Verb Tenses

Verb Tenses

Simple Verb Tenses

Tense

Example

Past tense tells about an action that has

already happened.

Yesterday, I practiced the piano.

Present tense shows that the action

happens regularly or is happening now.

I practice the piano everyday. Today I am

practicing a new piece.

Future tense is used for an action that is

going to happen

Tomorrow I will practice the piano.

Avoid shifts in verb tense!

In general, be sure to use the same verb tense throughout a
sentence. Inappropriate changes, or shifts, in verb tense can
confuse readers.

How can you correct this sentence?

Yesterday, we made lunch, will walk to the park, and have a picnic.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence.

Next Tuesday, I _________ a speech in class.

Select the word or words that correctly complete the sentence.

• made

• to make

• will make

• have made

Multiple Choice

Which TWO sentences have an inappropriate shift in verb tense?

(1) Last September, I will start school here. (2) Back then, I didn't know anybody. (3) Now I made new friends almost every day. (4) I just met my friend Celia last week.

• sentence 2

  sentence 4

• sentence 1

  sentence 3

• sentence 1

  sentence 4

• sentence 3

  sentence 4

Perfect Tense

Tense

Helping Verb

Example

Present perfect tells about
an action that was
completed at some time in
the past and may still be
happening now.

has or have

He has walked there before.
They have walked there
before.

Past perfect tells about an
action that was finished
before some other action in
the past.

had

He had walked a mile
before Dad picked him up.

Future perfect tells about
an action that will be
completed at a specific time
in the future.

will have

By the end of the hike, he
will have walked five miles.

Perfect Tense

For many verbs, like walk, the past participle is the same as the simple past form.
However, for other verbs, the past participle has a different form. Here is one
example with the verb see:

Last week, we saw a superhero movie. We have seen many movies at that theater.

Use the perfect tenses and the verb look to complete each sentence.

Past perfect: Sherri _______________________ for her lost wallet for an hour before she
found it.

Present perfect: Sherri ____________________ everywhere for her lost wallet.

Future perfect: Sherri _____________________ for her lost wallet for an hour by the time
she finds it.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence tells about something that was finished before some other action in the past?

• I have learned to play the tuba before I will join that marching band.

• I will have learned to play the tuba before I joined the marching band.

• I had learned to play the tuba before I joined the marching band.

• I will learn to play the tuba before I join the marching band.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Ashe ______ already ______ Chicago before I got there.

(leave- past perfect)

• will have, left

• has, leave

• had, left

• left

Multiple Choice

I _____ that movie several times. (watch- present perfect)

• watched

• will watch

• have watched

• has watch

Multiple Choice

I heard that you ____ to Russia by the end of next week. (move-future perfect)

• moved

• will have moved

• will move

• move

Multiple Choice

Which underlined verb phrase is used correctly?

• Adrian did compete in a race next month against many other athletes.

• Mariana will schedule the appointment when she gets off work tomorrow

• Lucia and Elena have been sending messages to each other every day last week.

• Dylan and Pedro will have improved their piano playing because they practiced each day.