Grammar Workshop
Verb Tenses *
JOSEPHINE BOYLE
WILLEM OPPERMAN
ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ACCESS CENTER
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
SEPTEMBER 29, 2016
*Sources consulted: Purdue OWL and Grammarly Handbook
What is a Verb?
Every basic sentence in the English language must have a
noun and a verb.
Verbs are action words.
Verbs describe what the subject of the sentence is doing.
Verbs can describe physical actions like movement, less
concrete actions like thinking and feeling, and a state of
being, as explained by the verb to be.
What is a Verb?
There are two specific uses for verbs:
Put a motionless noun into motion, or to change its motion. If you
can do it, its an action verb. (walk, run, study, learn)
Link the subject of the sentence to something which describes the
subject. If you can’t do it, it’s probably a linking verb. (am, is)
Action Verbs:
Susie ran a mile around the track.
“Ran” gets Susie moving around the track.
Bob went to the book store.
“Went” gets Bob moving out the door and doing the shopping at the bookstore.
Linking Verbs:
I am bored.
It’s difficult to “am,” so this is likely a linking verb. It’s connecting the subject “I”
to the state of being bored.
Verb Tenses
Verb tenses are a way for the writer to express time in the
English language.
There are nine basic verb tenses:
Simple Present: They talk
Present Continuous: They are talking
Present Perfect: They have talked
Simple Past: They talked
Past Continuous: They were talking
Past Perfect: They had talked
Future: They will talk
Future Continuous: They will be talking
Future Perfect: They will have talked
Simple Present Tense
Simple Present: Used to describe a general state or action that
is repeated.
How it is formed: Use the root form or add -s or -es to the end,
depending on the person.
Examples:
I live in Washington, DC.
Marc lives in Washington, DC.
They live in Washington, DC.
I study chemistry every night.
Marc studies chemistry every night.
Simple Present Tense
Irregular Verbs
Irregular Present Tense Verbs: “to be” - which changes for each
person (am, are, is…)
Examples:
First person singular: I am
Second person singular: You are
Third person singular: He/she/it is
First person plural: We are
Second person plural: You are
Third person plural: They are
I am 20 years old.
You are 20 years old.
He is 20 years old.
Present Continuous Tense
Present Continuous: Used to describe a temporary state or action going on now.
Tip: In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this
century, and so on.
How it is formed: the present tense of be + present participle (the root word + -ing).
Examples:
I am living in Washington, DC.
Marc is living in Washington, DC.
I am studying chemistry every night.
Marc is studying chemistry every night.
Remember NOT to use the present continuous tense with non-action verbs like seem
and know. These verbs should use the simple present.
She is seeming tense. [INCORRECT]
She seems tense. [CORRECT]
Present Continuous Tense
Additional Examples:
They [learn] ___ grammar rules right now.
They are learning grammar rules right now.
He [watch]____ television.
He is watching television.
I [study] ____ to become a lawyer.
I am studying to become a lawyer.
I [read]____the book Harry Potter.
I am reading the book Harry Potter.
Simple Past Tense
Simple Past: Used to describe action at a definite time in the
past.
How it is formed: Add -ed to the end of the root form. If the
verb already ends in -e, we just add -d.
Examples:
I lived in Washington, DC in 2008.
Marc lived in Washington, DC last year.
I changed the baby’s diaper this morning.
Marc changed the car tire last week.
I walked the dog yesterday.
They walked the dog together last week.
Simple Past Tense
Irregular Verbs
Irregular past tense verbs follow no pattern when they change to the simple past tense.
Tip: Check a dictionary if you are unsure what the past tense may be!
See – saw
Build – built
Go – went
Do – did
Leap – leapt
Rise – rose
Dig – dug
Some verbs don’t change from their present form.
Put – put
Cut – cut
Set – set
Cost – cost
Hit – hit
Past Continuous Tense
Additional Examples:
They [learn] ___ grammar rules yesterday.
They were learning grammar rules yesterday.
He [watch]____ television last night.
He was watching television last night.
I [study] ____ to become a lawyer last semester.
I was studying to become a lawyer last semester.
I [read]____the book Harry Potter when you called.
I was reading the book Harry Potter when you called.
Past Continuous Tense
Past continuous: used for long, ongoing action at or during a time in the past.
How it is formed: the past tense of be + the present participle (the root word = -ing).
Examples:
It was snowing.
When one action is happening at another particular time:
It was snowing at noon.
It was snowing during lunch.
When one action is happening at the same time as another:
It was raining while I was out walking.
Remember NOT to use the past continuous tense with non-action verbs like seem and
know. These verbs should use the simple past tense.
I was knowing my co-worker quite well. [INCORRECT]
I knew my co-worker quite well. [CORRECT]
Tip: If you find this confusing, stick with the simple past tense!
Simple Future Tense
Simple future: the tense we use when something will begin
and end later.
How it is formed: Add will in front of the root word. Going
to is also used for actions in the future.
Examples:
I will learn a how to cook.
Susie will study tonight.
I am going to sleep all day.
Will you come to the pool with us?
Are you going to become the next president?
Future Continuous Tense
Future continuous: relates one action in the future to another specific
action or time.
How it is formed: will + be + present participle (root word + -ing).
Examples:
We will be going to the concert after work.
Will you be joining us?
They will be arriving at the airport at 9:00pm tonight.
I’ll be returning home next Thursday.
Remember NOT to use the future continuous tense with non-action verbs
like seem and know; AND be. These verbs should use the simple future.
She will be being here at 3:00. [INCORRECT]
She will be here at 3:00.[CORRECT]
Future Continuous Tense
Additional Examples:
They [learn] ___ grammar rules tomorrow.
They will be learning grammar rules tomorrow.
He [watch]____ television tonight.
He will be watching television tonight.
I [study] ____ to become a lawyer next semester.
I will be studying to become a lawyer next semester.
I [read]____the book Harry Potter after class.
I am going to be reading the book Harry Potter after
class.
Need Additional Help?
Visit the Academic Support and Access Center: Mary
Graydon Center, Room 243, 202-885-3360
We recommend that you book an appointment online first:
Need Additional Help?
Helpful Online Resources
American University Writing Lab Tips:
http://www.american.edu/ocl/asac/Writing-Lab-Writing-
Tips.cfm
Purdue Online Writing Lab (Owl):
owl.english.purdue.edu
UNC Writing Center: writingcenter.unc.edu
The George Mason University Writing Center:
http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/
Grammarly Handbook:
http://www.grammarly.com/handbook/
