Overview of Verb TensesGrammar 5 – Fall 2014

Journal #1Write a few sentences to describe your week

What have you done so far this week? (since Sunday)

Choose a specific day and describe what you did that day.

What do you want to do this week?

What are some plans for later this week?

Tenses Review: Simple Present

Use Key Words

• Habitual action• General truth/facts/scientific

ideas• Description of existing

people/places/things• Reporting phrases*• Historical present

Every day, always, every + _____, every time* I ______, usually, often, sometimes, never

Smith reports that…Jones claims that…

Tenses Review: Present Progressive

Use Key Words

• Action that is happening right now

• Current action that is temporary

• Habitual action at a specific time

• Future plans/future schedules

Now, right now, in this moment, still

At 6:00 every dayWhen my roommate is sleeping, *future time word

Tenses Review: Simple Past

Use Key Words

• Past action that is completed at/during a specific time that is also completed

Yesterday/last week/last _____/this _____ (if it is in past)/in + year/after/before/when/ago/for _____ (if this period of time is finished)/on + day

Tenses Review: Past Progressive

Use Key Words

• Continuous action at a specific time in the past

• Continuous action during a period of time

• Continuous action that was interrupted or started before another action

• Two continuous action happening simultaneously

At ______

Last night/yesterday, …. from ___ to ___.While

While I was studying, my roommate was watching TV.I was studying while my roommate was watching TV.

Tenses Review: Present Perfect

Use Key Words

• Action that started in the past but is continuing until now (action is unfinished) – use stative verbs

• Finished action with no specific time or with unfinished time

Since, for _______ (length of time that continues until the present)

Since 9:00, I have been in class. I have lived here for four months.

Ever, neverHave you ever been to Canada?

I have taken 3 tests so far this semester.

Simple past: I took many tests last semester.

So far/already/yet* expectation for the future

Classmate Interview Q1: present perfectHave you ever been to New York?

A1: Yes/no, present perfectYes, many times.

Q2: simple present/pastDo you like the city?When was the last time you went?

A2: simple present/pastYes, it’s fun!I went last year for a friend’s wedding.

Q3: Choose a different tense .. Use key words/time phrases to help!

QuestionsHave you ever taken a long car trip?

Have you ever performed on stage?

How many concerts have you been to?

Have you made plans for this weekend yet?

Have you met with an American friend yet?

How long have you had the shoes that you are wearing?

Journal #2 Take out your journal entry from yesterday.

Tenses Review: Present Perfect Progressive

Use Key Words

• Continuous action started in past but continues until now (active verbs)

• Temporary action

We have been studying since 9:00 this morning.

I have been reading a great book for the past few days. We have been taking English classes for a couple of weeks.

I have lived here for one year. (I plan to stay in this place)

I have been living here for one year. (but I am planning to move)

Tenses Review: Past PerfectUse Key Words

• Describe a past action that occurred before another past action - two actions are connected

I realized that I had left my book in my room. 1. Left my book in my room2. Realized this mistake

When I came to the U.S. this year, I had already taken care of my visa and documents. 3. Took care of documents4. Came to U.S.

By the time I woke up this morning, my roommate had already eaten breakfast and (my roommate had already) left for class. 5. Roommate got ready and left6. I woke up

Tenses Review: Past Perfect Progressive

Use Key Words

• An action that occurred before another past action but is• Continuous• Temporary• Action verbs only

I had been waiting for an hour before he finally arrived. 1. Waiting2. He arrived

Tenses Review: Future

Use Key Words

• Future action• Plans (be going to/be + v-

ing)

• Predictions (will / be going to)

• Promise (will)

This weekend, I’m driving to Miami. I’m going to have a party tomorrow. X I will have a party tomorrow.

It will rain tomorrow. It is going to rain tomorrow. (it’s gonna)X It is raining tomorrow.

I will help you tomorrow morning. X I am going to help you tomorrow morning.

Tenses Review: Future Perfect

Use Key Words

Tenses Review: Future Perfect Progressive

Use Key Words