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Summary of Verb Tenses:

In English, there are three basic tenses: PRESENT, PAST, and FUTURE.
Each has a SIMPLE FORM, a CONTINUOUS FORM and a PERFECT FORM.
Verb Form Use Examples Negative form Question form
habits, routine, facts, I study at the University of
I, we, you, they →infinitive instructions, etc. Bahrain. I do not study at the University of Where do you study?
Present
with adverbs like: She works for ALBA. Bahrain. Where does she work?
Simple she, he, it → infinitive + s
usually/sometimes/ I often go to the cinema. She does not work for ALBA. Does he work for ALBA?
often/rarely/etc. She plays tennis on Fridays.
Form is the same with ALL
pronouns. action started and What time did you go
Regular form: finished. I/She went home early home yesterday?
infinitive +ed with adverbs like: yesterday. I didn't go home early yesterday. Why did he take my
Past work → worked yesterday, last week, They worked very hard on They did not work very hard on book?
Simple
Irregular form: two days ago. etc. their project last week. their project. Did you take my book?
go → went used in reported I met Helen a few days ago. Did he give you your
no fixed rule speech. money back?
(see extra sheet given)
actions happening I'm typing a letter at the
What is Alex doing?
now, moment.
I'm not doing anything important What time are you
I am V+ing at the moment of She is chatting with a friend.
Present at the moment. seeing
she, he, it is V+ing speaking. They are working in a
Continuous He's not seeing his dentist this your dentist?
we, you, they are V+ing temporary situations, restaurant for the summer.
afternoon. Is he coming to the party
plans and I'm seeing my dentist at 6
tonight?
arrangements pm.
actions happening
I was watching a really good
in the past.
film on TV. What was he doing over
action that was I was not talking to Helen when
They were having lunch there?
Past I, he, she, it was V+ing happening when you saw me.
when Ali arrived. What time were you
Continuous we, you, they were V+ing another action She was not having lunch with
While I was cleaning my watching TV?
happened. dad.
room, my brother was Was he smoking?
actions happening at
listening to music.
the same time.
actions that
happened at some
time in our lives Where have you been?
(indefinite past) I have been to France twice. What has Tom got you
I, we, you, they for unfinished past Alex has lived in Italy for ten from London?
Present have + past participle (for/since). years. I have never been to France. How long have you been
Perfect she, he, it for repeated actions. I have sent fifteen e-mails Alex hasn't come yet. in Paris?
has + past participle with adverbs like: this week. Has she passed the
ever, never, already, We have already met. test?
yet, just. etc. Have you met her?
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to talk about a time When we arrived, the show What had you told her?
Past Any pronoun earlier than had finished. I had not asked you to do that. Why had he
Perfect had + past participle another past time. He said he had been to Italy He had not forgotten about you. disappeared?
used in reported many times. Had he been away?
speech.
to talk about a Who will win?
I think he will come.
Future Any pronoun prediction/possibility. I will not go. What will you get me?
Ok, I will get you some
Simple will + infinitive decision made at the She will not take you with her. Will they come with us?
papers.
moment of speaking Will you do this for me?
Any pronoun Who can help me?
Modal capability/ I can swim very well. I can't swim.
can/could/must/ + infinitive What might happen
Verbs possibility/ etc. He might go with you. He might not agree to do that.
may/might/would afterwards?

Practice1: Look at the following verbs carefully. What type of verbs are they? Put each verb in a sentence of your own.
has cooked, died, was painting, is reading, stole, have left, washes, taught, might go, explain, were running, had seen, am doing, would say, are
buying, must
take, played, has forgotten.

Practice2: Read the following sentences. Indicate the verb and its tense/type.
1. They have travelled to many places. ----------------------------------------------------------
2. David tried to open the door but he couldn't. ------------------------------------------------
3. Joseph and James are brothers. ----------------------------------------------------------------
4. Mariam is shouting. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Sue can ride a bicycle very well. ----------------------------------------------------------------
6. Simon teaches at the University of Toronto. ---------------------------------------------