{"id":335,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:57","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&p=335"},"modified":"2014-07-25T21:12:17","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:12:17","slug":"15-2-choosing-appropriate-verb-tenses","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/15-2-choosing-appropriate-verb-tenses\/","title":{"raw":"15.2 Choosing Appropriate Verb Tenses","rendered":"15.2 Choosing Appropriate Verb Tenses"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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15.2<\/span> Choosing Appropriate Verb Tenses<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n\t
  1. Understand the simple verb tenses: past, present, and future.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Recognize the progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive verb tenses.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Correctly use the different verb tenses.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nThe tense<\/span><\/span> of a verb usually gives readers a sense of time. In other words, verb tense explains if the action in the sentence took place previously (past tense), is taking place right now (present tense), or will take place some time in the future (future tense). Tense also can indicate continual or recurring action (progressive<\/span><\/span>), action that has completely taken place as of a certain time (perfect<\/span><\/span>), and action that began in the past but continues or recurs through the present time (perfect progressive<\/span><\/span>).\r\n\r\nVerbs also have different forms for the different pronouns and numbers<\/span><\/span>. In other words, first person<\/span><\/span> (I<\/em>, we<\/em>) might require a different verb form from second person<\/span><\/span> (singular you<\/em>, plural you<\/em>) and third person<\/span><\/span> (he<\/em>, she<\/em>, it<\/em>, they<\/em>), and whether the pronoun is singular (I<\/em>, you<\/em>, he<\/em>, she<\/em>, it<\/em>) or plural (we<\/em>, you<\/em>, they<\/em>) can also make a difference in the verb form used.\r\n
    \r\n\r\nTable 15.1<\/span> Verb Tenses for the Regular Verb \u201cLook\u201d and the Irregular Verb \u201cEat\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Tense<\/th>\r\nNumber and Person<\/th>\r\nPast<\/th>\r\nPresent<\/th>\r\nFuture<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Simple<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPast: main verb + -<\/strong>ed<\/em> or irregular variations<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPresent: main verb<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFuture: will or shall + main verb<\/strong><\/td>\r\nFirst-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nI looked.<\/td>\r\nI look.<\/td>\r\nI will look.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I ate.<\/td>\r\nI eat.<\/td>\r\nI will eat.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nWe looked.<\/td>\r\nWe look.<\/td>\r\nWe will look.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    We ate.<\/td>\r\nWe eat.<\/td>\r\nWe will eat.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou looked.<\/td>\r\nYou look.<\/td>\r\nYou will look.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You ate.<\/td>\r\nYou eat.<\/td>\r\nYou will eat.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou looked.<\/td>\r\nYou look.<\/td>\r\nYou will look.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You ate.<\/td>\r\nYou eat.<\/td>\r\nYou will eat.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nHe looked.<\/td>\r\nHe looks.<\/td>\r\nHe will look.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    She ate.<\/td>\r\nShe eats.<\/td>\r\nShe will eat.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nThey looked.<\/td>\r\nThey look.<\/td>\r\nThey will look.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    They ate.<\/td>\r\nThey eat.<\/td>\r\nThey will eat.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Progressive<\/strong>\r\n\r\nVerb + -<\/strong>ing<\/em> and a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPast: was, were<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPresent: am, is, are<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFuture: will be<\/strong><\/td>\r\nFirst-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nI was looking.<\/td>\r\nI am looking.<\/td>\r\nI will be looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I was eating.<\/td>\r\nI am eating.<\/td>\r\nI will be eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nWe were looking.<\/td>\r\nWe are looking.<\/td>\r\nWe will be looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    We were eating.<\/td>\r\nWe are eating.<\/td>\r\nWe will be eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou were looking.<\/td>\r\nYou are looking.<\/td>\r\nYou will be eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You were eating.<\/td>\r\nYou are eating.<\/td>\r\nYou will be looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou were eating.<\/td>\r\nYou are eating.<\/td>\r\nYou will be eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You were looking.<\/td>\r\nYou are looking.<\/td>\r\nYou will be looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nHe was looking.<\/td>\r\nHe is looking.<\/td>\r\nHe will be looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    She was eating.<\/td>\r\nShe is eating.<\/td>\r\nShe will be eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nThey were looking.<\/td>\r\nThey are looking.<\/td>\r\nThey will be looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    They were eating.<\/td>\r\nThey are eating.<\/td>\r\nThey will be eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Perfect<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPast participle and a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPast: had<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPresent: has, have<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFuture: will have<\/strong><\/td>\r\nFirst-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nI had looked.<\/td>\r\nI have looked.<\/td>\r\nI will have looked.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I had eaten.<\/td>\r\nI have eaten.<\/td>\r\nI will have eaten.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nWe had looked.<\/td>\r\nWe have looked.<\/td>\r\nWe will have looked.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    We had eaten.<\/td>\r\nWe have eaten.<\/td>\r\nWe will have eaten.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou had looked.<\/td>\r\nYou have looked.<\/td>\r\nYou will have looked.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You had eaten.<\/td>\r\nYou have eaten.<\/td>\r\nYou will have eaten.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou had looked.<\/td>\r\nYou have looked.<\/td>\r\nYou will have looked.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You had eaten.<\/td>\r\nYou have eaten.<\/td>\r\nYou will have eaten.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nHe had looked.<\/td>\r\nHe has looked.<\/td>\r\nHe will have looked.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    She had eaten.<\/td>\r\nShe has eaten.<\/td>\r\nShe will have eaten.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nThey had looked.<\/td>\r\nThey have looked.<\/td>\r\nThey will have looked.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    They had eaten.<\/td>\r\nThey have eaten.<\/td>\r\nThey will have eaten.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Perfect progressive<\/strong>\r\n\r\nVerb + -<\/strong>ing<\/em> and a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPast: had been<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPresent: has been, have been<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFuture: will have been<\/strong><\/td>\r\nFirst-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nI had been looking.<\/td>\r\nI have been looking.<\/td>\r\nI will have been looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I had been eating.<\/td>\r\nI have been eating.<\/td>\r\nI will have been eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nWe had been looking.<\/td>\r\nWe have been looking.<\/td>\r\nWe will have been looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    We had been eating.<\/td>\r\nWe have been eating.<\/td>\r\nWe will have been eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou had been looking.<\/td>\r\nYou have been looking.<\/td>\r\nYou will have been looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You had been eating.<\/td>\r\nYou have been eating.<\/td>\r\nYou will have been eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nYou had been looking.<\/td>\r\nYou have been looking.<\/td>\r\nYou will have been looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    You had been eating.<\/td>\r\nYou have been eating.<\/td>\r\nYou will have been eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\r\nHe had been looking.<\/td>\r\nHe has been looking.<\/td>\r\nHe will have been looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    She had been eating.<\/td>\r\nShe has been eating.<\/td>\r\nShe will have been eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\r\nThey had been looking.<\/td>\r\nThey have been looking.<\/td>\r\nThey will have been looking.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    They had been eating.<\/td>\r\nThey have been eating.<\/td>\r\nThey will have been eating.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • The simple verb tenses are past, present, and future.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Progressive tenses use a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d along with the -ing<\/em> form of the verb to indicate continual or recurring action.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Perfect tenses use a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d along with the past participle form of the verb to indicate action that took place before a certain time.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Perfect progressive tenses use a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d along with the -ing<\/em> form of the verb to indicate action that began in the past and continues or recurs through the present time.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      \r\n

      Exercises<\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n\t
      1. Identify the verb tense used in each of the following sentences:\r\n
          \r\n\t
        1. I have heard that saying before.<\/li>\r\n\t
        2. Joey seemed uncomfortable when he was at my house yesterday.<\/li>\r\n\t
        3. You will be running in the second heat this afternoon.<\/li>\r\n\t
        4. Lois is writing a letter to the editor.<\/li>\r\n\t
        5. By ten o\u2019clock tonight, we will have been walking for twenty hours.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
        6. Write three sentences using simple tense, three using progressive tense, three using perfect tense, and three using perfect progressive tense. Make sure to include each of the following variations at least once: past, present, future, first person, second person, third person, singular, and plural.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n ","rendered":"

           <\/p>\n

          \n

          15.2<\/span> Choosing Appropriate Verb Tenses<\/h2>\n
          \n

          Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n
            \n
          1. Understand the simple verb tenses: past, present, and future.<\/li>\n
          2. Recognize the progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive verb tenses.<\/li>\n
          3. Correctly use the different verb tenses.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

            The tense<\/span><\/span> of a verb usually gives readers a sense of time. In other words, verb tense explains if the action in the sentence took place previously (past tense), is taking place right now (present tense), or will take place some time in the future (future tense). Tense also can indicate continual or recurring action (progressive<\/span><\/span>), action that has completely taken place as of a certain time (perfect<\/span><\/span>), and action that began in the past but continues or recurs through the present time (perfect progressive<\/span><\/span>).<\/p>\n

            Verbs also have different forms for the different pronouns and numbers<\/span><\/span>. In other words, first person<\/span><\/span> (I<\/em>, we<\/em>) might require a different verb form from second person<\/span><\/span> (singular you<\/em>, plural you<\/em>) and third person<\/span><\/span> (he<\/em>, she<\/em>, it<\/em>, they<\/em>), and whether the pronoun is singular (I<\/em>, you<\/em>, he<\/em>, she<\/em>, it<\/em>) or plural (we<\/em>, you<\/em>, they<\/em>) can also make a difference in the verb form used.<\/p>\n

            \n

            Table 15.1<\/span> Verb Tenses for the Regular Verb \u201cLook\u201d and the Irregular Verb \u201cEat\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Tense<\/th>\nNumber and Person<\/th>\nPast<\/th>\nPresent<\/th>\nFuture<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Simple<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Past: main verb + –<\/strong>ed<\/em> or irregular variations<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Present: main verb<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Future: will or shall + main verb<\/strong><\/td>\n

            		First-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nI looked.<\/td>\nI look.<\/td>\nI will look.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            I ate.<\/td>\nI eat.<\/td>\nI will eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nWe looked.<\/td>\nWe look.<\/td>\nWe will look.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            We ate.<\/td>\nWe eat.<\/td>\nWe will eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nYou looked.<\/td>\nYou look.<\/td>\nYou will look.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You ate.<\/td>\nYou eat.<\/td>\nYou will eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nYou looked.<\/td>\nYou look.<\/td>\nYou will look.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You ate.<\/td>\nYou eat.<\/td>\nYou will eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nHe looked.<\/td>\nHe looks.<\/td>\nHe will look.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            She ate.<\/td>\nShe eats.<\/td>\nShe will eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nThey looked.<\/td>\nThey look.<\/td>\nThey will look.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            They ate.<\/td>\nThey eat.<\/td>\nThey will eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Progressive<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Verb + –<\/strong>ing<\/em> and a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Past: was, were<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Present: am, is, are<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Future: will be<\/strong><\/td>\n

            		First-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nI was looking.<\/td>\nI am looking.<\/td>\nI will be looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            I was eating.<\/td>\nI am eating.<\/td>\nI will be eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nWe were looking.<\/td>\nWe are looking.<\/td>\nWe will be looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            We were eating.<\/td>\nWe are eating.<\/td>\nWe will be eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nYou were looking.<\/td>\nYou are looking.<\/td>\nYou will be eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You were eating.<\/td>\nYou are eating.<\/td>\nYou will be looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nYou were eating.<\/td>\nYou are eating.<\/td>\nYou will be eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You were looking.<\/td>\nYou are looking.<\/td>\nYou will be looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nHe was looking.<\/td>\nHe is looking.<\/td>\nHe will be looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            She was eating.<\/td>\nShe is eating.<\/td>\nShe will be eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nThey were looking.<\/td>\nThey are looking.<\/td>\nThey will be looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            They were eating.<\/td>\nThey are eating.<\/td>\nThey will be eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Perfect<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Past participle and a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Past: had<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Present: has, have<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Future: will have<\/strong><\/td>\n

            		First-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nI had looked.<\/td>\nI have looked.<\/td>\nI will have looked.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            I had eaten.<\/td>\nI have eaten.<\/td>\nI will have eaten.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nWe had looked.<\/td>\nWe have looked.<\/td>\nWe will have looked.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            We had eaten.<\/td>\nWe have eaten.<\/td>\nWe will have eaten.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nYou had looked.<\/td>\nYou have looked.<\/td>\nYou will have looked.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You had eaten.<\/td>\nYou have eaten.<\/td>\nYou will have eaten.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nYou had looked.<\/td>\nYou have looked.<\/td>\nYou will have looked.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You had eaten.<\/td>\nYou have eaten.<\/td>\nYou will have eaten.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nHe had looked.<\/td>\nHe has looked.<\/td>\nHe will have looked.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            She had eaten.<\/td>\nShe has eaten.<\/td>\nShe will have eaten.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nThey had looked.<\/td>\nThey have looked.<\/td>\nThey will have looked.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            They had eaten.<\/td>\nThey have eaten.<\/td>\nThey will have eaten.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Perfect progressive<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Verb + –<\/strong>ing<\/em> and a form of the verb \u201cto be\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Past: had been<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Present: has been, have been<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Future: will have been<\/strong><\/td>\n

            		First-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nI had been looking.<\/td>\nI have been looking.<\/td>\nI will have been looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            I had been eating.<\/td>\nI have been eating.<\/td>\nI will have been eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            First-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nWe had been looking.<\/td>\nWe have been looking.<\/td>\nWe will have been looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            We had been eating.<\/td>\nWe have been eating.<\/td>\nWe will have been eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nYou had been looking.<\/td>\nYou have been looking.<\/td>\nYou will have been looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You had been eating.<\/td>\nYou have been eating.<\/td>\nYou will have been eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Second-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nYou had been looking.<\/td>\nYou have been looking.<\/td>\nYou will have been looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            You had been eating.<\/td>\nYou have been eating.<\/td>\nYou will have been eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person singular<\/strong><\/td>\nHe had been looking.<\/td>\nHe has been looking.<\/td>\nHe will have been looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            She had been eating.<\/td>\nShe has been eating.<\/td>\nShe will have been eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Third-person plural<\/strong><\/td>\nThey had been looking.<\/td>\nThey have been looking.<\/td>\nThey will have been looking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            They had been eating.<\/td>\nThey have been eating.<\/td>\nThey will have been eating.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n