The
w o n d e r o u s
w o r l d of
V E R B S
Verbs convey
ACTION
state of being
TIME
BASEPAST
TENSE
PRESENTPARTICIPLE
PASTPARTICIPLE
talk talked talking talked
visit visited visiting visited
see saw seeing seen
To ____ -ed -ing -en, -ed
Dictionary entry
Dictionary entry
BASEis used to make the present tense
Present moment
Past Future
Present moment
Past Future
He talks all the time.
PRESENT TENSE = Habitual action
BASE--is used to make the present tense--is used to make the future tense
Present moment
Past Futurewill call
Socorro will call tomorrow.
FUTURE TENSE
BASE--is used to make the present tense--is used to make the future tense--is used with modal helping words
to create a variety of special meanings
Present sequence Past sequence
can couldwill would
shall should may might
must
MODALS
BASEis used with do, does, and did
--to make the verb emphatic:
I really do agree with you!
--to create a question:
Do you have any fresh coffee?Did he lose his wallet?
--to make a sentence negative:
I don’t like heavy traffic.Jose did not finish his taco.
PASTTENSE
This is the verb form thatsignals past time,usually ends in -ed,and does not combinewith helping words.
Present moment
Past Futuresnapped
Jack snapped a photo.
PAST TENSE
PRESENTPARTICIPLE
This form of a verbends in -ing,indicates continuous activity, andrequires a helping verb.
Present moment
Past Future
I am clapping now.
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE
am c
lapp
ing
Present moment
Past Future
PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE
Jane was washing her dog.
was washing
PASTPARTICIPLE
This verb form is easily confused with the past tensebecause it can also end in -ed.However, to function as a verbit must have a helping verb.
Present moment
Past Future
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
have driven
The students have driven a long way.
Present moment
Past Futureturned off
although Sue had paid her electric bill.
The company turned off the electricity
had paid
PAST PERFECT TENSE
Point to remember
Building verb tenses is as simpleas using building blocks!
am finished