TENSE OF THE VERB

Tense is the term used to show relationship between time and other
conditions in the form of the verb. Not all changes in the verb form are directly
related to time. The way the action is understood to take place also affects verb
forms. In addition to showing time, different forms show conditions.

You don’t have to learn all the grammatical terms to express yourself
clearly, but you must learn the exact verb forms to use to express your ideas if
you want your readers to understand your writing.

THE PRESENT TENSE

Remember to add s in the present tense (singular) is very important in

academic and technical writing since a large part of it is done in the
present tense. (Ex: The professor denies participation to the petition.)

1. Use the present tense to show present state or conditions

particularly with stative verbs. They are verbs that show a state or
condition rather than an activity or event. These are verbs having a
meaning of: knowledge or of sense of perception.

Knowledge or mental activity, often followed by that

Examples: Mr. Hanson believes that his diagnosis is correct.

Paula imagines she will be a great actress someday.
John wants a cup of coffee.
Sometimes, Dan forgets his appointments.
Martha understands my problems.
Ed knows tennis.

Sense Perception or verbs of the senses. They are not usually used in
the continuous/progressive forms except for special emphasis on the
duration of the activity.

Examples: Tom is deaf; he does not hear well.

An eagle sees small animals from far above the ground.
The rotten meat smells bad.
Your plans sound interesting.
My music teacher notices every mistake.

2. Use the present tense to show an eternal truth or natural law.

Examples: The moon affects the tides.

Man proposes but God disposes.
Parallel lines never meet.
Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water.
Subjects and verb agree in number.
Hot air rises.
3. Use the present tense to show habitual action – repetition or non-
repetition of the same act.

Examples: Beverly drinks coffee every morning.

We always celebrate my birthday with a party.
The neighbors do not wash their windows every week.
The kids plant tomatoes every year.
Sometimes we go to a soccer game on Sunday afternoon.

4. Use the present tense to show the historical present in criticism to

discuss writing, drama, music, and art, and in research that quotes
or paraphrases what other people have said or written in the past.

Examples: In the short story “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson writes an

allegory of the injustices of life.

Darwin presents evidence for the development of life from

lower to higher forms.

Looking at all the evidence, one agrees with the critic who
calls the play a success.

5. Use the present tense for definitions and explanations.

Examples:
Gross National Product means the total value of all goods produced and
services performed in one country in one year.

The screw is inserted in the lower-right hand corner of the frame.

Plate B replaces Plate A in the old model, as shown in Diagram 2.

6. Use the present tense to show future possibility in conditional and

time clauses.

Examples:
Uncle Bunny will give you one thousand pesos, if he likes your work.
(condition)

Uncle Bunny will give you one thousand pesos when he sees you. (time)

7. Use present tense to show future events that are considered certain
to happen.

Examples:

The plane leaves at 9:25 tonight.

The term is over on December 16
THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
[Has-have + past participle (ed form) of the main verb]

The present tense usually shows an action that began in the past and
goes on to the present or to an indefinite time closely related to the
present.

1. Use the present perfect tense to show an action that began in the
past and is still going on.

Examples:
She has lived in the United States for six years now. (still living in Chicago)

They have waited since ten o’clock. (still waiting)

During the last century, many people have moved from rural to urban areas.
(the movement continues)

I have not finished that problem yet (still unfinished).

2. Use the present perfect tense to show an action that began in the
past and was finished at an indefinite time but is closely related to
the present and/or future.

Examples:

I have already finished those exercises.

You have been absent a great deal lately.
The players have come early.
The players have just arrived.
Paul has rebuilt the engine of his car.
They have recently announced their engagement.

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE TENSE

Make the present continuous from the present tense of TO BE and the –ING form
of the main verb (present participle)

The present continuous/progressive tense shows action as a process that

is incomplete but now will end. With an adverb of frequency, the
continuous can show habitual action and in certain situations it can show
future action.

1. Use the present continuous/progressive tense to show action as a

process that is going on now.

Examples:

Our dog is chasing your cat.

The children are playing outside.

2. Use the present continuous/progressive tense to show habitual

action, often with the idea of showing dislike or disapproval.
 Examples:
The dog is usually chasing the cat.
They are always asking for special favors.
That little girl is always biting her fingernails

3. Use the present continuous/progressive tense to show future actions

that you are looking forward to now.

Examples:
My mother and father are arriving from New York.
A storm is coming tonight.
We are going to a concert tomorrow night.

THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

Present tense of has-have + been + ing

The present perfect continuous tense shows incompleteness or indefiniteness

very close to the present time, often contrasted with now. Just shows that the
activity is very recent.

Examples:

He has been washing the car, but he isn’t now.

She has been feeling ill, but she feels better now.
She has been asking about you.

THE PAST TENSE

Add ed to the simple present

Use the past tense for events that happened at a specific time in the
past. Use the past for a single event or for events that took place over a
period of time if that period is finished.

Examples:

Gerald was in Australia two years ago.

Winifred came here yesterday.
We worked for the same office two years back.

THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE

The past perfect tense shows action in the past that happened before
another past action.

Examples:

Before Karen came here, she had studied in Paris.

After Philip had failed twice, he finally passed his test for his license.

If meaning is clear as to which past came first, past tense is often used for
both verbs.

Ex. Before Karen came here, she studied in Paris.

THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
(WAS/WERE + ING FORM OF THE VERB)

1. Use the past tense to show duration, with emphasis on the length of
time of an act that is no longer going on.

Betsy was training her horse for two years.

They were waiting to buy a house for three years.

2. Use the past continuous tense for an action in the past that was not
completed in the time period mentioned.

I was trying to clean house yesterday. (I did not complete the cleaning)
They were looking for an apartment yesterday.

3. Use the past continuous tense for an action that was going on at a time in
the past when something else happened.

James and I were watching television when lightning struck the house.

THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

Use the past perfect continuous tense to show that an action in the remote
past was temporary or that an action was going on when something else
happened.

No one knew that Mr. Allen had a wig because he had been wearing it secretly.
Women had been demanding the right to vote for many years before they finally
got it.

THE FUTURE TENSE

WILL OR SHALL + the infinitive (simple present)
American English uses will for all forms. I will ask you to comply with the
requirements.
British English uses shall with I and we; but reversed for emphasis.
Going to as future. Ex: I am going to walk two miles everyday.
Present of BE + infinitive as future (to show obligation/regulation). Ex:
New students are to register at 2pm.
Present tense as future. Ex: the sun sets at 6:02 this evening.
Present Continuous as future: Ex: We are having dinner at seven this
evening.

THE FUTURE PERFECT TENSE

WILL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE (ED FORM)
To show an action that will be completed in the future.
Examples:
This school will have trained fifty teachers by the end of the year.
I will have finished the revision before noon tomorrow.
By the end of the winter season, more tourist will have visited the place.

THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE

WILL + BE + ING FORM
To show duration, intention, or a temporary condition in the future.
Ex: I will mail that package for you since I will be walking by the post office
tomorrow.
As long as we live next to you, our dog will be chasing your cat.
Sometimes, I think I will be studying English for the rest of my life.