1. Verbs : Expressing Time through Tense
Uses of Tense in Present, Past, and Future Time

2. There are THREE uses of tense in present time
Verb Forms and Uses
Examples
Present Present action, present condition, recurring action, recurring condition, constant action, constant condition
Present Progressive Continuing action, Continuing condition
Present Emphatic Emphasizing a statement, Denying an assertion
There goes the balloon; The band sounds wonderful; I pack my own lunch; The paramedics are prompt to arrive; The earth rotates on its axis; Pluto is the most distant planet.
I am studying for a math test; Lenny is being stubborn today.
I do hope for sun this weekend; Despite rumors, we do have school tomorrow.
There are THREE uses of tense in present time

3. There are SEVEN uses of tense in past time
Verb Forms and Uses
Examples
Past Indefinite past time, definite past time
Present perfect Indefinite past time, continuing to present
Past Perfect Completed before another past event
Jack mowed the lawn; Tim was sick yesterday.
Janet has finished her paper; Grandma has been busy all day.
The caller had hung up by the time I got to the phone.
There are SEVEN uses of tense in past time

4. There are SEVEN uses of tense in past time
Verb Forms and Uses
Examples
Past progressive Continuous past event
Present perfect progressive Event continuing to present
Past perfect progressive Continuous past event before another
Past emphatic Emphasizing a statement
The sun was shining yesterday.
I have been studying all weekend.
Before the storm, we had been enjoying our picnic.
I did finish in time; Despite Brenda’s account, Ali did complete the event.
There are SEVEN uses of tense in past time

5. There are FOUR uses of tense in future time
Verb Forms and Uses
Examples
Future Future event
Future perfect Future event before another
Future progressive Continuing future event
Future perfect progressive Continuing future event before another
Grandma will visit us next week.
We will have finished our chores before lunch.
The scouts will be selling cookies all of next month.
By opening night, the actors will have been rehearsing for six weeks.
There are FOUR uses of tense in future time