verb tenses
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Verb TensesVerb TensesVerb TensesVerb TensesHow to distinguish different verb How to distinguish different verb
tenses when tutoringtenses when tutoring
WHY THE TOPIC?• During the tutoring session, I
believe that many tutees often write their essays with wrong verb tenses.
• I want to learn it myself.
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.”
(from Judy’s grammar package)
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. Present2. Past3. future
OVERVIEWA. Simple tensesB. Progressive tensesC. Perfect tensesD.*Perfect progressive tenses
(decided not to cover here)
NOW
FUTUREPAST
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 (1A)SIMPLE PRESENT TENSETENSE
(1A)SIMPLE PRESENT (1A)SIMPLE PRESENT TENSETENSE
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 (1B)PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE
(1B)PRESENT (1B)PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE 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 (1C)PRESENT PERFECT TENSEPERFECT TENSE(1C)PRESENT (1C)PRESENT
PERFECT TENSEPERFECT 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(2A)SIMPLE PAST TENSE(2A)SIMPLE PAST TENSE(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 (2B) PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE
(2B) PAST (2B) PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE 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 (2C) PAST PERFECT TENSETENSE
(2C) PAST PERFECT (2C) PAST PERFECT TENSETENSE
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 (3A)SIMPLE FUTURE TENSETENSE
(3A)SIMPLE FUTURE (3A)SIMPLE FUTURE TENSETENSE
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 (3B)FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE TENSE
(3B)FUTURE (3B)FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSEPROGRESSIVE 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 (3B)FUTURE PERFECT TENSEPERFECT TENSE
(3B)FUTURE (3B)FUTURE PERFECT TENSEPERFECT 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
MODALSMODALSMODALSMODALS
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!!