Module on Tenses of the Verb

Submitted by:

Ma. Kathrine L. Cabrera

Submitted to:

Dr. Mark C. Panugaling

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Table of Contents

Importance of studying the Tenses of the Verb………………………………………………….3

The 12 Verb Tenses (Table)………..…………………………………………………….………4

TENSE 1 Present Simple…………………………………….…………………………………...5

TENSE 2 Present Continuous……………………………………………………….……………7

TENSE 3 Present Perfect…………………………………………………………………………9

TENSE 4 Present Perfect Continuous (Progressive)…………………………………………….11

TENSE 5 Past Simple……………………………………………………………………………12

TENSE 6 Past Continuous……………………………………………………………………….13

TENSE 7 Past Perfect……………………………………………………………………………15

TENSE 8 Past Perfect Continuous (Progressive)………………………………………………..16

TENSE 9 Future Simple…………………………………………………………………………17

TENSE 10 Future Continuous…………………………………….……………………………..20

TENSE 11 Future Perfect………………………………………………………………………..21

TENSE 12 Future Perfect Continuous (Progressive)……………………………………………22

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Importance of studying the Tenses of the Verb

There are three main tenses of the verb: Past, Present and Future. These tenses have four

forms: Simple, progressive or continuous, perfect and perfect progressive or perfect continuous.

The ways in which these three tenses are used with the forms of verbs, such as, present form,

past form, past participle and - ing form, are different. It is therefore important to understand well

how to use these tenses with the forms of verbs.

Simple tenses (past, present, future) express facts and situations that existed in the past,

exist in the present, or will exist in the future. Progressive tenses talk about unfinished events. It

is also called continuous tenses. Perfect tenses express the idea that one event happens before

another event. Perfect progressive tenses express duration, or how long.

The correct use of tenses helps us speak with people clearly and effectively. It enables us

to raise the level of readability of our business writings on the other by allowing our readers to

comprehend accurately what we have written using English tenses. If we construct sentences

with improper use of the tenses, other people would possibly misinterpret the way we deliver that

would result to confusion or misunderstanding.

In a given situation or in accordance with the time, we should use an appropriate tense to

maintain effective communication. In this way, it is necessary to determine various aspects in

terms of English verbs such as, the state of being, continuing action or action completed. In

doing so, we need to know how to conjugate verbs properly by focusing on the structures of

tenses so that we can create clear and effective sentences.

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TENSE 1 Present Simple

Structure: present simple form of the verb

looks/look , kicks/kick, hits/hit etc.

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Verb Configuration:

Base Present Past Past Participle

Form Singular
Plural
jump jumps jumped jumped
jump
walk walks walk walked walked
eat eats eat ate eaten
drink drinks drank drunk
drink

Figures:

----------------------------!-------------------------------------------------!-------------------------------------!----------
Past Present Future

Functions:

a. used to talk about general truth

Example:

1. Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius.

2. Earth revolves around the Sun.

3. Plants give us oxygen.

4. The oceans move in circular currents.

5. The Earth turns 360 degree every day.

b. used to talk about general things a person/animal does

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Example:

1. He drinks tea at breakfast.

2. She only eats fish.

3. They watch television regularly.

4. My dog barks to strangers.

5. Cats cover their poops with soil/sand.

c. used to talk about the general purpose of things

Example:

1. Pen is for writing.

2. Phone tempered glass protects the screen from scratches.

3. The shelf holds ten books.

4. Comb gets rid of hair tangles.

5. Refrigerator keeps the food/drink cold.

d. used to talk about permanent actions or situations

Example:

1. I live in Cebu.

2. He plays mobile legends every night.

3. My mom wakes up 6:00 o'clock am every day.

4. She walks to school every weekdays.

5. They travel every summer.

Variation Function:

f. used to talk about schedules of commercial firms,

business establishments and means of transportation

Example:
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1. The train departs at 4:00 pm tomorrow.

2. The plane arrives today at 3:30 pm.

3. The school bus leaves from school at 5:00 every afternoon.

4. The bank opens at 9:00 am.

5. The shuttle leaves every 15 minutes.

TENSE 2 Present Continuous

Structure: is/are/am + verb-ing

- THEY ARE DRINKING. - He IS COOKING. - I AM DANCING.

IS / ARE / AM = PRESENT VERB-ING = CONTINUOUS

Figures:

Functions:

a. used to talk about an action done at the time of speaking

Example:
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1. I am reading a short story.

2. She is sleeping peacefully.

3. Anna is singing at church today.

4. They are visiting a friend.

5. The baby is crying.

b. used to talk about an action that was started, but not finished yet (not necessarily done at the
time of speaking)

Example:

1. I am studying in IAU.

2. I'm living in London at the moment.

3. I am studying to become a teacher.

4. He is working in University of Cebu.

5. She is reading the book Tom Sawyer.

c. used to talk about an action done now or around now

Example:

1. We are studying hard this year.

2. She is travelling abroad next month.

3. He is thinking about leaving his job.

4. Shana is working hard today.

5. I’m looking for a new apartment.

d. used to talk about continuous changes happening from time to time

Example:

1. The population of the Philippines is increasing.

2. I am getting fat.
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3. You are getting taller and taller every day.

4. The weather is getting warmer.

5. His english is getting better.

Variation Function:

f. used to talk about personal arrangement (planned and fixed),

even when it mentions future time

Example:

1. I am meeting my father at the airport at 5 o’clock tomorrow.

2. Maria is cooking dinner tonight.

3. We are having lunch together at the weekend.

4. I am meeting my friend at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon tomorrow.

5. He is meeting his boss tonight.

TENSE 3 Present Perfect

Structure: has / have + past participle of the verb

- THEY HAVE DRUNK. - He HAS COOKED. - I HAVE DANCED.

HAS / HAVE = PRESENT COOKED/DRUNK/DANCED = PERFECT

Figures:
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F R
------!---------------------------------!------------------------------!---------------

Past Present Future

Functions:

a. used to talk about an action that was COMPLETED in the past, but has a RESULT in the
present

Example:

1. I have lived in Lapu-Lapu City since 2002.

2. She has worked in the bank for five years.

3. We have the same car for ten years.

4. They have lived in the United States since 1990.

5. The children have made a mess in the kitchen.

b. used to talk about personal experience

Example:

1. I have been to Pampanga.

2. They have visited Philippines.

3. I think I have seen that movie.

4. I have lost my purse.

5. He has broken his leg.

c. used to say how much, how many and/or how many times

an action happens
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Example:

1. She has been to China 3 times.

2. I have traveled to Moalboal 4 times.

3. I have seen that movie 10 times.

4. I have eaten at that restaurant twice.

5. John has written a few books.

Note: Present Perfect tense is ONLY used for events or actions in the PRESENT TIME, NOT for / with
Past Time Indicators

Present Time Indicators:

today, this morning, this afternoon, this evening, this week, this month, this winter, this summer, this
season, this semester, this decade, this century etc. (as long as the time is not finished yet)

TENSE 4 Present Perfect Continuous (Progressive)

Structure: has / have + BEEN + verb-ing

-THEY HAVE BEEN DRINKING. -He HAS BEEN COOKING. -I HAVE

BEEN DANCING.

HAS / HAVE = PRESENT BEEN = PERFECT

COOKING/DRINKING/DANCING = CONTINUOUS

Figures:

------!----------------------------------------!-----------------------------------------!---------------
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Past Present Future

Functions:
a. used to talk about an action that MAY or MAY NOT be finished yet, but has an OBVIOUS
EVIDENCE in the present time
Example:
1. I have been waiting for him for 30 minutes and he still hasn’t arrived.
2. You look tired. Have you been sleeping properly?
3. Oh, the kitchen is a mess. Who has been cooking?
4. I have been learning Spanish for 20 years and I still don’t know very much.
5. She has been telling me about it for days. I wish she would stop.

b. used to say HOW LONG an action has been taking place

Example:
1. I have been studying for three hours.
2. Ana has been watching TV since 7pm.
3. He has been playing football for a long time.
4. I have been reading for 2 hours.
5. We have been studying since 9 o'clock.

Note: Present Perfect tense is ONLY used for events or actions in the PRESENT TIME, NOT for / with
Past Time Indicators

Present Time Indicators:

today, this morning, this afternoon, this evening, this week, this month, this winter, this summer, this
season, this semester, this decade, this century etc. (as long as the time is not finished yet)

TENSE 5 Past Simple

Structure: past form of the verb

looked / kicked / wrote / ate etc

Verb Configuration:

Base Present Past Past Participle

Form Singular Plural
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jump jumps jump jumped jumped

walk walks walk walked walked

eat eats eat ate eaten

drink drinks drink drank drunk

Figures:

------!---------------------------------!------------------------------!---------------
Longer Past Shorter Past Present

Functions:

a. used to talk about general things/events done/ happening in the past from start to end

Example:

1. They sat at the beach all day.

2. I lived in Davao for four years.

3. My cousin studied Japanese for five years.

4. We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.

5. She planned the event all by herself.

b. used to talk about regular actions done in the past

Example:

1. I studied French when I was a child.

2. He played the violin.

3. They never went to school, they always skipped class.

4. She read the book Tom Sawyer.

5. The baby cried.

c. used to talk about altered things that were only considered true in the past, but not in the
present
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Example:

1. She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.

2. He used to be thin, but now he gained weight.

3. He hated tomatoes before.

4. People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the past.

5. Ana lived in Cebu when she was a kid.

We can use “USED TO ” expression to indicate recurring events/actions in the past.

When I was young, I played on the white shores of Bantayan Island.

When I was young, I used to play on the white shores of Bantayan Island.

TENSE 6 Past Continuous

Structure: was/were + verb-ing

-THEY WERE DRINKING.

He WAS COOKING. I WAS DANCING.

WAS /WERE = PAST VERB-ING = CONTINUOUS

Figures:

--------!--------------------------------!-----------------------------!--------------------------!------
Past Start Past Middle Past Finish Present

Functions:
a. used to talk about an action that was on going at a certain point in the past (not finished yet at
those times)
Example:
1. I was having dinner at 6pm last night.

2. Grandma was knitting a sock at 11 o'clock last night.

3. They were still chatting away to each other in the dead of night.
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4. The two brothers were hunting wild boars all evening.

5. He was playing mobile legends all day.

b. used to talk about an action that was started in the longer past, but was interrupted by another
past action
Example:
1. I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang.

2. I was making dinner when she arrived.

3. The audience was applauding until he fell off the stage.

4. She was studying when her phone rang.

5. He was walking to work when he met John.

Note: If “when” is used to indicate actions that do not happen together, the structure goes:

Structure A: past simple + when + past simple

2nd action
1st action

Structure B : past continuous + when + past simple

1st action
2nd action

TENSE 7 Past Perfect

Structure: HAD + past participle of the verb

-He HAD COOKED. -THEY HAD DRUNK. -I HAD DANCED.

HAD = PAST COOKED/DRUNK/DANCED = PERFECT

Figures:

F R
------!---------------------------------!------------------------------!---------------
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Longer Past Shorter Past Present

Functions:
a. used to talk about an action that was COMPLETED in the longer past, but had a RESULT in
the shorter past time

Example:
1. The train had just left when I arrived at the station.

2. She had just left the room when the police arrived.

3. I had just put the washing out when it started to rain.

4. They had all arrived by 10 o'clock.

5. When he tried to stand up, he realized he had broken his ankle.

b. when two actions occurred in the past, use past perfect to indicate the FIRST action

Example:
1. After Sofie had finished her work, she went to lunch.

2. I washed the floor when the painter had gone.

3. Harold had known about it for a while.

4. Ana had finished her homework when her mother asked her to buy something.

5. We had eaten our lunch when she arrived.

c. used to say how much, how many and/or how many times an action happened in the past
Example:
1. I had traveled to Moalboal four times.

2. I had eaten at that restaurant twice.

3. John had written a few books.

4. I had seen that movie ten times.

5. She had eaten the pizza five times.

Compare: Present Perfect vs. Past Perfect

Present Perfect: I HAVE COOKED some food today.
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Meaning: I finished cooking in the past, so there is food now.

Past Perfect: I HAD COOKED some food yesterday.

Meaning: I finished cooking in the longer past time, so there was food in the shorter past time. But,
maybe, there s no food now.

TENSE 8 Past Perfect Continuous (Progressive)

Structure: HAD + BEEN + verb-ing

-He HAD BEEN COOKING. -THEY HAD BEEN DRINKING. -I HAD BEEN DANCING.

HAD= PAST BEEN = PERFECT COOKING/DRINKING/DANCING = CONTINUOUS

Figures:

F E

------!-----------------------------------!-----------------------------------!---------------

Longer Past Shorter Past Present

Functions:
a. used to talk about an action that MAY or MAY NOT have been finished yet in the longer past, but
had an OBVIOUS EVIDENCE in the shorter past time
Example:
1. Jason was tired because he had been jogging.

2. Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.

3. Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.

4. He was tired because he had been exercising so hard.

5. Martha had been walking three miles a day before she broke her leg.

b. used to say how long an action had been taking place/ had been happening in the past
Example:
1. They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.
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2. She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business.

3. Mike wanted to sit down because he had been standing all day at work.

4. James had been teaching at the university for more than a year before he left for Asia.

5. He had not been studying Turkish very long.

Note: Past Perfect structure can also be used instead of the Past Perfect Continuous in the examples given
on function b to say how long if and when:
* the verb used does not necessarily mean action, but expresses a state or condition such as the words
“live, study, work, stay etc.”

TENSE 9 Future Simple

Structure: will / shall + base form of the verb

-He WILL STUDY. -I SHALL WORK abroad.

WILL/SHALL = FUTURE STUDY / WORK = SIMPLE BASE FORM

Figures:

------!------------------------------------!----------------------------------!---------------

Present Future Start Future Finish

Functions:

a. normally used with future time indicators

Example:

1. I will make my assignments this weekend.

2. She will meet her friend tonight.

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3. He will play mobile legends later.

4. Ana will attend a meeting tomorrow.

5. Shasha will play volleyball with her friends this Sunday.

b. used to talk about a decision done at the time of speaking (now or around now)

Example:

1. Hold on. I'll get a pen.

2. We will see what we can do to help you.

3. Maybe we will stay in and watch television tonight.

4. I will pay that now.

5. We will go to Sm City Cebu today.

c. used to talk about general event (predicted/ expected to happen) in the future

Example:

1. The clouds are gray, it will rain.

2. The sun will rise at 6:30 tomorrow.

3. You will not pass the exam if you will not study.

4. The weather will be very hot tomorrow.

5. My parents will not let me go to parties.

. Variation Function:

d. used to talk about a decision done AT the time of speaking

Example:

1. We will see what we can do to help you.

2. I don’t think I will buy that car.

3. I think I‘ll go to the gym tomorrow.

4. I think I will have a holiday next year.

5. I will buy those shoes.

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e. used to talk about predictions of things (uncertain / imprecise)

Example:

1. They will win the match.

2. I think they will have a lovely relationship.

3. I think I will have a holiday next year.

4. Maybe he will go to the gym tomorrow.

5. Maybe I will buy that on Sunday.

TENSE 10 Future Continuous

Structure: will/shall + be + verb-ing

-He WILL BE COOKING. -I SHALL/WILL BE DANCING.

WILL/SHALL = FUTURE BE = CONSTANT VARIABLE COOKING/DANCING =

CONTINUOUS

Figures:

------!----------------------!--------------------------!---------------------!---------

Present Start Future Future Middle Future Finish

Functions:

a. used to talk about an action done continuously at a specific time in the future (not finished yet)

Example:
1. She will be leaving work in 2 hours.

2. At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.

3. They will be finishing school soon.

4. I will be reading.

5. We will be living in Cebu City.

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b. can be used as a substitute for the present continuous to indicate personal arrangement, but it
focuses on the futurity of the action instead

Example:

1. We will be leaving at 10 o’clock.

2. I will be meeting my friend tonight.

3. Tiara will be singing in church tomorrow morning.

4. Jack will be traveling to New York this weekend.

5. She will be cooking pasta tonight.

Note:

Although the Future Continuous Tense can be used to indicate future personal arrangement, the Present
Continuous is more usual.

Present Continuous: I AM TRAVELING to America.

Meaning: to talk about personal arrangement

Future Continuous: I WILL BE TRAVELING to America.

Meaning: to talk about the futurity of the personal arrangement

TENSE 11 Future Perfect

Structure: will/shall + have + past participle of the verb

-He WILL HAVE COOKED. -I SHALL/WILL HAVE DANCED.

WILL/SHALL = FUTURE HAS / HAVE = CONSTANT VARIAB

COOKED/DRUNK/DANCED = PERFECT

Figures:

F R
--------------!------------------------!----------------------!-------------------------------!------------

Present Future Start Future Finish After Future Finish

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Functions:

a. used to talk about an action that is expected to be COMPLETED in a certain future time, and will have
a RESULT in post future time (after completing a future action)

Example:

At 1:30 pm tomorrow, David and Solomon are queuing at the cinema in Ayala to watch the movie
“X-men Apocalypse”. The movie starts at 2 pm and finishes 4:15 pm. So, it is expected that they will
have watched the movie at 4:30 pm tomorrow. (they will have completed watching at 4:30 because the
movie ends at 4:15 pm)

Example:

1. At eight o’clock Linda will have left.

2. By the time you read this I will have left.

3. You will have finished your report by this time next week.

4. We will not have eaten breakfast before we get to the airport tomorrow morning.

5. Lima will have left before you get there.

b. used to say how much, how many and/or how many times an action will happen in the future

Example:

This time, the DLL faculty members are encouraged to make books for selected subject offerings.
It is expected that two months after, they will have produced more than ten books for student references.

Example:

1. She will have worked ten hours by Saturday.

2. Ana will have written twenty books.

3. He will have composed three songs for the event.

4. They will have lived in 10 states once they move to New York.

5. Jane will have traveled three countries by the time she turns 25.

TENSE 12 Future Perfect Continuous (Progressive)

Structure: WILL / SHALL + HAVE + BEEN + verb-ing

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-He WILL HAVE BEEN COOKING. -I WILL/SHALL HAVE BEEN DANCING.

-They WILL HAVE BEEN DRINKING.

WILL = FUTURE HAVE = CONSTANT VARIABLE BEEN = PERFECT

COOKING/DRINKING/DANCING = CONTINUOUS

Figures:

F
E

------!-----------------------------------!-----------------------------------!---------------

Present Future Star Future Finish

Functions:

a. used to talk about an action that MAY or MAY NOT be finished yet in the future time, but will
have an OBVIOUS EVIDENCE in the following future time

(Given: Today is Thursday) Courtney wants to surprise her parents for their wedding anniversary
on Saturday. She plans to clean the entire house and decorate in preparation for the upcoming event. She
decides to start decorating tomorrow, Friday, from 1 to 5 pm. However, she knows that at those hours her
mother will be in their house watching TV.

She is left with no choice, but just to push through with her plan as scheduled. It could be that her mother
will see her preparing for the event anytime between 1 to 5 pm tomorrow. She will have been cleaning
the house at 4 pm. (the activity will not be finished yet, but the evidence of cleaning the house such as dirt
and exhaustion is obvious on Courtney. Her mother will see.)

Example:
1. He will have been making his assignment at 7:00 pm.

b. used to say how long an action will have been taking place/ have been happening in the future
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Dr. Valdez has been teaching in CTU for 25 years. Next year, he will have been teaching in the
same school for 26 years if he continues his job.

Example:

1. Jane will have been working for 12 hours, so I don’t think she will want to cook.

2. They will have been living in that house for 10 years this March.

3. Shasha will have been gardening for three years by then.

4. At five o’clock, I will have been waiting for thirty minutes.

5. When she turns thirty, she will have been playing piano for twenty-one years.