Verb Tenses

So we have now seen that the twelve verb tenses all have more than one meaning, and we have seen that among those meanings is the limitation on the use of the progressive with certain stative verbs.  Before we can move away from the verb forms that represent the twelve tenses, however, we need to look at the issue of voice.

Compare the two sentences in each pair below. Consider the meanings of the two sentences. Next consider the structure of each sentence.

In the text boxes, write the similarities and differences that you notice in each pair of sentences. To assess your response, click on the Check button to see the preferred answers.

Activity 6.5: Recognizing Voice

English has another feature that affects verb form: voice.  There are two types of voice in English: 1) active voice, and 2) passive voice.  Active voice is the “default” voice of action verbs.  Passive voice is a way to change the focus and sense of a sentence.  Passive voice can only be used with transitive action verbs.  Linking verbs and intransitive action verbs can not be converted into passive voice sentences.

In Activity 26 above, sentences 1, 3, and 5 are active voice sentences, and sentences 2, 4, and 6 are passive voice sentences.  Passive voice sentences can be written in the twelve tenses, but the perfect progressive tenses create such awkward passive sentences, that it is probably best to consider them ungrammatical.

Activity 6.6: Recognizing Voice

Part A: Active voice sentences can be converted into passive voice sentences in the following way.  First begin with a sentence that contains a subject that refers to the doer of an action.  Then choose a transitive action verb.  Finally, complete the predicate with a direct object and any other information you wish.

Practice some more by converting the sentences given from active to passive voice.  You may use the reference charts at the end of the chapter.

Part B: Type the passive voice form of each sentence in to the text box. Click on the Check button to see if you have the correct answer. If you are not correct after three tries, an optional Solution button will appear. Clicking this will fill in the correct form of the sentence.

Part C: Now try to convert these passive voice sentences into active voice sentences.  You may use the reference charts at the end of the chapter.

Type the active voice form of each sentence in to the text box.

We may conclude this chapter by noting that the twelve tenses of English have variations of their own.  They vary according to sentence type, and they vary with voice.  They also vary in meanings; each tense has multiple meanings.  Among the most notable of those meanings is the stative nature of certain verbs that limit the ease with which those verbs can take any of the progressive tenses.  The next chapter will take up yet another important detail of verbs: mood.

Imperatives, Modals and Conditionals