Verb Tenses and Modal Auxiliaries Album

Album Verb Tenses And Modal Auxiliaries

Verb Tenses.

1. Simple Present. The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal.

We use the present tense: 1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.   

I take the train to the office.

The train to Berlin leaves every hour.

John sleeps eight hours every night during the week.

2. For facts.   

The President of The USA lives in The White House.

A dog has four legs.

We come from Switzerland.

3. For habits.   

I get up early every day.

Carol brushes her teeth twice a day.

They travel to their country house every weekend.

4. For things that are always / generally true.   

It rains a lot in winter.

The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.

They speak English at work.

Verb Conjugation & Spelling We form the present tense using the base form of the infinitive (without the TO).

In general, in the third person we add 'S' in the third person.

Subject

Verb

I / you / we / they speak / learn he / she / it

The Rest of the sentence English at home

speaks / learns English at home

The spelling for the verb in the third person differs depending on the ending of that verb: 1. For verbs that end in -O, -CH, -SH, -SS, -X, or -Z we add -ES in the third person.      

go – goes catch – catches wash – washes kiss – kisses fix – fixes buzz – buzzes

2. For verbs that end in a consonant + Y, we remove the Y and add -IES.    

marry – marries study – studies carry – carries worry – worries

NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + Y, we just add -S.   

play – plays enjoy – enjoys say – says

To make a negative sentence in English we normally use don’t or doesn’t with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (can, might, should etc.). 

Affirmative: You speak French.

Negative: You don't speak French.

2. Present Continuous. The present continuous tense is formed from the present tense of the verb be and the present participle (-ing form) of a verb:

Use 1. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the present: 

for something that is happening at the moment of speaking:

I’m just leaving work. I’ll be home in an hour.

Please be quiet. The children are sleeping. 

for something which is happening before and after a given time:

At eight o’clock we are usually having breakfast.

When I get home the children are doing their homework. 

for something which we think is temporary:

Michael is at university. He’s studying history.

I’m working in London for the next two weeks. 

for something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:

These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.

What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they listening to? 

to show that something is changing, growing or developing:

The children are growing quickly.

The climate is changing rapidly.

Your English is improving.



for something which happens again and again:

It’s always raining in London.

They are always arguing.

George is great. He’s always laughing.

Note: We normally use always with this use.

2. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the future: 

for something which has been arranged or planned:

Mary is going to a new school next term.

What are you doing next week?

3. We can use the present continuous to talk about the past: 

When we are telling a story:



When we are summarizing the story from a book, film or play etc.

3. Present Perfect. The present perfect is formed from the present tense of the verb have and the past participle of a verb: The present perfect continuous is formed with have/has been and the -ing form of the verb: Use We use the present perfect tense: 

for something that started in the past and continues in the present:

They’ve been married for nearly fifty years.

She has lived in Liverpool all her life.

Note: We normally use the present perfect continuous for this: She has been living in Liverpool all her life.

It’s been raining for hours. 

for something we have done several times in the past and continue to do:

I’ve played the guitar ever since I was a teenager.

He has written three books and he is working on another one.

I’ve been watching that programe every week.

We often use a clause with since to show when something started in the past: They’ve been staying with us since last week.

I have worked here since I left school.

I’ve been watching that programme every week since it started. 

when we are talking about our experience up to the present:

Note: We often use the adverb ever to talk about experience up to the present:

My last birthday was the worst day I have ever had.

Note: and we use never for the negative form: Have you ever met George?

Yes, but I’ve never met his wife. 

for something that happened in the past but is important at the time of speaking:

I can’t get in the house. I’ve lost my keys.

Teresa isn’t at home. I think she has gone shopping.

I’m tired out. I’ve been working all day.

We use the present perfect of be when someone has gone to a place and returned: A: Where have you been?

B: I’ve just been out to the supermarket.

A: Have you ever been to San Francisco?

B: No, but I’ve been to Los Angeles.

But when someone has not returned we use have/has gone: A: Where is Maria? I haven’t seen her for weeks.

B: She's gone to Paris for a week. She’ll be back tomorrow.

We often use the present perfect with time adverbials which refer to the recent past: Just; only just; recently; Scientists have recently discovered a new breed of monkey.

We have just got back from our holidays.

4. Present Perfect Continuous.

This tense is used to talk about an action or actions that started in the past and continued until recently or that continue into the future:

We can use it to refer to an action that has finished but you can still see evidence.   

Oh, the kitchen is a mess. Who has been cooking?

You look tired. Have you been sleeping properly?

I've got a a stiff neck. I've been working too long on computer.

It can refer to an action that has not finished.   

I've been learning Spanish for 20 years and I still don't know very much.

I've been waiting for him for 30 minutes and he still hasn't arrived.

He's been telling me about it for days. I wish he would stop.

It can refer to a series of actions.   

She's been writing to her regularly for a couple of years.

He's been phoning me all week for an answer.

The university has been sending students here for over twenty years to do work experience.

The present perfect continuous is often used with 'since', 'for', 'all week', 'for days', 'lately', 'recently', USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.

Examples:      

They have been talking for the last hour.

She has been working at that company for three years.

What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?

James has been teaching at the university since June.

We have been waiting here for over two hours!

Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.

Examples:      

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

She has been watching too much television lately.

Have you been exercising lately?

Mary has been feeling a little depressed.

Lisa has not been practicing her English.

What have you been doing?

Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or "recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person.

5. Simple Past. The simple past or past simple, sometimes called the preterite, is the basic form of the past tense in Modern English. It is used principally to describe events in the past, although it also has some other uses. Regular English verbs form the simple past in -ed; however there are a few hundred irregular verbs with different forms.

USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Examples:   

I saw a movie yesterday.

I didn't see a play yesterday.

Last year, I traveled to Japan.

USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.

Examples:  

I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.

He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the others at 10:00.

USE 3 Duration in Past

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.

Examples:  

I lived in Brazil for two years.

Shauna studied Japanese for five years.

USE 4 Habits in the Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.

Examples:  

I studied French when I was a child.

He played the violin.

USE 5 Past Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to."

Examples:  

She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.

He didn't like tomatoes before.

6. Past Continuous. The past continuous tense expresses action at a particular moment in the past. The action started before that moment but has not finished at that moment.

The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and was still going on at the time of speaking. In other words, it expresses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past.

It is used: 

Often, to describe the background in a story written in the past tense, e.g. "The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant came out of the jungle. The other animals were relaxing in the shade of the trees, but the elephant moved very quickly. She was looking for her baby, and she didn't notice the hunter who was watching her through his binoculars. When the shot rang out, she was running towards the river..."



To describe an unfinished action that was interrupted by another event or action, e.g. "I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang."



To express a change of mind: e.g. "I was going to spend the day at the beach but I've decided to go on an excursion instead."



With 'wonder', to make a very polite request: e.g. "I was wondering if you could baby-sit for me tonight."

7. Past Perfect. We use the Past Perfect tense to emphasize that an action in the past finished before another action in the past started. This tense is also used in reported speech, third conditional sentences, or to show dissatisfaction with the past.

Use: Use 1: A completed action before another action in the past The first use of this tense is to emphasize that one action in the past happened before another action in the past.  

I had finished my homework before I went playing football.

John had never been to London before we went there last year.

Use 2: Third conditional Use the Past Perfect with third conditional sentences.  

If we had gone by taxi, we wouldn't have been late.

If Mary had studied harder, she would have passed the exam

Use 3: Reported speech Use the Past Perfect with sentences in reported speech.  

Mary said she had already seen this film.

He asked if I had read Harry Potter.

Use 4: Dissatisfaction with the Past We often use the Past Perfect to show our dissatisfaction with the past. Such sentences typically start with "I wish ..." or "If only ...".  

I wish I had taken more food. I'm hungry now.

If only I had taken more food. I'm hungry now.

8. Past Perfect Continuous. The past perfect continuous is formed with had been and the ing form of the verb: I had been finishing the work she had been going.

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. "For five minutes" and "for two weeks" are both durations which can be used with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous; however, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Examples:   

They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.

She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business.

How long had you been waiting to get on the bus?

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Past

Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause and effect.

Examples:  

Jason was tired because he had been jogging.

Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.



Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.

Past Continuous vs. Past Perfect Continuous If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous rather than the Past Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the sentence. Past Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Past Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the past.

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Past Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Past Perfect.

Examples:  

The motorcycle had been belonging to George for years before Tina bought it. Not Correct The motorcycle had belonged to George for years before Tina bought it. Correct

9. Future Simple. Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will [will + verb] Examples:   

You will help him later.

Will you help him later?

You will not help him later.

FORM Be Going To [am/is/are + going to + verb] Examples: 

You are going to meet Jane tonight.

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action "Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us.

Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

Examples:  

I will send you the information when I get it.

I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise "Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:  

I will call you when I arrive.

If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.

USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan "Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

Examples:  

He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:  

The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.

The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.

10. Future Continuous. The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the verb 'to be' + the present participle (base+ing) Future continuous, function The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. It is used: To project ourselves into the future and see something happening: 

This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.

To refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events: 

I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.

In the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a simple request for information and an invitation: 

Will you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for information) Will you come to the party? (= invitation)

To predict or guess about someone's actions or feelings, now or in the future: 

You'll be feeling tired after that long walk, I expect.

Events in progress in the future:   

When you are in Australia will you be staying with friends?

This time next week you will be working in your new job.

At four thirty on Tuesday afternoon I will be signing the contract.

Events/actions in normal course of events:  

I'll be going into town this afternoon, is there anything you want from the shops?

Will you be using the car tomorrow? - No, you can take it.



I'll be seeing Jane this evening - I'll give her the message.

Asking for information:  

Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?

Will Jim be coming with us?

Predicting or guessing:  

You'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.

He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.

11. Future Perfect. Is a verb form or construction used to describe an event that is expected or planned to happen before a time of reference in the future, such as will have finished in the English sentence "I will have finished by tomorrow."

In English, the future perfect construction consists of the auxiliary verb will (or shall; see shall and will) to mark the future, the auxiliary verb have to mark the perfect, and the past participle of the main verb (the second component of the English perfect construction). For example:   

She will have fallen asleep by the time we get home.

I shall have gone by then.

Will you have finished when I get back?

The first auxiliary may be contracted to 'll: see English auxiliaries and contractions. The negative form is made with will not or shall not; these have their own contractions won't and shan't. Some examples:   

I'll have made the dinner by 6.

He won't have done (or will not have done) it by this evening.

Won't you have finished by Thursday? (or Will you not have finished

by Thursday?)

Most commonly the future perfect is used with a time marker that indicates by when (i.e. prior to what point in time) the event is to occur, as in the previous examples. However it is also possible for it to be accompanied by a marker of the retrospective time of occurrence, as in "I will have done it on the previous Tuesday". This is in contrast to the present perfect, which is not normally used with a marker of past time: one would not say *"I have done it last Tuesday", since the inclusion of the past time marker last Tuesday would entail the use of the simple past rather than the present perfect.

12. Future Perfect Continuous. We use the Future Perfect Continuous tense to express situations that will last for a specified period of time at a definite moment in the future. We also use this tense to express certainty about the cause of some future situation.

USE 1: Duration We use this tense to express situations that will last for a specified period of time at a definite moment in the future. It is important that we expect these situations to last longer.  

Before they come, we will have been cleaning the house for 5 hours.

By the next year, Ben and his wife will have been living together for 50 years.

USE 2: Cause English speakers also use this tense when they want to express certainty about the cause of some future situation.  

By this time, he will have been working for 12 hours, so he will be very tired.

We will be making a rest stop in half an hour, because you will have been driving the car for 6 hours by then.

The modal auxiliaries (or modals) include the following: Can, could, may, might, must, should, will, would . . .

Modals are always followed by the base form of a verb or auxiliary verb.

Modals are always the same form no matter what the subject is. In standard American English, a predicate verb phrase cannot contain more than one modal.

Correct He will be able to go.

Not correct * He will can go.

Modals and related verb phrases add meanings to verbs. Below are some of those meanings: Ability/Availability Future: will be able to Present: can, am/is/are able to

Past: could, was/were able to Requests Present/future: can, could, will, would Permission Future: will be allowed to Present/future: may, can, could, am/is/are allowed to Past: could, was/were allowed to Possibility Present/future: may, might, could Past: may have, might have, could have Impossibility Present/future: couldn’t, can’t Advisability Present/future: should, ought to, had better Past: should have, ought to have, had better have Expectation Present/future: should, ought to Past: should have, ought to have Necessity Future: will have to Present/future: must, have to, has to

Past: had to SOCIAL MODALS The choice of modal depends partly on the social situation.

We often use formal language with strangers (people we don’t know) and superiors (people with some power over us such as our employers, doctors, and teachers).

We often use informal language with our equals (our friends and family) and subordinates (people we have some power over such as our employees or children).

Martínez Panameño Sofía Elena