Shiela's Verb Tenses

The Simple TensesPast

Present Future

The Simple Past Tense

We use the simple past to indicate exactly when an action or event took place in the past.

I visited my sister yesterday.We went out to dinner last night.

The simple past is used to describe actions and/or events that are now completed and no longer true in the present.

I graduated from MHS in 1998. I saw a movie every weekend

when I was a teenager.

The Simple Present Tense

This tense also expresses general truths or facts that are timeless.

Snow falls in the December in China.Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

Expresses a habit or often repeated action. Adverbs of frequency such as, often, seldom, sometimes, never, etc. are used with this tense.

She goes to work everyday.They always eat lunch together.

The Simple Future Tense

Future tense expresses an action or situation that will occur in the future. This tense is formed by using will/shall with the simple form of the verb.The President will finish his term in

two years.

The future tense can also be expressed by using am, is, or are with going to.The surgeon is going to perform the first bypass in Minnesota.We can also use the present tense form with an adverb or adverbial phrase to show future time.The president speaks tomorrow.

The Perfect TensesPast

Present Future

The Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect is also used to talk about an event that was completed in the past, but the specific time of the event is not important.

He has lived in Marilao for two years.

Present perfect tense describes an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past or that began in the past and continues in the present.

Women have voted in presidential elections since 1921.

The researchers have travelled to many countries in order to collect more significant data.

The Future Perfect Tense

We will have finished the exam by the time class ends tomorrow.

will have finished the exam

class ends

By the time the troops arrive, the combat group will have spent several weeks waiting.

Future perfect tense describes an action that will occur in the future before some other action. This tense is formed by using will have with the past participle of the verb.

The Past Perfect Tense

The Titanic had received many warnings before it hit the iceberg.

I had already eaten when my friend stopped by to visit.

it hitmy friend stopped by

had receivedhad eaten

The Progressive Tenses

Past

Present Future

The Present Progressive Tense

The sociologist is examining the effects that racial discrimination has on society.

Present progressive tense describes an ongoing action that is happening at the same time the statement is written.

This tense is formed by using am/is/are with the verb form ending in -ing.

He can’t talk. He is fixing the sink right now.

She is typing a paper for her class.

The Past Progressive Tense

The past progressive is often used with the simple past to show that one action was in progress when another action occurred.

I was taking a bath when the doorbell rang.

They were eating dinner when the neighbors stopped by for a visit.

The Future Progressive Tense

Dr. Joy will be presenting ongoing research on gay language next week.

Future progressive tense describes an ongoing or continuous action that will take place in the future.

This tense is formed by using will be or shall be with the verb form ending in -ing.

The Perfect Progressive Tenses

Past

Present Future

She had been driving around the city for three hours before she finally found the

right office.

she found the right office

had been driving

The Past Perfect Progressive Tense

This tense is used to emphasize the duration of an action that was completed before another action or event in the past.

Before the budget cuts, the students had been participating in many extracurricular activities.