Grammar lessons slides

Present Tense Verbs

Simple Present and Present Continuous

Slide presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College 2019

 Compare these Sentences

1. Every day, I write in my gratitude journal.

2. Right now, I am writing in my gratitude journal.

Study the verbs. What is the difference between the two tenses?
 Compare these Sentences

1. Every day, I write in my gratitude journal.

2. Right now, I am writing in my gratitude journal.
Study the verbs. What is the difference between the two tenses?
Sentence 1 is simple present. Sentence 2 is present continuous.
Notice the time expressions “every day” and “right now.”
Simple
present and
present
continuous
formation
Spelling Rules NO
CHANGE
Most verbs Read--Reading
Talk--Talking
Add -ing Say--Saying
for adding -ing Want--Wanting

to a verb NO Verbs that end in -y Study--Studying

CHANGE Carry--Carrying
(present Add -ing Play--Playing

participle) CHANGE Verbs that add in -e Wake—Waking

Make—Making
Drop the -e and add -ing Tape--Taping

CHANGE Verbs that end in -ie Die—dying

Change the ie to y Lie—lying

CHANGE Verbs that end in CVC (consonant, Stop—Stopping

vowel, consonant) Sit—Sitting
1 syllable Ban--Banning
Double the last letter

CHANGE Verbs that end in CVC Begin—Beginning

2 syllables Refer—Referring
If the stess is on the last syllable, BUT
double the last letter Listen—Listening
Cancel--Canceling
 Most words Verbs Plural nouns
Add -s to the end of the word Walk--Walks Hat--Hats
Cook--Cooks Table--Tables
Sit--Sits Chair--Chairs

Spelling Rules Run--Runs Tree--Trees

for adding
-s/-es to the Words ending in consonant -y Verbs Plural Nouns
Change the -y to -ie, then add -s Carry--Carries Sky--Skies

end of a word Study--Studies

Fly--Flies
Belly--Bellies
Rally--Rallies

(plural noun or
third person Words ending in these Verbs Plural Nouns
consonants Pass--Passes Mess—Messes
singular simple S
X
Fix—Fixes
Watch—Watches
Tax—Taxes
Patch--Patches

present) Ch
Sh
Bash--Bashes Dish—Dishes

Add -es
Simple Present Tense Usage
General facts: A gratitude journal promotes an optimistic attitude.

Routines/habits: She practices gratitude every day.

Permanent situations: I live in San Diego. I moved here in 1998 and I

plan to stay for many years.

Stative verbs: Optimism includes a positive attitude and hope for the
future.
Present Continuous Usage
Actions that are happening right now: I can’t go shopping with
you right now. I am writing an email to thank my manager.
Actions that are in progress (the ‘big now’): This semester, we
are keeping a gratitude journal. We will decide if it makes us
happier at the end of the semester.
Actions that are new or temporary: He is living in San Diego.
He moved here a few months ago. He might move soon.
Actions that are changing over time: I am becoming happier
every day.
 Contrasting Simple Present and Present
Continuous

Simple present is used for permanent situations. Present continuous is

used for situations that are temporary or new.
● She works at Ross Dress for Less. (She has worked there for a while
and plans to stay.)
● She is working at Ross Dress for Less. (She started the job a short time
ago, or she plans to change jobs soon).
 Learn more about stative verbs

● Lists and exercises for stative verbs:

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/stative-verbs.html

● List of stative verbs

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/support-files/stative-verbs-list.pdf
 PAST TENSE
VERBS
Simple Past and Past Continuous

Slide Presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College

Compare these sentences. What are the verbs? How
is the past tense formed in each sentence?

1. Cody Gibson studied photography in Oregon

and Colorado.

2. Cody was studying photography when he

decided to change his major.
 Compare these sentences. What are the verbs? How
is the past tense formed in each sentence?
1. Cody Gibson studied photography in Oregon and
Colorado.

2. Cody was studying photography when he decided to

change his major.
Sentence 1: the verb is studied, simple past regular verb.
Sentence 2: the verbs are was studying (past
continuous) and decided (simple past)
Simple Past Form

Regular Verbs use Base Verb + ed

Example: decide decided
OR
Irregular verbs do not follow one rule.
Example: find found
eat ate
Past tense spelling for regular verbs (adding –ed)

1. Most regular verbs add -ed to the infinitive form. Example walk—walked

2. Regular verbs ending in -e just add -d: liked; received;

3. CVC rule--Regular verbs ending in one stressed vowel + one consonant (except w, x or y)
double the consonant and add -ed: planned; stopped; referred; controlled

4. Regular verbs ending in consonant + y change the y to i and add -ed: carried; studied; tried;

5. Regular verbs ending in -c add ked: picnicked; trafficked;

6. Default. All other regular verbs add -ed.

a) Ending in one or more vowels (except final e): mooed; skied;
b) Ending in two or more consonants: depended; pushed; started;
c) Ending in unstressed syllable and one consonant: marketed; numbered; questioned;
d) Ending in two or more vowels + one consonant: explained; rained;
f) Ending in vowel+y: enjoyed; played;
g) Ending in w or x: showed; taxed;
Ninety Common Irregular Verbs

be - was/were - been fall - fell - fallen lose - lost - lost spend - spent - spent
beat - beat - beaten feed - fed - fed make - made - made spring - sprang - sprung
become - became - become feel - felt - felt meet - met - met stand - stood - stood
begin - began - begun fight - fought - fought pay - paid - paid steal - stole - stolen
blow - blew - blown find - found - found put - put - put swim - swam - swum
break - broke - broken fly - flew - flown quit - quit - quit swing - swung - swung
bring - brought - brought forbid - forbade - forbidden read - read - read take - took - taken
build - built - built forget - forgot - forgotten ride - rode - ridden teach - taught - taught
burst - burst -burst hear - heard - heard ring - rang - rung tear - tore - torn
buy - bought - bought hide - hid - hidden rise - rose - risen tell - told - told
catch - caught - caught hit - hit - hit run - ran - run think - thought - thought
choose - chose - chosen hold - held - held say – said - said throw - threw - thrown
come - came - come hurt - hurt - hurt see - saw - seen understand - understood -
cost - cost - cost keep - kept - kept seek - sought - sought understood
cut - cut - cut know - knew - known sell - sold - sold wake - woke - woken
deal - dealt - dealt lay - laid - laid send - sent - sent wear - wore - worn
do - did - done lead - led - led set - set - set win - won - won
drink - drank - drunk leave - left - left shake - shook - shaken write - wrote – written
drive - drove - driven let - let - let shine - shone - shone
eat - ate - eaten lie - lay - lain (be in horizontal sing - sang - sung
forgive - forgave - forgiven position) ("lie" is regular when sit - sat - sat
freeze - froze - frozen it means not to tell the truth) sleep - slept - slept
get - got - got/gotten speak - spoke - spoken
give - gave - given
go - went - gone
grow - grew – grown
have - had - had
A complete list of irregular verbs may be found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_irregular_verbs
Suggested lists for learning irregular verbs may be found at
https://teflpedia.com/Irregular_verb
Irregular verb flashcards for practice may be found at
https://quizlet.com/25058528/english-irregular-verbs-flash-cards/
Using Simple Past
Simple past is used for any completed action(s) in the past. The
action may be in the recent or distant past. It may be a single or
repeated action.

1. When he was a child, Cody attended 17 different schools.

2. Last week, he got a job with his dream company.

a. Which sentence talks about an action in the recent past? Which

sentence talks about an action in the distant past?
b. Which sentence talks about a repeated action? A single action?
Using Simple Past
Simple past is used for any completed action(s) in the past. The
action may be in the recent or distant past. It may be a single or
repeated action.

1. When she was a child, a glass of milk every evening helped her
sleep.
2. Yesterday, we wrote about happiness around the world.

a. Which sentence talks about an action in the recent past? 2 Which sentence talks
about an action in the distant past?1
b. Which sentence talks about a repeated action? 1 A single action? 2
Past Continuous Form

Two ways to describe the form:

BE (past tense) + Base verb + ing
OR
Was/were + present participle

Example: While we were writing a thank you letter, she was

sleeping.
Spelling Rules for Adding -ing to a Verb
NO CHANGE Most verbs Read--Reading
Talk--Talking
Add -ing Say--Saying
Want--Wanting

NO CHANGE Verbs that end in -y Study--Studying

Carry--Carrying
Add -ing Play--Playing

CHANGE Verbs that add in -e Wake—Waking

Make—Making
Drop the -e and add -ing Tape--Taping

CHANGE Verbs that end in -ie Die—dying

Change the ie to y Lie—lying

CHANGE Verbs that end in CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) Stop—Stopping

1 syllable Sit—Sitting
Double the last letter Ban--Banning

CHANGE Verbs that end in CVC Begin—Beginning

2 syllables Refer—Referring
If the stress is on the last syllable, double the last letter BUT
Listen—Listening
Cancel--Canceling
Using Past Continuous
There are two common uses for past continuous form.

Use 1: An action in progress is interrupted by another event or

time.

1. When you arrived, we were writing you a letter.

2. At 10:00 AM, she was walking around her neighborhood.

In sentence 1, which action takes longer? Which action interrupts?

In sentence 2, what action was she doing when the clock said 10:00 AM?
Using Past Continuous
There are two common uses for past continuous form.

Use 1: An action in progress is interrupted by another event or

time.
1. When you arrived, we were writing you a thank you letter.
2. At 10:00 AM, she was walking around her neighborhood.
In sentence 1, which action takes longer? Which action interrupts? It takes
longer to write. Your arrival interrupted the writing. The interruption is in simple
present, the longer action is in past continuous.
In sentence 2, what action was she doing when the clock said 10:00 AM?
She was walking (past continuous) when the clock changed to 10:00 (simple
past).
 Using Past Continuous to Show an Interruption

We were writing

PAST X
FUTURE

NOW
You arrived
Using Past Continuous

Use 2: Two actions in progress at the same time

1. We were reading while the instructor was writing on the board.

2. While she was walking around the neighborhood, she was getting
fresh air and exercise.
a. In sentence 1, which action took longer, reading or writing?
b. In sentence 2, which action took longer, walking or getting?
Using Past Continuous

Use 2: Two actions in progress at the same time

1. We were reading about optimism while the instructor was writing

on the board.
2. While she was walking around the neighborhood, she was getting
fresh air and exercise to boost her mood.
a. In sentence 1, reading and writing happened at the same time. We
don’t know which one took longer.
b. In sentence 2, walking and getting fresh ir happened at the same
time. They both started and ended at the same time.
 Using Past continuous to show two actions happening at the same time

She was walking

PAST
FUTURE

NOW
She was getting
 Present Perfect Tense
Form and Use

Slide Presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College

Read the sentences below. What are the
verbs? How is the present perfect tense
formed?
1.Scientists have studied the causes of climate
change for decades.
2. One scientist has written several articles.
3. Have you changed the light bulbs in your
house?
4. We have not found the solution to climate
 Read the sentences below. What are the verbs?
How is the present perfect tense formed?

1.Scientists have studied the causes of climate change

for decades.
2. One scientist has written several articles.
3. Have you changed the light bulbs in your house?
4. We have not found the solution to climate
Present Perfect Form

To make the present perfect, use have/has with the past participle of the verb.

Example: Scientists have studied the causes climate change for decades.

Affirmative Statements Negative Statements

I have past I have not past
participle participle
you have past you have not past
participle participle
he/she/it has past he/she/it has not past
participle participle
we have past we have not past
participle Questions participle
they have past(wh) have I they
past have not past
participle participle participle
(wh) have you past
participle
(wh) has he/she/it past
participle
(wh) have we past
participle
Forming the Past Participle
The regular form of the past participle is base form + ed.

example: walk---walked

Irregular verb forms do not follow one rule.

examples: eat---eaten
wake---woken
Past participle spelling for regular verbs (adding –ed)

1. Most regular verbs add -ed to the infinitive form. Example walk—walked

2. Regular verbs ending in -e just add -d: liked; received;

3. CVC rule--Regular verbs ending in one stressed vowel + one consonant (except w, x or y)
double the consonant and add -ed: planned; stopped; referred; controlled

4. Regular verbs ending in consonant + y change the y to i and add -ed: carried; studied; tried;

5. Regular verbs ending in -c add ked: picnicked; trafficked;

6. Default. All other regular verbs add -ed.

a) Ending in one or more vowels (except final e): mooed; skied;
b) Ending in two or more consonants: depended; pushed; started;
c) Ending in unstressed syllable and one consonant: marketed; numbered; questioned;
d) Ending in two or more vowels + one consonant: explained; rained;
f) Ending in vowel+y: enjoyed; played;
g) Ending in w or x: showed; taxed;
Ninety Common Irregular Verbs

be - was/were - been fall - fell - fallen lose - lost - lost spend - spent - spent
beat - beat - beaten feed - fed - fed make - made - made spring - sprang - sprung
become - became - become feel - felt - felt meet - met - met stand - stood - stood
begin - began - begun fight - fought - fought pay - paid - paid steal - stole - stolen
blow - blew - blown find - found - found put - put - put swim - swam - swum
break - broke - broken fly - flew - flown quit - quit - quit swing - swung - swung
bring - brought - brought forbid - forbade - forbidden read - read - read take - took - taken
build - built - built forget - forgot - forgotten ride - rode - ridden teach - taught - taught
burst - burst -burst hear - heard - heard ring - rang - rung tear - tore - torn
buy - bought - bought hide - hid - hidden rise - rose - risen tell - told - told
catch - caught - caught hit - hit - hit run - ran - run think - thought - thought
choose - chose - chosen hold - held - held say – said - said throw - threw - thrown
come - came - come hurt - hurt - hurt see - saw - seen understand - understood -
cost - cost - cost keep - kept - kept seek - sought - sought understood
cut - cut - cut know - knew - known sell - sold - sold wake - woke - woken
deal - dealt - dealt lay - laid - laid send - sent - sent wear - wore - worn
do - did - done lead - led - led set - set - set win - won - won
drink - drank - drunk leave - left - left shake - shook - shaken write - wrote – written
drive - drove - driven let - let - let shine - shone - shone
eat - ate - eaten lie - lay - lain (be in horizontal sing - sang - sung
forgive - forgave - forgiven position) ("lie" is regular when sit - sat - sat
freeze - froze - frozen it means not to tell the truth) sleep - slept - slept
get - got - got/gotten speak - spoke - spoken
give - gave - given
go - went - gone
grow - grew – grown
have - had - had
A list of irregular verbs may be found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_irregular_verbs
Suggested lists for learning irregular verbs may be found at
https://teflpedia.com/Irregular_verb
Irregular verb flashcards for practice may be found at
https://quizlet.com/25058528/english-irregular-verbs-flash-cards/
Present Perfect Usage
Present Perfect Tense is used in the following situations.
1. The action is unfinished. It may affect or continue into the present moment.
Examples:
1a. The climate has changed drastically.
1b. She hasn’t been to the gym yet.

2. The time of the action is indefinite (unknown or unimportant).

Examples:
2a.Have you ever studied geology?
2b. He has never owned an electric car.
Contrasting Present Perfect and Simple Past
Read sentences 1a and 1b. In which sentence is the action finished?

1a. I have called two senators about climate change so far.

1b. I called two senators about climate change last week.

2. Read sentences 2a and 2b. In which sentence is the time definite

(known)?

2a.Have you ever studied geology?

2b. I studied geology in college.
Contrasting Present Perfect and Simple Past
Read sentences 1a and 1b. In which sentence is the action finished?
1a. I have called two senators so far.
1b. I called two senators last week.
The action is finished in 1b. Called is simple past.
In sentence 1a, the tense is present perfect, has called. The
author might call another senator in the future.
2. Read sentences 2a and 2b. In which sentence is the time definite
(known)?
2a.Have you ever studied geology?
2b. I studied geology in college.
The time is definite (known) in 2b. Studied is simple past.
In sentence 2a, the tense is present perfect. The speaker wants to
know about your studies of geology at any time in the past.
More Examples Contrasting Simple Past and Present
Perfect
The simple past is used for finished actions at a definite time.
1a. He wrote three articles about climate change last year.
1b. I read one article last night.

The present perfect is used for unfinished actions or actions that take
place in the indefinite past.
He has written letters to his senators every month.(and he will continue this
month)
I have already read the article. (When? The time is not important)
Present Perfect tense is used as a bridge between past and present. It
connects past actions to the present moment.

Examples:

She has studied English since she was a child. ( She began in the past, but she is
still studying now. The sentence is about both the past AND the present).

Have you eaten yet? ( Did you eat in the past? If you say ‘no,’ I’ll offer you some food
now. The sentence is about both the past AND the present).

I have already finished my homework. (The homework was finished in the past, but
it’s not important when. The important thing is, I can rest now!)
Time expressions used with present perfect

Since, for, ever, never, yet, already, so far

Examples:

1. Scientists have studied climate change for decades.

2. One geologist has been fascinated by the topic since college.

3. Have you ever driven an electric car?

4. The students have never seen the movie An Inconvenient Truth.

5. We have already watched two videos about climate change, though.

6. Have you watched Climate Change Basics yet?

7. So far I have recycled 300 soda cans.

For and Since

For refers to the duration of time

For three years
For a minute
For my whole life

Since refers to the point in time that the action began

Since 2001
Since I was a child
Since the beginning of the semester
 Present Perfect
Continuous
Form and Meaning

Slide presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College

 Forming the Present Perfect
Continuous
Examine the sentences below. What are the verbs?
What time expressions do you see?
1. I have been decreasing my time on screen
technology lately.
2. We have been spending more time talking to friends
face-to-face these days.
3. Recently our class has been discussing the effects
of too much screen time.

This verb form is present perfect continuous. What

are the three parts of this form?
 Forming the Present Perfect
Continuous

Examine the sentences below. What are the verbs? What time
expressions do you see?
1. I have been decreasing my time on screen technology lately.
2. We have been spending more time talking to friends face-to-face
these days.
3. Recently our class has been discussing the effects of too much
screen time.
This verb form is present perfect continuous. What are the three
parts of this form? Have/has + been + verb+ing
Time expressions: lately, these days, recently
Forming the Present Perfect Continuous

Have/has been + present participle

example: She has been using her smartphone a lot these
days.
Affirmative Statements Negative Statements
I have been present participle I have not been present participle (verb+ing)
(verb+ing) you have not been present participle (verb+ing)
you have been present participle he/she/it has not been present participle (verb+ing)
(verb+ing) we have not been present participle (verb+ing)
he/she/it has been present participle they have not been present participle (verb+ing)
(verb+ing)
we have been present participle
Questions
(verb+ing)
(wh) have I been present participle (verb+ing)
they have been present participle
(wh) have you been present participle
(verb+ing)
(verb+ing)
(wh) has he/she/it been present participle (verb+ing)
(wh) have we been present participle (verb+ing)
(wh) have they been present participle
(verb+ing)
 Comparing the Present Perfect and the
Present Perfect Continuous: Similarities
Examine the sentences below. What are the verbs?
1a) I have been using Facebook 1b) I have used Facebook for 10
for 10 years. years.

Are the meanings of the sentences the same or different?

 Comparing the Present Perfect and the
Present Perfect Continuous: Similarities
Examine the sentences below. What are the verbs?
1a) I have been using Facebook 1b) I have used Facebook for 10
for 10 years. years.
Are the sentences the same or different? The sentences have the same meaning. In
some cases, present perfect and present perfect continuous have the same meaning,
and you can use either. This is true for verbs that normally have a long duration, such as
work, use, live.
HOWEVER: Be sure to use the form correctly!
I been using (INCORRECT) I have using (INCORRECT)
 Comparing the Present Perfect and the
Present Perfect Continuous: Differences
Examine the sentences below. What are the verbs?
1a) I have been decreasing my 1b) I have decreased my time on
time on screen technology this screen technology this semester.
semester.
In which sentence has the writer accomplished her goal? In which sentence is
the writer still working on her goal?
 Comparing the Present Perfect and the
Present Perfect Continuous: Differences
Examine the sentences below. What are the verbs?
1a) I have been decreasing my 1b) I have decreased my time
time on screen technology this on screen technology this
semester. semester.
In which sentence has the writer accomplished her goal? 1 b (present perfect)
In which sentence is the writer still working on her goal? 1a (present perfect continuous)

Present Perfect often refers do an activity that is completed at an indefinite time in the
past. Present perfect continuous is used to show that the activity is on-going.
 Contrast present
perfect and PP
continuous
She has studied medicine.
Is she finished studying
medicine?
When did she study
medicine?
How do her completed
studies affect her activities
now?
Why use present perfect
here?
 Other
examples
She has studied medicine.
Is she finished studying medicine? Yes.
When? We don’t know/it doesn’t
matter.
How do her completed studies affect her
activities now?
Now she can practice her profession.
Present perfect often indicates that an
activity is finished at an indefinite time in
the past, and might affect the present
time.
 Present Perfect
Continuous
example
She has been studying all night.

How do we know?
Is she studying now?
Did she finish?
Why use present perfect
continuous?
 Present Perfect
Continuous
example

She has been studying all night.

How do we know? We have
evidence.
Is she studying now? No
Did she finish? Probably not, but
she’s finished for now!
We use present perfect continuous
to emphasize that an activity took a
long time, and it might not be
finished.
 Present Perfect
Continuous
example

They have been studying all day.

Are they studying now?
Did they finish?

Why use present perfect

continuous?
 Present Perfect
Continuous
example

They have been studying all day.

Are they studying now? Yes
Did they finish? No

We use present perfect continuous

to emphasize that an activity took a
long time, and it might not be
finished.
 Sometimes, this tense has the
same meaning as present
This tense is made with
perfect, especially with verbs
Present have/has +been + verb+ing
that often continue over
time, such as live and work.
Perfect
Continuous
Takeaways This tense emphasizes that an
activity _________. In contrast,
Time expressions used with
this tense include
present perfect often refers to an ____________
activity that is_______
 Forming Questions
How to Form Yes/No and Information
Questions

Slide Presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College

 Forming YES/NO Questions
with a Main Verb
Compare these sentences.
1) She was living in Los Angeles at the time of the Northridge Earthquake.

2) She ran out of her house and stood in the middle of the street.

3) She had packed an earthquake kit.

What are the verbs?

What is the tense of each verb?
What is the aspect of each verb?
What are the auxiliaries for each verb?
Tense= past, present, future. Aspect= simple, continuous, perfect
 Forming YES/NO questions
with a main verb
Compare these sentences.
1) She was living in Los Angeles at the time of the Northridge Earthquake.

2) She ran out of her house and stood in the middle of the street.

3) She had packed an earthquake kit.

What are the verbs? (live, run, stand, pack)

What is the tense of each verb? All are past
What is the aspect of each verb? 1) continuous, 2) simple, 3) perfect
What are the auxiliaries for each verb? 1) be 2) do 3) have

Tense= past, present, future. Aspect= simple, continuous, perfect

Auxiliaries= do, be, have and modals
Compare these questions. Label the auxiliary and main
verb. Label the subject.

1) Was she living in Los Angeles at the time of the Northridge Earthquake?

2) Did she run out of her house and stand in the middle of the street?

3) Had she packed an earthquake kit?

What order do the aux (auxiliary), subject and main verb follow?
What form does each take?
What is the rule for forming YES/NO questions with a main verb?
Compare these questions. Label the auxiliary and main
verb. Label the subject.

1) Was she living in Los Angeles at the time of the Northridge Earthquake?
Aux +S +Verb w/aspect
2) Did she run out of her house and stand in the middle of the street?
Aux +S +Verb w/aspect
3) Had she packed an earthquake kit?
Aux +S +Verb w/aspect
What order do the aux, subject and main verb follow?
Aux +Subject+ Verb w/aspect
What form does each take? Aux has the tense. Main verb has the aspect.
What is the rule for forming YES/NO questions with a main verb?
Aux +Subject+ Verb w/aspect + Complement
Forming YES/NO questions
with Be
Compare these sentences:

1) Earthquakes cause a lot of damage.

2) Earthquakes are common in California.
3) She was studying earthquakes in 2009.

What is the verb in each sentence?

Forming YES/NO questions
with Be
Compare these sentences:

1) Earthquakes cause a lot of damage.

2) Earthquakes are common in California.
3) She was studying earthquakes in 2009.

What is the verb in each sentence? Cause, be,

study
Compare these three questions.

1) Do earthquakes cause a lot of damage?

2) Are earthquakes common in California?
3) Was she studying earthquakes in 2009?

What is the auxiliary verb in each? What is the main verb in each?
Compare these three questions.

1) Do earthquakes cause a lot of damage?

Do=aux , cause= main
2) Are earthquakes common in California?
Are =main (BE)
3) Was she studying earthquakes in 2009?
Be=aux, studying=main
What is the auxiliary verb in each? What is the main verb in each?

Rule: When the main verb is BE, use BE in the same position as the
auxiliary.
When the main verb is not BE, use an auxiliary to create a question.
Auxiliary verbs are DO, BE and HAVE.
Forming information questions with a main
verb
Compare these questions. How are they different?
1a) Do earthquakes cause a lot of damage?
1b) What do earthquakes cause?

2a) Was she studying earthquakes in 2009?

2b) When was she studying earthquakes?

a) Which questions ask for the answer Yes or No?

b) Which questions ask for more information?
c) Do the aux, subject and verb follow the same order in information questions
as they do in YES/NO questions?

Question words are what when where who why how

Forming information
questions with a main verb
Compare these questions. How are they different?
1a) Do earthquakes cause a lot of damage? (yes/no)
1b) What do earthquakes cause? (information)

2a) Was she studying earthquakes in 2009? (yes/no)

2b) When was she studying earthquakes? (information)

a) Which questions ask for the answer Yes or No? 1a and2a

b) Which questions ask for more information? 1b and 2b
c) Do the aux, subject and verb follow the same order in information
questions as they do in YES/NO questions? (yes)
What is the pattern for information questions?
What is the pattern for
information questions?
WH + AUX + SUBJ + VERB with aspect +
COMPLEMENT
This pattern works for ALL tenses.

Check this pattern on the questions below:

● When was she studying earthquakes?
● What do earthquakes cause?
● How did they survive the disaster?
● When had he packed his earthquake kit?
 Questions about the subject
Questions about the subject follow a different pattern.
Scientists have studied earthquakes for many years.
Compare the two questions. What is the answer to each question? How do
you know?
● 1a) Who has studied earthquakes for many years?
● 1b) What have scientists studied for many years?

What is the question order in the first question?

What is the question order in the second question?
 Questions about the subject
Questions about the subject follow a different pattern.
Scientists have studied earthquakes for many years.
Compare the two questions. What is the answer to each question? How do you
know?
● 1a) Who has studied earthquakes for many years? (scientists)
● 1b) What have scientists studied for many years? (earthquakes)

What is the question order in the first question?

WHO/WHAT + verb (with tense/aspect in 3rd sing)+ COMP
What is the question order in the second question?
WH + AUX + SUBJ + VERB (w/aspect)
Questions about the subject
Another example: compare these two questions.
What is the answer to each question? How do you
know?
The scientists warned the mayor about the
earthquakes.
2a) Who warned the mayor about the earthquakes?
2b) Who did the scientists warn about the
earthquakes?

● Which question is asking about the subject?

● What is the question word order in each question?
Questions about the subject
Another example: compare these two questions.
What is the answer to each question? How do
you know?
The scientists warned the mayor about the
earthquakes.
2a) Who warned the mayor about the
earthquakes? (scientists)
2b) Who did the scientists warn about the
earthquakes? (the mayor)

● Which question is asking about the subject? 2a

● What is the word order in each question?
2a)
rd
WHO/WHAT + VERB (with tense/aspect in
3 sing)+ COMP
Questions with a noun phrase
in the question word
Some questions have the subject or object in
the question word. These include How
many_________, How much ____, What kind of
___, Which ___.
Compare these questions:

3a) How many earthquakes have hit Southern

California?
3b) How many earthquakes has he experienced?

Which question has a question word as the

subject?
Which question has a question word as an object?
Questions with a noun phrase
in the question word
Some questions have the subject or object in
the question word. These include How
many_________, How much ____, What kind of
___, Which ___.
Compare these questions:

3a) How many earthquakes have hit Southern

California?
3b) How many earthquakes has he experienced?

Which question has a question word as the

subject? 3a
Which question has a question word as an object?
3b
 Ideas to Remember
● Auxiliary verbs are do, be, have and modals
● Question words are who, what, when, where, why, how.
● Tenses are past, present and future.
● Verb with aspects means:
continuous= verb+ing (present participle)
simple= base form
perfect = past participle
● Yes/no questions will use the order: Aux +Subject +verb w/aspect.
● Information question will use the order WH + aux + subject + verb w/aspect.
● Questions about the subject are the exception. They use
who/what + verb with tense and aspect + complement
 Past Perfect and Past Perfect
Continuous Tenses

Slide Presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College

Read the following sentences. What are the
verbs? What tense is used for each verb?
1a) They had already packed a survival kit when the earthquake hit.

1b) When the wildfires swept across California, many people hadn’t
been ready.

In each sentence, which event happened first? Which event happened

second?
How is the past perfect formed?
 Read the following sentences. What are the
verbs? What tense is used for each verb?
1a) They had already packed a survival kit when the earthquake hit.
They had packed first; the earthquake hit second.
1b) When the wildfires swept across California, many people hadn’t been ready.
The wildfires swept second; people hadn’t been ready first.
In each sentence, which event happened first? Which event happened second?
How is the past perfect formed? Had + past participle
What are the verbs in these sentences? Do the
sentences have the same meaning, or different?
2a) They were packing a survival kit when the earthquake hit.
2b) They had packed a survival kit when the earthquake hit.

In which sentence are they ready for the earthquake? In which sentence are they
not yet ready?
2a uses past perfect continuous. How is past perfect continuous formed?
 What are the verbs in these sentences? Do the
sentences have the same meaning, or different?
2a) They were packing a survival kit when the
earthquake hit.
2b) They had packed a survival kit when the
earthquake hit.

In which sentence are they ready for the earthquake?

2b
In which sentence are they not yet ready? 2a
2a uses past perfect continuous. How is past perfect
continuous formed?
Had + been + verb+ing
Spelling Rules NO
CHANGE
Most verbs Read--Reading
Talk--Talking
Add -ing Say--Saying
for adding -ing Want--Wanting

to a verb NO Verbs that end in -y Study--Studying

CHANGE Carry--Carrying
(present Add -ing Play--Playing

participle) CHANGE Verbs that add in -e Wake—Waking

Make—Making
Drop the -e and add -ing Tape--Taping

CHANGE Verbs that end in -ie Die—dying

Change the ie to y Lie—lying

CHANGE Verbs that end in CVC (consonant, Stop—Stopping

vowel, consonant) Sit—Sitting
1 syllable Ban--Banning
Double the last letter

CHANGE Verbs that end in CVC Begin—Beginning

2 syllables Refer—Referring
If the stess is on the last syllable, BUT
double the last letter Listen—Listening
Cancel--Canceling
Ninety Common Irregular Verbs

be - was/were - been fall - fell - fallen lose - lost - lost spend - spent - spent
beat - beat - beaten feed - fed - fed make - made - made spring - sprang - sprung
become - became - become feel - felt - felt meet - met - met stand - stood - stood
begin - began - begun fight - fought - fought pay - paid - paid steal - stole - stolen
blow - blew - blown find - found - found put - put - put swim - swam - swum
break - broke - broken fly - flew - flown quit - quit - quit swing - swung - swung
bring - brought - brought forbid - forbade - forbidden read - read - read take - took - taken
build - built - built forget - forgot - forgotten ride - rode - ridden teach - taught - taught
burst - burst -burst hear - heard - heard ring - rang - rung tear - tore - torn
buy - bought - bought hide - hid - hidden rise - rose - risen tell - told - told
catch - caught - caught hit - hit - hit run - ran - run think - thought - thought
choose - chose - chosen hold - held - held say – said - said throw - threw - thrown
come - came - come hurt - hurt - hurt see - saw - seen understand - understood -
cost - cost - cost keep - kept - kept seek - sought - sought understood
cut - cut - cut know - knew - known sell - sold - sold wake - woke - woken
deal - dealt - dealt lay - laid - laid send - sent - sent wear - wore - worn
do - did - done lead - led - led set - set - set win - won - won
drink - drank - drunk leave - left - left shake - shook - shaken write - wrote – written
drive - drove - driven let - let - let shine - shone - shone
eat - ate - eaten lie - lay - lain (be in horizontal sing - sang - sung
forgive - forgave - forgiven position) ("lie" is regular when sit - sat - sat
freeze - froze - frozen it means not to tell the truth) sleep - slept - slept
get - got - got/gotten speak - spoke - spoken
give - gave - given
go - went - gone
grow - grew – grown
have - had - had
 Past Perfect Meaning and Use

Past perfect is used when we want to talk

They had The NOW
about two events in the past. The first packed earthquake
hit
event uses past perfect and the second
event uses simple past or past
continuous. Both events are completed in
the past.
They packed first; then the earthquake hit.
 Past Perfect Continuous Meaning and Use

Past perfect continuous is used when we want to

The
discuss two events in the past. The first event began earthquake NOW
before the second event. The second event hit
interrupted the first. We use past continuous for the
first (long) event, and simple past for the second
(interrupting) event.
They had
They had been packing when the earthquake hit been
packing
(They were packing, but the earthquake
interrupted them and they had to stop).
 FUTURE TENSE
AND FUTURE
TENSE CLAUSES

Slide presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College

Overview: Future Tense Forms
Read these sentences.
● I will meditate every day this semester.
● She is going to call her son to cheer him up.
● We might/may discuss the “Happiness in Denmark” article in class today.
● I am writing in my journal for twenty minutes this morning to boost my mood.
● The class has a test later today.
● He plans to do a happiness survey tomorrow.
● At 9:00 tomorrow morning, they will be working.

What are some ways we can make the future tense?

Future Tense Form
●Will + base form verb
●Be + going to + base form verb
●Modal of possibility: may/might/could +
base form verb
●Present continuous
●Present tense
●Plan to + base form verb
●Future continuous
 Meaning: Will + Base Form
a. I will do my homework after class.
b. I will bring plates to the party.
c. I’ll have the chicken teriyaki.
d. It will probably rain tomorrow.

1. Which sentence is used to volunteer for a task?

2. Which sentence is used to make a quick decision?
3. Which sentence is used to make a promise?
4. Which sentence is used to make a prediction?
Meaning: Will + Base Form

Promises: I will do my homework after

class.
Volunteering: I will bring plates to the party.
Quick decisions (as when ordering in a
restaurant): I’ll have the chicken teriyaki.
Predictions: It will probably rain tomorrow.
 Be going to + base form
a. It’s going to rain this afternoon.

b. We’re going to conduct a survey on happiness this semester.

1. Which sentence is about a plan?

2. Which sentence is about a prediction?
Meaning: Be going to +
base form
a. Predictions: It’s going to rain this
afternoon.

b. Plans: We’re going to conduct a

survey about happiness this
semester.

Be going to is used for both plans

and predictions.
 Which of these events are usually planned?
1. getting a cold
2. having a party
3. doing your homework
4. the weather
5. winning the lottery
6. visiting a friend
7. traveling
 Which of these events are usually planned?
1. getting a cold
2. having a party
3. doing your homework
4. the weather
5. winning the lottery
6. visiting a friend
7. traveling
 Use be going to, plan to, simple present,or
continuous for events that are planned.
Use be going to, will, might, and may for
predictions.
1. She will get a cold if she doesn’t take care of herself.
Correct. This is a prediction.
2. They are going to have a party.
Correct. This is a plan.
3. They plan to do their homework after class.
Correct. This is a plan.
4. Maybe it will rain this afternoon.
Correct. This is a prediction.
 Key Takeaways for WILL and BE GOING TO

Use WILL for … Predictions, volunteering, Modify with…

promises, quick decisions. certainly, maybe,
definitely, probably,
perhaps
Do NOT use WILL for... Plans.

Use BE GOING TO for ... Predictions and plans. Modify with…

certainly, maybe,
definitely, probably,
perhaps
More ways to talk about future plans
Present continuous for plans that are certain
We’re traveling to Europe this summer. We have the
tickets and reservations.

Plan to + base form verb for planned events, certain or

uncertain, that require arrangement:
●They plan to get married in March.
●She plans to move in April, but she hasn’t found a house
yet.
Scheduled events in the future

Simple present tense

The train leaves at 2:00 PM.

The class starts at 9:00 AM tomorrow.

Uncertain events in the future, planned or
predicted

Modals may/might/could + base

form of verb

●I might go to the park tomorrow.

(planned, uncertain)
●It could rain next week. (prediction,
uncertain)
●We may eat out this evening.
(planned, uncertain)
Key Takeaways for Present Continuous, Simple
Present, Plan to, and Modals of Future Possibility

Use Present Planned events that are Sometimes modified with

Continuous for... certain. probably or definitely.
Use Simple Present Scheduled events. May be modified with
for... definitely.
Use Plan to + base form Planned events that are Usually not modified
for... certain or not certain.
Use might, may, could predictions or plans that Not modified
for... are uncertain.
 Future Continuous
Future continuous form
● Will + be + base + ing
● Be going to + base + ing
● may/might + be + base + ing

Using future continuous:

There is a fixed point in the future, and an action is in progress during that fixed point.

Example:
When you call me tomorrow evening, I will be watching my favorite TV show.
 Future continuous examples

When my parents arrive tomorrow, I will be cooking dinner.

When my parents arrive tomorrow, I might be cooking dinner.

When my parents arrive tomorrow, I’m going to be cooking dinner.

COOKING

NOW MY PARENTS
ARRIVE
Future clauses
Read the sentences below.

If you express gratitude everyday, you will begin to feel more optimistic.

My grandmother is going to be so happy when she receives this thank you letter!

I might go to the gym after I finish my homework. Exercise always cheers me up.

What tense is used in each dependent clause? What tense is used in each
independent clause?
Future Clauses
In complex sentences in the future time,
the dependent clause uses present
tense, and the independent clause uses
future tense.

When I go to the gym, I will feel more

energized.

When you call me tomorrow, I will be

exercising.
Future Tense and Future Tense Clauses Takeaways
There are several ways Each of
to express future tense. these
These include expressions
will has a slightly
be going to different
future continuous present meaning or
continuous use.
simple present
plan to
might/may/could.
 Real and Unreal
Conditionals

Slide presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont College

In which sentence is there a good
chance I will move to Colorado? In
which sentence is there little chance?

1. I will be happy if I move

to Colorado.

2. I would be happy if I
moved to Colorado.
1. I
will be happy if I move to Colorado.
(real)
(future tense) (present tense)

2. I would be happy if I moved to Colorado.

(unreal)
(modal +base form) (past tense)
Real conditionals

1. If my students do well on their final exams, I will

be ecstatic.
2. If my students finish their work early, I am always
delighted.
3. Unless I stop looking at Facebook, I’ll never feel
contented with life.

What tense do we use in the dependent clause?

What tense in the independent clause?
What is the meaning of unless in sentence #3?
Real conditionals

1. If my students do well on their final exams, I will

be ecstatic. (future real)
2. If my students finish their work early, I am always
delighted. (present real)
3. Unless I stop looking at Facebook, I’ll never feel
contented with life. (future real with negative
conjunction ‘unless’)

What tense do we use in the dependent clause?

Simple present
What tense in the independent clause? Present or
future
What is the meaning of unless in sentence #3? ‘If
not’
 Unreal Conditionals

1. I would be happier if I spent more time with my family.

2. If I practiced random acts of kindness, I might be more
joyful.
3. I could feel more cheerful if I stopped looking at
Facebook.

What tense is used in the dependent clause?

What modals are used in the independent clause?
 Unreal Conditionals

1. I would be happier if I spent more time with my family.

2. If I practiced random acts of kindness, I might be more
joyful.
3. I could feel more cheerful if I stopped looking at
Facebook.

What tense is used in the dependent clause? Simple past

What modals are used in the independent clause? would,
might could +base form of verb
Unreal Conditionals with “Wish”
1. I wish I were taller!
2. I wish I could speak Spanish.
3. I wish you would stop bothering me!
4. I wish I had spent more time practicing piano as a child.
What form of “be” is used in sentence #1?
What verb form is used in sentences #2 and 3?
What tense is used in sentence #4?
Are these situations real or unreal?
Unreal Conditionals with “Wish”
1. I wish I were taller!
2. I wish I could speak Spanish.
3. I wish you would stop bothering me!
4. I wish I had spent more time practicing piano as a child.
What form of “be” is used in sentence #1? Always use
‘were’
What verb form is used in sentences #2 and 3?
Could/would +base form
What tense is used in sentence #4? Past perfect
Are these situations real or unreal? unreal
Summary: Real conditionals

Real conditionals use simple

present tense in the dependent
clause, and future or present
tense in the independent clause.

If I finish this book, I will be

pleased.
I am always pleased if I finish a
book.
Summary: Unreal Conditionals
Future Unreal Conditionals use past tense in the dependent
clause, and the modals might, could or would in the
independent clause.

If I finished this book, I would be pleased.

Past unreal conditionals use past perfect in the dependent

clause, and a past modal in the independent clause.
If I had finished this book, I would have been pleased.

Wish is always an unreal conditional.

When the verb is BE, the form is always WERE.
 Using Gerunds and Infinitives
to Improve Sentence Variety

Slide Presentation by Sara Ferguson, Grossmont

 Gerunds
A gerund is formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb.
Examples: talking, reading, saying

A gerund is NOT a verb.

Study these two sentences. Is hiking the verb in each sentence?

1. Hiking is one of his favorite activities.

2. They are hiking in the mountains today.

How do you know?

Gerunds
Study these two sentences. Is hiking the verb in each sentence?

1. Hiking is one of his favorite activities.

2. They are hiking in the mountains today.

How do you know?

In sentence #1, hiking is a gerund. It is not preceded by BE and it acts like
the subject of the sentence. Verb = is.
In the sentence #2, hiking is a verb. It is preceded by BE (am) and follows
the subject.
A gerund acts like a noun in the sentence. Like a
noun, a gerund can be the subject or subject
complement of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the
object of a preposition.
Gerund + V + O. S + V + PREP + Gerund.
S + V + Gerund. PREP + Gerund, S+V.
Study these sentences. Which one has a gerund as the subject of the verb? Which
one has a gerund as the object of the verb? Which has a gerund as the object of a
preposition?

1. Mentoring other employees is his favorite part of the job

2. Her decision to major in medicine was based on volunteering at the hospital.

3. They love inspiring other students at the college.

Study these sentences. Which one has a gerund as the subject of the verb? Which
one has a gerund as the object of the verb? Which has a gerund as the object of a
preposition?

1. Mentoring other employees is his favorite part of the job

Mentoring is the subject of the verb ‘is.’
2. Her decision to major in medicine was based on volunteering at the hospital.
Volunteering is the object of the preposition ‘on.’
3. They love inspiring other students at the college.
Inspiring is the object of the verb ‘love.’
Infinitives
An infinitive is formed with ‘to’ and the base
form of the verb.
Examples: to talk, to read, to say
An infinitive is not a verb. It acts like a noun in a sentence.

An infinitive usually follows certain verbs in a sentence in this

pattern:

S + V + Infinitive.

Or a linking verb and an adjective in this pattern:

It LV +ADJ + Infinitive.
Study the sentences below. What are the verbs? What are
the infinitives?

1. After he finishes college, he wants to work in as a geologist.

2. It’s important to listen in an interview.
Study the sentences below. What are the verbs? What are
the infinitives?

1. He wants to work as a geologist after college.

Infinitive following the verb ‘want.’
2. It’s important to listen in an interview.
( It + LV (is)+ adj + inf)
 Verbs with Gerunds and Infinitives
Some verbs may be followed by gerunds, some may be followed by infinitives, and some may be
followed by both.
Examples:

1. I like reading. (CORRECT)

I like to read. (CORRECT
2. I promise studying. (INCORRECT)
I promise to study. (CORRECT)
3. She enjoys eating chocolate. (CORRECT)
She enjoys to eat chocolate (INCORRECT)
 Verbs/phrases followed by a Verbs followed by an Verbs/phrases followed by Verbs followed by either
A short list of verbs with gerund infinitive either with little change in with a different meaning
gerunds and infinitives. meaning

More complete lists may be Dislike Would like Like Remember

Appreciate Expect Love Forget
found here:
Enjoy Hope Cannot bear, Cannot stand Try
(not) Face Need Prefer Stop
https://www.engvid.com/wp-c Look forward to Agree Hate Regret
ontent/media/Verbs-Followed Consider Appear/Seem Continue
-by-Gerunds-and-Infinitives.p Imagine Ask Begin/Start
df Recall Get (be allowed)
Miss Offer
Recommend Refuse
and here:
Admit (to) Plan
https://aliciateacher2.wordpre Deny Wait
ss.com/grammar/infinitives-a Describe Promise
nd-gerunds/ Mention Intend
Prohibit Tend
Report Afford
Suggest
Postpone
Delay
Put off
Risk
Avoid
Mean
Practice
Go
Using gerunds and infinitives enhances your writing by
• adding sentence variety
• helping you develop your ideas
• making your writing more formal and academic

Compare the following paragraphs. Which paragraph is better?

Why?
Paragraph 1
If you want to be happy, you should do five things. Be
grateful. You should always be grateful for what you have. Count
your blessings. You should make a list of good things. Be
optimistic. You should think positive thoughts. Use your
strengths. You should do things that you are good at. Commit
acts of kindness. You should do kind actions.
Paragraph 2
In order to boost happiness, there are five methods people can use. First, being grateful can
improve our sense of well-being. We can write a letter or email to someone who helped us,
just to say “Thank you.” Some people also express gratitude by praying or meditating.
Second, it’s important to notice the good things in life. Writing down a list of things we
appreciate is a good way to count our blessings every day. Third, it helps to be optimistic.
We should always try to keep a positive attitude and expect the best outcomes. Another
method to boost happiness is by using our strengths. People feel happier when they are
using their natural abilities. Finally, committing acts of kindness is one of the most
important methods of increasing happiness. When we do something helpful for another
person, we feel more satisfied with life.
What verb forms does the first paragraph use? What person (you, he/she/it, we/ they)
does each paragraph use?

Which paragraph is more formal and sophisticated? Why?

The second paragraph is more developed. What did the author do to develop the ideas
more completely?

Underline the gerunds and infinitives in the second paragraph.

What verb forms does the first paragraph use? What person (you, he/she/it, we/ they) does each
paragraph use?
Paragraph 1 uses second person (you). It uses one modal, should, and the imperative voice.
Paragraph 2 uses first person plural (we) and third person plural (they). It uses gerunds, infinitives, and a
variety of modals

Which paragraph is more formal and sophisticated? Why?

Paragraph 2 is more formal because it uses first person plural and third person, and it is more sophisticated
because it has more sentence variety.

The second paragraph is more developed. What did the author do to develop the ideas more completely?
The author gave specific examples.

Underline the gerunds and infinitives in the second paragraph.

Paragraph 2: Underline the gerunds and infinitives.
In order to boost happiness, there are five methods people can use. First, being grateful can
improve our sense of well-being. We can write a letter or email to someone who helped us,
just to say “Thank you.” Some people also express gratitude by praying or meditating.
Second, it’s important to notice the good things in life. Writing down a list of things we
appreciate is a good way to count our blessings every day. Third, it helps to be optimistic.
We should always try to keep a positive attitude and expect the best outcomes. Another
method to boost happiness is by using our strengths. People feel happier when they are
using their natural abilities. Finally, committing acts of kindness is one of the most
important methods of increasing happiness. When we do something helpful for another
person, we feel more satisfied with life.