TENSE FORMATION

AND USAGE
Ms. Yasmin Castillo
English Teacher
English Department
Instituto Panamericano
2020
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 CONTENT
2. Tense Formation and Usage
2.1. The Three Simple Tenses
2.2. The Three Perfect Tenses
2.3. The Three Progressive
Tenses
2.4. Identifying Facts and
Opinions
TENSE FORMATION AND USAGE

The term tense can have several different meanings, but we use tense to refer to any of
the nine different verb constructions that result when the three logical time divisions
(present,past, and future) are integrated with the three aspect categories of verbs
(simple, perfect, and progressive—simple here means that it is not perfect or
progressive). These nine tenses are illustrated in the following chart, with first-person
singular forms of walk and fly.

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THE THREE SIMPLE TENSES
PRESENT TENSE
The most confusing feature of the present tense for English learners is that the simple
present tense does not actually signify present time. Its three main uses are the
following:
(1) making factual statements and generalizations,
(2) describing habitual actions, and
(3) describing predictable future events or actions.

(1) The simple present tense is used to state objective facts that are not restricted by
time.
The Mississippi River drains the center of the North American continent.

Similarly, the simple present tense is used to state facts that are true for the
foreseeable
future.

We live on Elm Street.

This sentence means, “We have not always lived on Elm Street, and at some point
in the future, we may move. Nevertheless, it is our current intention to remain
THE THREE SIMPLE TENSES
PRESENT TENSE

This sentence means, “We are only living on Elm Street temporarily, and we expect to
move eventually.”
The simple present tense is also used to make generalizations that are considered va
for the foreseeable future.
Smoking causes cancer.

(2) The simple present tense is used to describe habitual actions.

Bob checks his e-mail first thing in the morning.

This sentence describes what Bob normally does first thing in the morning. It does not
mean that Bob is checking his e-mail now, at this very moment. The sentence would still
be valid if Bob were on vacation and hadn’t checked his e-mail in a week.

(3) The simple present tense is often used for near-future events or actions that one
expects to happen.
Our flight leaves at nine.
Note that the simple present tense is not used for uncertain future events. For example, it
is not used to describe future weather.
X It rains tomorrow.
 THE THREE SIMPLE TENSES
PAST TENSE
The simple past tense describes an event or action that was completed before the
present
moment in time; that is, the event or action has already taken place. The past tense can
refer to a single point in past time.

We moved into our house on September 5, 1980.

The past tense can also refer to a span of time in the past, as long as it was
completed before the present.
Janet worked in sales for nearly ten years.
This sentence means that Janet is no longer working in sales at this time.

In addition, the simple past tense has inherited one of the functions of the
subjunctive from older periods of English: indicating that the speaker is
talking hypothetically or even contrary to fact. This hypothetical use of the
past tense does not indicate past time. Its most common use is in if-clauses.

If I were you, I would be sure that I was finished on time.

The use of were rather than the expected was survives from an old subjunctive
form.
Notice also that the other two verbs in the sentence are in the past tense,
THE THREE SIMPLE TENSES
THE FUTURE TENSE
The simple future tense consists of the helping verb will followed by the base
form of the main verb.

I will take a taxi to the airport.

They will be disappointed if you don’t see them.
The helping verb will is one of the nine modal auxiliary verbs: can/could,
may/might, will/
would, shall/should, and must. Although will is used to form the future tense, any
of the other eight modals can refer to future time.

I can take a cab to the airport.

I could take a cab to the airport.
I may take a cab to the airport.
I must take a cab to the airport.

Each of the nine modals has its own range of meanings, allowing English speakers
to make a number of subtly different statements about the possibility, certainty,
desirability, or necessity of a future action.
THE THREE PERFECT TENSES
The three perfect tenses consist of a form of the helping verb have followed by the
past
participle of the main verb. The present tense form of have is used for the present
perfect, the past tense form for the past perfect, and the future tense form for the
future perfect.
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
The present perfect tense consists of have or has followed by the past participle
of the main verb. This tense is used to describe an action that began in the past
and has continued up to the present time, with the implication that it will
continue into the future. The best way to understand the present perfect tense is
to compare it to the past tense.

past tense John lived in Los Angeles for five years.

present perfect tense John has lived in Los Angeles for five years.

According to the past tense sentence, John no longer lives in Los Angeles; he has
moved.
According to the present perfect tense sentence, John still lives in Los Angeles
and is expected to continue living there into the foreseeable future.
THE THREE PERFECT TENSES
THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

The past perfect tense consists of had followed by the past participle of the main
verb. The most common use of this tense is to emphasize that an event in the past
was completed before a more recent event took place.

My parents had left for the airport before my plane landed.

This sentence describes two past-time events. The first event is the parents’
leaving for the airport, and the second event is the plane landing. The use of the
past perfect tense makes it clear that the first event was completed before the
second one occurred.

Note that the events can also be stated in reverse order.

Before my plane landed, my parents had left for the airport.

THE THREE PERFECT TENSES
FUTURE PERFECT TENSE

The future perfect tense consists of will have followed by the past participle of the
main verb. This tense, which is rarely used, describes a future action or event that
must be completed before a second future action, event, or time. The following
sentence uses the future perfect tense to describe an event completed before a
second event.

 The game will have started before we get to the stadium.

Note that the two events can also be stated in reverse order.

 Before we get to the stadium, the game will have started.

The following sentence uses the future perfect tense to describe an action
completed before a specific time in the future.

 They will have finished by noon.

THE THREE PROGRESSIVE TENSES
The progressive tenses consist of a form of the helping verb be followed by the present
participle of the main verb. The present progressive uses the present tense of be, the
past progressive uses the past tense of be, and the future progressive uses the future
tense of be.

The progressive tenses are used to describe an action in progress (hence the name
progressive) at some present, past, or future time.

THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE

The present progressive tense consists of am, are, or is followed by the present
participle of the main verb. This tense can describe an action at the precise
moment that the sentence is spoken.
 Turn the TV down! I am talking on the phone.

The present progressive tense can also refer to a span of time that includes
the
present.
Global warming is causing climate change.
In addition, the tense is often used to describe future plans or events.
We are going to Paris this June.
THE THREE PROGRESSIVE TENSES
THE PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE
 
The past progressive tense consists of was or were followed by the present participle of the
main verb. This tense refers to an action that took place at or during some time in the past,
whether it occurred at a specific moment or during a span of time in the past.
 I was working at my desk by 9 o’clock.
 During the game, he was talking on his cell phone.
The time in the past can be defined by another event.
 We were working in the garden when we heard the news.
The past progressive tense can also be used in an adverbial clause.
 We heard the news while we were working in the garden.
 
THE FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSE
The future progressive tense consists of will be followed by the present participle of the
main verb. This tense describes an activity that will occur at some time in the future,
whether it will occur at a specific moment or, more commonly, during a span of time in
the future.
 Their plane will be landing at 6:35.
 During the school year, I will be living on campus.
Often, the future time is defined by a present tense adverbial clause.
 We will be staying in a motel while they remodel the kitchen.
IDENTIFYING FACTS AND OPINIONS
A fact is a statement that is true and can be verified objectively, or proven. In other
words, a fact is true and correct no matter what.

An opinion, however, is a statement that holds an element of belief; it tells how

someone feels. An opinion is not always true and cannot be proven.

MARKING OTHER PEOPLE’S STATEMENTS AS OPINIONS

It is quite common for the writer of a text to include statements originally made by
other people (see Multiple Speakers in a Text). These are often linked with
information about who the other people are. Typical linking devices include
reporting verbs, preposition phrases and brackets (see 
Grammar Problems in Quotation-Writing).

The first two of these linking possibilities are in some cases additionally able to
mark a reported statement as an opinion. Writers wishing to use a reporting verb to
show an opinion have quite a wide choice (see Verbs with Indirect Speech).
IDENTIFYING FACTS AND OPINIONS
In the following examples, three reporting verbs are underlined. Which one is opinion-
showing?
(c) Fawzi (2011, p.2) states that race is not a major factor in sporting success.
(d) Smith (2014, p. 42) argues that success in professional football depends on financial
backing.
(e) As Fernandez (2013, p. 167) confirms, sporting success depends on numerous factors

The opinion-showing verb here is argues in (d). Of the others, confirms suggests that the
reported statement is a fact, while states is neutral.

Besides argue, opinion-showing reporting verbs

include agree, allege, assert, assess, be convinced, believe, claim, consider,
contend, criticise, deem, dismiss, feel, hold, judge, maintain, opine,
propose, recommend, speculate, suggest, suppose, suspect and think.

The underlined ones additionally suggest the writer’s disagreement with the
opinion (see Agreeing & Disagreeing in Formal Contexts). All of the
verbs except criticise and dismiss can be used with either that after
or as before (see Grammar Problems in Quotation-Writing).
IDENTIFYING FACTS AND OPINIONS
Reporting verbs that suggest or definitely assert that the accompanying statement is a
fact rather than an opinion include advise, confirm, demonstrate, establish, identify,
indicate, know, make clear, note, observe, point out, prove, realise and show (for more
on note and realise, see Tricky Word Contrasts 4). Verbs that are neutral about
whether the statement is a fact or opinion include conclude, emphasise, mention, say,
state, stress and write.

Some reporting verbs have a matching noun with a similar function. Opinion-showing

nouns include assertion, assessment, belief, case, claim, contention, conviction,
criticism, feeling, judgement, opinion, position, recommendation, speculation,
suggestion, supposition and view. You can put the name of the opinion-holder into the
“source-showing” possessive form (e.g. Smith’s opinion is that … – see
Optional Apostrophe Endings), or make it the subject of a verb like have, hold or
make (see “Do Research” or “Make Research”?), like this:

(f) Smith (2014, p.42) holds the opinion (makes the case) that success in
professional football depends on financial backing.
Note also the idiomatic expression is of the opinion/view that … .
IDENTIFYING FACTS AND OPINIONS
Finally, instead of a reporting verb or noun equivalent, particular preposition phrases
can mark a reported statement as an opinion. The main ones seem to be according
to and in the opinion of, and also worth mentioning is as far as (NAME) is
concerned (an expression with a conjunction [as] rather than a preposition).

MARKING ONE’S OWN STATEMENTS AS OPINIONS

There is a much wider range of language available for marking one’s own statements
as opinions. Much of it is paraphrases of I think/feel that, or in my opinion, which
are often felt to be too informal for professional writing (see 
How to Avoid “I”, “We” and “You”). The main types of paraphrase are detailed
below; readers are also referred to Avoiding Untruths 2: Lists & Predictions.

One notable absentee from the following list is the prepositional phrase according
to. Its use is not advised partly because it would need to be followed by either
informal me or clumsy this writer, and partly because I feel it implies disagreement
with the reported opinion – illogical when that opinion is one’s own.
.
IDENTIFYING FACTS AND OPINIONS

***Go to page number 3 (Elements of Success Book) and complete the PART
A WARM-UP activity called “Television: Fact or Opinion?” and the part B.

Activities that are on the physical textbook will be checked by the teacher when we return
to school. However, you have to take pictures of what you’ve done and convert these
images into one PDF document and save it like this (example) :
9TH U -GRAMMAR - IGLESIAS, ENRIQUE – TEXTBOOK ACTIVITIES (UNIT 1-
SECTION A)

SEND IT BY EMAIL ycastillo@ipa.edu.pa the subject of the email must have the same name
as the file you’re sending *USE PENCIL INSTEAD OF PEN*

SECTION A  From page 4 to page 9 DUE DATE: March 23rd 10 a.m.

SECTION B  From page 10 to page 16 DUE DATE: March 23rd 10 a.m.
SECTION C  From page 17 to page 19 DUE DATE: March 30th 10 a.m.
SECTION D From page 20 to page 26 DUE DATE: March 30th 10 a.m.
SECTION E  From page 26 to page 36 DUE DATE: April 6th 10 a.m.

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SUMMARY OF PRESENT, PAST, AND
FUTURE FORMS
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