|
Choosing the Correct Verb Tense |
|
Choosing the Correct Verb Tense
1. Does Tense = Time ?
Not Always
2. Situation and Time Words determine Time
3. Time chooses Tense (not the other way around)
4. Present Time (Now)
Present Continuous Tense
I am eating my dinner right now.
Present Tense for "non-action" verbs
I want some chocolate ice cream.
5. Future Time
Future with "will"
I will leave tomorrow
Future with "be going to"
I am going to leave tomorrow.
Future Continuous tense
I will be leaving tomorrow.
Future with Present Continuous tense
I am leaving tomorrow
Future with Present tense
I leave tomorrow.
Past Time
Facts: Use Simple Past Tense
only
I ate my breakfast at 7:00 this morning.
Relationship between
two times.
I had eaten my breakfast when my roommate left.
Relationship between events.
I was eating my breakfast when the telephone rang.
For Practice: See
Verb Choice (from The Internet TESL Journal)
See also:
Grammar: Verb List
If you have questions or comments about this page, please
contact us.
Great
Resources For Teaching & Learning English
