The w o n d e r o u s w o r l d of V E R B S
Verbs convey ACTION state of being TIME
BASE PAST TENSE PRESENT PARTICIPLE PAST PARTICIPLE talk talked talkingtalked visit visited visiting visited see saw seeing seen To ____ -ed -ing -en, -ed
Dictionary entry
BASE is used to make the present tense
Present moment Past Future
Present moment Past Future He talks all the time. PRESENT TENSE = Habitual action
BASE --is used to make the present tense --is used to make the future tense
Present moment Past Future will call Socorro will call tomorrow. FUTURE TENSE
BASE --is used to make the present tense --is used to make the future tense --is used with modal helping words to create a variety of special meanings
Present sequence Past sequence can could will would shall should may might must MODALS
BASE is used with do, does, and did --to make the verb emphatic: I really do agree with you!
--to create a question : Do you have any fresh coffee? Did he lose his wallet? --to make a sentence negative : I don’t like heavy traffic. Jose did not finish his taco.
PAST TENSE This is the verb form that signals past time, usually ends in -ed, and does not combine with helping words.
Present moment Past Future snapped Jack snapped a photo. PAST TENSE
PRESENT PARTICIPLE This form of a verb ends in -ing, indicates continuous activity, and requires a helping verb.
Present moment Past Future I am clapping now. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE am clapping
Present moment Past Future PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE Jane was washing her dog. was washing
PAST PARTICIPLE This verb form is easily confused with the past tense because it can also end in -ed. However, to function as a verb it must have a helping verb.
Present moment Past Future PRESENT PERFECT TENSE have driven The students have driven a long way.
Present moment Past Future turned off although Sue had paid her electric bill. The company turned off the electricity had paid PAST PERFECT TENSE
Point to remember Building verb tenses is as simple as using building blocks! am finished