SIMPLE PAST TENSE

PAST PROGRESSIVE

FUTURE PROGRESSIVE

PERFECT ASPECT

SIMPLE PAST TENSE

The simple past expresses action carried out prior to the time of

speaking.

Represented by –ed inflection on regular verbs, but differs for

irregular verbs.

Regular and Irregular PastREGULAR

Walk - walkedLove - loved

The irregular past tense verbs make it very difficult for English learners.

IRREGULAREat - ateRun - ranBuild - built

Time Expressions

To show past, speakers frequently use expressions that indicate a specific point in time when the action was carried out:Yesterday, a week ago, last Wednesday, at three

o’clock, etc.

Time expressions are used with 4 types of verbs:Stative verbs She liked him then.Activity verbs I ate a lot yesterday.Accomplishment verbs They won the war years

ago.Achievement verbs He ran home last week.

Additional Uses of Simple Past

Simple past can replace simple present:Reported Speech- when speech is reported, it is

backshifted to simple past. This is especially true in writing. Kara said, “I am so hungry.” (Quoted Speech) Kara said that she was hungry. (Reported Speech)

Unreal Conditionals- In clauses introduced by “if”, the simple past represents an unreal condition. If he made that dinner, he should be a chef. If I ever said that, my mom would kill me.

Pragmatic Factors (i.e. politeness)- especially when asking questions, using simple past is more polite. Do you need my help? Did you need my help? I want to ask for your help. I wanted to ask for your help. Do you want to speak with me? Did you want to speak

with me?

PAST PROGRESSIVE

Also known as “past continuous”, this tense is formed with “was” or “were” and

a present participle.

It represents an ongoing action in the past.

Examples of Past Progressive

“When”- the past progressive action can be in the main clause, or subordinate. “While”- the past progressive is in the subordinate clause. [They were cleaning] when the doorbell rang. [She fell] when/while she was running on the icy

road.

Most often, past progressive is used with simultaneous ongoing actions: I was reading while my mom was cooking dinner.They were dancing while the music was playing.

Examples Continued…Occurs with time expressions that indicate a point

in time when:Action was ongoing:

She was sleeping at ten o’clock.Action was terminated:

She was sleeping until eight in the morning.Period during which it was ongoing- usually use “from

(time 1) to (time 2)” :

She was sleeping from ten o’clock to eight in the morning.

Just like present progressive, past progressive can give a repeating (iterative) sense to the actions:The girl was begging and pleading to not have time out.

FUTURE PROGRESSIVE

Consists of “will” followed by “be” and a present participle.

Future Progressive ExamplesMeans an action will be ongoing in the (near)

future. It will indicate when the action begins, at what time it is ongoing, or the length or time it is scheduled for.

They will be walking at eight o’clock/all morning/tomorrow.

It can also talk about an action that will continue in the future for a long period of time. Usually utilizes “for” with a time expression.

They will be arguing about what to eat for the rest of the night.

PERFECT ASPECT

Formed with “have” and past participle (verb + ed), to express a completed

action.

There are three tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.

PRESENT PERFECT

Formed with (has or have) and a past participle. Generally occurs with a time expression.

Present perfect is used to express many meanings:Expressing a situation that started in the past and

continues to the present. (Uses “for” or “since”)

The dogs have barked since three o’clock.

She has worked here for years.Expressing a recently completed action.

The taxi has arrived.

The girl has recently painted a canvas.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUED…

Expressing an action that occurred at an unspecified time and has current relevance.

We have already completed all the homework.

She has seen that episode.Describing an action that occurred over a period of

time that is complete at the time of speaking.

The puppy has doubled in size over the last year.

You have grown since last year.

PAST PERFECT

Formed with “had” and a past participle.

Meaning: Shows a past action completed prior to another event or time in the past. Therefore, usually occurs in a sentence with a main and subordinate clause.

She walked to the store after she had eaten.

She had already eaten when she walked to the store.

*Note, the order in which the past perfect occurs does not affect the interpretation.

PAST PERFECT, CONTINUED…In subordinate clauses introduced by certain subordinators

(before, after, as soon as), simple past can be used instead of past perfect. This is when the second event is of short duration.

I laughed as soon as she had made the joke.

I laughed as soon as she made the joke.

However, in some contexts, past perfect is REQUIRED. If the second event in a clause has a long duration, past perfect is required.

He sighed after he had taken the class.

*He sighed after he took the class.

Past perfect also occurs in counterfactual conditional sentences (express speculations or regrets about unfulfilled events).

If only he had tried harder, he would have won the game.

FUTURE PERFECT

Is formed with “will” followed by “have” and the past participle of the main verb. It is usually used to express an action that will be completed prior to some specified future time.

Accomplishment verbs are especially common with future present.

These are generally followed by gerundive complements.

I will have completed [painting the canvas] by dinner.

FUTURE PERFECT, CONTINUED…

Future perfect can be used to express states over a long period of time in the future.

In May, we will have been married for ten years.

Just like past perfect, when there is a main and a subordinate clause, the future action is completed prior to another action when introduced by “before” or “by the time”. The verb can be present perfect or simple perfect.

I will have finished cooking before you arrive.I will have completed homework by the time you’ve

eaten.

Some verbs of future perfect can be replaced by future forms. (Ex: “will+be+adj”)

He will have finished by ten.He will be finished by ten.He will be ready by ten.

PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

This combines both the perfect and progressive aspects with present, past,

and future time.

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

Formed with “has” or “have” + been + present participle. Time expressions can be used, but are not necessary.

He’s been coming to school the last few months.

I’ve been studying for the test.

Expresses past activity that extends to the present. Is often interchangeable with the present perfect. The difference is that the PPP gives a sense of ongoingness.

He has been working on that paper for over an hour.

He has worked on that paper for over an hour. (PP)

Present Perfect Prog. Continued…

The difference in meaning between PPP and present perfect is especially seen in questions:

How long have you studied? (PP)

How long have you been studying? (PPP)

PPP is not always correct with sentences:How long have you known him? (PP)

*How long have you been knowing him?

PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

Formed with had+ been+ present participle. It expresses an ongoing action in the past related to another past action (usually simple past tense). The other action is usually in sub. clause.

The couple had been waiting to be seated for 20 minutes when the waitress finally came.

For sentences without sub. clause, a time expression is needed.

At that point, they had already been waiting for 20 minutes.

FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

Formed with will + have + been + present participle. It expresses an action that will continue into the future up to a specific time (usually specified by “for”).

At six, I will have been studying for five hours.

She will have been playing the piano for six years when she performs her first concert.

NOTE: The future perfect progressive tends to be used very infrequently in spoken and written English.