How to distinguish different verb tenses when teaching

WHY THE TOPIC? During the tutoring session, I believe that many learners often write their essays with wrong verb tenses.

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.”

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. 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

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 PROGRESSIVE 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 PERFECT 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

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 PROGRESSIVE 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 TENSE

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 TENSE

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 PROGRESSIVE 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 PERFECT 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

MODALS

to write about the wishes. 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 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 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 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 Azar’s chartbook.

SPECIAL THANKS EVERYONE!!