Verb Tenses

How to distinguish different verb tenses 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 Judys 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 Raimes grammar toublespots)

OVERVIEW 1. Present 2. Past 3. future

OVERVIEW
A. Simple tenses B. Progressive tenses C. Perfect tenses D.*Perfect progressive tenses (decided not to cover here)

NOW

PAST

FUTURE

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 TENSE

 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 Judys grammar package)

MEANING

Verbs in the simple present tense

Singular: Writes Studies walks Plural: Write Study Walk

(1B)PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE

 One thing happened in the past, and is in progress at the present time, and probably will continue. Ex: I am washing the dishes.

MEANING

Examples for verbs in the present progressive sentences

am is are
+

walking doing staying (verb + ing)

(1C)PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

 The action happened before now. The exact time is not important. Ex: She has already dropped the class.

MEANING

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

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

(2)ASSIGNMENTS THAT MAY USE PAST TENSES

(2A)SIMPLE PAST TENSE

 At one particular time in the past, it happened. It began and ended in past. Ex: I walked to school this morning.

MEANING

Verbs in the simple past tense

Regular: played, walked, noticed Irregular : became, began blew, grew thought, taught cut, hurt, let

(2B) PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE

 One thing happened before and was in process Ex: I was doing my homework.

MEANING

at a particular time in the past, and it continued.

Examples for verbs in the past progressive sentences

was
+ were

typing leaving working (verb + ing)

(2C) PAST PERFECT TENSE

 The action was completely done before another time in the past. Ex: He had already finished his exam before I met him.

MEANING

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 TENSE

MEANING
At one particular time in the future, it will happen. Ex: Jason will go to bed at 12 oclock.

Verbs in the simple future tense

will be going to

(3B)FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSE

 One thing will happen in the future, and it will be in

MEANING

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

process at a particular time in the future, and it will

Verbs in the future progressive sentences

will be + (verb + ing)

(3B)FUTURE PERFECT TENSE

 The action will be completely done before another time in the future. Ex: Albert will already have taken shower before he goes to bed.

MEANING

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

MODALS

 to write about the wishes. The assignment that talks about one thing that changes one persons life.

EXAMPLES FOR MODALS

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 this math problem?

COULD
suggestion (affirmative only) Ex: You could do some research 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 couldnt 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 tea, 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 Azars chartbook.

SPECIAL THANKS

EVERYONE!!