Tenses Flashcards
Tenses are created by changing the (?) in a sentence
A. Adjective
B. Adverb
C. Noun
D. Verb
D. Verb
Please name the 3 most basic/common tenses
Past / Present / Future
Tense formulas:
The simple present
Subject + (present) Verb + Object
Timeline = now - the action can occur anytime
I eat cake
She eats cake
Tense formulas
Simple present in the negative
Sub + aux verb do(es)”not + (present) verb + obj
I don’t eat cake
she doesn’t eat cake
In the interrogative the auxiliary verb comes before the subject
Aux verb + subject + (present) verb + object
Do you eat cake
Does she eat cake
The simple present is the (?) block for all other tenses.
Building
Tense formulas
Simple past
Used to explain an action completed in the past
Also supply the negative formula
Subject + (past) verb + object
I saw a big explosion
I drank a bottle of soda this morning
In the negative “don’t” and “doesn’t” becomes “Didn’t”
Subject + aux verb (neg form of do(es)”not)
+ past verb + object
Tenses formula:
Future tenses formula?
(use the modal verb “will” when discussed at the time of speaking)
(use “be” going to to talk about events that have been planned and with more certainty)
(the choice of “be” verb depends on the subject)
Subject + will + infinitive verb + object
Subject + “be” verb + going to + infinitive verb + obj
“Will” you marry me
Yes I “will”
(Next day to her friends)
We “are going to” get married in a month
(Phone rings) - “I’ll” get it
(Asked weekend plans) we “are going” to have a bbq
There are how many ? Progressive / continuous tenses: ?
2
True or False:
Progressive and Continuous tenses are the same thing?
True
True or false:
Progressive or Continuous tenses are formed using the “ing” form of the verb. We may only make a Verb “ing” when we can guess there is an end to the event.
State verbs like “love” shouldn’t be used in progressive tenses
True
Tense formulas:
Present progressive/continuous:
There are 2 uses of the present progressive. The most common is a continuous action that coincides with the time of speaking.
Subject + “be” verb + verb”ing” form + object
I am learning English
We’re watching a movie
I am loving you (incorrect use)
Tense formulas:
Present progressive / continuous:
We also use it to talk about actions which are certain in the future
Subject + “be” verb + verb”ing” + object
I can’t go to the party
I am working on Friday
She’s going to New York in two weeks
Tense formulas:
Past progressive/continuous:
Talks about an action that was in progress in the past. It is usually in a sentence with a time phrase (or complement) to show the two actions occurring at the same time.
Subject + (past) “be” verb (was/were) + verb”ing” form + object
I was having a shower when my phone rang
It wasn’t raining while we were swimming
Tense formulas:
Future progressive/continuous:
Most commonly used to talk about a long slow action decided for a time in the future, and should be used with a time phrase.
Subject + (will/won’t) “be” + verb”ing” + object
We “will be having steak” for dinner
I “won’t be calling” you for a week
When “will she be leaving” for the concert
Tense formulas:
Present perfect:
Present perfect refers to past actions that have some result or consequence now. Often used to talk about life events where time is not important
Subject + have/has + verb (past participle) + object
They “have grown apples” for years
I “haven’t seen the movie” since 1999
I “have been bungee jumping”
We “have got lost”
Tense formulas:
Past Perfect:
Shows us that one past event happens before another in the past.
Subject + had + verb (past participle) + object
Jenny “had slept” well, so she felt good
Bob “had read” the book before he went to the movie.
The movie “had started” right before we arrived.
Tense formulas:
Future perfect:
We use to refer to future events as if they are already completed. We picture ourselves after the event looking back at it. We use “by” and a time as our second event time perspective.
Subject + will have + verb (past participle)
She “will have been shopping” for hours by then
I “won’t have finished” my work by the time you get home.
“Will you have paid” the bills by the due date?.
Tense formulas:
Perfect Progressive:
Used to talk about an action that was started in the past but recently completed or still continuing now.
Subject + have/has + been + verb”ing” + object
She “has been cooking” your dinner for hours.
We “haven’t been waiting” very long
Tense formulas:
Past Perfect Progressive:
Used to focus on an action which was continuing up to a point in the past, not necessary a complete event.
Subject + had + been + verb”ing” form + object
I “had been trying” to call you
They “hadn’t been waiting” long.
Tense formulas
Future perfect progressive.
A long slow action that we predict will occur between now and some time in the future.
Subject + will have + been + verb”ing” form
Sarah “will have been working” here for 2 years by sept
I “won’t have been spending” my money
