Chapter 4
Finding the Right Verb at the Right Time
IN THIS CHAPTER
Selecting verbs for past, present, and future tense sentences
Practicing the perfect tenses
Reporting information
Dealing with irregular verb forms
As short as two letters and as long as several words, verbs communicate action or state of being. Plus, even without a watch or a smartphone, they tell time. In this chapter I hit you with basic time questions. No, not “You’re late again because … ?” but “Which verb do I need to show what’s completed, not yet begun, or going on right now?” The first section goes over the basic tenses (past, present, and future) and the second concentrates on the perfect tenses, which are anything but perfect. After that you can work on irregulars, always a joy.
Using Past, Present, and Future Tense at the Right Times
Verbs tell time with a quality known as tense. Before you reach for a tranquilizer, here’s the lowdown on the basic tenses. The three basic tenses are past, present, and future, and each has two forms — low-carb and gluten-free. Sorry, I mean plain (its basic time designation ...
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