Verbs : Expressing
Time through Tense
Uses of Tense in Present, Past, and Future Time
Verb Forms and Uses
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Present Present action,
present condition,
recurring action, recurring
condition, constant action,
constant condition
Present Progressive
Continuing action,
Continuing condition
Present Emphatic
Emphasizing a statement,
Denying an assertion
Examples
There goes the balloon;
The band sounds
wonderful; I pack my own
lunch; The paramedics are
prompt to arrive; The earth
rotates on its axis; Pluto is
the most distant planet.
 I am studying for a math
test; Lenny is being
stubborn today.
 I do hope for sun this
weekend; Despite rumors,
we do have school
tomorrow.
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There are THREE uses of tense in
present time
Verb Forms and Uses
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Past Indefinite past
time, definite past
time
Present perfect
Indefinite past time,
continuing to present
Past Perfect
Completed before
another past event
Examples
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Jack mowed the
lawn; Tim was sick
yesterday.
Janet has finished her
paper; Grandma has
been busy all day.
The caller had hung
up by the time I got
to the phone.
There are SEVEN uses of tense in
past time
Verb Forms and Uses
Examples
Past progressive
Continuous past event
 Present perfect
progressive Event
continuing to present
 Past perfect
progressive
Continuous past event
before another
 Past emphatic
Emphasizing a
statement


The sun was shining
yesterday.
 I have been studying all
weekend.
 Before the storm, we
had been enjoying our
picnic.
 I did finish in time;
Despite Brenda’s
account, Ali did
complete the event.
There are SEVEN uses of tense in
past time
Verb Forms and Uses
Future Future event
 Future perfect Future
event before another
 Future progressive
Continuing future event
 Future perfect
progressive
Continuing future event
before another
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Examples
Grandma will visit us
next week.
 We will have finished
our chores before
lunch.
 The scouts will be
selling cookies all of
next month.
 By opening night, the
actors will have been
rehearsing for six
weeks.
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There are FOUR uses of tense in
future time