“Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect!” ee eee Cae TT s Chapter Verb Tenses and Parts OBJECTIVES RO coh SnCu ane CnC ROR Racca PT RC CU Oe AR Cu ea cag CRU Cnn cur Ri nn aaa Ne Ronn Ceuta eo ace eae ad TON Me RON a uae Rg OR nen uuu i aLUnderline the letter representing the correct answer, 1. In the sentence Sonya yearned for the good old days, the verb yearned is in the (a) present, (b) past, (c) future tense. 2, In the sentence The actor Heath Ledger wil eceive a posthumous award, the verb will receive i in the (a) present, (b) past, (c) future tense. 3. In the sentence Every employee needs to complete the training by Friday, the verb needs is in the (a) present, (b) past, (c) future tense. 4, In the sentence Brad is flying to Detroit next week, is flying is (a) past participle, (b) present participle, 5. In the sentence The board of directors has declared a stock dividend, has declared is (a) past participle, (b) present participle. 6. Virginia Brunnell (a) brought, (b) brung a colleague to the seminar with her. 7. If we had (a) gone, (b) went to the training class, we might have learned something, 8 The yearend financial statements are (a) laying, (b) lying on your desk. 9, Because prices are (a) raising, (b) rising, we should look for an apartment immediately. 10. The partially completed building has (a) set, (b) sat there untouched for a year. After studying this chapter, which discusses verb tenses and parts, the preceding. quote will make much more sense to you. To begin, you must know that English. verbs change form (inflection) to indicate tour ideas: (1) number (singular or plural); (2) person (first, second, or third); (3) voice (active or passive); and (4) tense (time). In contrast to languages such as French and German, English verbs today are no longer heavily inflected. That is, our verbs do not change form extensively to indicate number or person. To indicate precise time, however, English uses three rather complex sets of tenses: primary tenses, perfect tenses, and progres sive tenses. Level 1 focuses on the primary tenses and helping verbs. Level 2 considers participles and irregular verbs, Level 3 treats the progressive and per- fect tenses. \ It youre an ESL Engish 48, Socord Language) student, 1y searching the Web for ESL verbs You i fie mary bok to ‘tas ofoing earning tps sd helpful exeroises.= in Bish English some regular veibs are aco past tense by acing fnstead of ax) Fer example, we soy feared, but in Great Britain they say fame, Orbe ‘examples incude burnea/ bunt ereamecereamt Jeaneaeant loscedfeapt and speliea/spe. A Shatiselatvey extinct in Noch Amenea, Sctiand fans relena. In Engle, however, shall erovs roguarusago. Foran inveresting historas) account, see Mernam- Wieaster's Dctonary of Engish Usage. Primary Tenses ‘We will begin our discussion of verbs with the primary tenses (also called simple tenses). These tenses are used to indicate the present, the past, and the future, Present Tense Verbs in the present tense express current or habitual action, Present-tense ‘verbs may also be used in constructions showing future action. We celebrate employees’ birthdays once a month. (Current or habitual action} She travels to Barcelona next week. (Future action) Past Tense Verbs in the past tense show action that has been completed. Regular verbs form the past tense with the addition of d or ed. The CPAs audited our firm last month, ‘The report focused on changes in our department Future Tense Verbs in the future tense show actions that are expected to occur at a later time. Traditionally, the helper verbs shall and will have been joined with prin- cipal verbs to express future tense. In business and professional writing today, however, the verb will is generally used as the helper to express future tense. Careful writers continue to use shail in appropriate first-person constructions (We shall attend the meeting). Researchers will study the effects of cell phone use on brain cells. ‘You will receive the contract before June 5. Summary of Primary Tenses The following table surtmmarizes the various forms that express the primary tenses: Presi sTense Sing. Plural First Ineed we need \needed weneeded | will we will Person: need need Second youneed youneed you you you will you willl Person: needed needed need need Third he, she, it, they need he, she, it they he, she, it they will Person: needs needed needed willneed need Challenges Using Primary Tenses Most adult speakers of our language have few problems using present, past, and future tenses. A few considerations, however, merit mention.Using the -s Form Verbs Note that third-person singular verbs require an -s ending (he needs). Therefore, ‘whenever your subject is singular (other than J or you), you will add an s to the present-tense form of the verb. Add es if the verb ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z She works for @ large corporation. (Not work) MaRS This printer breaks down too olen. (Not break vet plat Oy cane Barry searches his house for his missing car keys. (Not search) ‘Sete carb Singular or plural. Expressing “Timeless” Facts Present-tense verbs are used to express “timeless” facts, even if these verbs occur in sentences with other past-tense verbs. What is the name of the customer who called yesterday? (Not was) Joan Brault's maiden name is Haitz. (Not was) What did you say his duties are? (Not were, if he continues to perform these duties) Spelling Verbs That Change Form Use a dictionary to verify spelling of verbs that change form. You must be par- ticularly careful in spelling verbs ending in y (hurry, hurries, hurried) and verbs for which the final consonant is doubled (occurred, expelled). Now complete the reinforcement exercises for Level 1. Present and Past Participles ‘To be able to use all the tenses of verbs correctly, you must understand the four principal parts of verbs: present, past, present participle, and past participle. \ You have already studied the present and past forms. Now, let’s consider the participles. Present Participle ‘The present participle of regular and irregular verbs is formed by adding ing to the present tense of the verb. The present participle must be preceded by one or more helping verbs, which are usually forms of be such as am, is, are, was, ‘were, be, and been. Helping verb Present participle v Leanne is studying in South Africa Helping verb Present participle Lod You aré doing a fine job, Past Participle ‘The past participle of a regular verb is formed by adding a d or ed to the pres- ent tense of the verb. (As you will learn in the next section, irregular verbs form their past participle differently.) Like present participles, past participles mustIn employment ston eavofully ta candies spoon English. One quick way tobe eimnatec isto ‘btu over past tense fora past partipe INCORRECT: He come overs right or s00n thom combine with one or more helping verbs, which are usually forms of to have, such as has, had, or have: Helping verb Past participle 4 Mark has applied for the scholarship. Helping verbs Past participle 4 o4 The figures have been checked by his supervisor. Helping verb Past participle L The lannuccis have built a cabin on the lake. Irregular Verbs Up to this point, we have considered only regular verbs. Regular verbs form the past tense by the addition of d or ed to the present tense form. Irregular verbs, how- ever, form the past tense by varying the root vowel and, commonly, adding en to the past participle. A list of the more frequently used irregular verbs follows. Lear, the forms of these verbs by practicing in patterns such as the following: Present Tense: Today | drive. Past Tens Yesterday | drove, Future Tense: Tomorrow | will drive Past Participl In the past | have driven, Present Participle: Next week | am driving, Frequently Used Irregular Verbs Present arise arose arisen arising be fam, is, are) was, were been being become became become becoming begin began begun beginning bite bit bitten biting blow blew blown blowing break broke broken breaking bring brought brought bringing build built built building burst burst burst bursting buy bought bought buying catch caught caught catching choose chose chosen choosing come came come comingPresent = PaRe_ Pat atele Present Part dg do draw drink drive eat fall fight fly forget forgive freeze get give go grow hang (an object! hhang (a person) hide know lay (to place) lead ave lend lie (to rest) lie (to tell a falsehood) lose make pay prove ride ring rise (to move up) fun see set (to place] dug did drew drank drove ate fell fought flew forgot forgave froze got gave went grew hung hanged hid knew laid led loft lent lay lied lost made paid proved rode rang rose ran saw set dug done drawn drunk driven eaten follen fought flown forgotten or forgot forgiven frozen gotten or got given gone grown hung hanged hidden or hid known laid led left lent lain lied lost made paid proved or proven ridden seen set digging doing drawing drinking driving eating falling fighting flying forgetting forgiving freezing getting giving going growing hanging hanging hiding knowing laying leading leaving lending lying lying losing making paying proving riding ringing rising running seeing setting ‘Wan you look an regular vero up in the itonary, he dictonary ‘wil gray show its tonsos in this ord: past, past partcipe, present panicle‘Whenever you use layin sense of “placing” somathing, you rust provide arocoiver ofthe faction Ty asking yoursatt “Lay what?” Pease oy the book cow day war? the Book nothing receives the action, you probably want the vor fl, which means "vesting” shake shook shaken shaking shrink shrank shrunk shrinking sing sang sung singing sink sank sunk sinking sit to rest) sat sat sitting speak spoke spoken speaking spring sprang sprung springing steal stole stolen stealing strike, struck struck or stricken striking swear swore sworn swearing swim swam swum swimming take took taken taking teach taught taught teaching tear tore tom tearing throw threw thrown throwing wake woke woken waking wear wore worn wearing, waite wrote written writing Three Pairs of Frequently Misused Irregular Verbs ‘Three pairs of verbs often cause confusion: le-lay, sit-set, and raise-rise, The secret to using them correctly lies in (a) recognizing their tense forms and (b) knowing whether they are transitive or intransitive, Recall that transitive verbs require objects; intransitive verbs do not, Lie-Lay ‘These two verbs are confusing because the past tense of lie is spelled In the same way that the present tense of lay is spelled. To be safe, memorize these verb forms: Pent Pat Pata Ps Pre Intransitive: lie (to rest) lay iain tying Transitive: lay (to place) laid (not layed) laid laying ‘The verb lie is intransitive; therefore, it requires no direct object to complete its meaning. | lie down for a nap every afternoon. (Present tense. Note that down is not a direct object.) " Lie down" Mark told his dog. (Commands are given in the present tense.)Tomorrow | willie down for a nap after lunch. (Future tense) Yesterday | lay down for a nap. (Past tense) ‘The originals have lain in the copy machine for some time. {Past participle) ‘The contract is fying on the desk. (Present participle) ‘The verb Jay is transitive and must have a direct object to complete its meaning. ‘The objects in the following sentences have been underlined. ‘Watch me jay three cards down in this round, (Present tense) Lay the report over there. (Command in the present tense) ‘We will ay new tile in the reception area. (Future tense) He Jaid the handouts on the conference table, (Past tense He has laid bricks al his life, (Past participle) The contractor is laying new flooring in the kitchen. {Present participle) Sit-Set Less troublesome than lie-ay, the combination of sit-set is nevertheless perplexing because the sounds of the verbs are similar. The intransitive verb si (oat tense, sat; past participle, saf) means “to rest” and requires no direct [ike to sit in the front row in class. (Present tense) They satin the theater through the closing credits. (Past tense) Max will sit in Row 39 on Flight 880. (Future tense) They had sat in the waiting room for two hours before they decided to leave. (Past participle) Are you usually sitting here in the morning? (Present participle) ‘The transitive verb set (past tense, set; past participle, set) means “to place” and must have a direct object. The objects in the following sentences have been underlined. Letty usually sets her coffee mug there, (Present tense) ‘We set a vase of flowers on the receptionist's desk. (Past tense) ‘We will set the table shortly before our guests arrive. (Future tense) The CEO had set the deadiine before conferring with his employees. (Past participle) The committee is setting the ground rules. (Present participle) Rise-Raise ‘The intransitive verb rise (past tense, rose; past participle, risen) means “to go up” or "to ascend” and requires no direct object. ‘The sun rises every morning in the east. (Present tense. Every morn- ing is an adverbial phrase, not an object.) ‘The president rose from her chair to greet us. (Past tense) The sun will rise tomorrow morning at 5:39 a.m. (Future tense) ‘The room temperature has risen steadily since the meeting began. (Past participle) Our elevator is rising to the seventh floor. (Present participle) Tohelp you remember that hase verbs aro Inranstive, look at the second later of each lie — The English werd withthe most cainions is set Tis word can be used as a noun, a verb, oF an adjective.The transitive verb raise (past tense, raised; past participle, raised) means “to lift up” or “to elevate” and must have a direct object. The objects in the follow- ing sentences have been underlined, Please raise the window. (Present tense) The nonprofit organization raised needed funds during ts annual event. (Past tense) The restaurant will raise prices next month, (Future tense) Airlines have raised fares over the past year. (Past participle) ATT is raising prices next month. Present particjale) Now complete the reinforcement exercises for Level 2. Progressive and Perfect Tenses ‘Thus far in this chapter, you have studied the primary tenses and irregular verbs. ‘The remainder of this chapter focuses on two additional sets of verb tenses: the perfect and the progressive. Most native speakers and writers of English have little difficulty controlling these verb forms because they have frequently heard them used correctly. This largely descriptive section is thus presented for those who are not native speakers and for those who are eager to study the entire range of verb tenses. Progressive Tenses ‘The progressive tenses are used to show continuous or repeated actions. The Present-progressive tense describes ongoing actions that are happening presently. The past-progressive tense describes ongoing actions that occurred in the past, usually as another action was taking place. The future-progressive tense describes ongoing actions that will take place in the future. Form the pro- gressive tenses by adding a form of to he to the present participle (ing) form of a verb, as you can see in the following table. First Person rson 1am hearing you are hearing he, she, itis hearing we are hearing they are hearing First rson | was hearing you were hearing he, she, it was hearing we were hearing they were hearing oe ee. Iwill be hearing you will be hearing he, she, it will be hearing we will be hearing they will be hearingWe are importing many of our products from China. (Present- progressive tense expresses action in progress] We were sitting down to dinner when we lost power. (Past- progressive tense indicates action that was begun in the past.) They will be receiving the announcement shortly. (Future-progressive tense indicates action in the future.) Perfect Tenses The perfect tenses are used to show actions that are already completed, or per- fected. The present-perfect tense describes actions that began in the past and. have continued to the present. The past-perfect tense describes past actions that took place before other past actions, The future-perfect tense describes actions that will take place before other future actions, Form progressive tenses by adding a form of to have to the past participle form of a verb, as you can see in the following table, t Person 5 I have heard you have heard he, she, it has heard we have heard they have heard First Person n had heard you had heard he, she, it had heard we had heard they had heard | will have heard you will have heard he, she, it will have heard we will have heard The national debt has increased substantially. (Present-perfect tense expresses action just completed, or perfected) The check had cleared the bank before | canceled payment. (Past perfect ‘tense shows an action finished before another action in the past) The polls will have been closed two hours when the results are tele- cast. (Future-perfect tense indicates action that will be completed before another future action.) Now complete the reinforcement exercises for Level 3.