Verb Tenses and Verb-Tense Sequencing

Verb Tenses and Verb Tenses and Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing

Intensive Course in Research WritingTexas A&M University July 11-15, 2011

Susan E. Aiello, DVM, [email protected]

WordsWorld Consultingwww.words-world.net

ESL Short SubjectESL Short Subject

Verb TenseVerb Tense

Refers to the time that a verb expressesRefers to the time that a verb expresses

Also relates to aspect, which refers to Also relates to aspect, which refers to some characteristic of an event or action some characteristic of an event or action beyond its time (eg, habitual vs beyond its time (eg, habitual vs temporary action, past action that temporary action, past action that occurred some time ago vs past action occurred some time ago vs past action that occurred close to the present time)that occurred close to the present time)

English Verb TensesEnglish Verb Tenses

PresentPresent

PastPast

FutureFuture

Four tenses in each category (for a total of 12).

Present TensePresent Tense

Simple presentSimple present base form of verbbase form of verb

Present progressivePresent progressive am/is/aream/is/are + present participle + present participle

Present perfectPresent perfect has/havehas/have + past participle + past participle

Present perfect progressivePresent perfect progressive has/havehas/have + + beenbeen + present participle + present participle

Past TensePast Tense

Simple pastSimple past base form + base form + -ed-ed

Past progressivePast progressive was/werewas/were + present participle + present participle

Past perfectPast perfect hadhad + past participle + past participle

Past perfect progressivePast perfect progressive hadhad + + beenbeen + present participle + present participle

Future TenseFuture Tense

FutureFuture willwill + base form + base form

Future progressiveFuture progressive willwill + + bebe + present participle + present participle

Future perfectFuture perfect willwill + + havehave + past participle + past participle

Future perfect progressiveFuture perfect progressive willwill + + havehave + + beenbeen + present participle + present participle


Simple present (base form of verb)Simple present (base form of verb)

Uses Examples

To express a habitual or repeated action in the present or to express a condition that is true at any time

Most cats groom themselves every day.

To express general truths that are timeless (well-known laws or principles)

Water boils at 100°C.

To report what appears in print (common in academic writing when referring to texts or quotations)

In his article, Dr. Wilson asserts that creatinine clearance is the best method to use for adjusting drug dosages .

To describe past events as if they were happening now (called the historical present)

My husband and I arrive on PEI on May 15. We drive inland to Charlottetown. The amount of snow still on the ground is a shock.

Present TensePresent TensePresent progressive (Present progressive (am/is/aream/is/are + present participle) + present participle)

Uses Examples

To express an action or activity that is happening right now (at this moment, today, this year); the action has begun and is still happening

Karen is working on the first draft of her research paper.John is majoring in oceanography.

To express that an action or activity is happening at the present time and is temporary

Jim is working for Professor Adams. (he may not work for him permanently)

To express an action that is already in progress at a specified point of time in the present

When I get home after work, my husband is usually exercising.At 7:00 am, I am usually walking the dogs.

Present TensePresent TensePresent perfect (Present perfect (has/havehas/have + past participle) + past participle)

Uses Examples

To express an action or state that began in the past and continues in the present

Linda has lived in Norway for 2 years.I have known Mary since 1988, when we met at a writers’ conference.

To indicate that an action or event occurred some time in the past, although the exact time is not specified or important

Elizabeth has moved back to Spain.I have already filed my income taxes.

To indicate that an action or event has occurred more than one in the past (specific times are not given or important)

Alfy has seen the vet several times for atopy.

Note: Many past participle forms are irregular (eg, known, written, met).

Present TensePresent TensePresent perfect (Present perfect (has/havehas/have + past participle) + past participle)

Use Example

This tense can also indicate that an event has very recently happened. The adverb just is often used in this case.

I have just completed the slides for my presentation.


Present perfect progressive (Present perfect progressive (has/havehas/have + + beenbeen + present participle) + present participle)

Uses Examples

To emphasize the duration of an activity that started in the past and has continued in the present

I have been waiting for you for an hour.Bill has been living in Texas for 3 years.

To indicate that an activity has been in progress recently (the activity started in the past and is still going on)

Julie has been reading the book The Origin of the Species.I have been thinking about finishing up my masters degree.


Simple past (base form + Simple past (base form + -ed-ed))

Uses Examples

To indicate that an action or event took place at a specific time in the past

I visited Japan in 1995 for the World Veterinary Congress.Last night, we saw a movie about airline disasters.

To indicate that an action or event occurred over a period of time in the past with the implication that it is no longer true in the present

I lived in New Jersey for 16 years.Bob was on the rowing crew in college.

Note: Many English verbs have irregular past-tense forms.Common irregular past tense-forms include took, ate, and came.


Past progressive (Past progressive (was/werewas/were + present participle) + present participle)

Uses Examples

To express that an activity was in progress at a specific point of time in the past

At 8:00 pm last night, I was packing to come to Texas.I was working when the phone rang.

To show that an activity lasted for a period of time in the past (emphasis on the duration)

I was working when the phone rang.I was reading while you were sleeping.


Past perfect (Past perfect (hadhad + past participle) + past participle)

Uses Examples

To indicate an action that was completed by a definite time or before another action was completed in the past

In the lecture, I suddenly realized that I had forgotten to bring my notes.I had never read anything by Dennis Lehane until last year.

Note: If the word before or after is in the sentence, the simple past may be used instead of the past perfect.

After all the attendees left (or had left), Louise straightened up the meeting room.

Note: Many past participle forms are irregular (eg, known, written, met).


Past perfect progressive (Past perfect progressive (hadhad + + beenbeen + present participle) + present participle)

Use Example

To emphasize the duration of an activity that was completed before another action or time in the past

I had been waiting for him for an hour when he finally arrived.

Future TenseFuture TenseFuture (Future (willwill + base form) + base form)

Use Examples

To express an action, event, or state that will occur in the future

I will drive you to the airport tomorrow.Ravi will graduate next June.

Future time can also be expressed in the following ways:Future time can also be expressed in the following ways:

Formation Examples

am/is/are going to + base form We are going to take the final exam at the end of the week.The city is going to have a parade on Founders’ Day.

simple present or present progressive (especially with verbs of arriving or departing)

My plane leaves at 8:00 pm tonight.My plane is leaving at 8:00 pm tonight.


When the future is expressed in a sentence When the future is expressed in a sentence that is in past time, that is in past time, willwill becomes becomes wouldwould..

Examples

Present/future time The instructor says that the exam will cover the first five chapters of the textbook.

Past time The instructor said that the exam would cover the first five chapters of the textbook.

Present/future time Even though Kevin plans to go to college next year, he does not know how demanding college classes will be.

Past time When Andrea was in high school, she did not know how demanding college classes would be.


Future progressive (Future progressive (willwill + + bebe + present participle) + present participle)

Uses Examples

To express an action that will be happening over a period of time at some specific point in the future.

Even though I will be working when you call, I don’t mind being interrupted.

To emphasize the duration of an action in the future.

Roberto will be working on his paper for the next week.


Future perfect (Future perfect (willwill + + havehave + past participle) + past participle)

Use Examples

To indicate that an activity will be completed before another event or time in the future

Helen will have finished her PhD by the time she leaves for her internship.The students will have gone by the time the evaluation process is over.

Future TenseFuture TenseFuture perfect progressive (Future perfect progressive (willwill + + havehave + + beenbeen + present participle) + present participle)

Use Examples

To indicate that an action has been in progress for a period of time before another event or time in the future

Luiz will have been working on his dissertation for 3 years before he will get receive his PhD degree.By this time next year, I will have been living in Ohio for 7 years.

Verb-Tense SequencingVerb-Tense Sequencing

Refers to the way a writer can move Refers to the way a writer can move from one verb tense to anotherfrom one verb tense to another

Key to using verb tenses correctlyKey to using verb tenses correctly


General statements that are true in the General statements that are true in the present require the simple present tense.present require the simple present tense.

Writers often have a choice of verb Writers often have a choice of verb tenses that are similar but not exactly the tenses that are similar but not exactly the same in meaning.same in meaning.

Note differences in time reference!Note differences in time reference!

Verb-tense shift is often signaled by a Verb-tense shift is often signaled by a time-reference word or phrase (eg, time-reference word or phrase (eg, yesterday, tomorrow, etc)yesterday, tomorrow, etc)


We decided to go to the movies. We decided to go to the movies. (simple past)(simple past)We have decided to go to the movies. We have decided to go to the movies. (present (present perfect)perfect)

It rained yesterday. It rained yesterday. (simple past)(simple past)It was raining yesterday. It was raining yesterday. (past progressive)(past progressive)


We had eaten when you came over to visit. We had eaten when you came over to visit. (past perfect)(past perfect)We ate when you came over to visit. We ate when you came over to visit. (past)(past)We had eaten before you came over to visit. We had eaten before you came over to visit. (past perfect)(past perfect)We ate before you came over to visit. We ate before you came over to visit. (past)(past)


I am studying in the library. I am studying in the library. (present (present progressive)progressive)

I study in the library. I study in the library. (simple present)(simple present)

Documents

Verb Tenses and Verb-Tense Sequencing