Verb TenseVerb Tense

Review: Present, Past, & FutureReview: Present, Past, & Future

Present TensePresent Tense

Present tense may express Present tense may express action which is going on at the action which is going on at the present time or which occurs present time or which occurs always, repeatedly, or habitually.always, repeatedly, or habitually.

Examples: He Examples: He seessees the train. the train. He He eatseats cereal for breakfast cereal for breakfast every day.every day.

Past TensePast Tense

Past tense expresses action Past tense expresses action completed at a completed at a definitedefinite time in time in the past.the past.

Examples: He Examples: He wrotewrote the letter the letter yesterday. She yesterday. She livedlived to be 90 to be 90 years old.years old.

Future TenseFuture Tense

Future tense expresses action Future tense expresses action which will take place in the future.which will take place in the future.

It uses the helping verbs It uses the helping verbs willwill or or shall*shall* and the present tense form and the present tense form of the verb).of the verb).

Examples: He Examples: He will sendwill send the letter the letter tomorrow. I tomorrow. I shall waitshall wait here until here until you return.you return.

* Traditionally, * Traditionally, shallshall is used for 1 is used for 1stst person and person and willwill for 2 for 2ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd persons.persons.