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

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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?

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”.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

The End

The End