Verb Tense

Reviewing Verb Tenses

2001 by Ruth Luman

Reference s

Verb Tense Review

The Importance of Time
Verb tense expresses the time of an event or action. Time and how it is expressed in writing is very important to English readers. The English language has twelve different tenses. In this lesson, we will review the meaning of each verb tense.
The Simple Present Tense

Expresses a habit or often repeated action. Adverbs of frequency such as, often, seldom, sometimes, never, etc. are used with this tense.
She goes to work everyday. They always eat lunch together.
The Simple Present Tense

This tense also expresses general truths or facts that are timeless.
Snow falls in the December in Minnesota. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
The Present Progressive

This tense is used to describe an action that is occurring right now (at this moment, today, this year, etc.). The action has begun and is still in progress.
She is typing a paper for her class. He cant talk. He is fixing the sink right now.
The Present Progressive

The present progressive can also be used to describe an action that is occurring in the present, but is temporary.
John is living in Modesto, but he might move soon.
The Simple Past

We use the simple past to indicate exactly when an action or event took place in the past.
I visited my sister yesterday. We went out to dinner last night.
The Simple Past

The simple past is used to describe actions and/or events that are now completed and no longer true in the present.
I attended MJC in 1998. (I no longer attend MJC.) I saw a movie every weekend when I was a teenager. (I dont see movies very much anymore.)
The Past Progressive

The past progressive is used to talk about an activity that was in progress at a specific point of time in the past. The emphasis is on the duration of the activity in the past.
I was studying for an exam while my mother was cooking dinner. We were walking in the park around 7 p.m. last night.
The Past Progressive

The past progressive is often used with the simple past to show that one action was in progress when another action occurred.
I was taking a bath when the doorbell rang. They were eating dinner when the neighbors stopped by for a visit.
The Present Perfect

The present perfect is used to talk about an event that began in the past and continues up to the present.
He has lived in Modesto for two years. (He began living in Modesto two years ago and he still lives there.)
The Present Perfect

The present perfect is also used to talk about an event that was completed in the past, but the specific time of the event is not important.
I have seen that movie before. He has already visited Vietnam. (Specific dates and times are not mentioned.)
Present Perfect Progressive

This tense is used to describe the duration of an action that began in the past and continues into the present.
He has been studying grammar for an hour. She has been cooking all day. (He is still studying and she is still cooking.)
Present Perfect Progressive

This tense is also used to describe events that have been in progress recently and are rather temporary.
She has been living in Taiwan for the last two months, but she plans to move soon.
The Past Perfect

This tense describes completed events that took place in the past before another past event.
had received had eaten it hit my friend stopped by
The Titanic had received many warnings before it hit the iceberg. I had already eaten when my friend stopped by to visit.
Past Perfect Progressive

This tense is used to emphasize the duration of an action that was completed before another action or event in the past.
had been driving she found the right office
She had been driving around the city for three hours before she finally found the right office.
The Future
Will and be + going + to are often used to describe future actions.
Thomas will graduate in June. Maria is going to go to Mexico next week.
The Future
The simple present and present progressive are also used to express future time. These are often used used in connection with schedules.
She is meeting a new client at eleven oclock. The train leaves at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.
The Future Progressive

This tense is used to describe an event or action that will occur over a period of time at a specific point in the future.
at 10 a.m. tomorrow by the time you arrive
I will be teaching ESL 40 at 10 a.m. tomorrow. They will be moving their furniture out of the house by the time you arrive tomorrow.
The Future Perfect

This tense is used to describe an event or action that will be completed before another event or time in the future.
will have finished the exam class ends
We will have finished the exam by the time class ends tomorrow.
Future Perfect Progressive

This tense describes an action that has been in progress for a duration of time before another event or time in the future.
finishes law school
will have been living in the U.S. for eight years
By the time he finishes law school, we will have been living in the U.S. for eight years.

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Reviewing Verb Tenses

2001 by Ruth Luman

Verb Tense Review

The Simple Present Tense

She goes to work everyday. They always eat lunch together.

The Simple Present Tense

The Present Progressive

The Present Progressive

John is living in Modesto, but he might move soon.

The Simple Past

I visited my sister yesterday. We went out to dinner last night.

The Simple Past

The Past Progressive

The Past Progressive

The Present Perfect

The Present Perfect

Present Perfect Progressive

Present Perfect Progressive

The Past Perfect

Past Perfect Progressive

Thomas will graduate in June. Maria is going to go to Mexico next week.

The Future Progressive

The Future Perfect

Future Perfect Progressive

finishes law school

will have been living in the U.S. for eight years

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