2. Verb Tense
Verb tense refers to when the action in a sentence takes place—
whether it happened in the past, is happening in the present, or
will happen in the future.
Most verbs take a past, present, or future tense. This means that the
verb may change forms to reflect something that already
happened, something that is currently happening or is an
ongoing truth/reality, or something that will happen in the
future.
3. Examples:
• Past tense: The researcher explained the unusual results.
In this example, "explained" is the past tense verb.
• Present tense: Poverty exists in the world even to this day.
In this example, "exists" is the present tense verb.
• Future tense: This study will challenge entrepreneurs in their views of the current state of the economy.
In this example, "will challenge" is the future tense verb.
Notice that the future tense requires the helping verb, "will.“
• Also, remember that sometimes sentences might have multiple verb tenses.
Example:
The goal of this study is to determine how the Armed Forces reacted to threats of war
in the past and to implement strategies that will encourage proactive movements rather
than reactive movements in the future.
The first verb, "is," is in the present tense; the second verb, "reacted," is in the past tense; and the third verb, "will
encourage," is in the future tense.
4. Why is studying verb tense important?
1.Clear communication: It helps in expressing actions and events accurately in relation
to time, ensuring effective communication.
2.Proper understanding: Using the correct tense ensures that the listener or reader can
understand when an action occurred or will occur.
3.Avoiding confusion: Incorrect verb tenses can lead to misunderstandings and
confusion in conversations and written text.
4.Writing and speaking skills: Understanding verb tenses improves your overall language
skills in both writing and speaking.
5.Expressing timeframes: It allows you to express actions in the past, present, or future,
providing context and clarity to your statements.
6.Conveying habits and routines: Tenses help in describing habits, routines, and
repeated actions.
7.Narrative structure: It is crucial for storytelling and recounting events in a logical
sequence.
8.Academic and professional purposes: Proper verb tense usage is essential for academic
writing, business communication, and formal contexts.
9.Building fluency: Understanding verb tenses enhances your language fluency and
proficiency.
5. 12 types of verb tenses
• The simple tenses (past, present, and future) are the most basic
forms, but there are 12 major verb tenses in English in all.
We’ll review the tenses here.
9. Verb Tense Error
• A verb tense error occurs when the verb used in a sentence
does not match the appropriate tense for the intended
meaning.
• This mistake can lead to confusion or miscommunication
because the timing of the action or event may not align
with the context of the sentence.
• It often occurs when people accidentally use different verb
tenses in the same sentence or paragraph, making the
timing of actions or events inconsistent.
To avoid these errors, it's essential to use the correct verb
tense that matches when things happened or will happen.
This way, our writing or speaking becomes more understandable
10. TYPES OF VERB ERRORS
Verb Tense
Errors
Verb Form
Errors
Verb Mood
11. Types of Verb Tense Errors
1.Verb Tense Error: A verb tense error occurs when the verb used in a sentence does not
match the appropriate tense for the intended meaning.
Example:
Incorrect: I am going to the beach yesterday.
Correct: I went to the beach yesterday.
In the incorrect sentence, "am going" is the present tense, but it should be "went" to match the
past tense of "yesterday.“
2. Verb Form Error: A verb form error occurs when the wrong form of the verb is used,
such as using the base form instead of the past tense.
Example:
Incorrect: She have a good time at the party.
Correct: She had a good time at the party.
In the incorrect sentence, "have" is the base form, but it should be "had" in the past tense.
12. 3. Verb Mood Error: A verb mood error happens when the wrong mood of the verb is
used, like using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive mood.
Example:
Incorrect: If I was you, I will do it differently.
Correct: If I were you, I would do it differently.
In the incorrect sentence, "was" is indicative, but it should be "were" in the subjunctive
mood to express a hypothetical situation.
Use the appropriate verb mood to convey the intended meaning.
Indicative mood is used for stating facts or opinions.
• Example: I believe he is right.
Subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical situations, wishes, or suggestions.
• Example: I wish I were there.
Imperative mood is used for giving commands or instructions.
• Example: Please pass the salt.
13. 4. Verb Voice Error: A verb voice error occurs when the wrong voice of the verb is
used, such as using the passive voice instead of the active voice.
Example:
Incorrect: The book was written by Mark Twain.
Correct: Mark Twain wrote the book.
In the incorrect sentence, the passive voice “was written" is used, but it should be in the
active voice "wrote" for clearer communication.
These are some common types of verb errors to watch out for when writing
or speaking. Paying attention to verb usage helps improve the clarity and
correctness of your language.
14.
15. 1. The company ___________ a new
marketing campaign next week.
•a) will launch
•b) launch
•c) launches
•d) launching
16. 1. The company ___________ a new
marketing campaign next week.
•a) will launch
•b) launch
•c) launches
•d) launching
17. 2. The children ___________ in the park
when it started raining.
•a) plays
•b) play
•c) were playing
•d) played
18. 2. The children ___________ in the park
when it started raining.
•a) plays
•b) play
•c) were playing
•d) played
19. 3. She ________ her phone on the table
yesterday.
•a) put
•b) puts
•c) putting
•d) had put
20. 3. She ________ her phone on the table
yesterday.
•a) put
•b) puts
•c) putting
•d) had put
21. 4. My brother and I ___________ going to the
concert tonight.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) am
•d) be
22. 4. My brother and I ___________ going to the
concert tonight.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) am
•d) be
23. 5. Choose the sentence with the correct
verb form:
a) She have been working all day.
b) She has been working all day.
c) She have been worked all day.
d) She has been work all day.
24. 5. Choose the sentence with the correct
verb form:
a) She have been working all day.
b) She has been working all day.
c) She have been worked all day.
d) She has been work all day.
25. 6. I will visit my grandparents next
weekend. They ________________ very
excited to see me.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) were
•d) will be
26. 6. I will visit my grandparents next
weekend. They ________________ very
excited to see me.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) were
•d) will be
27. 7. Yesterday, I ________________ my favorite
book and couldn't put it down.
•a) read
•b) reads
•c) have read
•d) will read
28. 7. Yesterday, I ________________ my favorite
book and couldn't put it down.
•a) read
•b) reads
•c) have read
•d) will read
29. 8. If I _____ you, I would buy a big
house.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) was
•d) were
30. 8. If I _____ you, I would buy a big
house.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) was
•d) were
31. 9. I ________ to the store to buy some
groceries.
•a) gone
•b) goes
•c) going
•d) went
32. 9. I ________ to the store to buy some
groceries.
•a) gone
•b) goes
•c) going
•d) went
33. 10. They ________ the movie last night.
•a) watch
•b) watches
•c) watching
•d) watched
34. 10. They ________ the movie last night.
•a) watch
•b) watches
•c) watching
•d) watched
35. 11. The concert starts at 7 p.m., so we
________________ to arrive early.
•a) need
•b) needs
•c) needed
•d) will need
36. 11. The concert starts at 7 p.m., so we
________________ to arrive early.
•a) need
•b) needs
•c) needed
•d) will need
37. 12. By the time he arrived, the party
________________.
•a) had ended
•b) has ended
•c) ended
•d) will end
38. 12. By the time he arrived, the party
________________.
•a) had ended
•b) has ended
•c) ended
•d) will end
39. 13. She …….. living in London since 2010.
•a) has been
•b) have been
•c) has being
•d) has
40. 13. She ………… living in London since 2010.
•a) has been
•b) have been
•c) has being
•d) has
41. 14. I have been ______ this series since
two years.
•a) watch
•b) watching
•c) watched
•d) watches
42. 14. I have been ______ this series since
two years.
•a) watch
•b) watching
•c) watched
•d) watches
45. 16. If I were you, I ________________ a
different approach to the problem.
•a) takes
•b) would take
•c) took
•d) will take
46. 16. If I were you, I ________________ a
different approach to the problem.
•a) takes
•b) would take
•c) took
•d) will take
47. 17. The plane ________ late due to bad
weather.
•a) arrives
•b) arrive
•c) arriving
•d) arrived
48. 17. The plane ________ late due to bad
weather.
•a) arrives
•b) arrive
•c) arriving
•d) arrived
49. 18. Sarah ________ her homework before
going to bed.
•a) finish
•b) finishes
•c) finishing
•d) finished
50. 18. Sarah ________ her homework before
going to bed.
•a) finish
•b) finishes( if habit )
•c) finishing
•d) finished ( specific instance in past )
51. 19. My parents ________ in the garden every
morning.
•a) work
•b) works
•c) working
•d) worked
52. 19. My parents ________ in the garden every
morning.
•a) work
•b) works
•c) working
•d) worked
53. 20.The books on the shelf ________ organized
by color.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) was
•d) were
54. 20.The books on the shelf ________ organized
by color.
•a) is
•b) are
•c) was
•d) were
55. 21. He _______ a snake.
•a) killing
•b) killed
•c) kill
•d) being kill
56. 21. He _______ a snake.
•a) killing
•b) killed
•c) kill
•d) being kill
57. 22. By next year, we ________________ in this
city for five years.
•a) will have lived
•b) would have lived
•c) have lived
•d) lived
58. 22. By next year, we ________________ in this
city for five years.
•a) will have lived
•b) would have lived
•c) have lived
•d) lived
59. 23. He is a great chef and ________________
delicious meals for his customers.
a) cooks
b) cooked
c) cooking
d) Cook
60. 23. He is a great chef and ________________
delicious meals for his customers.
a) cooks
b) cooked
c) cooking
d) Cook
61. 24. They ________________ to the party if
they finish their work on time.
•a) will come
•b) come
•c) came
•d) coming
62. 24. They ________________ to the party if
they finish their work on time.
•a) will come
•b) come
•c) came
•d) coming
63. 25. The train ________________ at 8 a.m.
tomorrow, so don't be late.
•a) leaves
•b) left
•c) leave
•d) leaving
64. 25. The train ________________ at 8 a.m.
tomorrow, so don't be late.
•a) leaves
•b) left
•c) leave
•d) leaving
65. 26. I would prefer to ______at a restaurant
rather than cook at home tonight.
• a) eating
•b) eat
•c) ate
•d) eaten
66. 26. I would prefer to ______at a restaurant
rather than cook at home tonight.
• a) eating
•b) eat
•c) ate
•d) eaten
67. 27. The teacher insisted that the students
should ________________ quietly during the
exam.
•a) speaks
•b) speak
•c) spoke
•d) will speak
68. 27. The teacher insisted that the students
should ________________ quietly during the
exam.
•a) speaks
•b) speak
•c) spoke
•d) will speak
69. 28. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) The cat has slept on the couch all day.
•b) She has driven to work this morning.
•c) They have swam in the pool for hours.
•d) He has written a letter to his friend.
70. 28. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) The cat has slept on the couch all day.
•b) She has driven to work this morning.
•c) They have swam in the pool for hours.
•d) He has written a letter to his friend.
71. 29. Choose the correct sentence with the
appropriate verb form:
•a) They have went to the concert last night.
•b) She has danced gracefully on the stage.
•c) He have completed the project on time.
•d) We has visited that museum before.
72. 29. Choose the correct sentence with the
appropriate verb form:
•a) They have went to the concert last night.
•b) She has danced gracefully on the stage.
•c) He have completed the project on time.
•d) We has visited that museum before.
73. 30. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) The dog has barked all night.
•b) She has painted a beautiful picture.
•c) They have went to the store.
•d) He has played soccer for years.
74. 30. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) The dog has barked all night.
•b) She has painted a beautiful picture.
•c) They have went to the store.
•d) He has played soccer for years.
75. 31. Choose the correct sentence with the
appropriate verb form:
•a) I have ate dinner already.
•b) She has sung a lovely song.
•c) We has gone to the beach yesterday.
•d) They have buy groceries for the week.
76. 31. Choose the correct sentence with the
appropriate verb form:
•a) I have ate dinner already.
•b) She has sung a lovely song.
•c) We has gone to the beach yesterday.
•d) They have buy groceries for the week.
77. 32. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) The students have studied for their exams.
•b) He has walked to the park every day.
•c) She has went to the party last night.
•d) They have played basketball in the gym.
78. 32. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) The students have studied for their exams.
•b) He has walked to the park every day.
•c) She has went to the party last night.
•d) They have played basketball in the gym.
79. 33. Choose the correct sentence with the
appropriate verb form:
•a) We have saw that movie before.
•b) He has written a book about history.
•c) She have run a marathon last month.
•d) They has studied French for two years.
80. 33. Choose the correct sentence with the
appropriate verb form:
•a) We have saw that movie before.
•b) He has written a book about history.
•c) She have run a marathon last month.
•d) They has studied French for two years.
81. 34. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) I have cooked dinner for my family.
•b) He has worked at the company for five
years.
•c) They have swum in the ocean every
summer.
•d) She has finished reading the book.
82. 34. Identify the sentence with the verb form
error:
•a) I have cooked dinner for my family.
•b) He has worked at the company for five
years.
•c) They have swum in the ocean every
summer.
•d) She has finished reading the book.
83. 35. Choose the sentence with the correct verb
form:
•a) I have eated breakfast this morning.
•b) He has ran a marathon last week.
•c) They have swum in the lake yesterday.
•d) She has written a letter to her
grandmother
84. 35. Choose the sentence with the correct verb
form:
•a) I have eated breakfast this morning.
•b) He has ran a marathon last week.
•c) They have swum in the lake yesterday.
•d) She has written a letter to her
grandmother
Studying verb tense is vital for effective communication. It allows us to express actions and events accurately in relation to time, ensuring clarity and understanding in both spoken and written language. By using the correct tense, we can convey when an action occurred or will occur, avoiding confusion and misunderstandings. Additionally, understanding verb tenses improves our writing and speaking skills, enabling us to express habits, routines, and narratives with ease. Whether for academic, professional, or everyday purposes, mastering verb tenses is a fundamental aspect of standard grammar and helps us build fluency and proficiency in the language we use.
Simple Past tense
Galileo observed the stars.
In this example, the verb tense indicates that the astronomer Galileo completely finished the act of observing the stars at some point in the past.
Past continuous tense
The planet was moving along an elliptical orbit.
In this example, the verb tense says that the planet began moving sometime in the past and continued to do so for a period of time (in the past).
Past perfect tense
The girl bought the telescope her teacher had recommended to her.
The girl bought (simple past) what the teacher had recommended (past perfect tense). One action occurred (had recommended) before the other (bought).
Past perfect continuous tense
The girl bought the telescope her teacher had recommended to her.
The girl bought (simple past) what the teacher had recommended (past perfect tense). One action occurred (had recommended) before the other (bought).
Simple Present Tense
Cats eat mice and birds.
In this sentence, the simple present tense is used to state the fact that cats regularly eat mice and birds.
When you use the verb be in the simple present tense, it must agree with the subject of the sentence. For example:
I am tall.
You are my best friend.
She is my older sister.
We are hungry.
They are late for work.
Present Continuous Tense
The baby is laughing at Shelly’s monkey puppet.
In this example, the verb tense is used to state that the baby is currently in the process of laughing at Shelly’s silly puppet and will likely continue to do so for a while yet.
Present perfect Tense
The baby has played this game before.
In this example, the verb tense states that a past event is related to the present. In this case, the sentence is saying that the baby is currently playing a game that they have also played at another time in the past.
Present perfect Continuous Tense
Shelly has been babysitting for years.
In this example, the verb tense is used to say that Shelly started babysitting children in the past, continued to babysit for years, and still continues to babysit now.
Simple Future Tense
Molly will finish her chores when she has time.
We shall travel to France next summer.
The word will is an auxiliary verb, and finish is the root verb. Together, they explain that Molly intends to do her chores at a later point in time.
Future Continuous Tense
I will be working all afternoon, so I can’t help Olivia with her report.
In this sentence, the verb tense is used to say that I plan to work for a period of time in the future.
Future Perfect Tense
By tomorrow afternoon, Olivia will have finished her report.
This sentence uses the future perfect tense to say that Olivia’s report is incomplete right now, but it will be finished before tomorrow afternoon.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
When this show ends, Molly will have been watching TV for three hours.
This sentence uses the future perfect continuous tense to say that, in the future, Molly will be watching TV for three hours when this show ends (which will also happen in the future). By using the future perfect continuous tense, this sentence also implies that Molly may still continue to watch TV even after the show is over.
The past tense of put is put. The third person singular simple present indicative form of put is puts (i.e With 3rd person singular it is puts). The presenr participle of put is putting. The past participle is put.
Reason: The subject "My brother and I" is plural because it refers to two or more people. In English, plural subjects require the verb "are." Therefore, the correct sentence is: "My brother and I are going to the concert tonight."
Reason: The subject "They" is referring to someone in the future, and the sentence talks about their excitement for the upcoming visit. In English, when we talk about a future event or action, we use the future tense. The future tense of "to be" is "will be." Therefore, the correct sentence is: "They will be very excited to see me."
Explanation: In this sentence, we are talking about a future action (the concert starting at 7 p.m.) and its consequence (the need to arrive early). When expressing a future action or event, we use the future tense. The correct future tense of "need" is "will need."
The correct sentence is: "The concert starts at 7 p.m., so we will need to arrive early."
Explanation: In this sentence, we have a past event ("he arrived") and another past event that happened before that ("the party ended"). To indicate the event that happened first, we use the past perfect tense. The correct sentence is: "By the time he arrived, the party had ended." The past perfect tense is formed with "had" + the past participle of the verb, which is "ended" in this case.
Explanation: The sentence is in the present tense, and we are describing the current state or quality of the cake. For singular subjects like "The cake," we use the third person singular form of the verb in the present simple tense, which is "tastes."
Correct sentence: "The cake tastes delicious."
In this context, "tastes" is the correct verb form to indicate that the cake is currently delicious. The verb "tasted" would be used in the past tense to describe the cake's taste at some specific point in the past.
Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.
Ice melts if you heat it. When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
The structure is: if/when + present simple >> present simple.
First conditional
We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach. Arsenal will be top of the league if they win. When I finish work, I'll call you.
In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: if/when + present simple >> will/won’t + verb.
Second conditional
The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.
If we had a garden, we could have a cat. If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country. I wouldn't worry if I were you.
The structure is usually: if + past simple >> + would + verb.
Thirds Conditionals
We use the third conditional (if + past perfect, would + have + past participle) to talk about something in the past that did not happen.
If I’d known, I would have worn something nicer.
Let's look at the two possibilities:
"Sarah finished her homework before going to bed." - This implies a specific instance in the past when Sarah completed her homework before going to bed.
"Sarah finishes her homework before going to bed." - This suggests that it's Sarah's habit or routine to complete her homework before going to bed on a regular basis.
Both options are valid, but the context of the sentence will determine which one is more appropriate. If the sentence is in the context of a habitual action, then "finishes" would be the better choice. However, without additional context, both "finishes" and "finished" could be considered correct answers.
The sentence indicates an action that will be completed by a specific time in the future, which is next year. The correct verb form for this future perfect tense is "will have lived."
Correct sentence: "By next year, we will have lived in this city for five years."
"If he had accepted the job offer in that city, he would have lived near his family."
In this sentence, we are talking about a hypothetical or unreal situation in the past. The use of "would have lived" indicates that living near his family was a possibility that did not happen because he did not accept the job offer.
Both "leaves" and "will leave" are acceptable, but the difference lies in their usage:
"The train leaves at 8 a.m. tomorrow, so don't be late." - This sentence is in the present simple tense. It is commonly used in schedules, timetables, or when referring to fixed, regular events in the future.
"The train will leave at 8 a.m. tomorrow, so don't be late." - This sentence is in the future simple tense, which is more general and commonly used when stating a future event without a specific schedule or timetable.
Both options are correct, and the best choice depends on the context and emphasis intended by the speaker.
