This document discusses verb tenses and how to think about time using a mental timeline. It uses the example of baking a pizza to illustrate how different verb tenses indicate the past, present, or future. The key verb tenses are marked by words like "am/is/are" for present, "was/were" for past, and "will/shall" for future. By thinking about actions on a timeline with the past on the left, present in the middle, and future on the right, it helps explain how verb tenses work.

1. Verb Tenses 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. The Present

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

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

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

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

9. What Marks the Past, Present, and Future? 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”. Present Future Past baking am was baking will baking be

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

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

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

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

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

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

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