Verb Tenses and Verb Tenses and Verb-Tense Sequencing Verb-Tense Sequencing Intensive Course in Research Writing Texas A&M University July 11-15, 2011 Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS [email protected]WordsWorld Consulting www.words-world.net ESL Short Subject ESL Short Subject
ESL Short Subject. Verb Tenses and Verb-Tense Sequencing. Intensive Course in Research Writing Texas A&M UniversityJuly 11-15, 2011 Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS [email protected] W ords W orld C onsulting www.words-world.net. Verb Tense. Refers to the time that a verb expresses - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Verb Tenses and Verb Tenses and Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing
Intensive Course in Research WritingTexas A&M University July 11-15, 2011
Refers to the time that a verb expressesRefers to the time that a verb expresses
Also relates to aspect, which refers to Also relates to aspect, which refers to some characteristic of an event or action some characteristic of an event or action beyond its time (eg, habitual vs beyond its time (eg, habitual vs temporary action, past action that temporary action, past action that occurred some time ago vs past action occurred some time ago vs past action that occurred close to the present time)that occurred close to the present time)
English Verb TensesEnglish Verb Tenses
PresentPresent
PastPast
FutureFuture
Four tenses in each category (for a total of 12).
Present TensePresent Tense
Simple presentSimple present base form of verbbase form of verb
To emphasize the duration of an activity that was completed before another action or time in the past
I had been waiting for him for an hour when he finally arrived.
Future TenseFuture TenseFuture (Future (willwill + base form) + base form)
Use Examples
To express an action, event, or state that will occur in the future
I will drive you to the airport tomorrow.Ravi will graduate next June.
Future time can also be expressed in the following ways:Future time can also be expressed in the following ways:
Formation Examples
am/is/are going to + base form We are going to take the final exam at the end of the week.The city is going to have a parade on Founders’ Day.
simple present or present progressive (especially with verbs of arriving or departing)
My plane leaves at 8:00 pm tonight.My plane is leaving at 8:00 pm tonight.
Future TenseFuture Tense
When the future is expressed in a sentence When the future is expressed in a sentence that is in past time, that is in past time, willwill becomes becomes wouldwould..
Examples
Present/future time The instructor says that the exam will cover the first five chapters of the textbook.
Past time The instructor said that the exam would cover the first five chapters of the textbook.
Present/future time Even though Kevin plans to go to college next year, he does not know how demanding college classes will be.
Past time When Andrea was in high school, she did not know how demanding college classes would be.
To indicate that an action has been in progress for a period of time before another event or time in the future
Luiz will have been working on his dissertation for 3 years before he will get receive his PhD degree.By this time next year, I will have been living in Ohio for 7 years.
Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing
Refers to the way a writer can move Refers to the way a writer can move from one verb tense to anotherfrom one verb tense to another
Key to using verb tenses correctlyKey to using verb tenses correctly
Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing
General statements that are true in the General statements that are true in the present require the simple present tense.present require the simple present tense.
Writers often have a choice of verb Writers often have a choice of verb tenses that are similar but not exactly the tenses that are similar but not exactly the same in meaning.same in meaning.
Note differences in time reference!Note differences in time reference!
Verb-tense shift is often signaled by a Verb-tense shift is often signaled by a time-reference word or phrase (eg, time-reference word or phrase (eg, yesterday, tomorrow, etc)yesterday, tomorrow, etc)
Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing
We decided to go to the movies. We decided to go to the movies. (simple past)(simple past)We have decided to go to the movies. We have decided to go to the movies. (present (present perfect)perfect)
It rained yesterday. It rained yesterday. (simple past)(simple past)It was raining yesterday. It was raining yesterday. (past progressive)(past progressive)
Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing
We had eaten when you came over to visit. We had eaten when you came over to visit. (past perfect)(past perfect)We ate when you came over to visit. We ate when you came over to visit. (past)(past)We had eaten before you came over to visit. We had eaten before you came over to visit. (past perfect)(past perfect)We ate before you came over to visit. We ate before you came over to visit. (past)(past)
Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing
I am studying in the library. I am studying in the library. (present (present progressive)progressive)
I study in the library. I study in the library. (simple present)(simple present)