Verb Tense

Simple and Perfect Tenses

Verb change to slow when an action takes place or when a condition is true. These are called Verb tenses.

Rule.1 
Use the simple tenses for actions or for conditions that are usually true.

• The present tense expresses that an action takes place now or that a condition is true now.
• The past tense express that an action took place or that a condition was true in that past.
• The future tense expresses that an action will take place or that a condition will be true in the future. Use the helping verbs will or shall with the present form.

Present: Mr. Gomez advises Paula to apply for another job.
Past: He worked with Paula on a special project last year.
Future: Paula will bring her resume to the office next Thursday.


Rule.2

Use perfect tenses for more complex time  relationships.
The perfect tenses always use a helping verb that is a form of the verb have plus the past participle.

• The present perfect tense expresses an action that began in the past and is already completed or continues into the present. Use have or has with the past participle.
• The past perfect tense expresses an action that was completed in the past before  another past action begins. Use had with the past participle.
• The future perfect tense expresses a future action that will begin and end before another future action begins. Use will have with the past participle.

Present perfect: I have sent along her application to Ms. Hall.
Past perfect: Previously, Ms. Hall had considered only graduates.
Future perfect: Paula will have graduated by June.

Posted in: English