UNIT 2 Continue

The Use of Tense

Each tense has a basic and a progressive form.

Present Tense

First principal part of the verb.

1. Action going on in the present time.

He writes a letter.

2. Action that occurred in the past but is written in the present is called historical
present. Stories and novels are often written in this tense.

She opens the door each morning.

3. Repeated or habitual action

Tom spokes a pack of cigarettes a day.

4. Timeless truth

Four and four is eight.

Past Tense

1. Action that took place at some time in the past. (The time could be made definite by
adding such words as last week or tomorrow)
2. A completed action or condition.

He closed the door.

Future Tense

1. Action that will take place at some point in the future.

Mary will take the test next week.

Present Perfect Tense

Add the auxiliary verbs have or has to the third principal part of the verb.

1. Action that started in the past and continued in the future.

I have worked there for two years.

2. Complete action at an indefinite time

She has seen that show before.

Past Perfect Tense

Add had to the third principal part of the verb.

 1. Action completed before another past action.

He had researched the subject and then wrote the paper.

The action that came first is in the past perfect tense, and the other is in the past tense.

Future Perfect Tense

1. Future action completed before another action.

I will have finished this book before you arrive.

(use this tense sparingly.)

The most important rule about tenses is that you must be consistent. Do no shift your tense.
When you write sentences using compound verbs, be sure you keep the tense the same.

Mary enters the room and sits down. (Correct)

Mary entered the room and sat down. (Correct)

Mary enters the room and sat down. (Incorrect, tenses do not match)

Exercise 45

Directions: Rewrite each sentence, keeping the second verb the same tense as the first.

Example: She washes the dishes and put them away. She washes the dishes and puts them
away.

1. The teacher took my paper and writes several comments.

2. She found the book on the sidewalk and returns it to the teacher.

3. Mary saw the accident and calls the police.

4. The museum is open seven days a week but the library was not.

5. The policeman keeps a close watch on all activities and immediately reported anything
unusual.
 6. Terry ran into the house and sees her mother on the floor.

7. I turned the key and start the car.

8. Mr. Jones painted my room and leaves brushes on my desk.

9. Tom took his book to the library and sits down to read the newspaper.

10.Mother cleaned my room and throws away my term paper.

Exercise 46

Directions: Underline the verbs in the following summary of Guy de Maupassant’s “The
Necklace.” Choose the tense you prefer and correct any verbs that shift from that tense.

Mathilde Loisel, a Parisian housewife, married a minor clerk. She is unhappy because

she is poor. She often dreams about money and fine clothes. She was even more unhappy

after visiting Jeanne Forrestier, a rich woman and former schoolmate.

One day Loisel, Mathilde’s husband, brings home an invitation to an exclusive dinner

party. Mathilde angrily tore up the invitation. She has nothing to wear. Loisel gave her

money for a party dress. She is still unhappy. She had no jewelry. Loisel makes a

suggestion. She has a rich friend with beautiful jewelry. She can borrow from her friend.

Mathilde agrees and borrowed an expensive diamond necklace.

 At the party Mathilde was very popular. She dances and enjoys herself. After the

party she and her husband hurry away. She didn’t want to be seen in her old shawl. She

arrives home tired but happy. Then she has a terrible experience. She lost the necklace. In

desperation, Loisel buys one for 36,000 francs. He uses all his money and inheritance, and

borrowed more at a high rate of interest.

For the next ten years, Mathilde and Loisel make many sacrifices. She gave up her

nice apartment and takes on many hard jobs. She climbed many stairs and throws buckets

of water to clean floors. She haggles with shopkeepers for bargains. The hard work took

away her beauty.

One Sunday, Mathilde takes a walk and sees Jeanne. Jeanne does not recognize her

at first. She was so changed. Mathilde tells Jeanne of her years of hard work. Jeanne looks

at her in amazement. The necklace is a fake. It was worth about 500 francs.

Exercise 47

Directions: write the correct verb form, indicated in parentheses.

Example: worked Melissa (work) on her project. (past)

____________________ 1. Tom (lose) his way in the forest. (present tense)

____________________ 2. She (sing) on the stage many times. (present perfect)

____________________ 3. He (see) that show before. (past perfect)

____________________ 4. Joan (laugh) at the joke. (past)

____________________ 5. She (buy) several articles at the Price Club. (future)

____________________ 6. Joan (take) the flowers to her friend in the hospital. (past)

____________________ 7. Robert (give) his time most generously. (present perfect)

____________________ 8. The boys (go) on a long trip last week. (past)

____________________ 9. The wind (blow) fiercely all night. (past perfect)

____________________ 10. My little brother (eat) the entire pie. (past)

____________________ 11. Tim (ride) his bike to school each morning. (present)
____________________ 12. Shirley (lose) her book. (present perfect)

____________________ 13. She almost (break) the vase. (past)

____________________ 14. Lori (steal) the material from her friends. (past perfect)

____________________ 15. John (write) the letter tomorrow. (future)

____________________ 16. She (leave) the room. (past)

____________________ 17. We (visit) our Uncle Bill yesterday. (past)

____________________ 18. Joe (work) for his uncle. (present perfect)

____________________ 19. She (rise) from her chair. (present)

____________________ 20. Jane (choose) the material for per prom dress. (past perfect)

Exercise 48

Directions: on a separate piece of paper, write original sentences using the given verb and
tense.

Example: past perfect of see The boys had seen that video before.

1.
2. Present tense of take
3. Future of go
4. Past perfect of write
5. Present perfect of finish
6. Present perfect of teach
7. Past perfect of take
8. Past progressive of rise
9. Future progressive of write
10.Present emphatic of sing
11.Present progressive of fly
12.Past emphatic of go
13. Past perfect of send
14.Future of bring
15.Present perfect of break
16.Past progressive of write
17.Present perfect of take
18.Future of paint
19.Present perfect of walk
20.Past of draw
21.Past progressive of draw