1. Overview of Verb Tenses
Grammar 5 – Fall 2014

2. Journal #1 Write 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?

3. 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…

4. 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 day
When my roommate is sleeping,
*future time word

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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, never
Have 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

8. Classmate Interview Questions Q1: present perfect
Have you ever been to New York?
A1: Yes/no, present perfect
Yes, many times.
Q2: simple present/past
Do you like the city?
When was the last time you went?
A2: simple present/past
Yes, it’s fun!
I went last year for a friend’s wedding.
Q3: Choose a different tense .. Use key words/time phrases to help!
Questions
Have 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?

9. Journal #2
Take out your journal entry from yesterday.

10. 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)

11. Tenses Review: Past Perfect
Use
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.
Left my book in my room
Realized this mistake
When I came to the U.S. this year, I had already taken care of my visa and documents.
Took care of documents
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.
Roommate got ready and left
I woke up

12. 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.
Waiting
He arrived

13. 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.

14. Tenses Review: Future Perfect
Use
Key Words

15. Tenses Review: Future Perfect Progressive
Use
Key Words