Verb Tenses

In the last chapter we looked at the fact that there is a multiplicity of verb forms in English, and we also began to look at the various factors that influence those forms.  We noted that verb forms agree with the subject of the sentence, that they are influenced by the type of sentence constructed, that they depend on whether they belong to the regular or irregular verb category, and that they reflect the aspect of the action.  Perhaps verbs are most well known for what is called their tense: their relationship to time.

Verb Tense Conjugation

Technically, the term tense refers only to the issue of a verb’s relationship to time, but in English the aspect is so closely interrelated to tense that it is easier to talk about the two together as if they were the same thing.  We have already seen that there are three different aspects: 1) simple, 2) progressive, and 3) perfect.  There are also three different time references: 1) present, 2) past, and 3) future.  These six features combine together to form twelve different verb forms that are commonly called the verb tenses.  The reference charts at the end of the chapter provide a quick guide to the verb forms.  The charts show one example of a verb conjugated in all twelve tenses for all six person/number subject combinations for the four major sentence types, and one set of four charts shows active voice verb forms, while another set of four show passive voice verb forms.  An irregular verb has been used as the example so that it is clear whether the base form, the present participle, the simple past, or the past participle is involved in the verb form.

The twelve tenses are shown as the boxes of the grids.  To label each of the twelve tenses, the name of the time reference on the left of each row is combined with the name of the aspect at the top of each column.  In this manner, we get simple present, simple past, and simple future, present progressive, past progressive, and future progressive, present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect, and finally a unique combination of time with two aspects: present perfect progressive, past perfect progressive, and future perfect progressive.

Unless you are working with multiple screens, it is advisable to download and print these charts to use with the exercises. The link to this references is found in the paragraph above or in the menu on the LH side of this page.

Activity 6.1: Identifying Verb Tense

Find the complete verb in each sentence below.  Then use the active verb charts to identify the name of the verb tense in each sentence.

Click on each word of the complete verb to change to green. Type the name of the verb tense into the text box that appears. Click on the Check to assess your answer.

Now that you have started to become familiar with the names of the tenses, it is time to start looking at the meanings of them.  Do Activity 6.2 to begin to understand the meanings the verb tenses have.

Activity 6.2: Understanding Primary Verb Meanings

Part A: Read the information in the sentences.  Then answer the question at the end.

Click on each text box and fill in your answer. Assess the answer with the Check button.

Tenses Page 2