Verb Tenses

Simple Tenses
A. Verbs in the present tense express
action happening at the present
moment or action that happens
habitually.

Example:
A strange noise comes from the
basement.
B. Verbs in the past tense expresses an
action or a state of being that took place
in the past.

Example:
The president signed the peace tray.
C. Verbs in the future tense expresses an
action that will take place sometimes in the
future. They may also express a prediction or
give an order. The future tense is formed with
the auxiliary verb will or shall and the present
form.

Example:
The candidates will surely win the pageant.
Progressive Tenses
A. The present progressive form of the
verb shows action happening in the
present or continuing action.

Example:
Look! That girl is waving at you.
Progressive Tenses

B. The past progressive form of the verb

expresses a continuing past action when
another action took place.

Example:
I was writing my report when you called.
Progressive Tenses

C. The future progressive form indicates

future action.

Example:
I’ll be seeing you.
Perfect Tenses

A. The present perfect tense is formed by

using has/have with the past participle
of the verb.

Example:
The basketball player has had a lot of
trouble with his knee.
Perfect Tenses
B. The past perfect tense is formed by
using auxiliary verb had with the past
participle. Verbs in the past at some time
before another action took place.

Example:
Mariz had worked as a nanny before she
graduated
Perfect Tenses

C. The future perfect tense uses will have

or shall have plus the past participle of
the verb. It is used to express a future
action that will be completed before
another future action.

Example:
My brother will have graduated by 2005.
Perfect Progressive Tense
A. The present perfect progressive form
indicates past action that continues to
the present.

Example:
I have been hoping you would call.
Perfect Progressive Tense

B. The past- perfect progressive form

uses had been plus the –ing form of the
verb.

Example:
Nico had been seeing Nikki a lot until
summer.
Perfect Progressive Tense

C. The future perfect progressive form

consists of shall or will have been plus
the –ing form of the verb

Example:
In another five minutes we will have been
driving for five hours.