VERBS TENSES H.O no.

3
The tense of a verb is determined by when the action took place. It expresess time reference.

Tenses generally express time relative to the moment of speaking.

Not all languages have tense Some languages have all three basic tenses
(the past, present and future), while others have only two: some have past and non-
past tenses

3 Basic Tenses, the are called Simple Tenses:

1. Past Tense: these are verbs that show actions that took place in the past.
Take note of the 2 types of verbs, the regular (past form with -ed or -d ending) and irregular
(past form: different spelling or same spelling) verbs since they play an important role in
simple past tense.

Pattern: subject + verb in past form

She danced last night at the ball. [regular]

I went to the mall. [irregular]

2. Present Tense: shows actions that happen regularly or that are permanently
happening.

Pattern: subject + verb in base form (for plural)

subject + verb ending in -s (for singular)
My friend jogs for his health.
Mom sings a song in the bathroom.
They eat breakfast in the morning.

3. Future Tense: Verbs that show actions that have not taken place yet, but that will take
place in the future.

Pattern: subject + will or shall+ verb in base form

He will do the laundry tonight.
We shall visit the company in Singapore.

OTHER FORMS OF VERB:

4. PROGRESSIVE FORM: also called as Continuous tense. This show an action that is in
progress or that is continuing.
HEADS UP!! USE BE VERB in this form.

4.1 Present Progressive tense: used for an on-going action in the present OR describing
a planned activity
 Pattern: subject+ be verb (am/is/are) + verb (base form) + ing.
She is dancing gracefully.
They are eating chocolates.
HEADS UP!!! Do not be confused with simple future tense and present progressive tense.
Although the two have similar usage since both are pertaining to future plan/activity, the
pattern are different.
Simple future: subject + will or shall + verb in base form
Present progressive: subject + am/is/are + verb + ing.

**THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS WILL GOING TO:

I will going to the mall. --> wrong!
I will go to the mall. --> correct!
I am going to the mall. --> correct!

4.2 Past Progressive tense: used to describe an on-going activity in the past. It is also
used to describe an activity in the past which was interrupted.

Pattern: subject + was/were + verb + ing

They were dealing with drug addicts.
He was singing in the toilet.
HEADS UP!! Use when or while to describe an activity in the past which was interrupted. To
use these words, attach the word while to the longer activity OR attached the word when to
the shorter activity. Choose only 1.

He was sleeping when the cat made noise.

While he was sleeping the cat made noise.

4.3 Future Progressive tense: used for an on-going action that will occur in the future.

Pattern: subject + will be+ verb+ ing

They will be driving around town tomorrow.
We will be celebrating tonight at the hotel.

5. PERFECT FORM: formed with the auxiliary verbs: HAS, HAVE, HAD.

5.1 Present Perfect tense: shows actions that were finished recently or ones that were
completed at an indefinite time in the past to describe experience.

Pattern: subject + have/has + verb in past participle

She has forgotten his face.
They have skipped their meals.
She has taught for 25 years.

5.2 Past Perfect tense: used to emphasize that an action was completed before another
took place.

Pattern: subject + had+ verb in past participle

They had submitted the report even before she came.
He had jumped after he did.

5.3 Future Perfect tense: used to describe an action that will have been completed at
 some point in the future. It is often used with a time expression that identifies that
point in the future.

Pattern: subject + will have+ verb in past participle

By this time next year, I will have studied English for 1 year.
Later when he arrives, I will have eaten 5 cups of rice.

6. PERFECT PROGRESSIVE FORM: combination of progressive and perfect tense.

6.1 Present Perfect Progressive tense:  indicates a continuous action that has been
finished at some point in the past or that was initiated in the past and continues to
happen. The action is usually of limited duration and has some current relevance.

Pattern: subject + has or have been + verb + ing

I have been working all morning.
She has been listening on the radio all day.

6.2 Past Perfect Progressive tense:indicates a continuous action that was completed at
some point in the past.

Pattern: subject + had been+ verb + ing

They had been planting trees yesterday.
I had been walking since this morning.

6.3 Future Perfect Progressive tense: indicates a continuous action that will be
completed at some point in the future. 

Pattern: subject + will have been + verb + ing

Next year, I will have been working for 10 years already.
By the time when he arrives, she will have been sleeping for 5 hours.