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Those Pesky Verbs!. Knowing which tense you want, how to make it, and why you want to use it. Simple Present Tense. Looks like: I/you/we/they talk She/he/it talks Tricky things: A few irregular verbs (is, does, has, goes) That “s” ending!!! [Error correction symbol: AGR].
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Those Pesky Verbs! Knowing which tense you want, how to make it, and why you want to use it
Simple Present Tense • Looks like: • I/you/we/they talk • She/he/it talks • Tricky things: • A few irregular verbs (is, does, has, goes) • That “s” ending!!! [Error correction symbol: AGR]
When do we use it? • Habits & Facts • I usually come to class on time. • She has a dog. • Summaries of texts! • In his essay, Lederer claims that short words are powerful.
Present Progressive Tense • Looks like: • “be” and “verb+-ing” ending • I am talking • She is talking • They are not talking • Tricky things: • You must have both parts! • Some verbs can’t be progressive (feeling, thinking, etc verbs)
When do we use it? • To describe something happening at the moment • Right now, you are reading a PowerPoint slide. • The world is rotating on its axis. • We are not playing soccer at the moment. • FYI, You won’t often use this tense in academic essays for this class.
PAST Progressive Tense • Looks like: • Past tense of “be” and “verb+-ing” ending • I was talking • She was talking • They were not talking • Tricky things: • You must have both parts! • You must have the –ing ending on the main verb! • Some verbs can’t be progressive (feeling, thinking, etc verbs)
When do we use it? Situation 1: • To emphasize that two events were in progress at the same time time in the past. • Last week, you were practicing writing summaries while you were writing an essay. It was a lot of work to juggle at one time! • We choose past progressive here because they were two long, difficult processes happening at the same time in the past(not one after the other).
When do we use it? Situation 2: • Past progressive is often juxtaposed with simple past tense to emphasize that something was in progress at some time in the past when the other thing interrupted it. • They were driving downtown when they ran out of gas. • Marcie was still talking when the teacher for the next class came into the room. • Tricky! Students often use past progressive when simple past would be better. Ask me (or a tutor) if you’re not sure!
Simple past Tense • Looks like: • verb + -ed ending • He talked • They cooked • I didn’t walk • Tricky things: • Irregular past tense verbs are numerous!!! * link to a list * link to Quizlet flashcards
When do we use it? • To describe something finished in the past. • She got her bachelor’s degree in 2002. • Last week, we listened to a presentation about academic success. • She went home, played with the dog, and did her homework. • You will probably use this verb a lot when you write narratives (stories) about the past. You will also use it when you summarize something you experienced (an event, not a text).
Present PERFECT Tense • Looks like: • “have” + past participle of the main verb • Past participle looks like a past tense verb or it’s irregular • I have read • She has talked • They have written • Tricky things: • You must have both parts! • Don’t use “be” with this! • Don’t interchange with simple past tense.
When do we use it? Situation One: • To describe something that happened in the past, but we don’t know when (and when it happened is not important). We just know it happened before now. • I have graded your homework. • It doesn’t matter when I did it – it just matters that I did it so you can get it back and learn from your mistakes and my comments.
When do we use it? Situation Two: • To describe something that started in the past, but we don’t know when, and it is continuing. This happens with some special verbs. • I have lived in Seattle since 2007. • I have lived in Seattle for 7 years. • She has worked for the company since 2010.
Present PERFECT Progressive Tense • Looks like: • “have” + “been” + “verb + -ing” ending • I have been reading • She has been talking • They have been writing • Tricky things: • You must have all parts! • Don’t interchange with simple past tense or present perfect* • *Special verbs only
When do we use it? • Again, the progressive form is used to emphasize duration: • They have been writing for two hours! • She has been sleeping for nineteen hours. She must be really, really tired. • If you’re not wanting to emphasize how much time something is taking, don’t use it.
Past perfect Tense • Looks like: • I/you/we/they/she/he had talked • Tricky things: • Isn’t the same as simple past • Isn’t the same as present perfect
When do we use it? • The past perfect tense is used to describe the first of two actions that were completed in the past. Note that the section action has a simple past tense verb. The tenses tell us which action happened first in time and which happened second. • I had come to class when I realized my backpack was on the bus. • You had written a summary before I asked you to write a S-R. • Past progressive tense verb clauses often come juxtaposed with simple past tense verb clauses in complex sentences.
Resources • Simple vs. Progressive verb chart • Perfect Tenses verb chart • Present Perfect and Present Perfect Progressive PPT
