Here's how it breaks down:
The 4 Basic Forms:
1. Base Form: The simplest form of the verb, used for the present tense (I *walk*) and imperative sentences (*Walk* to the store!).
2. Present Participle (or -ing form): This is formed by adding -ing to the base form (walking) and is used for continuous tenses.
3. Past Tense: This is often formed by adding -ed to the base form (walked), although irregular verbs have unique past tense forms (went, ate).
4. Past Participle: This form is often the same as the past tense (walked), but some verbs have different forms (seen, gone).
The 12 Tenses:
These are formed using combinations of the above 4 basic forms:
* Simple Present: I walk.
* Present Continuous: I am walking.
* Simple Past: I walked.
* Past Continuous: I was walking.
* Simple Future: I will walk.
* Future Continuous: I will be walking.
* Present Perfect: I have walked.
* Present Perfect Continuous: I have been walking.
* Past Perfect: I had walked.
* Past Perfect Continuous: I had been walking.
* Future Perfect: I will have walked.
* Future Perfect Continuous: I will have been walking.
Key Takeaway: While there are 12 tenses, they are all formed from a limited number of basic verb forms. It's important to understand these basic forms to accurately use the different tenses.