nutzt du die Übersicht

1. Bildung zuerst lernen → feste Struktur verinnerlichen.

2. Über die Signalwörter zu passenden Zeiten springen.

3. Mit den Beispielsätzen laut üben: erst nachsprechen, dann frei variieren.

4. Eigene Branchen‑Sätze bilden (z. B. Hotel‑, Reiseleitung‑, Marketing‑Kontexte).

Viel Erfolg beim sicheren Einsetzen der englischen Zeiten!