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A Review of Verb Tense
Author/Creation: Jennifer Mond, July 2010.
Summary: Describes the four categories of verb tense (simple, perfect, progressive, and perfect
progressive) and how present, past, and future function within each category.
Learning Objectives: To define the four categories of verb tense.
The tense of a verb indicates the time of the action or state of being that is expressed by the verb. Each
of the six tenses has a basic form. All basic forms are derived from the principal parts: present (base),
present participle (be verb plus –ing), past (‐ed), and past participle (‐en plus have, had, has). Using the
correct tense of verbs when you speak and write is essential to understanding in what time period
actions took place.
There are four categories of verb tenses: simple, perfect, progressive, and perfect progressive, with a
version of the present, past, and future in each category. Each tense has its own meaning. When the
actions take place (completed, ongoing, continuing into the future, has yet to occur) determines which
tense to use.
Simple Forms
Let’s start with the simple tenses.
Present
First is the present tense, which indicates actions or conditions occurring now. Present tense is often
used to state general information as well as thoughts and opinions.
Ex. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ex. They are angry about the decision.
Past
Next is the past tense, which indicates actions or conditions that have occurred already and do not
extend into the present.
Ex. She felt better after her test.
Ex. Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939.
Future
The last one of the simple tenses is the future that indicates actions that have yet to begin. To form the
future tense, you will use will or shall plus the base or the present principal part of the verb.
Ex. I will graduate the year after next.
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Ex. The exhibition will come to Houston in September.
**The question of when to use shall has been asked for many years, for it is often not used here in U.S.
Shall should be used when discussing legal documents, meetings, and obligations. Shall is also often
used when the speaker is being polite or offering an invitation. **
Exercise 1
Let’s test your knowledge of the information above before moving on. In each blank below, write the
tense of the verb in parenthesis.
1. She ____________ around the living room. (run‐present)
2. We ____________ our plans for the weekend. (discuss, past)
3. The boat ______________ as soon as the cargo of machinery is loaded. (sail, future)
4. Natasha __________ listening to music. (enjoy, past)
5. He ____________ musical comedies. (like‐present)
6. I __________ you my new leather jacket. (lend, future)
7. These arguments _________ you that I am right. (convince, future)
8. Although the car is old, it __________ well. (run‐present)
9. The shopper ____________ to see the manager. (ask, past)
10. The man in the corner ___________ lead guitar in the band. (play, present)
Self‐Check: Exercise 1 Answers
Use the answer key below to check your answers:
1. She runs around the living room. (run‐present)
2. We discussed our plans for the weekend. (discuss, past)
3. The boat will sail as soon as the cargo of machinery is loaded. (sail, future)
4. Natasha enjoys listening to music. (enjoy, past)
5. He likes musical comedies. (like‐present)
6. I will lend you my new leather jacket. (lend, future)
7. These arguments will convince you that I am right. (convince, future)
8. Although the car is old, it runs well. (run‐present)
9. The shopper asked to see the manager. (ask, past)
10. The man in the corner plays lead guitar in the band. (play, present)
Exercise 2
Identify the tense of the underlined verb in each sentence.
1. She will attend a conference in Washington.
2. Barbara and Marie refused to sign the petition.
3. The dancers rehearse everyday.
4. Storytelling existed before written history.
5. Blue jays have many unusual habits.
6. A squirrel drops its nuts when it gets frightened.
7. A good story will have action and drama.
8. We spotted a bird with red wings and tail.
9. The animals’ unpleasant shrieks warn other animals of danger.
10. We will practice our math skills this year.
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Self‐Check: Exercise 2 Answers
Use the answer key below to check your answers:
1. She will attend a conference in Washington. Future
2. Barbara and Marie refused to sign the petition. Past
3. The dancers rehearse everyday. Present
4. Storytelling existed before written history. Past
5. Blue jays have many unusual habits. Present
6. A squirrel drops its nuts when it gets frightened. Present
7. A good story will have action and drama. Future
8. We spotted a bird with red wings and tail. Past
9. The animals’ unpleasant shrieks warn other animals of danger. Present
10. We will practice our math skills this year. Future
Perfect Forms
The next tenses to consider are the perfect tenses, which give information about the time frame of an
action’s completion. The perfect tenses indicate the action of the verb has been completed by a specific
point in the past, present, or future.
Present Perfect
The present perfect tense describes an event that has already been completed in the present. It is
formed using have or has plus the past participle form of the verb (‐ed, ‐en).
Ex. I have walked to school for five years.
Ex. Dad has written many stories of his childhood.
Past Perfect
The next tense is the past perfect, where the action was completed before a specified time in the past.
To form the past perfect tense, you will use had plus the past participle form of the verb.
Ex. We had considered several alternative plans.
Ex. Bill had finished packing before the taxi arrived.
Future Perfect
The last one of the perfect tenses is future perfect, which states that the action will have been
completed by a specified time in the future. To form the future perfect tense, you need to use will have
or shall have plus the past participle form of the verb.
Ex. In ten years the original investment will have doubled.
Ex. The students will have used all their paper by December.
Exercise 3
Again, let’s test your knowledge before we move on. Underline the verb in each of the following
sentences. Then identify the tense of each verb.
1. They had notified us of their arrival.
2. Our dogs have bitten no one.
3. The family will have finished dinner by seven.
4. We have seen that movie twice.
5. Tom will have departed before Brain’s arrival.