Verb Phrasesand Verb Tenses

A verb phrase is a group of words that describe an action.

Verb tenses convey various times, sequences, states, and conditions.

Verb Tenses

Past Present FuturePast

PerfectPresent Perfect

Future Perfect

Verb PhrasesA main verb joined by a helping verb

is a verb phrase.

The fans were clapping for the players.

were clapping is the verb phrase

Were is a helping verb and clapping is the main verb.

Now you try.• 1. The first bicycles were invented in the early 1800’s.• 2. An early type of bicycle was called a boneshaker.• 3. Many people have contributed to the

development of the modern bicycle.• 4. Some bicycles were built for two people.• 5. Today, police officers are using bicycles at work.• 6. My family is joining a cycling club.• 7. We are planning a weekend trip to ride on some

nearby trails.• 8. We will ride about ten miles each day.

How did you do?

• 1. The first bicycles were invented in the early 1800’s.• 2. An early type of bicycle was called a boneshaker.• 3. Many people have contributed to the development of the

modern bicycle.• 4. Some bicycles were built for two people.• 5. Today, police officers are using bicycles at work.• 6. My family is joining a cycling club.• 7. We are planning a weekend trip to ride on some nearby

trails.• 8. We will ride about ten miles each day.

Verb Tenses•EQ? How do I correctly identify and use different verb tenses?

• PRESENT (it’s happening NOW.)• PAST (it’s ALREADY happened.)• FUTURE (it’s ABOUT to happen.)

Verb TensesVerbs tells us when things are

happening.

• Past Tense verbs tell about something that has already happened.

To change most regular verbs to past tense, add ed.

We walked to the park last week.

Walk + ed = past tense form of walk

Let’s start with Past Tense.

Past tense – It has already happened.If the verb already ends with an e, just add d.

• Susan skated on the frozen pond.• The verb skate ends with an e. Therefore,

add d to the word skate to change it to past tense.

• Examples:• move = moved hope = hoped• Carve = carved use = used• Provide = provided love = loved

Past TenseThe tricky “y” ending verb

• If a verb ends with a consonant and y, change the y to i and add ed.

The nurse applied pressure to the cut.apply = applied (change the y to i and add ed.)

If a verb ends with a vowel and y, simply add ed.

The class enjoyed the movie.

enjoy = enjoyed (vowel o before the y) just add ed

Present tense to past tense.• The following sentences are written in the

present tense. Try changing them to the past tense by putting Yesterday at the beginning of each.

• I eat spaghetti.• They skip quickly.• Bob is seven.• I play tennis.

How have the verbs changed?

How did you do?

• Yesterday I ate spaghetti.• Yesterday they skipped quickly.• Yesterday Bob was seven.• Yesterday I played tennis.

(Did you remember to double the consonant in skipped?)

Past to presentThese sentences are in the past. Change them to the present by putting

today at the front of each.

• Sarah played soccer. • The cow jumped over the moon.• John sat outside in the garden.• The mouse ran up the clock.

How did you do?

• Today Sarah plays soccer.• Today the cow jumps over the

moon.• Today John sits outside in the

garden.• Today the mouse runs up the clock.

Practice Time: Underline the verb in each sentence and write past or present to identify the verb tense.

1.Anna kicked the soccer ball down the field.2.We practice our piano lessons every day.3.They mixed the different paint colors together.4.She studied for her test.5.He invites us every year.6.The coach instructs us on the plays of the

game.7.My mom makes delicious cookies.8.His homework looked very messy.

1. Anna kicked the soccer ball down the field. past2. We practice our piano lessons every day. present3. They mixed the different paint colors together. past4. She studied for her test. past5. He invites us every year. present6. The coach instructs us on the plays of the game. present7. My mom makes delicious cookies. present8. His homework looked very messy. past

The future tense.• The future tense is used to describe what will

or could happen. Change these sentences to the future tense by adding tomorrow at the start of each.

• Jack and Jill went up the hill.• Thomas chased the mouse.• Lucy entered the wardrobe.• Bo Peep lost her sheep.

How did you do?• Tomorrow Jack and Jill could/will go

up the hill.• Tomorrow Thomas could/will chase

the mouse.• Tomorrow Lucy could/will enter the

wardrobe.• Tomorrow Bo Peep could/will lose

her sheep.

Practice Time: Underline the verb in the sentence and write present or future to identify the verb tense.

1.She will show me her new shoes tomorrow.2.I like the purple shoes the best.3.I will wear my new shoes to the park.4.We wear tennis shoes on P.E. days.5.Someday I will run in a race.6.I shall spend an entire week practicing.

Sometimes a word or words come between the two parts of the verb.They will wear their costume to the circus.

They will definitely work all afternoon.

You will probably learn a lot about clowns at the show.Some clowns will look silly.How long will they practice?

The elephants will walk around the tent.

The musicians won’t record their music with the singer.Will you be here next week?

Present Perfect Tenses

Present Perfect Tense shows an action completed in the present or one that began in the past and is continuing in the present.Perfect = completeUse the helping verb “has or have” with the main verb.Example: Selena has played tennis for four years.We have played tennis all year.

Past Perfect Tense Past perfect tense shows an action that happened in the past before another event in the pastUse the helping verb “ had” with the main verb.Example: We had cleared the puddles from the court before the match.We had looked for ten minutes before we realized we had it the whole time.

Future Perfect TenseFuture perfect tense shows an action That will happen in the future that is Connected to another event in the future.Use “will have or shall have” with the main verb.By the end of the day, they will have practiced for five hours.We will have read the entire book by the time reading groups are over.

Let’s give it a try. Locate the perfect tense verb in the following sentences. Then determine the perfect tense

Derek has practiced his cello a lot.

Derek has practiced his cello a lot.

Present perfect tense

She had been an actor before becoming principal.

She had been an actor before becoming principal.

Past perfect tense

By concert time, he will have practiced enough.

By concert time, he will have practiced enough.

Future perfect tense