The verb system of the English language allows a speaker to describe many actions as they occur in time: past, present, future, continuous, completed or beginning at a later date. So many specific verb uses can be challenging for the non-native speaker. It is important to consider the characteristics of the action you want to describe-when it occurred, was it ongoing or completed, and will it continue into the future-when choosing the proper form.
Instructions
1. Determine the proper verb tense. The English language uses three basic tenses to describe actions in time. The present tense describes actions that are unchanging, repetitive or happening only in the present. The past tense is used to discuss actions that began and ended in the past. Regular past tense verbs are conjugated by attaching an "ed" to the end. This conjugation is also referred to as the "past participle." Use the future tense when speaking of an action that will happen in the future. Construct the future tense by using the helping verbs "will" or "shall" before the basic present tense of the verb.
2. Use the progressive form to describe an action that is ongoing. The present progressive is used for actions that are currently happening and will continue to do so. Conjugate the basic verb with an "ing" ending. This conjugation is called the "present participle." Use the helping verbs "am/is/are" before the present participle to construct the present progressive form. The past progressive describes actions that were happening in the past when a second event occurred. Use the helping verbs "was/were" before the present participle to form the past progressive form. Discuss an action that will begin and continue in the future with the future progressive form. Use "will be" or "shall be" before the present participle for the future progressive form.
3. Use the perfect form to describe a completed action. Present perfect form is used to discuss an action that occurred before the present, at an undefined moment in time. "Have/has" precedes the past participle to construct the present perfect form. Past perfect describes an action that started and ended in the past, before a second action occurred. Combine "had" with the past participle to create this form. Future perfect is used when a future action will occur before a second action happens. Combine "will have" and the past participle to form the future perfect verb.
4. Use the perfect progressive form to discuss a continuous action that occurs at a definite time. Present perfect progressive is used for actions that started in the past and continue into the present and future. Combine "has/have been" with the present participle to construct this form. For an ongoing action that ended in the past before a second action took place, use past perfect progressive. Precede the present participle with "had been" to use this form. Future perfect progressive is used for a ongoing future action that will happen before a second future event or time. Combine "will have been" and the present participle for the future perfect progressive form.
