Understanding Verb Tense and Mood

What are verb tense and mood?

Verb tense
Special problems in the uses of tenses
Mood
Modals
Review A
Review B
 What are verb tense and mood?

Verbs take different forms to do different jobs.

One job is to show when an action or state of
being takes place. The form a verb takes to show
time is called tense.
Cell phones will
Early phones get even smaller.
had round dials.

Our phone is red.

 What are verb tense and mood?

Verbs also take different forms to show the

attitude of the person using the verb. These
forms are called mood.

I polished this Polish those I suggest that you

apple for you. shoes, soldier! polish your nails.
 Verb tense

The tense of a verb indicates the time of the

action or state of being expressed by the verb.
Perfect tenses indicate that something happened
or existed before a specific point in time.

Past Present Future

Past Present Future

Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect

He
Hewill
alsoMark
have
Tomorrow
He
had
Mark
has
studied
studied
studied
studies
studied
Mark
for
enough
a little
will
for
two
hard
his
study
hours
right
by
for
classes.
the
every
after
last
math.
endnight.
school.
test.
of the night.
 Verb tense

The tenses of verbs are formed from the four

principal parts of verbs.

Base form print see

Present participle [is] print ing [is] see ing

Past print ed s aw

Past participle [have] print ed [have] see n

 Verb tense

Each tense has a progressive form, which is

used to express continuing action or state of
being.
Present progressive am, are, is walking

Past progressive was, were walking

Future progressive will (shall) be walking

Present perfect
has, have been walking
progressive
Past perfect progressive had been walking

Future perfect progressive will (shall) have been walking

 Verb tense

The present and past tenses have another form,

the emphatic form, which shows emphasis.

In the present tense, the emphatic form of a verb

consists of do or does plus the base form.

Present emphatic do walk, does walk

In the past tense the emphatic form consists of did

plus the base form.
Past emphatic did walk
 Verb tense
Present and present perfect

The present tense expresses an action or a

state of being that is occurring now, at the
present time.

Martina and Jen race down the field.

The fans are cheering wildly.

(Progressive form)

The players do look confident.

(Emphatic form)
 Verb tense
Present and present perfect

The present tense is also used in these ways:

to show a customary or We go to the mall every
habitual action or state of Saturday.
being
to express a general truth The sun sets in the west.
to discuss a literary work The Dark Child relates the
(literary present) experiences of a boy growing
up in an African village.
to make historical events In a surprise move the Greeks
seem current (historical construct a huge wooden
present) horse and leave it outside
to express future time Troy.
We drive to Maine tomorrow.
 Verb tense
Present and present perfect

The present perfect tense

expresses an action or a state of being that
occurred at an indefinite time in the past
is formed with the helping verb have or has

Tim and Mia have entered the data into the computer.

Who has been using this computer?

(Progressive form)
 Verb tense
Helping verbs

A helping verb (also called an auxiliary verb) is

used with a main verb to create a verb phrase.

Helping Main
verb verb
Lexy
Lexy
Lexy is
is
is showing
showing Gwen
Gwenher
herphotos.
photos.

Verb phrase

Some commonly used helping verbs include

is, are, has, had, did, does, can, could, should,
and will.
 Verb tense
Present and present perfect

The present perfect tense is also used to express

an action or state of being that began in the past
and continues into the present.

Mr. Reyes has taught science

for ten years.

(Progressive form)

Mr. Reed has been coaching

soccer since 2003.
 Verb tense
Past and past perfect

The past tense expresses an action or a state of

being that occurred in the past and did not
continue into the present.

In the last lap the runner fell.

The fall did cause a bad injury.

(Emphatic form)
 Verb tense
Past and past perfect

A past action or state of being

may also be shown by using
used to.

Sasha used to collect stamps.

Used to typically expresses

habitual action in the past.
 Verb tense
Past and past perfect

The past perfect tense

expresses an action or a state of being that
ended before another past action or state of
being occurred
is formed with the helping verb had

Paul had traveled several miles

before he realized his mistake.

He discovered that he had

misread the road map.
 Verb tense
Future and future perfect

The future tense

expresses an action or a state of being that will
occur
is formed with the helping verb shall or will

Leah will attend a writers workshop

this summer.

She will be writing poetry and fiction.

(Progressive form)
 Verb tense
Future and future perfect

A future action may also be

expressed in other ways.

We are going to visit

Japan in July.
Ms. Scheirer is about to
announce the winners.

Finals begin next Monday.

 Verb tense
Future and future perfect

The future perfect tense

expresses an action or a state of being that will
end before some other future occurrence
is formed with the helping verbs will have or
shall have

You will have saved enough money for the car by

the time you start back to school.
By then, you will have been working here a year.
(Progressive form)
 Verb tense

Identify the tense of each verb in bold. Be

prepared to explain the difference in meaning
between the sentences in each pair.

1. Channel 5 News has reported on the flood.

Channel 5 News is reporting on the flood.

2. We will do our research on Friday.

We will have done our research on Friday.

3. Jane had studied thoroughly for the test.

Jane did study thoroughly for the test.
 Verb tense

Identify the tense of each verb in bold. Be

prepared to explain the difference in meaning
between the sentences in each pair.

1. Channel 5 News has reported on the flood.

Channel 5 News is reporting on the flood.

present perfect present, progressive form

The action occurred at an The action is occurring now
indefinite time in the past. and is continuing.
 Verb tense

Identify the tense of each verb in bold. Be

prepared to explain the difference in meaning
between the sentences in each pair.

2. We will do our research on Friday.

We will have done our research on Friday.

future tense future perfect

The action will occur later. The action will end before
some other future
occurrence.
 Verb tense

Identify the tense of each verb in bold. Be

prepared to explain the difference in meaning
between the sentences in each pair.

3. Jane had studied thoroughly for the test.

Jane did study thoroughly for the test.
past perfect past, emphatic form
The action ended before The action occurred in the past
some other past action or and did not continue into the
state of being. present. The emphatic form
shows emphasis.
 Verb tense

On Your Own
Change the tense of the verb in each sentence, as indicated
in parentheses.
1. Max has studied piano for one year. (Change to future.)
2. Ivy roots made their way into the bricks. (Change to
present progressive.)
3. The smell of gas filled the air. (Change to past perfect.)
4. Ray runs every day. (Change to past perfect progressive.)
5. The picture has been needing a new frame. (Change to
present emphatic.)

[End of Section]
 Special problems in the use of tenses
Sequence of tenses

Use tense forms correctly to show relationships

between verbs in a sentence.
To describe events that occur at the same time,
use verbs in the same tense.

Present tense Present tense

The bell rings, and the classroom empties.

Past tense Past tense

The bell rang, and the classroom emptied.
 Special problems in the use of tenses
Sequence of tenses

For events that occur at different times, use

verbs of different tenses to show the order of
events.
Present tense Past tense
She plays soccer now, but last year she swam on the
swim team.
Her soccer playing is
occurring now. Her
swimming on the swim
team occurred in the past
and preceded her soccer
playing.
 Special problems in the use of tenses
Sequence of tenses

For events that occur at different times, use

verbs of different tenses to show the order of
events.

Past tense Past perfect tense

Serena told us that she had invited
Josh to the party.

The action of inviting was completed

before the action of telling.
 Special problems in the use of tenses
If clauses

In an if clause that expresses the earlier of two

events, do not use would have. Instead, use the
past perfect tense.

Nonstandard
Standard would
If he had have more
taken takentime,
morehe
time,
he would
would have
have won.
won.
 Special problems in the use of tenses

Each of the following sentences contains

an error in the use of verb tense. Identify each error,
and give the correct form of the verb.

1. The official blew her whistle and calls a foul

on one of our players.

2. If they would have called sooner, we would

have given them a ride.

3. By the time the rain began, we left the park.

 Special problems in the use of tenses

Each of the following sentences contains

an error in the use of verb tense. Identify each error,
and give the correct form of the verb.

1. The official blew her whistle and called a foul

on one of our players.

The actions occur at the same time, so the verbs

should both be in the same tense.
 Special problems in the use of tenses

Each of the following sentences contains

an error in the use of verb tense. Identify each error,
and give the correct form of the verb.

2. If they had called sooner, we would have

given them a ride.

Would have should not be used in an if clause

that expresses the earlier of two past actions.
Instead, the past perfect tense should be used.
 Special problems in the use of tenses

Each of the following sentences contains

an error in the use of verb tense. Identify each error,
and give the correct form of the verb.

3. By the time the rain began, we had left the

park.

The action of leaving the park happened before

the rain began.
 Special problems in the use of tenses

On Your Own

Correct each error in the use of verb tenses. If a sentence is

already correct, label it C.
1. After she graduated, Corrine joins the navy.
2. We would have walked there if the weather would have
been nice.
3. She delivers the mail when the regular mail carrier is sick.
4. After Sam had answered, Mr. Cain says, That is correct.
5. If you had asked politely, I might have helped you.

[End of Section]
 Mood

Mood is the form a verb takes to indicate the

attitude of the person using the verb.

The indicative mood expresses a fact, an

opinion, or a question.

Fact Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace

Prize in 2002.

Opinion Isabel Allende is a gifted writer.

Question Can you explain the difference

between a meteor and a meteorite?
 Mood

The imperative mood expresses a direct

command or a request.

Direct Explain the difference between a

command meteor and a meteorite.

Request Please pass me that astronomy book.

 Mood

The present and past tenses have distinctive forms

in the subjunctive mood.

The present subjunctive expresses a

suggestion or a necessity.

Suggestion
We recommend that Mary Collins
be invited to speak at the assembly.

Necessity It is required that you attend the

special training session.
 Mood
Present subjunctive

The present subjunctive form of a verb is the

same as the base form of the verb.

Present Subjunctive of Be

Singular Plural
(that) I be (that) we be

(that) you be (that) you be

(that) he, she, it be (that) they be

 Mood

The past subjunctive expresses a condition

contrary to fact or expresses a wish.

Condition If I were you, Id check the oil

contrary to fact level in the car.

Wish Margaret wishes she were an auto

mechanic.
 Mood
Past subjunctive

Be is the only verb whose past subjunctive form is

different from its past indicative form.

Past Indicative Past Subjunctive

Singular Plural Singular Plural

I was we were (if) I were (that) we were

you were you were (if) you were (that) you were

he, she, it was they were (if) he, she, it were (that) they were
 Mood

Identify the mood (indicative, imperative,

present subjunctive, or past subjunctive) of each verb
in bold. Be prepared to explain your answers.

1. Theo, stand back when I start the mower.

2. Hector wishes he were taller.

3. I suggest that the trees be planted soon.

4. Did you know that Kates sister is the new

produce manager.
 Mood

Identify the mood (indicative, imperative,

present subjunctive, or past subjunctive) of each verb
in bold. Be prepared to explain your answers.

1. Theo, stand back when I start the mower.

Imperativeexpresses a direct command

 Mood

Identify the mood (indicative, imperative,

present subjunctive, or past subjunctive) of each verb
in bold. Be prepared to explain your answers.

2. Hector wishes he were taller.

Past subjunctiveexpresses a wish

 Mood

Identify the mood (indicative, imperative,

present subjunctive, or past subjunctive) of each verb
in bold. Be prepared to explain your answers.

3. I suggest that the trees be planted soon.

Present subjunctiveexpresses a suggestion

 Mood

Identify the mood (indicative, imperative,

present subjunctive, or past subjunctive) of each verb
in bold. Be prepared to explain your answers.

4. Did you know that Kates sister is the new

produce manager.

Indicativeexpresses a fact
 Mood

On Your Own
For each sentence, identify the mood of the boldfaced verb
as indicative, imperative, or subjunctive.
________ 1. Was your brother excited about the game?
_________ 2. Be a good dog and stay right there, Molly.

_________ 3. Ms. Harper suggested that we volunteer.

_________ 4. Mr. Darwin said that he will lead a field

trip to the animal sanctuary.
_________ 5. If I were as talented a singer as you, I
would try out for the chorus.

[End of Section]
 Modals

A modal is a helping verb that is joined with a

main verb or an infinitive to express an attitude
toward the action or state of being of the main
verb.

Helping Verbs Used as Modals

can could may might must

ought shall should will would
 Modals

The modals can and could are used to express

ability.

Can you swim the freestyle?

I could have taken swimming lessons this spring.

 Modals

The modal may is used to express permission or

possibility.

Permission May I use your pencil?

Possibility You may want to add more garlic

to the pasta sauce.

The modal might is also used to express

possibility.
Janelle might get a new bicycle.
 Modals

Often the possibility expressed

by might is less likely than the
possibility expressed by may.

You may find your library card

likely in your locker.

I might have put my library

less likely card in my locker, but I doubt it.
 Modals

The modal must is used most often to express a

requirement. Sometimes must is used to express
an explanation.

Requirement You must take care of houseplants if you

want them to live.

Explanation I must have watered

this plant too much;
some of its leaves have
turned yellow.
 Modals

The modal ought is used to express an obligation

or a likelihood.

Obligation Gary ought to send a

thank-you note.

Likelihood The post office ought to be

open by now.
 Modals

The modals shall and will are used to express

future time.

I shall graduate from high school this June.

Where will the ceremony be held?

 Modals

The modal should is used to express a

recommendation, an obligation, or a possibility.

Recommendation
Doug should visit each campus
before deciding on a college.

Obligation You should have asked before

borrowing the book.

Possibility Should you decide to accept the

other job offer, please let me know.
 Modals

The modal would is used to express the

conditional form of a verb.

If it had rained, we would have cancelled the hike.

I would have let you know about any changes.

 Modals

Would can also be used to express future time in

a subordinate clause when the main verb in the
independent clause is in the past tense.

past tense verb modal expresses future time

Calista told
told us
us that
that she
she would
wouldmeet
meetusus
at at
thethe park.
park.
Main clause Subordinate clause
 Modals

Would is sometimes used to express

an action that was repeated in the past

Every summer my family would travel to Colorado.

a polite request
Would you please help him set the table?

an invitation
Would you go to the folk festival with me?
 Modals

Identify the modal in each of the following

sentences. Be prepared to tell what is expressed by
the modal.

1. Students may write on whatever topic they

wish, within reason.

2. The board is too short; I should have

measured more carefully.

3. We were so close to the stage that we could

touch the microphone.
 Modals

Identify the modal in each of the following

sentences. Be prepared to tell what is expressed by
the modal.

1. Students may write on whatever topic they

wish, within reason.

The modal may expresses permission.

 Modals

Identify the modal in each of the following

sentences. Be prepared to tell what is expressed by
the modal.

2.The board is too short; I should have

measured more carefully.

The modal should expresses an obligation.

 Modals

Identify the modal in each of the following

sentences. Be prepared to tell what is expressed by
the modal.

3. We were so close to the stage that we could

touch the microphone.

The modal could expresses ability.

 Modals

On Your Own
Supply an appropriate modal for each sentence.
1. I definitely _____ call you tomorrow, Ellen promised.
2. Take your umbrella because it _____ rain.
3. Explain this math problem to me; I _____ not figure it
out.
4. The committee _____ not have chosen anyone better
than Esteban.
5. Now that I have read that book, I _____ highly
recommend it to all my friends.

[End of Section]
 Review A

Identify the tense or mood of each boldfaced verb, as

indicated in parentheses. If the verb is in the progressive or
emphatic form, also identify the form.

__________ 1. The band had finished

the concert, but the audience called for
__________ another
2. set. (tense)
The class will be reading
a play. (tense)
__________ 3. If you were more patient,
you would succeed. (mood)
__________ 4. I have been stung by a bee. (tense)
__________ 5. Remember to remove your shoes
in a Japanese restaurant. (mood)
The End