Note: Verbs in English Have Six Tenses

Verb Tenses

Rule: 1: The tense of verbs indicate time of the action or the state of being expressed by the verb.

Note: Verbs in English have six tenses.

Present: I run a mile every day. Past: I ran a mile yesterday. Future: I will run a mile tomorrow. Present Perfect: I have run a mile every day since June Past Perfect: I had not run much before that. Future Perfect: I will have run almost 100 miles before the end of the year. Progressive Form

Note: Each tense has an additional form called the Progressive Form.

What makes up a progressive form?

The progressive form is made of the verb to be and the present participle (ends in – ing )

Example: I am giving. You are giving. He is giving.

The Six Tenses

Rule 2: The PRESENT TENSE is used mainly to express an action that is occurring now. Example: The new jet has two engines.

They are decorating the gym. (present progressive form) Rule 3: The PAST TENSE is used to express an action that took place in the past.

Example: They looked for seashells.

The dolphins were swimming in the canals. (past progressive) Rule 4: The FUTURE TENSE is used to express an action that will take place in the future.

It is formed with WILL OR SHALL and the main verb’s base form. Example: The new model will arrive soon.

They will be selling them soon. (future progressive form)

Rule 5: The PRESENT PERFECT TENSE is used to express an action that was completed in the past and is still going on.

It is formed by adding HAS or HAVE to the past participle.

Example: The Andersons have invited us over for a cookout. The Red Cross has been delivering medical supplies (present perfect progressive form)

Rule 6: The PAST PERECT TENSE is used to express an action that took place before some other past action

It is formed by adding HAD to the past participle.

Example: Once the judges had viewed the paintings, they announced the winners. (the viewing occurred before the announcement)

By the time that the Spanish explorers arrived, the redwood had been growing for centuries. (progressive form)

Rule 7: The FUTURE PERFECT TENSE is used to express an action that will be completed by some given time in the future.

It is formed by adding SHALL HAVE or WILL HAVE to the past participle.

Example: By the time Mom returns, I will have done my chores. (The doing will be completed before the returning) In August, Aaron will have been taking tennis lessons for two years. (future perfect progressive)

Active and Passive Voice

Rule 1: The verb in the active voice expresses the action done by its subject.

Example: Everyone enjoyed the play. Jim gave a wonderful speech.

Rule 2: A verb in the passive voice expresses the action done to its subject.

Example: The play was enjoyed by everyone.

A wonderful speech was given by Jim.

Compare the related sentences

Active: The author provides helpful diagrams

Passive: Helpful diagrams are provided by the author.

Note: In these two sentences, the object of the active voice is the subject of the passive one. The subject of the active sentence is expressed in the prepositional phrase. Note that this phrase can be omitted. Passive: Helpful diagrams are provided

Note: In passive voice, the verb phrase includes a form of TO BE and the past participle of the main verb. Active: The tutor is helping Sharon

Passive: Sharon is being helped by the tutor.