REVIEW OF PAST TENSE

REVIEW OF PAST TENSE

The tense of a verb indicates the time of the action or state of being that is expressed by the verb. Each of the six tenses has a basic form. All basic forms are derived from the principal parts: present (base), present participle (be verb plus -ing), past (-ed), and past participle (-en plus have, had, has). Using the correct tense of verbs when you speak and write is essential to understanding in what time period actions took place.

There are four categories of verb tenses: simple, perfect, progressive, and perfect progressive, with a version of the present, past, and future in each category. Each tense has its own meaning. When the actions take place (completed, ongoing, continuing into the future, has yet to occur) determines which tense to use.

Simple Forms

Let’s start with the simple tenses.

Past

Next is the past tense, which indicates actions or conditions that have occurred already and do not extend into the present.

Ex. She felt better after her test.

Ex. Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939.

Past Perfect

The next tense is the past perfect, where the action was completed before a specified time in the past. To form the past perfect tense, you will use had plus the past participle form of the verb.

Ex. We had considered several alternative plans.

Ex. Bill had finished packing before the taxi arrived.

Past Progressive

With the past progressive, the action was going on during a past period being discussed. It is formed with -ing (the present participle) plus was and were.

Ex. By the 1970s, many Americans were buying smaller cars. 

Ex. I was writing to you when you telephoned me.

Past Perfect Progressive

The past perfect progressive tense describes something that began in the past, continued in the past, and concluded in the past. It is formed with had and been plus the -ing form of the verb.

Ex. I had been riding the bus until I got my license.

Ex. Frank had been leaving get well notes to his uncle.

EJERCICIO