tense - the time of the action indicated by a verb verb tenses
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TENSE - THE TIME OF THE ACTION INDICATED BY A VERB
Verb Tenses
6 Types
Verb Tenses
Present Past FutureFuture
PerfectPast
PerfectPresent Perfect
Present Tense
The present tense expresses something that is happening now (in the present). It can also express an action which occurs always, repeatedly, or habitually.
Examples: He sees the train. He eats cereal for breakfast every day.
Past Tense
The past tense expresses that something has already happened. The action was completed at a definite time in the past.
Examples: He wrote the letter yesterday. She lived to be 90 years old.
Future Tense
Future tense expresses that something is going to happen.
It uses the helping verbs will or shall* plus the present tense form of the verb.
Examples: He will send the letter tomorrow. I shall wait here until you return.
* Traditionally, shall is used for 1st person and will for 2nd and 3rd persons.
Principal Parts
All the tenses of a verb come from four basic forms.
These basic forms are the principal parts of the verb.
Verb:Verb: Present Present TenseTense
Present Present ParticipleParticiple
Past TensePast Tense Past Past ParticipleParticiple
(To) call(To) call call, callscall, calls (is) calling(is) calling calledcalled (have) called(have) called
(To) dust(To) dust dust, dustsdust, dusts (is) dusting(is) dusting dusteddusted (have) dusted(have) dusted
Principal Parts
The present participle and the past participle are always used with a helping verb.
Principal parts are not considered tenses. They are simply the building blocks we use to form the different tenses.
Verb:Verb: Present Present TenseTense
Present Present ParticipleParticiple
Past TensePast Tense Past Past ParticipleParticiple
(To) call(To) call call, callscall, calls (is) calling(is) calling calledcalled (have) called(have) called
(To) dust(To) dust dust, dustsdust, dusts (is) dusting(is) dusting dusteddusted (have) dusted(have) dusted
Present Perfect Tense
Present perfect tense expresses action that took place at an undefined time in the past. The action may still be going on.
This tense uses the helping verb has or have plus the past participle of the verb.
Examples: He has written a letter to his uncle. (undefined time in the
past) The Waltons have lived here for seven years. (still going on)
Past Perfect Tense
Past perfect tense expresses an action in the past that was completed before another action took place.
It uses the helping verb had plus the past participle of the verb.
Example: She had written the letter before I saw her.
Future Perfect Tense
Future perfect tense expresses action which will be completed before another action in the future.
It uses the helping verbs will have or shall have plus the past participle of the verb.
Example: He will have finished the paper before next Friday.