Using verb tenses

Using Verb Tenses
A verb indicates the time of an action, event or condition by changing its form. Through the use of a sequence of tenses in a sentence or in a paragraph, it is possible to indicate the complex temporal relationship of actions, events, and conditions
There are many ways of categorising the twelve possible verb tenses. The verb tenses may be categorised according to the timeframe: past tenses, present tenses, and future tenses.
Verb Tense: Time
The four past tenses are
1. the simple past ("I went")
2. the past progressive ("I was going")
3. the past perfect ("I had gone")
4. the past perfect progressive ("I had been going")
The four present tenses are
1. the simple present ("I go")
2. the present progressive ("I am going")
3. the present perfect ("I havegone")
4. the present perfect progressive ("I have been going")
Note that the present perfect and present perfect progressive are a present not past tenses -- that idea is that the speaker is currently in the state of having gone or having been going.
The four future tenses are
1. the simple future ("I will go")
2. the future progressive ("I will be going")
3. the future perfect ("I will havegone")
4. the future perfect progressive ("I will have been going")
Verb Tense: Aspect
Verb tenses may also be categorised according to aspect. Aspect refers to the nature of the action described by the verb. There are three aspects: indefinite (or simple), complete (or perfect), continuing (or progressive).
The three indefinite tenses, or simple tenses, describe an action but do not statewhether the action is finished:
• the simple past ("I went")
• the simple present ("I go")
• the simple future ("I will go")
A verb in the indefinite aspect is used when the beginning or ending of an action, an event, or condition is unknown or unimportant to the meaning of the sentence. The indefinite aspect is also used to used to indicate an habitual or repeated action, event, or condition.The three complete tenses, or perfect tenses, describe a finished action:
• the past perfect ("I had gone")
• the present perfect ("I have gone")
• the future perfect ("I will have gone")
A verb in the complete aspect indicates that the end of the action, event, or condition is known and the is used to emphasise the fact that the action is complete. The action may, however, be completed in thepresent, in the past or in the future.
The three incomplete tenses, or progressive tenses, describe an unfinished action:
• the past progressive ("I was going")
• the present progressive ("I am going")
• the future progressive ("I will be going")
A verb in the continuing aspect indicates that the action, event, or condition is ongoing in the present, the past or the future.
It is alsopossible to combine the complete tenses and the incomplete tenses, to describe an action which was in progress and then finished:
• the past perfect progressive ("I had been going")
• the present perfect progressive ("I have been going")
• the future perfect progressive ("I will have been going")
The Function of Verb Tenses
The Simple Present Tense
The simple present is used to describe an action,an event, or condition that is occurring in the present, at the moment of speaking or writing. The simple present is used when the precise beginning or ending of a present action, event, or condition is unknown or is unimportant to the meaning of the sentence.
Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the simple present tense and each sentence describes an action takingplace in the present:
Deborah waits patiently while Bridget books the tickets.
The shelf holds three books and a vase of flowers.
The crowd moves across the field in an attempt to see the rock star get into her helicopter.
The Stephens sisters are both very talented; Virginia writes and Vanessa paints.
Ross annoys Walter by turning pages too quickly.
The simple present is used to express...