Grammar Lesson (Tenses & Verbals)

Grammar
Lesson
Tenses of verbs and Verbals
Verbal
s
- The three verbals are formed from verbs, but
are never used alone as action words in
sentences.
- Instead, verbals function as nouns, adjectives,

or adverbs. These verbals are important in
phrases.
Gerund
- The Gerund ends in -ing and functions as a noun.
- This means that since they act as nouns they can
serve as the Subject, Direct Object, Subject
Compliment, Object of Preposition, or Appositive.
Swimming is Julia’s SUBJECT
favorite sport.
Kiana enjoys sparring with Theresa in DIRECT
OBJECT
the morning. SUBJECT
Hermione’s favorite hobby is COMPLEMENT
reading a book. APPOSITI
My favorite sport, fencing, requires a lot VE
To + Base Form
Infinitives
Verb
- The infinitive is the base form of a verb with to.
- Usually it functions as a noun, although it can also
function as an adjective or adverb.
To go to the Bahamas is her SUBJECT

dream. DIRECT
Marissa likes to borrow things from others without OBJECT
permission. Adjecti
Chloes had a suggestion
to offer.
ve Adver
Snape called to warn Tom about the b
Participle
- A participle is a verb that ends in -ing (present participle) or -ed, -d, -t, -en, -n
(past participle). Participles may function as adjectives, describing or modifying
nouns.
• The dancing parrots entertained the crowd.
• The wrecked sailboat washed up on shore.
• But participles have another function. When used with helping verbs such
as to be and to have, they are action verbs and form several verb tenses.
• She is thinking of the children.
• The conference room had been cleaned before they arrived.

Tenses of Verbs
• The tense of a verb tells you when a
person did something or when
something existed or happened. In
English, there are three main tenses:
the present, the past, and the
future.
• The present, past and future tenses

are divided into four aspects: the
simple, progressive, perfect and
perfect progressive.
Simple Past
- We use the simple past to show actions completed in the past,
with no extra emphasis.
- Simple Past Tense describes events that began and ended in the
past.
I picked up the glass but it dropped

from my hand.
This morning, I went to the store but I
forgot the milk.
[was/were] + Present
Past Continuous
Participle
- The past continuous tense describes an ongoing activity that
occurred in the past. It’s also used for habitual actions that
occurred in the past but not in the present.
- It is formed by combining was/were and the present participle

of the verb.
My dog was whimpering in his sleep when the TV

woke him up.
As kids, my friends and I were always getting
into trouble.
[had] + Past
Past Perfect
Participle
- The past perfect tense, also called the pluperfect tense,
describes a past event in relation to another event that
occurs closer to the present.
- It is formed by combining had and the past participle of

the verb.
She had arrived at the office before she realized

it was Sunday.
The girl bought the telescope her teacher had
recommended to her.
[had]+ [been] + Present
Past Perfect Continuous
Participle
- The past perfect continuous tense is used just like the past perfect
tense, except it describes ongoing actions that happened in the
past instead of a one-time occurrence.
- It is formed by combining had been and the present participle

of the verb.
Before he got his first job as a writer, he had been

working as a proofreader.
I had been living on my friend’s couch for a year

until they kicked me out.
Simple Present
- The simple present tense describes events happening now.
- It is also used when talking about fact, habits, or schedule.
The Earth revolves around FACT

the Sun.
Rowena visits her mother HABIT
everyday.
SCHEDU
On Sunday we go to
LE
church.
Simple Present
- The simple present tense describes events happening now.
- It is also used when talking about fact, habits, or schedule.
Cats eat mice and

birds.
My brother carries the groceries while my sister
stays on the couch.
Today I feel like a million
bucks!
[am/is/are] + Present
Present Continuous
Participle
- Use the present continuous to show an action happening right now or
in the near future. The present continuous tense describes an
ongoing activity that is happening now, in the present.
- It is formed by combining am/is/are and the present participle of

the verb.
I am reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the

Galaxy for the fifth time!
The baby is laughing at Shelly’s

monkey puppet.
[have/has] + Past
Present Perfect
Participle
- The present perfect tense describes a how an action
of the past describes the Subject now or in present.
- It is formed by combining have/has and the past

participle of the verb.
We have tricked him every April Fool’s Day since

we were kids.
Gregoria has played this game since the
beginning of its launch.
Present Perfect [have/has]+ [been] + Present
Continuous Participle
- The present perfect continuous shows an ongoing action in the present that
was started in the past. It is often used to emphasize the length of time.
- It is formed by combining have/has been and the present participle of

the verb.
The team has been practicing nonstop for the

tournament.
Shelly has been babysitting
for years.
will/shall + Base form
Simple Future
Verb
- The simple future tense describes events that haven’t
happened yet. It’s useful for describing an intended action
or a prediction.
I will not go to the wedding

without a date!
Molly will finish her chores when she
has time.
We shall travel to France next
summer.
[will be] + Present
Future Continuous
Participle
- Use the present continuous to show an action happening right now or
in the near future. The present continuous tense describes an
ongoing activity that is happening now, in the present.
- It is formed by combining am/is/are and the present participle of

the verb.
By this time tomorrow, I will be drinking margaritas

on the beach.
I will be working all afternoon, so I can’t help
Olivia with her report..
[will have] + Past
Future Perfect
Participle
- The future perfect tense describes an upcoming action in relation to
another event farther in the future. Because it depends on another time,
the future perfect is often used with words like by, before, at, or when.
- It is formed by combining will have and the past participle of the

verb.
By tomorrow afternoon, Olivia will have

finished her report.
She will have eaten lunch before her sister
even wakes up.
Future Perfect [will have]+ [been] + Present
Continuous Participle
- The future perfect continuous tense describes an action that will extend over
a period of time and will be performed in relation to another future event.
- It is formed by combining will have been and the present participle of

the verb.
In ten minutes, my parents will have been

waiting in traffic for four hours.
When this show ends, Molly will have

been watching TV for three hours.

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Grammar

- Instead, verbals function as nouns, adjectives,

To go to the Bahamas is her SUBJECT

• The dancing parrots entertained the crowd.

• The wrecked sailboat washed up on shore.

• She is thinking of the children.

• The conference room had been cleaned before they arrived.

• The present, past and future tenses

I picked up the glass but it dropped

- It is formed by combining was/were and the present participle

My dog was whimpering in his sleep when the TV

- It is formed by combining had and the past participle of

She had arrived at the office before she realized

- It is formed by combining had been and the present participle

Before he got his first job as a writer, he had been

I had been living on my friend’s couch for a year

The Earth revolves around FACT

Cats eat mice and

- It is formed by combining am/is/are and the present participle of

I am reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the

The baby is laughing at Shelly’s

- It is formed by combining have/has and the past

We have tricked him every April Fool’s Day since

- It is formed by combining have/has been and the present participle of

The team has been practicing nonstop for the

I will not go to the wedding

- It is formed by combining am/is/are and the present participle of

By this time tomorrow, I will be drinking margaritas

- It is formed by combining will have and the past participle of the

By tomorrow afternoon, Olivia will have

- It is formed by combining will have been and the present participle of

In ten minutes, my parents will have been

When this show ends, Molly will have

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