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VERB TENSES
Presenter:DucSimon
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VERB TENSES
1. Simple present2. Present progressive3. Simple past4. Past progressive5. Present perfect
6. Present perfect progressive7. Past perfect8. Past perfect progressive9. Future10. Future progressive
11. Future perfect12. Future perfect progressive
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SIMPLE PRESENT
Use Examples
To express habitual actions
To express general truths
To report what is in print e.g.academic writing.
I usually wake up early
The Earth revolves around theSun.Peter indicates in his researchthat radioactive spiders bites
cause genetic mutation.
now
Formation
Infinitive / Base form of the verb (with -s or -es for thirdperson singular).
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PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
Use Examples
To express that an action/ activity is happening.
To express that an actionhappening at present istemporary.
To express that an action isalready in progress at aspecified point of time in thepresent.
The students are sleeping
The students are taking a test atthe moment.
At 9.30, most of the students
are falling asleep at their desks.
now
Formationam/ is/ are + present participle (-ing ).
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SIMPLE PAST
Use Examples
To indicate a completed action
To indicate that an action tookplace at a specific time in thepast.
She lived in a haunted house
She died yesterday.
Formation:Regular verbs: base form + d/-ed
now
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PAST PROGRESSIVE
Use ExamplesTo show an action/activity was stillhappening in the past
To show that an action happeningat the past was temporary.
To show that an action was already
in progress at a specified point oftime in the past.
He was smoking.
He was playing video games at thatmoment.
At 17.00, he was going home.
now
Formationwas/ were + present participle (-ing )
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PRESENT PERFECT
Use Examples
To express an action or statethat began in the past andcontinues to the present.
To show that an event occurredin the past. The exact time is notspecified or important.
I have not been to school for 2years.
They have gone to Africa for along time.
now
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PRESENT PERFECT
Use Examples
To express an action or statewhich happened in the veryrecent past.
To indicate that an event hasoccurred more than once in thepast (specific times are notgiven or important).
Oh god, Ive finished myhomework .
The students have called theambulance several timesbecause of health issues.
now
Formation:has/ have + past participle
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PAST PERFECT
Use Examples
To indicate an event that wascompleted by a definite time orbefore another action was
completed in the past.
The vigilante had taken downthe thug before the policearrived .
now
Formation:had + past participle
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PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
Use Examples
To stress the duration of anactivity that was completedbefore another action or time in
the past.
The students had beenstruggling with the exam for anhour before they quitted .
now
Formation:had + been + present participle (-ing )
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FUTURE
Use Examples
To express an action, event or statethat will occur in the future .
It will rain tomorrow.
now
Formation:will + base form (no -s or -es )
Note:Future time can also be expressed in am/is/are + going to + base form simple progressive or present progressive
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FUTURE PROGRESSIVE
Use Examples
To express an action that willoccur over a duration at somespecific point in the future.
To emphasize the duration of anaction in the future.
He will be talking with the Deanat 10 a.m tomorrow.
The students will be going homeduring the midterm break.
now
Formation:will + be + present participle
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FUTURE PERFECT
Use Examples
To indicate that an activity willbe completed before anotherevent or time in the future.
The students will have finishedall assignments before thedeadline .
now
Formation:will + have + past participle
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FUTURE PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE
Use Examples
To indicate that an activity hasbeen in progress for a period oftime before another event ortime in the future.
By August next year, I will havebeen a student in NUS for twoyears.
now
Formation:will + have + present participle
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THANK YOU
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SOURCES
Lane, A. and Lange, E. (1999).Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (2nd ed.). USA: Heinle and Heinle Publishers.
Oshima, A. and Hogue, A. (2006).Writing Academic English(4th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, 3-25.
Raimes, A. (2006).Grammar Troublespots: A Guide for Student Writers(3rd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press, 41-45.
