Verb Tense Review This is lots of fun!

Simple Present The sun rises in the east & sets in the west. Facts I give lots of homework. Habitual actions The plane arrives at 6:00 tonight. Future actions, especially scheduled ones You’ll be happy when you finish ESL courses. Time clauses

Simple Present Verbs of state – Non-progressive verbs Describe states, not actions Seldom used in progressive tenses Examples: know, believe, doubt, appear, seem, fear, dislike, belong, own, possess, hear, sound, agree, promise, amaze, need, want, wish, remember, understand, etc.

Present Progressive Formation: “Be” in present + present participle Uses: You’re reading this example. We’re studying essay writing this semester. Action happening in the moment Jim is always coming in late. Repeated action creating a problem I’m going home at 1:00 today. Future action

Different Meanings I’m thinking of giving a test. Simple Present Present progressive I’m thinking of giving a test. She’s appearing in a play. We’re having fun today. He’s tasting the soup. He’s smelling the roses. He’s being silly today. I think you’re smart. She appears to be sick. I have 35 students. This tastes good. That smells awful. He is very smart.

Present Perfect Formation: “Have” in simple present + past participle Uses: I have taught here since 2002. Action begun in the past that continues in the present I have seen that movie. Past action, unspecified time We have eaten there many times. Repeated past action, unspecified time Have you ever been to Paris? Experience that did/didn’t happen N.B. Were you in Paris last year?

Present Perfect Progressive Formation: “Be” in present perfect + present participle Uses: She has been teaching for 40 years! Action in progress at the present moment, emphasis on the duration of the action I have been thinking about moving to Iowa. Activity in progress recently, lately

Future: Will Prediction: It will rain tomorrow. Decision of the moment: I need help. I’ll help you! Will not/won’t – Refusal The car won’t start. He will not help his brother. Promise: I will write as soon as I arrive.

Future: Be going to Prediction: It is going to rain tomorrow. Plan: I’m going to Iowa this weekend.

Future Progressive Formation: “Be” in future + Present participle Uses: When you are sleeping tonight, I will be correcting essays. When you are asleep tonight, I am going to be correcting essays. Action in progress at some future time

Future Perfect Formation: “Have” in the future + past participle Uses: I will have checked your sentences before you come to class on Tuesday. Action to be completed in the future before some future time or event

Future Perfect Progressive Formation: “Be” in future perfect + present participle Uses: He will have been working here for 45 years when he retires next year. Action in progress at some point in the future, emphasis on duration of the action in progress

Simple Past Formation: Add “ed” to base form Lots of irregular verbs Uses: I watched that movie last night. He bought a new car last week. That student was late for class. Action begun and completed at a specific time in the past

Past Progressive Formation: “Be” in simple past + present participle Uses: He was talking when the phone rang. Action happening in the past, interrupted by another He was working at the time of the murder. Action happening at a past moment N.B. When the fire alarm sounded, they left the building. They were taking a test when the fire alarm sounded.

Past Perfect Formation: “Have “ in simple past + past participle Uses: Class had started by the time the last student arrived. Past action completed before another past action They had been married ten years when their first baby was born. Action completed before a past point in time

Past Perfect Progressive Formation: “Be” in past perfect + present participle. Uses: They had been working for three hours when the storm struck. Past action in progress when another past action happens, emphasis on duration of first action