ESP I

State University of Yogyakarta

VERBS AND TENSES

VERBS
Verbs can show when an action happens. This is
called tense. Different verb tenses have different
forms. Many present tense verbs end in -s. Form
the past tense of many verbs by adding -ed. Add
the helping verb will to a verb to make it a future
tense verb.
Present Tense: A whale stays near the beach.
Past Tense: The whale jumped out of the water.
Future Tense: The other whales will jump out soon.

Irregular verbs
Usually you add -ed to a verb to show past tense.
Irregular verbs do not follow this rule. Instead of
having -ed forms to show past tense, irregular verbs
change to other words.
Present Tense - We do a report on volcanoes.
Past Tense - We did a report on volcanoes.
Past with has, have, or had - We have done reports.

Irregular verbs have a special form when they are

used with has and have. Use the special past forms
in the third column of the chart only with these
helping verbs.
Here are some irregular verbs and their past forms:

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PRESENT TENSE

PAST TENSE

PAST WITH has, have, or

had

Begin

Began

(has, have, had) begun

Do

Did

(has, have, had) done

Find

Found

(has, have had) found

Give

Gave

(has, have, had) given

Go

Went

(has, have, had) gone

Run

Ran

(has, have, had) run

See

Saw

(has, have, had) seen

Take

Took

(has, have, had) taken

Think

Thought

(has, have had) thought

Wear

Wore

(has, have had) worn

Present tense
Simple Present Tense
We use the simple present to talk about things in
general. We are not thinking only about the present.
We use it to say that something happens all the time
or repeatedly, or that something is true in general. It
is not important whether the action is happening at
the time of speaking.
Example:
The earth goes around the sun.
In Canada, most stores close at 6:00 pm.
Remember s is added to the verb in the case of third
person singular
I work in a bank. Barry works in a department store.

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Present Continuous
We use the present continuous when we talk about
something that is happening at the time of speaking.
Example:
Please dont make too much noise. Im studying.
Lets go out now. It isnt raining anymore.

We also use present continuous when we talk about

something that is happening around the time of
speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the time of
speaking. Example:
Tom and Ann are talking and having coffee in a caf. Tom says:
Im reading an interesting book at the moment. Ill lend it to
you when Ive finished it.
Fitri is studying English at the language faculty. (not studies)
Henry is building his own house. (not builds)

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Present tense with a future meaning:
When you are talking about what you have already
arranged to do, use the present continuous (I am doing).
Do not use (I do). Example:
Im going to the theater tonight. (not I go)
Silvia is coming tomorrow
He is travelling tomorrow morning.

We use the simple present with future meaning when

we are talking about timetables, schedules, etc.
What time are you meeting Ann?
The train leaves Jogja at 7:15 and arrives in Jakarta at 4 pm.

Past Tense
The past simple tense is used to describe
finished actions and events in the past. Example
Susan went into the station and bought a ticket.

The past continuous tense is used to describe

actions in progress in the past. It gives
information about the background situation.
Example
There were lots of tourist last year, some were
sleeping at the temple of Borobudu during the
Buddhis festival.
We met in Bali and we were eating sate together

Past continuous, function

The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which
began in the past and was still going on at the time of speaking. In other
words, it expresses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past. It is used:
often, to describe the background in a story written in the past tense,
e.g. "The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant
came out of the jungle. The other animals were relaxing in the shade of the trees,
but the elephant moved very quickly. She was looking for her baby, and she
didn't notice the hunter who was watching her through his binoculars. When the
shot rang out, she was running towards the river..."
to describe an unfinished action that was interrupted by another
event or action:
- "I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang.

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The past perfect is used to make it clear that one past event happen before
another. We use the past perfect for the earlier event. Example:
In these examples, Event A is the first or earliest event, Event B is the second or
latest event:
- John had gone out
when I arrived in the office.
Event A
Event B
- I had saved my document
Event A

before the computer crashed.

Event B

By the time the train arrived, Susan had managed to push her way to the front
of the crowd.
The past participle tense usually preceded the expression before, after or while.
Example :
After struggling with him, Susan pulled the bag from his hands

Future tenses
Future forms:
There are a number of different ways of
referring to the future in English. It is
important to remember that we are
expressing more than simply the time of the
action or event. Obviously, any 'future' tense
will always refer to a time 'later than now',
but it may also express our attitude to the
future event.

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All of the following ideas can be expressed using different tenses:
a. Simple prediction
There will be snow in many areas tomorrow.
b. Arrangements
I'm meeting Jim at the airport.
c. Plans and intentions
We're going to spend the summer abroad.
d. Time-tabled events
The plane takes off at 3 a.m.
e. Prediction based on present evidence
I think it's going to rain!
f. Willingness
We'll give you a lift to the cinema.
g. An action in progress in the future
This time next week I'll be sun-bathing.

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h. An action or event that is a matter of routine
You'll be seeing John in the office tomorrow, won't you?
i. Obligation
You are to travel directly to London
j. An action or event that will take place immediately or very
soon.
The train is about to leave.
k. Projecting ourselves into the future and looking back at a
completed action
A month from now he will have finished all his exams.

Simple future, function

The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or
certainty. In this case there is no 'attitude'.
The simple future is used:
a)
b)
c)
d)

e)
f)

to predict a future event: It will rain tomorrow.

(with I/we) to express a spontaneous decision: I'll pay for the tickets by
credit card.
to express willingness: I'll do the washing-up. He'll carry your bag for you.
(in the negative form) to express unwillingness: The baby won't eat his
soup. I won't leave until I've seen the manager!
(with I in the interrogative form) to make an offer: Shall I open the window?
(with we in the interrogative form) to make a suggestion: Shall we go to
the cinema tonight.

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NOTE: In modern English will is preferred to shall. Shall is mainly used with I
and we to make an offer or suggestion (see examples (e) and (f) above.
With the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is only used in literary or
poetic situations, e.g.
"With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music
wherever she goes."

Future continuous, function

The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that
will be in progress at a time later than now. It is used:
a) to project ourselves into the future and see something
happening: This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.
b) to refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course
of events: I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
c) in the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish
between a simple request for information and an invitation: Will
you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for
information) Will you come to the party? (= invitation)