Tenses
When you are writing tenses it can really drive you crazy. It's not always easy to get them right. I have edited and critiqued so many manuscripts that have major problems in this area. It's enough to make you pull your hair out. Most importantly, you need to know that the English form has three different tenses to choose from. These tenses relate to time: future, present, and past. Once you have that established, they are then subdivided into other categories that you will need to know about and understand.
There are: simple tense, progressive tense, perfect tense, and perfect progressive tense.
Yes, I know. It is confusing. However, once you have this down, your writing will flow better and sound more professional. The subdivisions of tenses tell the reader when something in particular will be done, is being done, or has been done.
There are: simple tense, progressive tense, perfect tense, and perfect progressive tense.
Yes, I know. It is confusing. However, once you have this down, your writing will flow better and sound more professional. The subdivisions of tenses tell the reader when something in particular will be done, is being done, or has been done.
Ready, set, here we go!
Let's look at simple tense-
Simple past tense- An action that began and ended in the past.
Simple present tense- An action that is common or repeated.
Simple future tense- An action that will occur in the future.
Examples:
To make it easier to know if you are in the correct form, use the following rules:
Simple past tense- Begin with "Yesterday I...." Example: "Yesterday I rode the roller coaster."
Simple present tense- Begin with "Today I..." Example: "Today I ride the roller coaster."
Simple future tense- Begin with "Tomoorow I..." Example: "Tomorrow I will ride the roller coaster."
Simple? No. Well, we're not done yet.
Let's move on to the progressive tense. This is a bit of a step up, but I'm sure you'll get it.
Past progressive- An event that was going on at some point in the past. Note: To create this type of tense, use "were and was" as well as adding (ing) to the verb.
Present progressive- An action that is going on at the time it is being written about. Note: Use the words "are and am" as well as adding (ing) to the verb to create this tense.
Future progressive- An action that's continuous and will happen some time in the future. Note: To create this type of tense, use the words "shall be" and "will be" plus add (ing) to the end of the verb.
Past progressive- "I was riding the roller coaster yesterday."
Present progressive- "I am riding the roller coaster today."
Future progressive- "I will be riding the roller coaster tomorrow."
Now we will cover the perfect tense.
Past perfect tense- A past action that occurred prior to another past action. I know it sounds confusing, but I'll give you examples in a minute. It really isn't as hard as it seems. Note: This is always created by using the word "had" and using the past participle form of the verb.
Present perfect- An action that began in the past, but is still happening at the present time. Note: Create this form by using the words "have" and "has" in conjunction with the past participle form of the verb.
Future perfect tense- An action in the future that will happen prior to some other action. Note: Always use the words "will have" when using this tense along with the past participle form of the verb.
Now that you are thoroughly confused, let me give you a few examples to better illustrate these tenses for you. I know they can be confusing, so don't scream. Take a breath and relax. You'll get this.
Present perfect tense- "I have ridden the roller coaster ride all day."
Future perfect tense- "I will have ridden the roller coaster ride all day before finally going home."
O.K. Everyone breathing alright? You haven't pulled your hair out yet, have you? I hope not because we are about to move on to the last step to this information download. Hang in there, you're are almost done!
Past perfect progressive tense- A past continuous action that finished prior to some other past action. Note: You will always use the words "had been" and add (ing) to the verb to form this tense.
Present perfect tense- An action that has been repeated over time in the past, went on in the present, and will possibly continue into the future. Note: Always use the words "has been" and "have been" as well as the past participle form of the verb to create this past tense.
Future perfect tense- A future continuous action that will end prior to some point in the future. Note: Always use the words "will have been" as well as adding (ing) to the end of the verb when writing in this tense.
Take it easy. I am going to make this a bit easier by adding a few examples. I won't leave you hanging, I promise.
Past perfect tense- "Before I went home, I had been riding the roller coaster all day."
Present perfect tense- "For the entire day I have been riding the roller coaster ride."
Future perfect tense- "By evening time, I will have been riding the roller coaster all day."
If you are still struggling, check out the following site. It's great and I'm sure you'll have this down in no time.
Let's move on to the progressive tense. This is a bit of a step up, but I'm sure you'll get it.
Past progressive- An event that was going on at some point in the past. Note: To create this type of tense, use "were and was" as well as adding (ing) to the verb.
Present progressive- An action that is going on at the time it is being written about. Note: Use the words "are and am" as well as adding (ing) to the verb to create this tense.
Future progressive- An action that's continuous and will happen some time in the future. Note: To create this type of tense, use the words "shall be" and "will be" plus add (ing) to the end of the verb.
Examples:
Present progressive- "I am riding the roller coaster today."
Future progressive- "I will be riding the roller coaster tomorrow."
Now we will cover the perfect tense.
Past perfect tense- A past action that occurred prior to another past action. I know it sounds confusing, but I'll give you examples in a minute. It really isn't as hard as it seems. Note: This is always created by using the word "had" and using the past participle form of the verb.
Present perfect- An action that began in the past, but is still happening at the present time. Note: Create this form by using the words "have" and "has" in conjunction with the past participle form of the verb.
Future perfect tense- An action in the future that will happen prior to some other action. Note: Always use the words "will have" when using this tense along with the past participle form of the verb.
Now that you are thoroughly confused, let me give you a few examples to better illustrate these tenses for you. I know they can be confusing, so don't scream. Take a breath and relax. You'll get this.
Examples:
Past perfect tense- "I had ridden the roller coaster ride for a whole day before I finally went home."Present perfect tense- "I have ridden the roller coaster ride all day."
Future perfect tense- "I will have ridden the roller coaster ride all day before finally going home."
O.K. Everyone breathing alright? You haven't pulled your hair out yet, have you? I hope not because we are about to move on to the last step to this information download. Hang in there, you're are almost done!
Past perfect progressive tense- A past continuous action that finished prior to some other past action. Note: You will always use the words "had been" and add (ing) to the verb to form this tense.
Present perfect tense- An action that has been repeated over time in the past, went on in the present, and will possibly continue into the future. Note: Always use the words "has been" and "have been" as well as the past participle form of the verb to create this past tense.
Future perfect tense- A future continuous action that will end prior to some point in the future. Note: Always use the words "will have been" as well as adding (ing) to the end of the verb when writing in this tense.
Take it easy. I am going to make this a bit easier by adding a few examples. I won't leave you hanging, I promise.
Examples:
Present perfect tense- "For the entire day I have been riding the roller coaster ride."
Future perfect tense- "By evening time, I will have been riding the roller coaster all day."
If you are still struggling, check out the following site. It's great and I'm sure you'll have this down in no time.
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