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Chapter 1: Time and Action – Using Verbs

III. The Simple Tense

1.0 Introduction

 

Media

Video 1.2 Part I Simple Verbs

Download video as PowerPoint [PPTX]

 

1.1 Writing the Simple Present Verb Tense

The simple tense always starts with the base form of the verb.  The base form is the verb without any added endings.  However, the 3rd person form of the verb has ‘s’ or ‘es’ added to the base form of the verb.

Examples

I walk
You walk
He, she, it walks
We walk
You (plural) walk
They walk
I wash
You wash
He, she, it washes
We wash
You (plural) wash
They wash

 

1.1.1 Spelling of 3rd Person Singular Simple Tense Verbs

  • 3rd person verbs are verbs whose subject is ‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘it’ and all other nouns.
  • We use them when we are talking or writing about someone/thing who is not the person writing/talking nor the person whom they are talking/writing to.
  • It is a third person, who might not even be there for the conversation.
Table 1.2 Spelling Rules of 3rd Person Singular Simple Tense Verbs
Rule Explanation Examples
Most verbs add ‘s’ + base form of the verb think → thinks
walk → walks
call → calls
Verbs ending in ‘ch’, ‘s’, ‘sh’, or ‘x’
  • add ‘es’ to the base form of the verb
 watch → watches
miss → misses
wash → washes
tax → taxes
Verbs that end in a consonant + ‘y’
  • change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’
 copy → copies
study → studies
carry → carries
Some unusual verbs don’t follow these rules; use a dictionary to check the spelling do → does
have → has

Exercises

  1. Write the 3rd person form of these singular verbs.
    1. have
    2. buy
    3. try
    4. fall
    5. brush
    6. drive
    7. carry
    8. write
    9. study
    1. join
    2. worry
    3. wash
    4. ask
    5. exercise
    6. play
    7. pass
    8. match

     

    Answers show/hide
    1. has
    2. buys
    3. tries
    4. falls
    5. brushes
    6. drives
    7. carries
    8. writes
    9. studies
    10. joins
    11. worries
    12. washes
    13. asks
    14. exercises
    15. plays
    16. passes
    17. matches

     

  2. Write the correct form of the Simple Tense verb in the blanks below.  Be sure to check whether the subject is singular or plural (some nouns are count nouns, some nouns are non-count nouns).  Then, write the third person singular verbs in the correct form.Sergei, Andrei, and Tatiana (1) (know) each other very well.  They went to elementary school together and also (2) (play) in a band together.  Sergei (3) (be) a very good guitar player, and he (4) (have) a great voice.  Andrei (5) (have) very good rhythm, so he (6) (lay down) the beat.  Tatiana (7) (sing) very well and has a powerful voice.Sometimes, Andrei and Tatiana (8) (collaborate) together and write music.  Sometimes they (9) (play) some traditional music from their region because this music (10) (be) what their mother still (11) (sing).  One thing that (12) (inspire) them is to write songs about love and harmony.These three friends (13) (travel, often) to small towns in their region to give concerts of their music.  Now, however, they are thinking about their future life.  They (14) (make, don’t) a lot of money with their band.  In addition, Tatiana (15) (plan) to get married to her boyfriend in the summer.  They (16) (want) to start a family someday, but for now they both plan to start university in the fall.
    Answers show/hide
    1. know
    2. play
    3. is
    4. have
    5. has
    6. lays down
    7. sings
    8. collaborate
    9. play
    10. is
    11. sings
    12. inspires
    13. often travel
    14. don’t make
    15. plans
    16. want

1.2 How do We Use the Simple Tense?

Simple Tense: Somewhere in Space and Time

Big Blocks of Time: Past, Present, and Future

Action in the continuous tense is sort of in a ‘time jail’.  Everything that happens needs to be within the specific and exact time that is mentioned.  There is not much freedom.

In the simple tense, on the other hand, actions do not start, happen or stop at a specific time.  The time that they begin or end is sort of ‘fuzzy’.  There are no clear time limits.

There are many situations in which we don’t know exactly when something started or when it will stop, so we can’t match the action with a specific time.  We have only a general time period that the action happens inside of—the action happens at some time during that larger period of time.  Sometimes, it is an infinitive amount of time (forever) or a very large period of time in the past, present or future.  Sometimes, it is a smaller block of time like ‘the 1960s’ or ‘this morning’.  But the action happens inside of this block of time.

However, real life is not always neat and tidy, and actions don’t always fit into a nice neat package of time.  Like a cup of water, actions sometimes ‘spill over’ in to other periods of time.  Actions in the simple present tense started in the past and will likely continue into the future.  Sometimes they happen forever.  For example, if there is a fact in the Simple Present Tense like ‘water freezes at 0o Celsius’, it was also true in the past, and it will be true in the future.

There are also historic facts.  An action happened in the past, but it is still a historic fact that will be true forever.  For example, the Eiffel Tower was built in 1887.  Here, it looks like we are using a specific time for the Simple Past tense; however, we are not focusing on the action itself but rather the action as a historic fact, which will be true forever in the past—you cannot undo the past.

For example: If we say, “People flew in propellor planes in the 1950s, but they started to fly in jet planes in the 1960”, it is not clear when people stopped flying in propellor planes and started to fly in jet planes.  In addition, the change happened gradually.

1.3 When do We Use the Simple and Continuous Tenses?

Table 1.3 When to Use Simple or Continuous Tenses
Simple Tense Continuous Tense

Time of Action that Cannot be Measured

We use the Simple Tense Verb when the time of the action cannot be measured.

Time of Action that Can be Measured

We use the Continuous Tense Verb when the time of the action can be measured and is known.  So, we use the Continuous Tense Verb when the time of the action is important.

  • When we want to emphasize when the action happens, OR
  • When we want to talk about what action happened during a certain time.
General Time

The Simple Tense Verb has only general time, so it is divided into very large chunks of time—past, present, and future.

  • The Simple Tense doesn’t have specific time.  We only talk about actions in general.  For example: Birds can fly.
  • They happen inside of a general period of time, like the past, present or the future.  But we don’t usually know exactly when they happen—they happen inside of a larger block of time.

Example

Dinosaurs walked the earth in the past.

Sometimes smaller periods of time are used, such as ‘last year’, ‘this morning’, or ‘next month’.  The action does not ‘fill up’ the whole time but takes place at some time during a big block of time.

Example

I went to Tokyo last year.

If a specific time is mentioned, the focus is on it as a fact, which is always true, rather than the action itself.

Example

The Second World War started in 1939.
Specific Time

The Continuous Tense Verb tense is used for actions that happen at a specific time, and that time can be measured.

Examples

I was eating dinner at 6:00 p.m.  yesterday.

I was studying all day yesterday.  (it filled my time like sand fills a sand clock)

Point in Time

The action can happen at a point in time, like 5:00.  Here, the action starts before that time and may continue after that time.  But it is not for an unlimited time.  The time is inferred to be temporary.

Example

I was eating dinner when the phone rang.  (here, I might continue eating and not pick up the phone, or I may stop eating and talk on the phone)

Fill Up a Period of Time

It can also ‘fill up’ a period of time, like coffee fills a coffee cup.

Example

Last year, I was studying at a college.

Note: Here, of course not every minute was spent studying.  I had to eat and sleep, but I was mostly studying—it filled my year.

1.3.1 Situations When Time Can or Cannot Be Measured

Table 1.4 Situations in Simple and Continuous Tense When Time Can or Cannot be Measured
Simple Tense Continuous Tense
Time CANNOT be measured when . . .

Time CAN be measured when . . .

No Time Limit/Time Limit is Not Clear

The action either:

  • Does not have time limit.

    Example

    The moon goes around the earth.
  • the time limits (a clear starting time or stopping time) are not clear or known.

    Example

    Life exists on our earth.
  • It doesn’t matter when it started or when it will stop.

    Example

    Life in our office is busy.
 Clear Time Limits (Start and Stop Time)

Since time is important for the continuous tense, and we can measure it, the time limits (when the action happened) are always given.

We always use time words in the Continuous Tense, or the time is implied.  In the Simple Present, the time is now.  In other situations, the time is known or implied because of the context of the time that we are talking about.

Time words can be either a point in time, like 8:00 p.m.  or they can be a longer period of time (length of time), like a year, a day, a decade, morning, etc.  The action happens for the entire time which is given.
Repeating Action

Simple Tense is used for actions that repeat or are actions in general.  This may be at regular times or at irregular times.

Examples

Scheduled Times:

  • I drink coffee in the morning.

Irregular Times:

  • Ducks often land in this lake.  (this can happen at any time or anyplace)
  • The birds fly in this park.

Normal Actions or Situations

The simple tense is often used to describe what happens normally in our life or life in general or in situations in general.

Examples

Most people go to work every day, make food, travel to visit family and friends, enjoy recreation, etc.

At my job, I make appointments with patients, organize the dentist’s schedule, and send invoices to insurance companies for payment.

We can talk about how often it happens, using adverbs of frequency, such as:

  • Always, never, sometimes, often seldom, usually, every day, once a year, etc.

Examples

I clean my apartment every Saturday.

Dr.  Spock never showed any emotion.

He drinks coffee every morning.

I sometimes call my friends.

Actions that repeat again and again (cycle) cannot be measured because they keep starting and stopping.

Scheduled Action
Includes things that (like the ocean tides) or habits or routines that people have.  The action keeps repeating at a regular time.

Example

I drink coffee every morning.  (regular times)

Random Action
They can happen anytime (maybe anywhere).  These actions are the things that keep happening again and again.  They are the things that are a normal part of our life and life in our world.  But we can’t always know exactly when they will happen.

Example

Turtles swim in this lake.  (not regular times)
 This Time and This/These Action(s)

Continuous Tense is used for actions that are happening only at the time that is given.

Examples

I normally take the bus to work, but today the bus is not running, so only for today I am driving to work.

At 9:00, this bird is flying (or these birds are flying).

Actions that are Only ‘for Now’ (Temporary)

The continuous tense is used for actions that are not typical (normal)—again, only for this time.

Examples

I usually walk to work (simple tense), but this week I am riding my bike because my car needs to be fixed.

Yikes!  A spider is crawling on my sweater.

I normally study every day, but this week I am being lazy.

The continuous tense is not normally used with adverbs of frequency; however, sometimes we do use it with always or never in this case, it has a special meaning—the action is excessive (too much or too little), and it may result in negative emotions or opinions.

Example

She is always complaining.
Continuous Action—Not Repeating Action

Actions That Do Not Repeat:
Can be measured—they have one clear starting point and a stopping point.

  • In the continuous tense, the action doesn’t start, stop, and then happen again.  It has a definite beginning and ending time so it can be measured.  It is mostly continuous (a few small breaks are allowed).
  • The action ‘fills up’ the time (like coffee fills a cup) that is mentioned or happens just once and continuously at a point in time.

For example, if I say that I am studying today, it means that I am studying for the whole day.  However, we say that the action is ‘mostly continuous’ because of course we will need to take an occasional break, for example, to eat lunch.

Not Random Actions:
This action at this time (in the present, the time is NOW).

Example

This bird is flying at 9:00.  (or these birds).
Permanent Action or Situation

The action happens for so long, sometimes forever, that it is not possible to measure it, or it is not important to measure it.

Example

The moon goes around the earth.

  • We don’t know when the moon started to go around the earth, so we can’t measure that time.
  1. Facts—facts are true forever.

    Example

    Water freezes at 0o Celcius/32o Fahrenheit.
  2. Historic Facts: The action ended in the past, but that action is now a fact that cannot be undone.  It is written in the history books forever.

    Example

    The Eiffel Tower was built in 1887.
  3. Laws and Principles that cannot be changed.

    Example

    The laws of physics ([latex]E=MC^2[/latex]) or the law of gravity (what goes up must come down).
 Temporary Action or Situation

Here, the action is thought to be temporary.  It is like a time clock.  The action starts, and it will stop.

To help us understand this, we could compare two jobs; a permanent job and a temporary job.

A permanent job is a long-lasting career job.  Maybe we have gone to prepare for it.  We expect that this job will provide well for our needs such as food and housing, so if we enjoy the job, we are likely to do it for a long time, and we have no plans to leave this job.

Here, we would use the simple tense: “I work for Cherry Computers.”

A temporary job is something that we do usually to just meet a short-term need.  We may need it to save up for going to University.  It could be a summer job.  Maybe we just need extra money, so we get an evening job.  But it is not a job that we want permanently.  We are probably looking for another job that pays more or that we enjoy doing.

Here, we would use the continuous tense: “I am working a Joe’s Burgers, but I can hardly wait to find a better job.”
Essence and Existence/Non-Action Verbs

Essence is sort of like a definition of something.  We are describing what makes something what it is.

For example, a tiger is a big cat and not a dog, first of all.  But what makes it unique (what it is and how it is different from other big cats) is that it has stripes, it doesn’t have a mane like a lion, and it doesn’t have spots like a leopard.

These are the things that don’t change over time.

For example, if Sue is a kind, happy and caring person, that is her essence.  But if one day she is sick and is not very kind, happy or caring on that day, we say that she is ‘not being herself’ on that day—that is not her essence or who she normally is.

Existence: These Verbs describe something that is not an action—we are talking about something that is.  It is not doing anything.  So, it does not have time—it is always true.

Here, we often use the verb ‘BE’ (was, were, will be, has been, etc.).

Examples

This is a table.

She is a very creative person.

This car has a battery.

 Change and Action

The continuous tense is for action.  Action happens when something changes.  When something is static, nothing is changing.  For example, if something is moving, it changes locations.  This can be for actions or for situations.

Examples

She is working on her project.  (her project is getting finished)

The population of Mexico City is growing.

We do not use the continuous tense with non-action words, except to say that something is extreme.

For example: If we say that someone is ‘always complaining’, it means that they are continuously complaining—also without stopping.  Here, it is implied that the person is doing to too much, and this probably brings up negative emotions towards that person.  We use this with the words ‘always’, ‘never’, ‘constantly’, etc.

A negative example with ‘never’ could be: “He is always partying and never studying” (implying that he is in danger of failing).

Study Tip: Using the Simple Tense

The Simple Tense can be used for many situations, which can make it confusing.  Furthermore, when you are speaking, you have less time to think about grammar than when you are writing.  Until you master the simple and continuous verb tenses and can do it quickly and naturally, it will be easier to first think about whether the action you are talking about happens at a certain time.  If time is not important or possible, you should probably use the Simple Tense.  If the action is very long lasting or has no clear time of action, it is also probably the simple tense.

Exercise: Identify Types of Simple Tense Situations

In the blank on the left write:

  • ‘x’ for no time limits/unclear time limits
  • ‘r’ for repeating action
  • ‘p’ for permanent actions, situations (facts, historic facts, laws and principles)
  • ‘e’ for essence (definitions) and existence
  1.       Unfortunately, pandemics are a regular part of human history.
  2.       Hamid loves chicken and rice.
  3.       A virus spreads through the air
  4.       The tides follow the movement of the moon.
  5.       Different animals go extinct and new species form in the development of life on earth.
  6.       Thousands of asteroids hit the earth every year.
  7.       Music with predictable structures is common in classical music.
  8.       My alarm clock wakes me up at 5:00 a.m.
  9.       The weather is always sunny in the desert.
  10.       University studies require hard work.
  11.       Narcissism is a Personality Disorder where a person thinks only of themselves.
  12.       It rains almost every afternoon in Florida.

 

Answers show/hide
  1. r
  2. e
  3. p
  4. r, p
  5. x
  6. r
  1. p
  2. r
  3. p
  4. p
  5. p
  6. r

2.0 The Simple Tense and Time

2.1 Using Time Words

Table 1.5 Time Words for Simple and Continuous Tense
Simple Tense Continuous Tense
  • Things happen within a general time—the time of the action is usually not specific.
  • Things happen generally within a large period of time, but we don’t know exactly when it happened inside of that larger period of time.
  • Often, time is not mentioned.  We simply know by the verb tense that it happened generally in the past, the future, or the present (which could include the past and future).

Examples of large periods of time: Past, present, future, in the 1960s, in the 18th century, last year.

Examples

In the 1960’s, people often wore brightly colored clothes.

In the 20th Century, many new things were invented.  Many of these things changed people’s lives in a big way.

  • Notice! A large period of time is mentioned, but the action generally happened inside that time period.  The action did not happen at a specific time.
  • The action is continuous within or during the time mentioned.
  • It ‘fills up’ a certain time.

Examples

I was practicing guitar from 8:00 to 9:00.

I was thinking about my test all day.

Last year, I was studying computer science.

I was eating lunch at noon.

  • Adverbs of Frequency: These words tell us how often something happens.
    • Include (from most to least):
      • always
      • frequently
      • often
      • sometimes
      • seldom
      • hardly ever
      • never
  • Other time words: Yesterday, last week, every second week, last year, next Tuesday, this month, etc.

2.2 When do We Use the Simple Tense?

Confused?  Real-life examples of how to use the Simple Tense:

So far, we have been describing verb tenses with abstract ideas.  We need something more real to help us understand the verb tenses.  What kinds of actions or existence do we use the simple tense for?  There are four main things that the simple tense is used for:

  1. Actions with No Time Limits/Unclear Time Limits: Descriptions of normal, on-going life.
  2. Repeating Actions.
  3. Permanent Actions or Situations: Descriptions of things that happen in ‘Big Time’.
  4. Descriptions or Definitions of the Essence of things.

2.2.1 Actions with No Clear Time Limits: Descriptions/Essence

When you describe something, you are talking about its essence, the main long-lasting characteristics of it.  It could include actions but it could also include descriptions of places, things and people using non-action verbs, such as ‘BE’.  Here, we talk about how it normally is over a long period of time.  Descriptions could include things or actions that are part of our normal, on-going, day-to-day life on our planet.

Examples

An elephant must be large, with big floppy ears, a long nose (a trunk), a short tail, and two long teeth called tusks.  It makes a very loud trumpet-like sound and sometimes sprays water with its trunk.

A lion and a tiger are similar, but a tiger is not a tiger if it doesn’t have stripes.  However, zebras also have stripes, so a tiger must also be a type of big cat.  Being a big cat with stripes is essential for being a tiger.

Someone’s personality is something which is true for their whole life or for a large part of their life.  It changes very little.  So, we could define a sanguine person as someone who is almost always optimistic, positive, and friendly.  They don’t get upset easily.

The Simple Tense is used for general descriptions of:

  • Situations
  • Events
  • Time Periods
  • Places
  • Things
  • People

When we describe something using the simple tense, we are talking about kinds of actions that happen in general and not a specific action that is happening at a certain time.  These actions can happen at any time and any place and may happen more than one time over a long period of time.  This is NOT like the continuous tense, which focuses on one action or group of actions happening at a specific time.

Examples

Past Example: Describe Small Villages in Japan

Figure 1.7 Japanese old style gate

In the past, people in small villages in Japan often worked in small workshops, where they made things which required special skills.  For example, some people made tatami mats to cover floors.  Other people carved stone for statues that decorated Buddhist temples.  Still other people produced specialized food such as tofu.  Farmers grew crops such as rice, mikan oranges, or daikon (radish).  Priests performed ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals.  Often, a Daimo Lord protected the village.  The Daimo ruler sometimes lived in castle and had a small army of samurai soldiers Sometimes, there were wars between different Daimo.

Present Example: Describe Modern Companies

Technology businesses in the modern era are very competitive.  Competition is no longer within a country, but often worldwide.  Companies often search for workers in other countries.  Successful technology companies need the workers with specialized education and with talent.  These companies do many things to attract workers to their businesses.  Sometimes they allow for flexible schedules, and some companies such as Google even provide places for their employees to relax.  You might see employees play ping-pong or video games, or they eat lunch while they work.

Future Example: Describe Life in the Future

It seems like the future is coming very fast.  Soon, almost everyone will drive electric cars.  They will travel across the whole country in a few hours in a special train that travels inside of a tube.  You might even book a vacation in a space hotel.  If you are an architect, a technology engineer, or even a musician, artificial intelligence will take your ideas and de sign something for you.  Everyone’s job will be easier.  People will work fewer hours and they will have more time to spend on hobbies and travel.

2.2.2 Repeating Actions and Habits

The simple tense is used to talk about repeated actions and habits.  Unlike describing situations which include many actions or actions in general, some of which could happen many times, repeated actions focus on a specific action (one action) that happens again and again.  The same action is repeated many times.

  • The repeated action could be on a schedule—it happens at a certain time, yet we don’t really know when this habit or repeated action started to happen or when it might end.  So, this action in general still cannot be measured.  For example, I drink coffee every morning.
  • A repeated action might also happen randomly.  It repeats many times, but it can happen at any time.  For example, people sometimes travel to this small village.

Examples

Past Example: The Habits of Bach, the Classical Music Composer

Figure 1.8 Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach is one of the most famous composers of classical and religious music.  Bach was a very busy person.  As a child, he practised music every day, and as an adult he played the organ in a church every week.  During the week, he gave music lessons, and he practised music with the choir several times each week.  He produced special musical pieces for religious holidays, such as Christmas, which happened very year.  He changed jobs several times in his life.  He worked for several churches, but he also created music for private societies later in life.  During this time period, he gave weekly performances at a coffee house which was called Café Zimmerman.  During his life, he got married several times because life in those days was difficult, and several of his wives died during Bach’s life.

Present Example: Chen’s Personal Habits

Chen is a very health and organized person.  He gets up at 6:00 AM every morning.  First, he runs five miles, and he doesn’t smoke or eat unhealthy food.  Then, he takes a shower and makes a breakfast of rice, fish and tea.  He goes to school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and studies in the library on the other days.  Because he is a university student in Germany, he talks to his mother, father, and sister every Sunday by video.  He plays tennis with his girlfriend once a week unless he has an important exam that week.

Future Example: Technology will Keep Your Life on a Schedule

Figure 1.9 Robot

In the future, your life might be organized by a computer and supervised by a robot.  Every morning, a robot will wake you up and make breakfast for you.  Then, you will check your schedule for the day on your computer.  However, unlike the simple schedules of today, Artificial intelligence will adjust your schedule according to your mood and energy levels.  A digital health monitor will check this regularly and send the information to your computer.  Then, five minutes before it’s time to leave for work, a self-driving taxi will pick you up at your apartment.  Sometimes, if your robot is not too busy, it will even clean your room for you.  Maybe a robot will even give presentations for you.

2.2.3 Facts, Universal Laws and Principles: Things and Ideas or Concepts that are True Forever/Permanent

  • A fact is something that is always true.  It doesn’t change, and it is permanent/forever.
  • A historic fact is something that happened in the past; however, although the action happened in the past and might have happened at a specific time in the past, when we use the simple tense, we are not focusing on the action.  Instead, we are focusing on the action as a fact.  Facts are forever.
  • Laws and principles are ideas or concepts that are always true.  They are permanent/forever.
  • Definitions describe the essence of something.  The essence of something is what is always true or almost always true of something.

Examples

Water freezes at 0o Celcius/32 o Farenheit.

The Eiffel tower was built in 1887.  (this is a passive verb)

Turtles have hard shells.

The law of supply and demand means that things get expensive which there is little supply or great demand.

[latex]E=MC^2[/latex] – Energy equals mass times ‘C’ (speed of light) squared.

Past Examples of Facts:

  • It is important to realize that actions in the simple past no longer happen anymore.  However, a fact is a record that cannot be erased—it is true forever.  For example: It is a fact that, in the past, it was common for people to ride in carriages pulled by horses in New York.  But that is mostly not true today (except for rides for tourists).  Now, most people drive in cars or take the bus or subway.  However the fact remains forever.
  • If the simple past is used, it implies that the action no longer happens.
    • Sometimes, to emphasize that something is no longer true, we use the phrase ‘used to’.  For example, “John used to smoke” means that he quit smoking.  He doesn’t smoke now.  Although used to is used for the past, it is followed by the base form of the verb (verb in its simple form—present tense with no suffix); for example, I used to play guitar in a band.
  • If the simple future is used, the action has not happened yet.  It will happen in the future, or is likely to happen in the future, but it has not happened yet or is not true yet.

    Example

    I will graduate next year.

Examples

Past Example: Early Life in North America

In the early days of life in North America, people rode horses and did a lot of work with their hands.  People often had large families, and mothers often spent most of their time taking care of their children.  They used to bake bread almost every day.  They washed clothes by hand.  First, they pumped water from a well and filled a big tub with water.  Then, they scrubbed the clothes with a wash board.  It had a wavy glass face that people would rub the clothes on.  Classrooms were large, with all of the grades in one big class.  Children used to practice math equations on very small personal-sized chalkboards.

Present Example: Definition of Someone with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A person with a narcissistic personality disorder is a person who only thinks about themselves and their own interests.  Everyone thinks about themselves sometimes, but it is a disorder when it interferes with normal relations with other people.  It is also persistent – it is something that is a long-lasting pattern of behaviour.  People with a narcissistic personality disorder are often very charming.  They say nice things about other people, but they only do it to get something from the other person.  Their relationships are always transactional.  This means that they only do something for other people if they get something in return.  Their behaviour is as predictable as the fact that water turns into ice at 0° Celcius.

Future Example: The Effects of Climate Change in the Future

Figure 1.10 Mammoth Hot Springs

Climate change is real, and our future world will be very different because of it.  Our world is already different because of it, but it will become worse in the future if we don’t do anything about it.  However, we shouldn’t let that stop us from doing things now.  People will become more serious about it in the next few years.  They will use transit more and will probably not drive cars very much.  Scientist will invent devices that will have no carbon emissions.

2.2.4 Non-Action Verbs and Definitions

Some verbs are non-action.  They include the verb ‘BE’, which can also be used to describe something.  However, there are other non-action verbs sometimes called stative verbs.  They basically fit into five groups: emotion, possession, mental states, perception and some less common ones—’others’.  Explanation of and additional non-action verbs can be found in appendix B.

Examples

Table 1.6 Examples of Non-Action Verbs
Emotion Possession Mental States Perception Others
Love/Hate Belong Agree/Disagree See Weigh
Hope/Wish Include Understand/Know Smell Depend
Prefer Consists of Remember/Forget Taste Seem
Enjoy Own Believe Hear Fit

Some verbs have both active and non-active forms.

Examples

‘Remember’ can be active:

  • I remembered to lock my door.

Or it can be non-action:

  • I remember my grandmother’s voice.  (means recognize)

Weigh can be active:

  • I am weighing this bag of rice.

Or, it can be non-action:

  • This bag of rice weighs 5 kilos (or pounds).

Non-action verbs are not actions, so their time of action cannot be measured—there is no time that they happen.

Non-action verbs also include linking verbs, verbs used when describing the subject of a sentence with a noun, adjective or adverb form.

Examples

Mary is a doctor.  (noun)
Mary is intelligent.  (adjective)
Mary is here, at the hospital.  (adverb and preposition used in an adverb form)

Past Example:

Figure 1.11 Horse-drawn plow

In the past, people often wished different things for a spouse.  They often wanted a spouse for very practical reasons.  For example, in rural areas, they often wished to find a spouse who was physically strong so that they could do physical labour.  They preferred someone who was healthy over someone who was beautiful.  They did not pick a spouse because they wanted to enjoy going on long romantic walks.

Present Example:

The definition of the family has changed greatly in the past few decades, at least in North America.  In the past, it was an extended family, which included anyone who was a distant blood relative—someone related to you genetically.  It could include uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins and even older adults who acted like aunts and uncles to you, even disciplining you.  But now, it usually only consists of the nuclear family: the father, the mother and the children of the couple.  But many people have an even newer definition of family.  It consists of any group of people who know each other, love each other and associate in close relations with each other.  These people believe that how you associate with each other and live together is more of what a family is than some genetic link.

Future Example:

Figure 1.12 Alien humanoid face

To understand the future of the family, you will have to see the future context of the future family.  What will life in a family be like?  Will it be a virtual family, which will include realistic robots who will use AI to develop a close relationship with their owners?  Will we depend on our computers to cheer us up when we are feeling sad or lonely?  Will our family live together in the future?  Maybe we will have avatars of our family that are so realistic that we will believe that they are actually there with us in our homes.  Then, families might agree to live anywhere in the world that they have opportunities to work but stay connected to their families virtually.

Exercise: Types of Usage of the Simple Tense

Look at the examples below.  What are they examples of?  Some things may more than one answer; in that case, put a comma between the answers (i.e. d, r).  After you are finished, discuss your choices with a partner.  Which situations could include more than one category?  Why?

  • Write ‘d’ for descriptions of normal on-going life (actions with no time limits/unclear time limits).
  • Write ‘r’ for repeated actions and habits.
  • Write ‘p’ for permanent actions and situations (facts, historic facts, laws and principles).
  • Write ‘n/a’ for situations that use non-active verbs.
  1.       21 million people live in the city of Mumbai, India.
  2.       The train leaves at 8:00 a.m.
  3.       I usually read the newspaper before work.
  4.       Successful work habits consist of efforts, attitudes and people skills.
  5.       Eating sugar has serious effects on your health.
  6.       University life includes hard work, new friends, and interesting studies.
  7.       The 3-day Thai water festival includes things such as water fights, music, dancing, eating and drinking.
  8.       Makena is a person who likes to have everything organized.  She makes and follows schedules closely and checks the time constantly.
  9.       The annual Throne Speech is given every year for the first new session or meeting of a government.  The speech is given by a representative of a king or queen who talks about the plans and goals of the government.
  10.       This is a beautiful area.  It is surrounded by mountains, has a beautiful and fast-flowing river, and is covered with tall pine trees.  Many eagles also live here.
  11.       Winter in the Northwest is unpredictable.  Sometimes, the weather is mild and warm, but other times it is cold and snows a lot—sometimes up to 5 feet of snow.  But one thing is sure—there will always be a lot of rain.
  12.       Good government consists of trustworthy leaders, fair laws, and concern for the citizens of the country.
  13.       Quantum mechanics operates in ways that we don’t understand, and which are not always completely predictable.

 

Answers show/hide
  1. d
  2. r
  3. r
  4. d
  5. p
  6. d
  7. r
  1. d, p
  2. r
  3. d, p
  4. d, p
  5. d, p
  6. d, p

3.0 The Simple Present Tense

3.1 Using the Verb BE for Descriptive Sentences in the Simple Present

The verb ‘BE’ is used for describing the subject of the sentence using the Subject–Linking Verb–Modifier sentence pattern.

  • The verb ‘BE’ is one of the linking verbs used to link a description of the subject of the sentence with the subject of the sentence.  The modifier can be either a noun, adjective, or adverb.  It can also be a preposition phrase which is serving as either an adjective or adverb.  The modifier is a word or phrase that describes the subject.
  • Other linking verbs include verbs of perception such as ‘seems’,’ looks’, ‘sounds’, ‘feels’.  They are used to convey someone’s perception of the subject.  A perception is an implied statement, based on what the speaker observes about the subject.

Examples

Ms.  Ling is a doctor.  (noun modifier)
She is intelligent.  (adjective modifier)
She is not here.  (Adverb modifier)
She is at the hospital.  (preposition phrase acting as an adverb)

They are students.  (noun modifier)
They are young.  (adjective modifier)
They are here.  (adverb modifier)
They are in the class.  (preposition phrase acting as an adverb)

To make a negative sentence, use BE + not.

Table 1.7 Negative Verb Form in Simple Present Tense
Subject ‘BE’ Modifier (noun, adjective, adverb, preposition phrase)
I am not
amn’t (is not used—use I’m not instead)		 at home.  (preposition phrases used as an adverb)
You are not
aren’t		 careful.  (adjective)
He, She, It is not
isn’t		 sure.  (adjective)
We are not
aren’t		 students.  (noun)
They are not
aren’t		 here.  (adverb)
on the campus.  (preposition phrases used as an adverb)

Exercise: Describe Your Home City

Add a descriptive word after ‘BE’.

  1. The campus of my university                    (BE)                                      (adjective)
  2. The students                    (BE)                                      (adverb or preposition phrase)
  3. The schedule                    (BE)                                      (adjective)
  4. Its reputation                    (BE)                                      (adjective)
  5. Its official animal mascot                    (BE)                                      (noun)
  6. The classes                    (BE)                                      (adverb or preposition phrase)
  7. The library                    (BE)                                      (noun)
  8. My dorm roommate                    (BE)                                      (noun)
  9. The professors                    (BE)                                      (adjective)
  10. My transportation to the university                    (BE)                                      (noun)

Answers may vary.

3.2 Using the Verb ‘BE’ in Making Yes/No Questions

  • Yes/No questions are questions for which the answer is either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
  • The answer is usually in short form as follows:

Examples

Is this the right form?
Yes, it is.  (answer)

Are you a student at this university?
No, I am not.  (answer)

Table 1.8 Yes/No Questions Breakdown in Simple Present Tense
Yes/No Questions Short Answers (Positive) Short Answers (Negative)
‘BE’ Pronoun Complement Positive Pronoun ‘BE’ Negative Pronoun ‘BE’
Singular
Am I tall? Yes, I am. No, I am not.
amn’t
(I’m not)
Are you tall? Yes, you are. No, you are not.
aren’t.
Is he
she
it		 tall? Yes, he
she
it		 is. No, he
she
it		 is not
isn’t
Plural
Are we tall? Yes, we are. No, we are not
aren’t
Are you tall? Yes, you are. No, you are not.
aren’t.
Are they tall? Yes, they are. No, they are not
aren’t

Exercise: Using BE to Make Yes/No Questions

Write the questions for these answers.  Be sure to use the correct pronoun for the questions.

  1. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: Yes, the test is on Tuesday.
  2. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: No, the noodles are finished.
  3. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: No, my friends are not from Bangladore.  They are from Mumbai.
  4. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: Yes, the class starts at 9:00 a.m.
  5. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: No, my homework is not finished.
  6. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: No, it’s not in May.  My vacation is in July.
  7. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: No, I do not like coffee.
  8. Make your own question and answer.
    Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer:                                                                                                                                                 

 

Answers show/hide
  1. Is the test on Tuesday?
  2. Are the noodles finished?
  3. Are your friends from Bangladore?
  4. Does the class start at 9:00 a.m.?
  1. Is your homework finished?
  2. Is your vacation in May?
  3. Do you like coffee?
  4. Answers will vary

3.3 Making Information Questions in the Simple Present Using the Verb BE

  • For information questions, we use ‘wh’ Question words + the verb BE.
  • Information questions do not have a simple/yes no answer; rather, they give specific information as the answer.
  • In informal speech only, contractions are sometimes used.

Examples: ‘Wh’ Question

‘Wh’ Question Words: what, where, when, who, why, how (doesn’t start with ‘wh’)

Table 1.9 ‘Wh’ Questions and Contractions in Simple Present Tense
‘Wh’ Questions With Contractions
Question Word Verb ‘BE’ Complement ‘Wh’ Question Word + ‘BE’ Complement
What is this? What’s this?
Where are they? Where’re they?
When is the movie? When’s the movie?
Who are the actors? Who’re the actors?
Why is she not here? Why’s she not here?
How are the apples? How’re the apples?

Exercises

  1. Write the correct form of the verb BE in the blanks below.  Be sure to use the correct form of the Verb BE.  It must have correct Subject/Verb Agreement.  Remember that the subject and verb are switched in questions.
    1. Where           my textbook?
    2. Who           the actors in this movie?
    3. What           climate change?  Could you explain it?
    4. What           the important points in this chapter?
    5. When           the start of the fall semester?
    6. How           the apple pie?  Do you like it?
    7. Where           the university library?
    8. When           spring break?
    9. What           your friends do on the weekend?
    10. Where           some good restaurants in this area?

     

    Answers show/hide
    1. is
    2. are
    3. is
    4. are
    5. is
    6. is
    7. is
    8. is
    9. are
    10. are

     

  2. Write the questions for these answers:
    1. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: My book is wet because I dropped it in the bathtub.
    2. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: Your coat is in the closet.
    3. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: The pharmacy is on the corner of 1st Street and 10th Ave.
    4. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: The concert is at 7:30 PM?
    5. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: The lights are off because the power is out.
    6. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: My home is in San Francisco.
    7. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: My favourite kind of music is jazz.
    8. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: It is in downtown San Francisco.
    9. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: We are late because our train was late.
    10. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
      Answer: The test is about personality disorders.

     

    Answers show/hide
    1. Why is your book wet?
    2. Where is my coat?
    3. Where is the pharmacy?
    4. When is the concert?
    5. Why are the lights off?
    6. Where is your home?
    7. What is your favourite kind of music?
    8. Where is your hotel?
    9. Why are you late?
    10. What is the test about?

3.4 Making Information Questions in the Simple Present Using the Verbs Do/Does

  • We add the helping verbs do/does when there is a main verb in the question.
  • Question Word + do/does + subject + main verb
  • The question word takes the place of the object of the verb (the answer to the question).

Example: Changing a Sentence into a Question

She makes noodles for lunch every day.

What does she make for lunch every day?

3.4.1 ‘Wh’ Questions

Table 1.10 Question Word + Do/Does
Question word Verbs ‘Does/Do’ Complement
What does this say?
Where do they live?
When does the movie start?
Who do the actors play in this movie?
Why doesn’t she want to come to the party?
How do the apples taste?

Exercise: Making Information Questions in the Simple Present

Write the questions for these answers.  Answers may vary slightly.

  1. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: This road goes to Chiang Mai.
  2. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: He doesn’t eat ice cream because it is unhealthy.
  3. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: The movie starts at 10 o’clock.
  4. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: These books go on the third shelf.
  5. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: They want to eat in a fastfood restaurant.
  6. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: They are going to Hawaii because they want to enjoy the sun.
  7. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: Some people play golf to relax.
  8. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: They don’t live in a house because it is too expensive in this city.
  9. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: A panda bear eats bamboo.
  10. Make your own question and answer.
    Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer:                                                                                                                                                 

 

Answers show/hide
  1. Where does this Road go to?
  2. Why doesn’t he eat ice cream?
  3. When does the movie start?
  4. Where do these books go?
  5. Where do they want to eat?
  1. Why are they going to Hawaii?
  2. Why do some people play golf?
  3. Why don’t they live in a house?
  4. What does a panda bear eat?
  5. Answers will vary.

3.4.2 Making Information Questions with ‘How’

  • Questions with ‘how’ are slightly different than other information questions.
  • There are four ways to make questions using ‘how’.
  • Two of these ways are used to ask about quantity (how much, how many).

Examples

Table 1.11 ‘How’ Questions in Simple Present Tense
Information Question with ‘How’ Examples
How + many + plural count noun How many oranges did you take?
How many people can fit in this car?
How old is this violin?
How + much + noun count noun How much money do you make every year?
How much does this jacket cost?
How much coffee do you drink each day?
How + adjective How important is this essay?
How heavy is this box?
How + adverb How seriously is he hurt?
How often do you go to the movies?

Exercise: Making Information Questions in the Simple Present using ‘How’

Write the questions for these answers:

  1. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: She drinks 4 liters of water a day.
  2. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: This box of oranges weighs 5 pounds.
  3. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: I go running three times a week.
  4. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: This test is very difficult.
  5. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: She is completely fluent in Spanish.
  6. Question:                                                                                                                                                 ?
    Answer: They spend too much money on video games.

 

Answers show/hide
  1. How much water does she drink a day?
  2. How much does this box of oranges weigh?
  3. How often do you go running?
  4. How difficult is this test?
  5. How well does she speak Spanish? OR
    How fluent is she in Spanish?
  6. How much money do they spend on video games? OR
    How much did they spend on video games?

3.5 Writing the Negative of the Verb and Emphasizing the Positive with the Helping Verb Do/Does and Don’t/Doesn’t

Table 1.12 Do/Does Negative
Explanation Examples
When we write negative sentences (a, b), meaning that something is not true, we use do not/does not plus the base form of a main verb.
  • The abbreviation for the negative is don’t/doesn’t (c, d).
  • The added helping verb do/does is also used in the positive to emphasize that something really is true (e, f).
  • The helping verb do/does is also necessary in making yes/no questions.  Here, the helping verb and the main verb are split, with the subject of the sentence going between them.
  1. I do not watch TV for more than an hour a day.
  2. She does not drive carefully.
  3. I don’t watch TV for more than an hour a day.
  4. She doesn’t drive carefully.
  5. You do drive a nice car.
  6. Ms.  Smith does work very hard.
The helping verb do/does is also necessary in making yes/no questions.  Here, the helping verb and the main verb are split, with the subject of the sentence going between them.
  1. Do you have the keys for your car?
  2. Does Mr.  Smith have a laptop?

Exercise

Write the correct negative form of the Simple Tense verb in the blanks below.  Be sure to write the third person singular verbs in the correct form.  Include the helping verb don’t/doesn’t if needed.

Mr. Taka is a mountain climber, but he (1)                                  (like, not) heights.  So, when he climbs, he (2)                                  (look, not) down below him at the ground.  The friends that he climbs with (3)                                  (understand, not) this.  They love the thrill when they look down and (4)                                  (see, not) anything but air below them.  They think it is beautiful, so they sometimes joke with him about it.  “Why do you climb, when you are afraid of heights”, they ask?  But he (5)                                  (do, not) for the beauty and enjoyment of climbing.  He does it because he (6)                                  (want, not) fear to win in him.  He thinks that if he keeps doing it, that someday he will lose his fear of heights.  He also knows that fear (7)                                  (go away, not) unless you face it.  At least his friends (8)                                  (think, not) that he is a coward.

Answers show/hide
  1. doesn’t like
  2. doesn’t look
  3. don’t understand
  4. don’t see
  1. doesn’t do
  2. doesn’t want
  3. doesn’t go
  4. don’t think

3.6 Use of Adverbs of Frequency and Time Expressions

Because the simple tense is used for actions that repeat many times over a long period of time, we sometimes talk about how often they happen.

  • Some things happen on a schedule.  They could be a regular activity that happens at the same time every day.
  • On the other hand, some things happen in a less regular way, so we talk about how often and they happen.  Here are some adverbs of frequency.
  • The adverbs of frequency below start with most frequent at the top and go to the least frequent at the bottom.  Percentage is approximate.
Table 1.13 Adverbs of Frequency
Adverb Frequency
always 100%
almost always 90%
frequently 80%
usually 75%
often 60%
quite often 55%
sometimes 50%
occasionally 35-40%
infrequently 20%
seldom 10%
rarely 5%
hardly ever 5%
almost never 3%
never 0%

In the simple tense, everything that happens in the present was also true in the past and will probably be true in the future.

When we use the simple present tense, it automatically happens in the general area of time called ‘the present’.  Specific time words are not usually used, except for giving facts about time or talking about repeated activities at a certain time.

We do use adverbs of frequency (see table 1.14 below).

Examples

Abdul attends university.

The snake is long.

The earth goes around the sun.

The bank opens at 10:00 a.m.

She goes to class on Tuesdays.

Table 1.14 Frequency in Simple Present Tense
Explanation Examples
Adverbs of frequency are one of the time expressions in English.
  • Adverbs of frequency tell how often something happens.
  1. I usually study in the library.
  2. They almost never have a party.
  3. We often go skiing in the winter.
Adverbs of frequency usually go before the verb, as in (a) and (b).
  • However, like some other adverbs, they can be placed at the end of a sentence after the verb (c) or after the object of a verb (d), if there is an object.
  • With negative multi-word time expressions (hardly ever, almost never—in bold above), they go before the verb and not after the verb (e).
  • In the negative form, they usually go between don’t/doesn’t and the main verb, as in (f).
  1. The bank usually opens at nine.
  2. I almost always text my friends, and I almost never call them and talk to them.
  3. I call often.
  4. I drink coffee often.
  5. I drink coffee almost never.
  6. I don’t usually drink tea.
Examples of others include: every day, twice a week, three times a year, every second week, etc.
  • These multi-word time expressions are used like adverbs of frequency to describe habits and repeated actions.
  • They go after the verb if there is no object of the verb (a), and they go after the object if there is an object of the verb (b).
  1. Her family Is quite rich and goes to Hawaii every year.
  2. I clean my room twice a week.
When an adverb of frequency is used to modify an adjective, it comes before the adjective, as in (a) and (b).
  1. She is almost always quick to return a text message.
  2. The clothes at this store are almost always cheap.

Exercises

  1. Write the correct form of the verb/time expression in the blank.The Spread of SlangSlang is an informal form of speech.  It is (1)                                  (use, almost always) by a culture within a culture—a subculture.  It’s more common with teens, because teenagers (2)                                  (want, always) to have an identity (who they see themselves as being) that is different from their parents and from adults.  Teens (3)                                  (identify, always) more with their friends then with their parents or family.  They would (4)                                  (want, never) to use the same slang that their parents used back in the old days.In the past, teenagers would (5)                                  (hear, sometimes) on a movie, a TV show or in a song on the radio.  Those TV shows were (6)                                  (produced, almost always) in California.  So, the language used in those shows naturally came from California.  This is where it gets interesting.Many people in California (7)                                  (try, usually) to look and sound current or cool.  So, young people like to pick up new slang that starts there.  One of the coolest sub-cultures in Los Angeles, where most movies and TV shows were made, was the beach sub-culture.  Surfing in the waves was a big part of the Beach subculture, and many surfers were teenagers, so they would (8)                                  (make up, often) new words or use words in new ways, so that they wouldn’t sound like their not-so-cool parents.  They would (9)                                  (call, sometimes) their friends ‘dude’—as in “Hey dude, what are you doing after school?” They also had special words to describe waves.  A big wave that was rolling and twisting around was called ‘gnarly’.  Strangely, a cool car was described as ‘bad’—as in “That is a bad car.”However, things are changing rapidly.  People are more likely to be entertained on the internet now.  Creative content can be made anywhere and by anyone.  So, will we soon be using slang that started on a farm or a ranch?  Horse slang?
    Answers show/hide
    1. almost always used
    2. always want
    3. always identify
    4. never want
    5. sometimes hear
    6. almost always produced
    7. usually try
    8. often make up
    9. sometimes call
  2. Describe your present life as someone who is new in your country.
    OR
    Describe your life after high school—your life as an adult.
    • Descriptions/Normal Life: List five things that were typical things that happen in your life as an adult (how is different from your life as a child or teenager) OR your life as someone who is new to this country.
    • Facts and Definitions: List five things that are important for an adult to do in order to survive and do well in the adult world.  What does it mean to be an adult (what is an adult)?
    • Habits/Repeated Activities: List five habits that help an adult to do well as an adult.  What things should they do regularly.

Answers will vary.

4.0 The Simple Past Tense

4.1 How do We Use the Simple Past Tense?

Review: Simple Tense > Somewhere in Space and Time

In the Simple Tense, time cannot really be measured, things happen somewhere in time in space, so huge blocks of time are used—the past, present, and future.  Sometimes smaller blocks of time are mentioned, but action does not happen at a specific time within those blocks of time.  Instead they happen somewhere within that black of time.  When a more specific time is mentioned, the focus is not on action itself, but instead the facts of the action—when it happened.  It is the FACT that doesn’t have time, because facts are forever.

The simple past tense is mostly the same as the simple present tense:

  1. The actions happen within a larger period or block of time—somewhere in time.
  2. The actions have no real start or stopping time—like a pendulum.
  3. Generally, the actions happen in the past.
  4. The actions can happen within a smaller period of time: for example, in the 1960’s, in February, or this morning.  However, they usually happen at sometime within the larger period of time.  That could be in beginning of that time, the middle, or the end, but we don’t know exactly when.  For example, if I say that I called my friend this morning, we don’t know exactly when I called.  All we know is that the call happened sometime in the morning.  So, it still is not a specific time.

  1. When a specific time is given, the focus is not on the action itself; rather, it is on the fact that it happened at this time.  Facts are not about time—they are always true.
  2. However, people use time words to make the simple tense and the continuous tense mean almost the same.  For example: “I was studying this morning” is almost the same as, “I studied all morning.”

Still, time is usually not mentioned when we use the simple tense.  Normally, the Simple Tense is not about time.  Instead, the Simple Tenses is about facts.  It’s about information rather than action.  When we are giving facts about time, we might mention specific time.

Example

Jose has a guitar lesson at 8:00.

  • In this example, the main point is that the guitar lesson is at 8 o’clock.  Facts are about what is true, and if something is true it is always true—there is no starting time or ending time for truth.  The verb ‘has’ is of little important.

In the simple past, we are often talking about the facts about things that happened.  These are often historic facts.  They happened in the past, but the facts will always be true.  You cannot undo the past.  For example: The Eiffel Tower was built in Jan 28, 1887.  Obviously, it was not built in one day—that is just when it was finished.  But this is a historic fact that will be true forever, and forever does not have a beginning and end.

4.2 When do we use the Simple Past Tense?

We use the simple past for the same things that the simple present is used for.

  • Description of Situations, Events, Time Periods, Places, Things and People
  • Repeated Actions and Habits
  • Facts—always true/historic facts (once something is done, you can’t undo it)

4.2.1 Description of Situations, Events, Time Periods, Places, Things and People

Example: Description of Small Villages in Japan

Figure 1.13 Nagoya Castle

In the past, people in small villages in Japan often worked in small workshops, where they made things which required special skills.  For example, some people made tatami mats to cover floors.  Other people carved stone for statues that decorated Buddhist temples.  Still other people produced specialized food such as tofu.  Farmers grew crops such as rice, mikan oranges, or daikon (radish).  Priests performed ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals.  Often, a Daimo Lord protected the village.  The Daimo ruler sometimes lived in castle and had a small army of samurai soldiers Sometimes, there were wars between different Daimo.

4.2.2 Repeated Actions and Habits

  • Unlike describing situations, actions are one kind of action that happens again and again.  The same action might be repeated many times.
  • The action could be on a schedule—at a certain time, but we don’t really know when this habit or repeated action started to happen or when it might end.  So, this action in general still cannot be measured.

Example: The Habits of Bach, the Classical Music Composer

Figure 1.8 Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach is one of the most famous composers of classical and religious music.  Bach was a very busy person.  As a child, he practised music every day, and as an adult he played the organ in a church every week.  During the week, he gave music lessons, and he practised music with the choir several times each week.  He produced special musical pieces fo r religious holidays, such as Christmas, which happened very year.  He changed jobs several times in his life.  He worked for several churches, but he also created music for private societies later in life.  During this time period, he gave weekly performances at a coffee house which was called Café Zimmerman.  During his life, he got married several times because life in those days was difficult and several of his wives died during Bach’s life.

4.2.3 Describe Facts and Give Definitions

  • It is important to realize that facts for the past are no longer true anymore.  For example: It is a fact that, in the past, it was common for people to ride in carriages pulled by horses in New York.  But that is mostly not true today (except for rides for tourists).  Now, most people drive in cars or take the bus or subway.
  • If the simple past is used, it implies that it is no longer true.
  • Sometimes, to emphasize that something is no longer true, we use the phrase ‘used to’.  For example, “John used to smoke” means that he quit smoking.  He doesn’t smoke now.  Although ‘used to’ is used for the past, it is followed by the base form of the verb (verb in its simple form—present tense with no suffix), for example, “I used to play guitar in a band”.

Example: Early Life in North America: Things That Are No Longer True

In the early days of life in North America, people rode horses and did a lot of work with their hands.  People often had large families, and mothers often spent most of their time taking care of their children.  They used to bake bread almost every day.  They washed clothes by hand.  First, they pumped water from a well and filled a big tub with water.  Then, they scrubbed the clothes with wash board.  It had a wavy glass face that people would rub the clothes on.  Classrooms were large, with all of the grades in one big class.  Children used to practice math equations on very small personal-sized chalkboards.

4.3 How to Write Simple Past Tense

There are two ways to write the Simple Past because there are regular verbs and irregular verbs.

  • Regular verbs: Add ‘-ed’ to base form of the verb.
    • See table 1.16 below for spelling of ‘-ed’ forms.
  • Irregular verbs: write the ‘irregular’ form of the verb.

    Example

    In the simple past form, ‘eat’ is not ‘eated’.  The simple past form of the verb ‘eat’ is the irregular form ‘ate’.
Table 1.15 Regular and Irregular Past Tense Verb Form
Past Tense Verb Form Examples
Regular Past Tense Verb Forms: Unlike the simple present tense, the past ‘-ed’ verb form is the same in all persons.  The 3rd-Person Singular form (he, she, and it) is the same as the others—add ‘-ed’ for all of them. I walked
You walked
He, she, it, walked
We walked
You walked
They walked
Irregular Past Tense Verb Forms: A full list is in Appendix A. eat → ate
fall → fell
bend → bent
sell → sold

4.3.1 Spelling of Verbs When ‘-ed’ Is Added

Table 1.16 Spelling of Verbs with -ed Ending
Verb Examples Explanation
  1. Verbs that end in a vowel + consonant + ‘e’
 hope
recite
dare		 hoped
recited
dared		 Drop the ‘e’ and add -ing/-ed
  1. Verbs that end in ‘y’
 enjoy
pray
buy		 enjoyed
prayed
bought		 Verbs with vowel + ‘y’
  • Add -ing/-ed
study
fry
rely		 studied
fried
relied		 Verbs with vowel + consonant + ‘y’
  • Change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add -ed
  1. Verbs that end in ‘ie’
 die
lie
tie		 died
lied
tied		 Change ‘ie’ to ‘y’ and add -ed
  1. Verbs that end in a vowel/consonant pattern (except -w, -x, or -y)
 one-syllable verbs
rob
beg
drop		 robbed
begged
dropped		 Double the consonant and add -ed
irregular two-syllable verbs
begin
commit
forget		 began (irregular)
committed
forgot (irregular)		 irregular
  1. Verbs that end in a two-consonant pattern
 list
start
demand		 listed
started
demanded		 Add -ed

Study Tip: Repetition and Variation

Repetition becomes boring, and when we become bored, we lose focus.  Our brain does not release the needed neurotransmitters which encourage our synaptic memory connections to form and grow.  So, change your routine.  If you are practicing verb tenses, find a different way to practice verb tenses.

 

Exercise: Practice With ‘-ed’ Verb Forms

Write the past tense of these regular verbs that end in ‘-ed’.  Write the correct ‘-ed’ form.

  1. start:                              
  2. wait:                              
  3. help:                              
  4. wipe:                              
  5. occur:                              
  6. happen:                              
  7. hope:                              
  8. hop:                              
  9. cry:                              
  10. rain:                              
  11. explain:                              
  12. commit:                              
  1. refer:                              
  2. listen:                              
  3. promise:                              
  4. pull:                              
  5. smile:                              
  6. hurry:                              
  7. study:                              
  8. stay:                              
  9. step:                              
  10. try:                              
  11. offer:                              
  12. swipe:                              

 

Answers show/hide
  1. started
  2. waited
  3. helped
  4. wiped
  5. occurred
  6. happened
  7. hoped
  8. hopped
  9. cried
  10. rained
  11. explained
  12. committed
  1. referred
  2. listened
  3. promised
  4. pulled
  5. smiled
  6. hurried
  7. studied
  8. stayed
  9. stepped
  10. tried
  11. offered
  12. swiped

4.3.2 Spelling of Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs do not follow the regular verb forms in English.  Usually, we add ‘-ed’ to verbs to change them to the past tense.  For other verbs there does not seem to be a pattern or there are several patterns.  This is because English is really a mixture of many different languages, so there are sometimes more than one rule to follow.  However, there are so many verbs that it is difficult to tell which language rule to follow, that it is usually easier to just memorize each one.

Changes in verbs for the irregular past tense verb forms follow three patterns:

Table 1.17 Patterns for Irregular Past Tense Verbs
Pattern Examples
Verbs that don’t change cut → cut
hit → hit
fit → fit
Verbs that change their vowel get → got
sit → sat
drink → drank
Verbs that change completely catch → caught
bring → brought
teach → taught

4.3.2.1 List of Irregular Verbs with Their Past Forms

Table 1.18 List of Irregular Past Verb Forms
Base Past Base Past Base Past Base Past
be was/were drink drank know knew shoot shot
bear bore drive drove lead led show showed
beat beat eat ate learn learned shut shut
become became fall fell leave left sing sang
begin began feed fed lend lent sink sank
bet bet feel felt let let sit sat
bite bit fight fought lie lay sleep slept
blow blew find found lose lost speak spoke
broadcast broadcast fly flew make made spend spent
break broke forget forgot mean meant stand stood
bring brought freeze froze meet met steal stole
buid built get got pay paid stick stuck
burn burned give gave put put swim swam
buy bought go went read read understand understood
can could grow grew ride rode take took
catch caught hang hung ring rang teach taught
choose chose have had rise rose tell told
come came hear heard run ran think thought
cost cost hide hid say said throw threw
cut cut hit hit see say wake woke
do did hold held sell sold wear wore
draw drew hurt hurt send sent win won
dream dreamt keep kept set set write wrote

Exercises

  1. Write the past tense forms of the following verbs.  All are irregular verbs.Yesterday, I (1)                                  (speak) with Ajulo about the resume that he (2)                                  (submit) to our company.  I (3)                                  (say) that he (4)                                  (impress) me with his education at several top universities.  He also (5)                                  (write) a very good cover letter), which I (6)                                  (read) with interest.When I later (7)                                  (question) him about his work experience, he (8)                                  (speak) about working at several small but innovative companies.  He also really (9)                                  (understand) the concept of teamwork.  He ‘(10)                                  (draw) me in’ with his sincerity.  It (11)                                  (be) easy to trust him, and I (12)                                  (feel) confident that he would make a good employee.
    Answers show/hide
    1. spoke
    2. submitted
    3. said
    4. impressed
    5. wrote
    6. read
    7. questioned
    8. spoke
    9. understood
    10. drew
    11. was
    12. felt

     

  2. Write the past tense forms of the following irregular verbs:
    1. drive:                              
    2. drink:                              
    3. swim:                              
    4. understand:                              
    5. can:                              
    6. break:                              
    7. have:                              
    8. run:                              
    9. take:                              
    10. feel:                              
    11. fight:                              
    1. build:                              
    2. put:                              
    3. say:                              
    4. sell:                              
    5. ride:                              
    6. keep:                              
    7. hang:                              
    8. wear:                              
    9. win:                              
    10. think:                              
    11. sleep:                              

     

    Answers show/hide
    1. drove
    2. drank
    3. swam
    4. understood
    5. could
    6. broke
    7. had
    8. ran
    9. took
    10. felt
    11. fought
    12. built
    13. put
    14. said
    15. sold
    16. rode
    17. kept
    18. hung
    19. wore
    20. won
    21. thought
    22. slept

     

  3. Write the past tense forms of the following verbs.  Some are regular and some are irregular.  This is the same exercise found in the section on the Simple Present.  The exercise is being repeated to show that the same principles of time apply to the past.  However, now it is in the past form.Sergei, Andrei, and Tatiana (1)                                  (know) each other very well.  They went to elementary school together, and they also (2)                                  (play) in a band together.  Sergei (3)                                  (be) a very good guitar player and he (4)                                  (have) a great voice.  Andrei (5)                                  (have) very good rhythm, so he (6)                                  (lay down) the beat.  Tatiana (7)                                  (sing) very well and has a powerful voice.Sometimes, Andrei and Tatiana (8)                                  (collaborate) together and write music.  Sometimes they (9)                                  (play) some traditional music from their region because this music (10)                                  (be) is what their mother (11)                                  (continue) to sing.  One thing that (12)                                  (inspire) them, however, is to write songs about love and harmony.These three friends (13)                                  (travel, often) to small towns in their region to give concerts of their music.  Now, however, they are thinking about their future life.  They (14)                                  (make, don’t) a lot of money with their band.  In addition, Tatiana (15)                                  (plan) to get married to her boyfriend in the following summer.  They (16)                                  (want) to start a family someday, but for now, however, they both plan to start university in the fall.
    Answers show/hide
    1. know
    2. play
    3. is
    4. have
    5. has
    6. lays down
    7. sings
    8. collaborate
    9. play
    10. is
    11. sings
    12. inspires
    13. often travel
    14. don’t make
    15. plans
    16. want

4.3.3 Negative Form of Past Tense Verbs

The negative form of past tense verbs is quite simple.  It is ‘did not’ + the base form of the verb.  Or in abbreviated form ‘didn’t’ + the base form of the verb.  Remember that the base form of the verb is the most basic simple present tense of the verb, with no endings such as the 3rd-person singular ‘s’.  This is true for both regular verbs (where you normally just add ‘-es’) and for irregular verbs.

Table 1.19 Examples of Negative Form of Past Tense Verbs
Regular Verbs Irregular Verbs
step → did not step OR didn’t step
talk → did not talk OR didn’t talk
call → did not call OR didn’t call		 find → didn’t find (not didn’t found)
go → didn’t go (not didn’t went)
get → didn’t get (not didn’t got)

Exercises

  1. Write the following verbs in the negative form of these past tense verbs.  If they are irregular, also change them into their irregular form.  When you are finished, write them again, but this time in their contracted form.Negative Form:
    1. run:                       
    2. sell:                       
    3. jump:                       
    4. eat:                       
    1. draw:                       
    2. call:                       
    3. step:                       
    4. speak:                       
    1. take:                       
    2. feel:                       
    3. put:                       
    4. lose:                       

    Contracted Negative Form:

    1. run:                       
    2. sell:                       
    3. jump:                       
    4. eat:                       
    1. draw:                       
    2. call:                       
    3. step:                       
    4. speak:                       
    1. take:                       
    2. feel:                       
    3. put:                       
    4. lose:                       

     

    Answers show/hide

    Negative Form:

    1. did not run
    2. did not sell
    3. did not jump
    4. did not eat
    5. did not draw
    6. did not call
    7. did not step
    8. did not speak
    9. did not take
    10. did not feel
    11. did not put
    12. did not lose

    Contracted Negative Form:

    1. didn’t run
    2. didn’t sell
    3. didn’t jump
    4. didn’t eat
    5. didn’t draw
    6. didn’t call
    7. didn’t step
    8. didn’t speak
    9. didn’t take
    10. didn’t feel
    11. didn’t put
    12. didn’t lose

     

  2. In the spaces below, write the correct form of the past tense verbs that are in parenthesis.Alfredo (1)                                  (enjoy) sports of all kinds.  He (2)                                  (hope) that one day he would become a famous athlete.  In fact, when he was in high school, he would do anything to get involved in sports.  He especially loved skiing, but he didn’t have skis because they were so expensive.  One day, he read a book about someone who (3)                                  (rob) a bank to get some money.  They (4)                                  (walk) into a bank, pointed a gun at the teller, and (5)                                 (demand) money.  Alfredo thought that it was a great idea, and he decided that he could get money by robbing a bank.  But he (6)                                  (need) to prepare carefully.  First, he (7)                                  (list) the things he would need: a mask to cover his face, a gun to threaten the bank teller, a note to give the teller, and a bag to hold the money.  Then, he (8)                                  (need) to write down what he would say in the note.Alfredo (9)                                  (plan) the bank robbery carefully.  He (10)                                  (commit) to doing it.  But as the day came closer, he (11)                                  (start) to get scared.  He heard about someone who (12)                                  (rob) a bank, but everything went very wrong.  The bank robber (13)                                  (study) the bank carefully, so he would know where to go.  But, when he got to the bank and (14)                                  (recite) what he wrote out and (15)                                  (studied) at home, it forgot what he wrote out.  This made him very nervous.  Then, he (16)                                  (drop) the gun and (17)                                  (slip) on the floor.  He hit his head, but when (18)                                  (called) for help, they (19)                                  (call) the police instead.  When he started to play the bank robbery, he (20)                                  dream of all the money he would get, he (21)                                  (anticipate) something much easier.  But, I guess it is impossible to plan for everything that can happen.
    Answers show/hide
    1. enjoyed
    2. hoped
    3. robbed
    4. walked
    5. demanded
    6. needed
    7. listed
    8. needed
    9. planned
    10. committed
    11. started
    12. robbed
    13. studied
    14. recited
    15. studied
    16. dropped
    17. slipped
    18. called
    19. called
    20. dreamed
    21. anticipated

     

  3. Write the past tense of the verbs in parenthesis in the blanks before them.Story of Albert Einstein (past tense)Albert Einstein (1)                                  (be) an amazing scientist.  He was born in Ulm, Germany in 1879, and he (2)                                  (live) in Germany for much of his life.  Then, in 1895, Einstein (3)                                  (move) to Switzerland, where he (4)                                  (study) mathematics and physics.  He (5)                                  (return) to Germany in 1914 to work with in a university and an academy of science.Then, in 1933, he (6)                                  (visit) the United States.  While Einstein (7)                                  (be) there, Hitler came into power in Germany, and because of this, Einstein (8)                                  (move) permanently to the United States.Einstein is most famous for some his scientific work.  He (9)                                  (write) the most famous scientific equation in history, E=MC2.  Almost anyone can tell you this equation even if they don’t understand it.  People also know Einstein because he (10)                                  (develop) two of the most famous scientific theories of all time, the Theory of Relativity and the Theory of Quantum Mechanics.  Although Einstein was most famous for his science, He (11)                                  (win) the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
    Answers show/hide
    1. was
    2. lived
    3. moved
    4. studied
    5. returned
    6. visited
    7. was
    8. moved
    9. wrote
    10. developed
    11. won

     

  4. Write about the following things on a separate piece of paper:
    • Describe your high school years.
    • List five things that were typical things that happened in your high school.  What was life normally like in high school?
    • What is true of high school students?  What facts describe high school students?  Define a high school student.
    • What were some regular activities or events at your high school?

    Answers will vary.

5.0 The Simple Future Tense

The simple tense gets even more complicated when we use it for the future.  Linguists, those who study language in general, even argue about whether it is actually a verb tense at all.  Some think that it’s a form of a Modal, because, unlike the other verb tenses, the verb form doesn’t actually change.  We simply add ‘will’ or ‘going to’ base form of the verb.  This is just like a modal.  For example, to use the modal ‘might’, we simply added to the base form a the verb.  For example, we could add ‘might’ to the base form of the verb ‘drive’ to make might ‘might drive’ in the sentence, “We might drive to the store this afternoon.”

What’s even more confusing is that when we were talking about a past event, we can talk about the future of the time of that event.  We can also use the simple present to talk about the future and a continuous tense verb to talk about the future.

Although there are various forms of the simple future tense, including what could be considered a modal form and a continuous tense form, they will be covered in this section in order to put everything in one place and make it easier to remember.

5.1 How to Write the Simple Future Tense: Two Forms

The simple future tense has two different forms.  The ‘will’ form of the verb actually has several different purposes, and the ‘BE going to’ form has its own purpose.  However, although the ‘will’ form of the verb has different purposes, they are all written in the same way.

Notice that the ‘BE going to’ form of the future is only used for things which are planned in advance or are intended for the future.

Table 1.20 ‘Will’ and ‘BE Going To’ Verb Forms
‘Will’ Form ‘BE Going To’ Form
‘will’ + base form of the verb ‘BE’ + ‘ going to’ + base form of the verb
  • The base form of the verb is used because ‘to’ is used to make the main verb into an infinitive.
Singular Plural Singular Plural
I will eat.
You will eat.
(He, she, it) will eat.		 We will eat.
You will eat.
They will eat.		 I am going to study.
You are going to study.
(He, she, it) is going to study.		 We are going to study.
You are going to study.
They are going to study.
Purpose Purpose
Plans and Intended Actions: We use this form to tell what we are planning to do or intending to do for the future.  However, for plans and intended actions, ‘going to’ us usually used.

Example

I will graduate next year.

We will have a birthday party for Jason next month.

 Plans and Intended Actions: We use this form to tell what we are planning to do or intending to do for the future.  In this case, the plans are made ahead of time.
  • There are really two parts to this form.
  • The first part, ‘BE + going’, is actually a continuous tense verb—the planning is happening now.  ‘BE + Going’ means the same as ‘am planning’.
  • ‘To do’ something.  Infinitives are used for future actions (gerunds are used for present or past actions).
  • Together, the phrase means, “I am planning (now) to do something (in the future)”.
‘Will’ is used for things that are decided at the moment of speaking about an action (a quick decision).

Example

Person A: Can I get some help lifting this box?
Person B: Oh, I will do it.
Predictions: The ‘will’ form of the future is used to make predictions about the future (what we think or believe will happen in the future).  The ‘will’ form is like a modal in that it expresses a high degree of confidence.

Examples

Tomorrow, it will rain.

This virus will affect everyone’s lives.

Other modals can be used to express lesser degrees of confidence.

Examples

It could rain tomorrow.

It should rain tomorrow.
Promises: This form of the simple future is used to make promises.

Examples

I will be at the party tonight.

I will wash the dishes this afternoon.

I will pay you the money I owe you.
To make the negative form of the simple future tense with ‘will’, we add ‘not’ between the helping verb ‘will’ and the main verb.

Examples

I will come to the party.

I will not come to the party.

 To make the negative form of the future tense with ‘BE’ + ‘Going to’, add ‘not’ between the helping verb ‘BE’ and ‘going to’.

Examples

I am not going to come to the party tonight.  I have an exam tomorrow.

She is not going to buy a new car.  She will wait until she gets a better job.
Writing the contracted form of the future verb.
  • This is used only for speaking.
 We can use a contraction if we are using a pronoun with the verb ‘BE’.  This can be used for either speaking or informal writing.
Singular Plural Singular Plural
I’ll
You’ll
He’ll, she’ll, it’ll		 We’ll
You’ll
They’ll		 I’m going to
You’re going to
(He’s, she’s, it’s) going to		 We’re going to
You’re going to
They’re going to
In negative sentences, we use the auxiliary verb “will” with the word “not” before the base form of the main verb. In negative sentences, we insert ‘not’ between the verb ‘BE’ and ‘going to’.
Singular Plural Singular Plural
I will not
You will not
(He, she, it) will not		 We will not
You will not
They will not		 I am not going to
You are not going to
(He, she, it) is not going to		 We are not going to
You are not going to
They are not going to
To form questions, the subject at the helping verb ‘will’ are switched.

Examples

I will need a ticket.
Will I need a ticket?Examples of Questions:
  • Will I need a ticket?
  • Will you come to my party?
  • Will (he, she, it) need water on this hike?
  • Will we stay in a hotel on the weekend?
  • Will they come with us in our car?
 To form questions, the subject and the helping verb ‘BE’ are switched.

Examples

I am going to ride in the car with you.
Am I going to ride in the car with you?Examples of Questions:
  • Are you going to graduate in the spring?
  • Is Ahmed going to go on the bus?
  • Are we going to stay in a hotel?
  • Are they going to take the train?

Exercise: Purpose of Future Tense Verbs

Decide what purpose the verb is for following situations.  Write the following letters in the blank on the left.

  • pl = Plans
  • pr = Prediction
  • prom = Promise
  • qd = Quick Decision

 

  1.        The economy will do well in the next quarter.
  2.        We will have a good time at the school dance.
  3.        It will be sunny tomorrow.
  4.        We are going to go to the mall this afternoon.
  5.        Don’t worry.  We will finish the project by Thursday.
  6.        We are driving to the mall right now.  Do you want to come with us?
    -OK, I’ll come with you.
  7.        I will graduate in the spring.  I have all the credits that I need to graduate.
  8.        If you don’t wash your hands, you will likely get the flu.  It is going around right now.
  9.        I am going to play tennis on the weekend.  Do you play tennis?
    -Yes, I love tennis.  Do you need a partner?
  10.        We will go hiking on Saturday.  The weather forecast looks good.
  11.        I need someone to watch the dog while I go to the store.  Can anyone do it for me?
    -I will.  I am staying here to study for the whole afternoon.

 

Answers show/hide
  1. pr
  2. pr
  3. pr
  4. pl
  5. prom
  6. qd
  1. pl
  2. pr
  3. pl
  4. pl
  5. qd

5.2 Future in the Past

Sometimes, when we are using the past tense, we talk about predictions for the future or about planned or intended actions in the future.  The same rules are used for the ‘future in the past’ as the rules that we use for the simple future.

  • ‘Would’ is used like ‘will’—to promise something or to express intentions.
  • Both ‘would’ and ‘was going to’ are used to make predictions for the future—what we expected to happen.
  • ‘Was going to’ is used to talk about things that were planned ahead of time (rather than decided on at the moment of speaking).

Examples

Predictions

  • I knew that she would graduate with excellent marks.
  • I knew that I was going to get a good job when I graduated.
  • From the dark clouds overhead, I knew that it was going to rain.

Promises or Intentions

  • They would always go to a movie on Friday nights.

Plans for the Future

  • I was going to buy a new car when I got a better job.

5.2.1 Differences between the Future Tense and the Future in the Past

The Simple Future is used to talk about actions or situations which we think will happen in the future or which we intend to do in the future.

The Future in the Past is used when we made plans or predictions for the future, but the plans were made in the past.

Example

Simple Future: I will finish my paper next Thursday.
Future in the Past: I planned to finish my paper by the next Thursday, but I couldn’t finish it.

5.2.2 How to Write the ‘Future in the Past’

Here, we use the helping verb ‘would’ or ‘was/were going to’ + the base form of the verb.  Notice that the helping verb is in the past tense.

Examples

Last weekend it rained.  We were going to camp out in the mountains, but our plans were ruined by the rain.

I was going to graduate last spring, but I got a very good job and had to reduce the number of classes I was going to take.  So, I couldn’t finish the requirements in time to graduate in the spring.

We knew that he wouldn’t finish cleaning the dishes after dinner.

Manon thought that she would go camping with us, but she got sick and couldn’t come.

5.2.3 Negative of ‘Future in the Past’

To make the Negative of future in the past verb forms:

Start with helping verb ‘would’ + not + main verb.

  • Use the same formation for I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they.

Example

We knew that we would not finish the project on time.

OR the verb BE ‘was/were’ + not + ‘going to’ + main verb.

  • Use the appropriate verb ‘BE’ for each pronoun (i.e.  I was not going to finish, you were not going to finish).

Example

We knew that we were not going to finish the project on time.

Exercises

  1. Choose whether the following situations are predictions, plans or intentions (or promises).  Some questions may have more than one answer.  Write your answers in the following manner:
    Example: pl, pr
    • pr = predictions
    • pl = plans
    • i = intentions/promises

     

    1.        Jacob was going to travel to Beijing, but he got sick.
    2.        I knew that the power would go out when I saw the powerful wind and lightning.
    3.        Hamad was going to pay for the dinner at the restaurant, but he forgot his wallet.
    4.        They said that they would meet us at 7:00.
    5.        Nelly said that she was going to see her mother on the weekend.
    6.        WeiWei thought that she was going to be able to buy tickets for the concert, but they were sold out.

     

    Answers show/hide
    1. pl
    2. pr
    3. i
    4. i, pl
    5. pl
    6. pr

     

  2. Insert the correct ‘Future in the Past’ form of the verb in the blank before each verb.  First identify whether the sentence is for:
    • pr = predictions
    • pl = plans
    • i = intentions/promises

    Then, write the correct form of the verb in the blank.  In some cases, more than one answer is possible.

    1.        He said                       (watch) a movie with us after he finished his work for the day.
    2.        He was told that he should work hard and have a positive attitude.  These habits                       (help) him for the rest of his life.
    3.        I knew that Jared                       (come, not) to the dance.
    4.        They thought that the restaurant                       (be) cheap, but it was expensive.
    5.        Maria said that she                       (call) her mother in the morning.
    6.        He thought that                       (win) the lottery for sure, but he forgot to buy the ticket.
    7.        When she practiced her violin for hours during high school because she                       (apply) to study music at Julliard School of Music.
    8.        Everyone thought that they                       (get married, not).
    9.        My friend promised me that he                       (pay back) the money I lent him.
    10.        After he studied the performing arts at Berklee, he                       (go on) to become a famous actor.

     

    Answers show/hide
    1. i
      would watch
    2. pr
      would help
    3. pr
      would not come
    4. pr
      would be
    5. i
      would call
    6. pr
      would win
    7. pl
      was going to apply
    8. pr
      would not get married
    9. i
      would pay back
    10. pl
      was going to go on

5.2.4 Questions with ‘Future in the Past’

To make a question in ‘Future in the Past’, switch the subject and the helping verb ‘would’ or ‘was/were going to’.

Examples

She would be able to finish the project by Wednesday.
When would she be able to finish the project?I was going to finish the project on Wednesday.
When were you going to finish the project?

 

Exercise: Questions with ‘Future in the Past’

Change the following sentences into a yes/no question.

  1. He would be able to wash the dishes in the evening.
                                                                                                                                                    
  2. I was going to come to the party.  However, I wanted to see my friends.
                                                                                                                                                    
  3. Ahmed was going to buy his friend a birthday present.
                                                                                                                                                    
  4. Julio would be willing to wash the dishes.
                                                                                                                                                    
  5. Lily was going to go hiking.  This was because she loved the mountains.
                                                                                                                                                    
Answers show/hide
  1. Was he able to wash dishes in the evening?
  2. Where are you going to come to the party?
  3. Was Ahmed going to buy his friend a birthday present?
  4. Was Julio willing to wash the dishes?
  5. Was Lily going to go hiking?

5.2.5 Time Clauses with ‘Future in the Past’

A complex sentence has two clauses – a independent main clause and a subordinate clause, which is dependent.  An independent clause is complete grammatically, having both a subject and a verb.  A dependent clause is also complete grammatically, but the idea is not complete.  Another clause is needed to complete the idea.  The idea in a dependent clause it’s not complete because a connecting word, a subordinating conjunction, makes it necessary to complete an idea.

For example, if we use the subordinating conjunction ‘after’ in a clause such as ‘after we eat dinner’, the idea is not complete until you tell what will happen “after we eat dinner”.  You could complete the idea by saying, “After we eat dinner, we will watch a movie.”

There are subordinating conjunctions of time cause-and-effect condition, contrast, and purpose.

In a [dependent clause of time], you cannot use the ‘future in the past’.  For example, you cannot say, “After we will go to the bank .  .  .  ” Instead, you must use the simple present tense in the [dependent time clause] and complete it with an independent clause using a future verb tense.

Example

[When we go to the bank], we will withdraw some money.

  • Here, the [dependent clause of time], with the subordinate conjunction ‘when’, has a simple present tense verb – ‘go’.  The independent clause that connects it, “we will withdraw some money“, has a future tense verb ‘will withdraw’.

Sometimes we use the present continuous tense in the time clause to express an action that will be happening in the future.  A future tense verb is used in the independent clause.

Example

Next year, [while she is studying at university], she is also going to be working part time.

In a [dependent clause], the perfect tense is sometimes used in the time clause instead of the simple tense.

Example

[After we have finished dinner], we will watch a movie.

 

Exercises

  1. Identify the subordinate/dependent clause by putting /slashes around it/.  Then, underline the main verb in this dependent clause.  Notice that it is in the simple tense.  Finally, double-underline the verb in the independent clause, which will be in the simple future tense.
    1. I will call you when I arrive at the airport.
    2. After we return from vacation, we will need to get ready for the fall semester.
    3. When the storm is over, we can go outside for a walk.
    4. While he washes the dishes, he’s going to listen to the news.
    5. I will clean the apartment after I have washed the dishes.
    Answers show/hide
    1. I will call you /when I arrive at the airport/.
    2. /After we return from vacation/, we will need to get ready for the fall semester.
    3. /When the storm is over/, we will go outside for a walk.
    4. /While he washes the dishes/, he is going to listen to the news.
    5. I will clean the apartment /after I have washed the dishes/.

     

  2. Write the correct form of the verb in the clauses below.  Use the either ‘will’ or ‘going to’ in the main/independent clause and the simple present tense in the dependent adverb clause of time.
    1. When Ahmed                       (graduate) with his from university, he                       (have) a double major in biology and engineering.
    2. I                       (apply) to rent a bigger apartment after I                       (start) my new business.
    3. After Katrina                       (reaches) her goal of climbing a 3,000-meter mountain, she                       (try) to climb a higher 5,000-meter mountain peak.
    4. I                       (speak) more professionally when I                       (finish) this communications class.
    5. I                       (study) for five hours for my final exam when I                       (wake up).

     

    Answers show/hide
    1. graduates, will have
    2. will apply, start
    3. reaches, will try
    4. will speak, finish
    5. will study, wake up

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English Grammar for Academic Purposes Copyright © 2025 by Randal Thiessen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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