verb tense using verbs to express different times

Verb TenseVerb Tense

Using Verbs to Express Using Verbs to Express Different TimesDifferent Times

What is verb tense?What is verb tense?

Verb tense tells Verb tense tells whenwhen an action happened: in an action happened: in the past, in the present, or in the future. the past, in the present, or in the future.

Verbs change their form and use the helping Verbs change their form and use the helping verbs verbs havehave or or bebe to indicate different to indicate different tenses. tenses.

Present tense:Present tense: Rick hikes every weekend. Rick hikes every weekend. Past tense:Past tense: He hiked ten miles last He hiked ten miles last

weekend. weekend. Future tense:Future tense: He will hike again on He will hike again on

Saturday.Saturday.

Types of verbsTypes of verbs

Most verbs in English are Most verbs in English are regular regular verbs verbs that follow standard rules that follow standard rules about what endings to use to express about what endings to use to express time. time.

Irregular verbsIrregular verbs do not follow the do not follow the regular pattern for endings.regular pattern for endings.

Regular present-tense Regular present-tense endingsendings

The The present tense present tense is used for actions is used for actions that are happening at the same time that that are happening at the same time that they are being written about (the they are being written about (the present) and for things that happen all present) and for things that happen all the time. the time.

Present-tense, regular verbs end either in Present-tense, regular verbs end either in –s–s, or they have no ending added. , or they have no ending added.

Use the Use the –s–s ending when the subject is ending when the subject is he, he, she, it, she, it, or the name of one person or or the name of one person or thing. Use no ending for all other thing. Use no ending for all other subjects. subjects.

Regular verbs in the Regular verbs in the present tensepresent tense

SingularSingular PluralPlural

First First personperson

I jumpI jump We jumpWe jump

Second Second personperson

You jumpYou jump You jumpYou jump

Third Third personperson

She (he, it) She (he, it) jumpsjumps

The child The child jumpsjumps

They jumpThey jump

The children The children jumpjump

Using present-tense regular Using present-tense regular verbsverbs

Select the correct verb form:Select the correct verb form:

My roommate (cook / cooks) us My roommate (cook / cooks) us breakfast on Sundays. breakfast on Sundays.

A) cookA) cook

B) cooksB) cooks

Using present-tense regular Using present-tense regular verbsverbs

Select the correct verb form:Select the correct verb form:

My roommate (cook / cooks) us My roommate (cook / cooks) us breakfast on Sundays. breakfast on Sundays.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) cookA) cook

B) cooksB) cooks

Regular past-tense endingsRegular past-tense endings

The The past tensepast tense is used for actions is used for actions that have already happened. that have already happened.

An An –ed–ed ending is needed on all regular ending is needed on all regular verbs in the past tense. verbs in the past tense.

Present tense and past Present tense and past tense verb endingstense verb endings

Present Present tensetense

Past tensePast tense

First personFirst person I avoid her.I avoid her. I avoidI avoideded her. her.


You help me.You help me. You helpYou helpeded me.me.

Third personThird person He walks fast.He walks fast. He walkHe walkeded fast.fast.

Using the past tense of Using the past tense of regular verbsregular verbs

Select the correct past-tense form of the Select the correct past-tense form of the verb in parentheses:verb in parentheses:

Robert Robert (hike) many miles through (hike) many miles through the woods of Maine. the woods of Maine.

A) hikesA) hikes

B) hikeB) hike

C) hikedC) hiked

D) none of the aboveD) none of the above

Using the past tense of Using the past tense of regular verbsregular verbs

Select the correct past-tense form of the Select the correct past-tense form of the verb in parentheses:verb in parentheses:

Robert Robert (hike) many miles through (hike) many miles through the woods of Maine. the woods of Maine.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) hikesA) hikes

B) hikeB) hike

C) hikedC) hiked


Regular past-participle Regular past-participle endingending

The The past participlepast participle is a verb that is is a verb that is used with a helping verb, such as used with a helping verb, such as havehave. .

For all regular verbs, the past-participle For all regular verbs, the past-participle form is the same as the past tense form. form is the same as the past tense form. It uses an It uses an –ed–ed ending. ending.

Past tense:Past tense: I visited my cousins. I visited my cousins. Past participle:Past participle: I have visited my I have visited my

cousins. cousins.

Using the past participle of Using the past participle of regular verbsregular verbs

Select the correct form of the verb in Select the correct form of the verb in parentheses: parentheses:

Every weekday night, I have Every weekday night, I have (study) for three hours. (study) for three hours.

A) studyA) study

B) studiedB) studied

C) studiesC) studies


Using the past participle of Using the past participle of regular verbsregular verbs

Select the correct form of the verb in Select the correct form of the verb in parentheses: parentheses:

Every weekday night, I have Every weekday night, I have (study) for three hours. (study) for three hours.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) studyA) studyB) studiedB) studiedC) studiesC) studiesD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

Irregular verbsIrregular verbs

Irregular verbs Irregular verbs do not follow the do not follow the regular pattern for endings. The regular pattern for endings. The following are some common following are some common irregular verbs: irregular verbs: be, bring, do, get, be, bring, do, get, give, go, have/has, make, say, see, give, go, have/has, make, say, see, speak, take, write.speak, take, write.

Irregular verbsIrregular verbs


Past tensePast tense Past participlePast participle

(used with (used with has/havehas/have))

be be (am/are/is)(am/are/is)

was/werewas/were beenbeen

bringbring broughtbrought broughtbrought

dodo diddid donedone

getget gotgot gottengotten

givegive gavegave givengiven

gogo wentwent gonegone

have/hashave/has hadhad hadhad

makemake mademade mademade

More irregular verbsMore irregular verbs



(used with (used with has/have)has/have)

saysay saidsaid saidsaid

seesee sawsaw seenseen

speakspeak spokespoke spokenspoken

taketake tooktook takentaken

writewrite wrotewrote writtenwritten

costcost costcost costcost

beginbegin beganbegan begunbegun

readread readread readread

Present tense of two Present tense of two irregular verbsirregular verbs

BeBe HaveHave

I I amam We We areare I I havehave You You havehave

You You areare You You areare You You havehave You You havehave

He, she, it He, she, it isis

The editor The editor isis

Beth Beth isis

They They areare

The editors The editors areare

Beth and Beth and Christina Christina areare

He, she, it He, she, it hashas

They They havehave

Using Using bebe and and havehave in the in the present tensepresent tense

Select the correct form of the verb in Select the correct form of the verb in parentheses:parentheses:

We ___ (be) happy that you have We ___ (be) happy that you have decided to take the job. decided to take the job.

A) beA) beB) isB) isC) areC) areD) none of the aboveD) none of the above



We ___ (be) happy that you have decided We ___ (be) happy that you have decided to take the job. to take the job.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) beA) beB) isB) isC) areC) areD) none of the aboveD) none of the above



To enter the building, you To enter the building, you (have) (have) to get a pass. to get a pass.

A) hasA) has

B) havenB) haven

C) haveC) have




To enter the building, you To enter the building, you (have) (have) to get a pass. to get a pass.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) hasA) hasB) havenB) havenC) haveC) haveD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

Irregular verbs in the past Irregular verbs in the past tensetense

Irregular verbsIrregular verbs do not use the do not use the –ed–ed ending for the past-tense form. They ending for the past-tense form. They show the past tense with a change in show the past tense with a change in spelling or in some other way. spelling or in some other way.

Irregular verbs in the past Irregular verbs in the past tensetense

Present tensePresent tense Past tensePast tense

I I beginbegin today. today. I I beganbegan yesterday. yesterday.

You You sleepsleep very very soundly.soundly.

You You sleptslept late this late this morning.morning.

I I letlet the dog in today. the dog in today. I I letlet the dog in the dog in yesterday.yesterday.

The verb The verb bebe, past tense, past tense

The verb The verb bebe is tricky because it has two different is tricky because it has two different forms for the past tense: forms for the past tense: waswas and and werewere. .

SingularSingular PluralPlural

First First personperson

I wasI was We wereWe were


You wereYou were You wereYou were

Third Third personperson

He, she, it He, she, it waswas

The student The student waswas

They wereThey were

The students The students werewere

Using Using bebe in the past tense in the past tense

Select the correct past tense of the Select the correct past tense of the verb verb be:be:

She decided that her problems She decided that her problems not going to stop her. not going to stop her.

A) wereA) wereB) wasB) wasC) isC) isD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

Using Using bebe in the past tense in the past tense

Select the correct past tense of the Select the correct past tense of the verb verb be:be:

She decided that her problems She decided that her problems not going to stop her. not going to stop her.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) wereA) wereB) wasB) wasC) isC) isD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

Using irregular verbs in the Using irregular verbs in the past tensepast tense

Select the past tense of the irregular verb in Select the past tense of the irregular verb in parentheses: parentheses:

I I (think) my pronunciation was (think) my pronunciation was terrible, but the teacher said I was terrible, but the teacher said I was improving. improving.

A) thoughtA) thought

B) thinkedB) thinked

C) thinkC) think


Using irregular verbs in the Using irregular verbs in the past tensepast tense

Select the past tense of the irregular verb in Select the past tense of the irregular verb in parentheses: parentheses:

I I (think) my pronunciation was (think) my pronunciation was terrible, but the teacher said I was terrible, but the teacher said I was improving.improving.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) thoughtA) thought

B) thinkedB) thinked

C) thinkC) think


Irregular verbs in the past Irregular verbs in the past participleparticiple

For irregular verbs, the past participle is For irregular verbs, the past participle is often different from the past tense.often different from the past tense.

It is difficult to predict how irregular verbs It is difficult to predict how irregular verbs form the past participle. It may be helpful to form the past participle. It may be helpful to refer to a chart or list of irregular past refer to a chart or list of irregular past participles. participles.


Regular Regular verbverb

I I walkedwalked home. home.

I I have walkedhave walked home home before. before.

Irregular Irregular verbverb

I I drovedrove home. home.

I I have drivenhave driven home home before. before.

Using irregular verbs in the Using irregular verbs in the past participlepast participle

Select the correct helping verb (a form Select the correct helping verb (a form of of havehave) and the correct past-) and the correct past-participle of the verb in parentheses: participle of the verb in parentheses:

Many people Many people (choose) natural (choose) natural methods of getting more sleep.methods of getting more sleep.

A) has chosenA) has chosenB) have chosenB) have chosenC) have choosedC) have choosedD) has choosedD) has choosed

Using irregular verbs in the Using irregular verbs in the past participlepast participle

Select the correct helping verb (a form of Select the correct helping verb (a form of havehave) and the correct past-participle of the ) and the correct past-participle of the verb in parentheses: verb in parentheses:

Many people Many people (choose) natural methods (choose) natural methods of getting more sleep.of getting more sleep.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) has chosenA) has chosen

B) have chosenB) have chosen

C) have choosedC) have choosed

D) has choosedD) has choosed

Using past participlesUsing past participles

A A past participlepast participle, by itself, cannot , by itself, cannot be the main verb of a sentence. be the main verb of a sentence.

But when a past participle is But when a past participle is combined with another verb, called a combined with another verb, called a helping verbhelping verb, it can be used to , it can be used to make the make the present perfect tensepresent perfect tense and the and the past perfect tensepast perfect tense. .

Have/hasHave/has + past participle + past participle = present perfect tense= present perfect tense

The The present perfectpresent perfect tensetense is used for an is used for an action that began in the past and either action that began in the past and either continues into the present or was completed at continues into the present or was completed at some unknown time in the past. some unknown time in the past.

Present perfect tense:Present perfect tense: My car My car has stalledhas stalled several times recently. (This sentence says that several times recently. (This sentence says that the stalling began in the past but may continue the stalling began in the past but may continue into the present.)into the present.)

Past tense:Past tense: My car My car stalledstalled. (This sentence says . (This sentence says that the car stalled once and that it’s over.)that the car stalled once and that it’s over.)

Using the present perfect Using the present perfect tensetense

Select the correct tense of the verb in Select the correct tense of the verb in parentheses:parentheses:

Evidence ____ (show) that disorientation Evidence ____ (show) that disorientation is a major risk for inexperienced is a major risk for inexperienced pilots. pilots.

A) has shownA) has shown

B) showedB) showed

C) has showedC) has showed


Using the present perfect Using the present perfect tensetense

Select the correct tense of the verb in Select the correct tense of the verb in parentheses:parentheses:

Evidence ____ (show) that disorientation is Evidence ____ (show) that disorientation is a major risk for inexperienced pilots. a major risk for inexperienced pilots.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) has shownA) has shownB) showedB) showedC) has showedC) has showedD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

HadHad + past participle = + past participle = past perfect tensepast perfect tense

Use Use hadhad plus the past participle to make the plus the past participle to make the past perfect tensepast perfect tense. .

The past perfect tense is used for an action that The past perfect tense is used for an action that began in the past and ended before some other began in the past and ended before some other past action. past action.

Past perfect tense:Past perfect tense: My car My car had stalledhad stalled several times before I called the mechanic. several times before I called the mechanic. (This sentence says that both the (This sentence says that both the stallingstalling and and calling the mechaniccalling the mechanic happened in the past, but happened in the past, but the stalling happened before the calling.)the stalling happened before the calling.)

Using the past perfect tenseUsing the past perfect tense

Select the correct tense of the verb in Select the correct tense of the verb in parentheses: parentheses:

By the time my grandfather retired at the By the time my grandfather retired at the age of seventy, he ____ (hold) many age of seventy, he ____ (hold) many different jobs. different jobs.

A) heldA) heldB) had holdedB) had holdedC) had heldC) had heldD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

Using the past perfect tenseUsing the past perfect tense

Select the correct tense of the verb in Select the correct tense of the verb in parentheses: parentheses:

By the time my grandfather retired at the By the time my grandfather retired at the age of seventy, he ____ (hold) many age of seventy, he ____ (hold) many different jobs. different jobs.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) heldA) heldB) had holdedB) had holdedC) had heldC) had heldD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

BeBe + past participle = + past participle = passive voicepassive voice

A sentence that is written in the A sentence that is written in the passive passive voicevoice has a subject that does not has a subject that does not perform an action. Instead, the subject is perform an action. Instead, the subject is acted upon. acted upon.

To create the passive voice, combine a To create the passive voice, combine a form of form of bebe with a past participle. with a past participle.

Passive:Passive: The newspaper The newspaper was thrownwas thrown onto the porch. (The subject, onto the porch. (The subject, newspapernewspaper, , did not throw itself onto the porch. Some did not throw itself onto the porch. Some unidentified person threw the unidentified person threw the newspaper.)newspaper.)

Active voiceActive voice

Most sentences are written in the Most sentences are written in the active voiceactive voice, which means that the , which means that the subject performs the action. subject performs the action.

Active:Active: The delivery person The delivery person threwthrew the newspaper onto the porch. (The the newspaper onto the porch. (The subject, subject, delivery persondelivery person, performed , performed the action: he or she threw the the action: he or she threw the newspaper.)newspaper.)

Passive vs. active voicePassive vs. active voice

Use the Use the passive voicepassive voice when no one person when no one person performed the action, when you don’t know performed the action, when you don’t know who performed the action, or when you who performed the action, or when you want to emphasize the receiver of the want to emphasize the receiver of the action. action.

Do not overuse the passive voice. When you Do not overuse the passive voice. When you know who performed the action, it is usually know who performed the action, it is usually preferable to identify the actor. preferable to identify the actor.

Active:Active: The bandleader chose Kelly to do a The bandleader chose Kelly to do a solo. solo.

Passive:Passive: Kelly was chosen to do a solo. Kelly was chosen to do a solo. (If you wanted to emphasize Kelly’s being (If you wanted to emphasize Kelly’s being

chosen rather than the bandleader’s choice, chosen rather than the bandleader’s choice, you might decide to use the passive voice.)you might decide to use the passive voice.)

Changing from active to Changing from active to passive voicepassive voice

He sent the payment over two weeks ago.He sent the payment over two weeks ago. First, identify the subject (First, identify the subject (hehe) and the verb ) and the verb

((sentsent).). Ask: What word in the sentence is receiving the Ask: What word in the sentence is receiving the

action? action? PaymentPayment. . Cross out the subject.Cross out the subject. Make the word that is receiving the action the Make the word that is receiving the action the

subject by moving it to the beginning of the subject by moving it to the beginning of the sentence.sentence.

Add the correct form of the verb Add the correct form of the verb bebe in front of in front of the main verb. the main verb.

You can either delete the performer of the You can either delete the performer of the action or put this information after the verb action or put this information after the verb and the word and the word byby..

The payment was sent two weeks ago by him.The payment was sent two weeks ago by him.

Using the passive voiceUsing the passive voice

Which of the following correctly rewrites Which of the following correctly rewrites this sentence in the passive voice? this sentence in the passive voice?

Someone spilled a drink on this book. Someone spilled a drink on this book.

A) Someone was spilled a drink on this A) Someone was spilled a drink on this book. book.

B) A drink was spilled on this book. B) A drink was spilled on this book.

C) On this book, someone spilled a drink. C) On this book, someone spilled a drink.


Using the passive voiceUsing the passive voice

Which of the following correctly rewrites Which of the following correctly rewrites this sentence in the passive voice? this sentence in the passive voice?

Someone spilled a drink on this book. Someone spilled a drink on this book. ANSWER:ANSWER:A) Someone was spilled a drink on this A) Someone was spilled a drink on this

book. book. B) A drink was spilled on this book. B) A drink was spilled on this book. C) On this book, someone spilled a drink. C) On this book, someone spilled a drink. D) none of the aboveD) none of the above

Consistency of verb tenseConsistency of verb tense Consistency of verb tenseConsistency of verb tense means that all means that all

actions in a sentence that happen (or actions in a sentence that happen (or happened) at the same time are in the same happened) at the same time are in the same tense. tense.

If all of the actions happen in the present or If all of the actions happen in the present or happen all the time, use the happen all the time, use the present tensepresent tense for all verbs in the sentence. for all verbs in the sentence.

If all of the actions happened in the past, use If all of the actions happened in the past, use the the past tensepast tense for all verbs. for all verbs.

When you edit your writing, make sure that When you edit your writing, make sure that any time a verb tense changes it is because any time a verb tense changes it is because the action the verb describes happened at a the action the verb describes happened at a different time. Otherwise, the shift in tenses different time. Otherwise, the shift in tenses causes an inconsistency.causes an inconsistency.

Consistency of verb tenseConsistency of verb tense Inconsistent:Inconsistent: The movie The movie startedstarted just as just as

we we taketake our seats. (The actions both our seats. (The actions both happened at the same time, but happened at the same time, but started started is is in the past tense, and in the past tense, and taketake is in the is in the present tense.)present tense.)

Consistent, present tense:Consistent, present tense: The movie The movie startsstarts just as we just as we taketake our seats. (The our seats. (The actions and verb tenses are both in the actions and verb tenses are both in the present.)present.)

Consistent, past tense:Consistent, past tense: The movie The movie startedstarted just as we just as we tooktook our seats. (The our seats. (The actions actions startedstarted and and tooktook both happened in both happened in the past, and both are in the past tense.)the past, and both are in the past tense.)

Using consistent verb tenseUsing consistent verb tense

Choose the word that fits into the Choose the word that fits into the following sentence without causing a following sentence without causing a shift in verb tense:shift in verb tense:

Anthony broke the track record and Anthony broke the track record and home to tell his family. home to tell his family.

A) rushedA) rushed

B) rushB) rush

C) rushesC) rushes


Using consistent verb tenseUsing consistent verb tense

Choose the word that fits into the following Choose the word that fits into the following sentence without causing a shift in verb sentence without causing a shift in verb tense:tense:

Anthony broke the track record and Anthony broke the track record and home to tell his family. home to tell his family.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) rushedA) rushed

B) rushB) rush

C) rushesC) rushes


Correcting various verb Correcting various verb problemsproblems

Pick the form of the verb that will Pick the form of the verb that will complete this sentence correctly: complete this sentence correctly:

I I the flu last winter at the end of the flu last winter at the end of February. February.

A) catchA) catchB) catchedB) catchedC) caughtC) caughtD) none of the aboveD) none of the above


Pick the form of the verb that will Pick the form of the verb that will complete this sentence correctly: complete this sentence correctly:

I I the flu last winter at the end of the flu last winter at the end of February. February.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) catchA) catchB) catchedB) catchedC) caughtC) caughtD) none of the aboveD) none of the above


Pick the form of the verb that will Pick the form of the verb that will complete this sentence correctly:complete this sentence correctly:

Almost the whole flu season Almost the whole flu season by by already, so I thought I would avoid already, so I thought I would avoid catching it.catching it.

A) had wentA) had went

B) goneB) gone

C) had goneC) had gone



Pick the form of the verb that will complete Pick the form of the verb that will complete this sentence correctly:this sentence correctly:

Almost the whole flu season Almost the whole flu season by already, by already, so I thought I would avoid catching it.so I thought I would avoid catching it.

ANSWER:ANSWER:

A) had wentA) had went

B) goneB) gone

C) had goneC) had gone




I I sick for more than three weeks. sick for more than three weeks.

A) wasA) wasB) amB) amC) was beingC) was beingD) none of the aboveD) none of the above



I I sick for more than three weeks. sick for more than three weeks.ANSWER:ANSWER:A) wasA) wasB) amB) amC) was beingC) was beingD) none of the aboveD) none of the above



After I After I from the flu, I got from the flu, I got bronchitis and an ear infection.bronchitis and an ear infection.

A) am recoveringA) am recoveringB) had recoveredB) had recoveredC) recoveredC) recoveredD) none of the aboveD) none of the above



After I After I from the flu, I got from the flu, I got bronchitis and an ear infection.bronchitis and an ear infection.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) am recoveringA) am recoveringB) had recoveredB) had recoveredC) recoveredC) recoveredD) none of the aboveD) none of the above



I ____ taking no chances next flu season; I ____ taking no chances next flu season; I plan to get a flu shot.I plan to get a flu shot.

A) beA) beB) amB) amC) isC) isD) none of the aboveD) none of the above



I ____ taking no chances next flu season; I ____ taking no chances next flu season; I plan to get a flu shot.I plan to get a flu shot.

ANSWER:ANSWER:A) beA) beB) amB) amC) isC) isD) none of the aboveD) none of the above

verb tense using verbs to express different times

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