1. To Think About Verb Tenses, Use a Time Line
Created by Howard Price

2. We are stuck in the present.
But, we can remember the past and think about the future.
We do this with our inner eye.

3. How Does It Work?
Think of this as your inner-eye. This is what we use to remember and to imagine with.

4. If we really think about time, we are always stuck in the present.

5. Let’s use the inner-eye.
Thinking about the past.
Thinking about the future.
The Past
The Future
The Present

6. By using the inner-eye, let’s now build a time line.
Past
Present
Future am
baking
I am baking a pepperoni pizza.
What makes this action in the present tense?

7. Let’s think about yesterday.
Thinking about the past.
Present
Future
Past
was
baking
Yesterday, I was baking a pepperoni pizza.
What makes this action in the past tense?

8. Let’s think about tomorrow.
Thinking about the future.
Present
Future
Past
will
baking be
Tomorrow, I will be baking a pepperoni pizza.
What makes this action in the future tense?

9. What Marks the Past, Present, and Future?
was
baking
baking am
will
baking be
Notice that “baking” is in the past, present and future. It really has no tense. It is just a continuation of an action which is marked by the “ing”.

10. Let’s think about the near past.
Present
Future
Past
have
been
baking
Today, I have been baking pepperoni pizza.
What marks this action in the present tense?
What marks this action in the past tense?
Notice that “baking” is now in the past and in the present.

11. Let’s think about the past.
Present
Future
Past
was
baking
Yesterday, I was baking pepperoni pizza.
What marks this action in the past?

12. Let’s think further into the past.
Present
Future
Past
Past/Past
day before
yesterday
had
been
baking
The day before yesterday, I had been baking pizza.
What marks the action as past?
What marks the action further into the past?
Notice “baking” is in the past and further in the past.

13. Compare Patterns. have been baking had been baking Present Future Past
Past/Past
had
been
baking

14. Think about the future as if it is the past.
Present
Future
Past
tomorrow
by 2
will
have
been
baking
By 2 o’clock tomorrow, I will have been baking pizza for two hours.
What marks the future?
What marks the past?
What marks the present?
Notice “baking” is in the future, present and past.

15. Think about the past as if it is the future.
Present
Future
Past
yesterday
have
been
should
baking
Yesterday, I should have been baking pizza for the party.
What marks the past?
What marks the future?
What marks the present?
Notice that “baking” is in the past, present and future.

25. The End

26. The End