Verb TensesVerb TensesVerb TensesVerb TensesHow to distinguish different verb How to distinguish different verb

tenses when tutoringtenses when tutoring

WHY THE TOPIC?• During the tutoring session, I

believe that many tutees often write their essays with wrong verb tenses.

• I want to learn it myself.

IMPORTANCE FOR CORRECT VERB

TENSES• Clear and easy to understand• Consistency• To express the event with proper

verb tenses

HOW TO FIND THE VERB?

• Underline the possible verbs that show or imply some action.

• Change the time of the sentence and find the word that changes.

• *Some verbs may contain two words “ex: I am going to school.”

(from Judy’s grammar package)

EDITING ADVICE• Do all the verbs belong to the time cluster

(present, past, or future) in one paragraph?• If yes, ask yourself that does each verb convey

precisely the time you had in mind, the relationship to other times or actions, and the idea of an action completed or in progress?

• If no, look carefully at the verbs that do not fit. Is there a reason for the switch in time? Then, rewrite the verb that provides the appropriate indication of time.

(from Ann Raime’s grammar toublespots)

OVERVIEW

1. Present2. Past3. future

OVERVIEWA. Simple tensesB. Progressive tensesC. Perfect tensesD.*Perfect progressive tenses

(decided not to cover here)

NOW

FUTUREPAST

1.ASSIGNMENTS THAT MAY USE PRESENT

TENSES• The assignment that talks about

“who I am.”• The assignment that compares

the new grading system with the old one (writing about the new system).

• The assignment that introduces ourselves.

(1A)SIMPLE PRESENT (1A)SIMPLE PRESENT TENSETENSE

(1A)SIMPLE PRESENT (1A)SIMPLE PRESENT TENSETENSE

MEANING• Activities or events that occurring

in the present.• Summarizing pieces of writing,

films, plays.• Stating ongoing opinions, beliefs,

habits, and facts.• Ex: I ride a bike to school everyday.• (from Judy’s grammar package)

Verbs in the simple present

tense• Singular:• Writes• Studies• walks

• Plural:• Write• Study• Walk

(1B)PRESENT (1B)PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE

(1B)PRESENT (1B)PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE

MEANING•One thing happened in the

past, and is in progress at the present time, and probably will continue.

•Ex: I am washing the dishes.

Examples for verbs in the present progressive

sentences

am walking is + doing are staying (verb + ing)

(1C)PRESENT (1C)PRESENT PERFECT TENSEPERFECT TENSE(1C)PRESENT (1C)PRESENT

PERFECT TENSEPERFECT TENSE

MEANING•The action happened before now.

•The exact time is not important.

•Ex: She has already dropped the class.

PARTICIPLE• wanted, turned, dropped• hurt, come, build• felt, gone, hidden• blown, grown, known• begun, rung, swum

(2)ASSIGNMENTS THAT MAY USE PAST TENSES

•The assignment that compares the new grading system with the old one (writing about the old system).

•The assignment that talks about childhood.

(2A)SIMPLE PAST TENSE(2A)SIMPLE PAST TENSE(2A)SIMPLE PAST TENSE(2A)SIMPLE PAST TENSE

MEANING•At one particular time in the past, it happened. It began and ended in past.

•Ex: I walked to school this morning.

Verbs in the simple past

tense• Regular: played, walked,

noticed

• Irregular :• became, began• blew, grew• thought, taught• cut, hurt, let

(2B) PAST (2B) PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE

(2B) PAST (2B) PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE

MEANING•One thing happened before and was in process at a particular time in the past, and it continued.

•Ex: I was doing my homework.

Examples for verbs in the past progressive

sentences• was typing + leaving• were working (verb + ing)

(2C) PAST PERFECT (2C) PAST PERFECT TENSETENSE

(2C) PAST PERFECT (2C) PAST PERFECT TENSETENSE

MEANING•The action was completely done before another time in the past.

•Ex: He had already finished his exam before I met him.

Verbs in the past perfect tense

had + (participles)

PARTICIPLE• wanted, turned, dropped• hurt, come, build• felt, gone, hidden• blown, grown, known• begun, rung, swum

(3)ASSIGNMENTS THAT MAY USE FUTURE

TENESES

•The assignment that talks about what do we want to do in the future.

(3A)SIMPLE FUTURE (3A)SIMPLE FUTURE TENSETENSE

(3A)SIMPLE FUTURE (3A)SIMPLE FUTURE TENSETENSE

MEANING•At one particular time in the future, it will happen.

•Ex: Jason will go to bed at 12 o’clock.

Verbs in the simple future tense

will be going to

(3B)FUTURE (3B)FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE

(3B)FUTURE (3B)FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE

MEANING•One thing will happen in the future, and it will be in process at a particular time in the future, and it will probably continue.

•Ex: Katie will be sleeping when her father comes home.

Verbs in the future progressive sentences

will be + (verb + ing)

(3B)FUTURE (3B)FUTURE PERFECT TENSEPERFECT TENSE

(3B)FUTURE (3B)FUTURE PERFECT TENSEPERFECT TENSE

MEANING•The action will be completely

done before another time in the future.

•Ex: Albert will already have taken shower before he goes to bed.

Verbs in the future perfect tense

will + have + (participle)

PARTICIPLE• wanted, turned, dropped• hurt, come, build• felt, gone, hidden• blown, grown, known• begun, rung, swum

MODALSMODALSMODALSMODALS

EXAMPLES FOR MODALS

•to write about the wishes.

•The assignment that talks about one thing that changes one person’s life.

What are they?• should• could• would

SHOULD•Advisability•Ex: You should do your

homework instead of going to the movies.

SHOULD•90% certainty (expectation)

•Ex: He should attend the meeting tomorrow.

COULD•past ability•Ex: I could get up early

when I was young.

COULD•polite request•Ex: Could you teach me with t

his math problem?

COULD•suggestion (affirmative only)•Ex: You could do some researc

h about this topic to see whether you have the right answer.

COULD•less than 50% certainty•Ex: She could be in her

office.

COULD• impossibility (negative only)• Ex: That couldn’t be his dog

because his dog was dead yesterday.

WOULD•polite request•Ex: Would you please pass

me the salt?

WOULD•preference•Ex: I would rather die than

get married with him.

WOULD•repeated action in the past•Ex: She would take a walk

every morning when she was young.

WOULD•polite for “want” (with like)•Ex: I would like to have some t

ea, please.

WOULD•unfulfilled wish•Ex: I would have learned more

about how to use proper verb tenses before coming to the U.S.

CITATION•The sources are from Betty

Schrampfer Azar’s chartbook.

SPECIAL THANKS

EVERYONE!!