*Don’t* try to use grid-like charts with rows of columns to make sense of verb modifications. You’ll find that gets confusing really fast when, for example, you have to divide the present progressive (te+iru) into present progressive positive, present progressive negative, past progressive positive, past progressive negative, etc.
What you can do instead is [make flow charts](https://64.media.tumblr.com/df0edea1fbb348d450feabae55dd8edf/a2c6263d76df591f-82/s1280x1920/74b0fbeeab95cf548b30462758a32520f892d8e1.png). It works much more easily with the way Japanese verbs are modified.
6 comments
Way to overhink it.
thanks im even more confused now
Or just watch these videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg9uYxuZf8x9tDwYOYF6Q4M3wj3zKo-a5
I remember using [this diagram from Wikipedia](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/AMB_Japanese_Verbs.pdf) when I was starting out. It’s similar to what you’re proposing. Don’t mind the downvotes, you can do what works for you. Good luck on your learning journey!
Edit: had pasted the wrong link
Misa ammo, Miku Real Japanese and Rose (Nihongoal) are best in explaining grammar patterns. They also gives tips to deliver sentences naturally and without sounding like a book. Good luck!
For me the easiest way to learn is to use an example sentence that I commit to memory. For example:
I always have trouble with the past tense kuru (来る) to come. So what I do is I learn the the sentence: アメリカから来ました。 (I came from America). And now I remember how to use kara in the sentence (after the location) and I remember how to make come past tense (kimashita)