07 VERBS TENSE (PAGE 119)

The various verb tenses are formed from the four principal parts of each verb: PAST PRESENT PRESENT PAST PARTICIPLE PARTICIPLE walk walked walked walking do did done doing speak spoke s

VERBS: TENSE

The various verb tenses are formed from the four principal parts of each verb:

PAST PRESENT PRESENT PAST PARTICIPLE PARTICIPLE

walk walked walked walking

do did done doing

speak spoke spoken speaking come came come coming

To choose the appropriate tense,

it is important to look for certain clues in the sentence These clues can be adverbs (time markers),

other verbs in the sentence, or

the verbs themselves, which may,

by their very nature, be limited

to certain tenses

PATTERNS TO REMEMBER

Certain time markers (now,

tense of a verb.

The verb in the main clause of a

sentence determines the appropriate tense in the dependent clause.

INCORRECT [He signed the release before he will read it.]

CORRECT He signed the release before he read it

Stative verbs (seem, become, know,

understand, be, etc.) cannot be used

in the continuous.

INCORRECT [If I’m understanding

what you mean, I have to agree.]

CORRECT If I understand what you mean, I have to agree

1 The express train often …

on time.

(A) is arriving

(B) arrives

(C) has been arriving

(D) arrive

2 When the shipment … , he

department.

(A) will come in

(B) is coming in

(C) comes in

(D) is going to come in

3 Go ahead with the proposal,

as long as everyone … its

goal.

(A) is understanding

(B) understand

(C) will understand

(D) understands

4 Before the researcher

analyzed the results, the

company … to take on the client.

(A) has agreed

(B) agreed

(C) agrees

(D) was agreed

5 She … five years ago today.

(A) is being promoted

(B) promoted

(C) was promoted

(D) has been promoted

6 The latest franchise … in one week.

(A) would open

(B) had opened

(C) will open

(D) has opened

7 The board reported that it

… a good decision to find a

new director.

(A) was

(B) be

(C) is

(D) were

8 The survey indicates profits are up; business …

(A) is being good

(B) were good

(C) good

(D) has been good

9 At this moment, I … my ears!

(A) cannot believe

(B) could not believe

(C) am not believing

(D) cannot be believing

10 By this time next year, merchandising … greatly improved.

(A) has been

(B) is going to be

(C) is

(D) is being

THANK YOU