English uses verb tenses in order to classify and define the state of the condition of an action or events. Basically, There are three (3) verb tenses in English namely; PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE tenses (like for instance: write = wrote, writing , will/shall write).
But going further, English also has these froms fo tenses:
(1) Progressive form (indicates ongoing action)
(2) Perfect form (indicates completed action)
(3) Perfect Progressive form (indicates ongoing action that will be completed at some definite time)
which is actually seldom, if not used in china. All in all, there are 12 verb tenses in English Language.
There's actually a lot more to explain about English verb tenses but you may search for it in the net for better understanding on how to use these different verb tenses.
Goodluck! Zaijian!