Verb tense (Language and Learning Online)Verb tenseThis tutorial contains three sections on verb tenses:Present simple or present continuousPresent perfectPast perfectEach section includes a 'Language in context' passage, exercises, grammar notes, and a review passage.You can navigate through the tutorial using the menu on the left, but we suggest you work through each of the sections in the given order.Present simple or continuousClick on the highlighted text for an explanation of the tenses in use.Language in contextOver the last twenty years, the average size of households has fallen dramatically. The number of one person households has grown, due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one parent families. Couples having smaller families have also contributed to the fall in household size.In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. By 1996, this had fallen to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one parent families with dependent children, but most of the change [1]is due to the increase in the proportion of couple-only families. People [2]are now having children later in life, and [3]are living longer. Therefore, they [4]are spending more time living in couple-only families, both before they [5]have families and after their children have left home.However, children [6]are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. By 1991, this had increased to 40%. This increase has, to some extent, countered the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79, Australian Government Publishing Service, ACT, p.81) Copyright in ABS data resides with the Commonwealth of Australia. Used with permission ABS [1] This is a present simple verb.Here it is used to talk about something that is claimed to be true right now. the change is due to the increase...[2] Are having is a present continuous verb. It describes a trend which may be temporary and is occurring right now.[3]This is a present continuous verb. It describes a trend which may be temporary and is occurring right now.[4]This is a present continuous verb. It describes a trend which may be temporary and is occurring right now.[5] This is a present simple verb.Here it is used to talk about a timeless fact: people have families. It is true now, will be true in the future, and was true in the past.[6]This is a present continuous verb. It describes a trend which may be temporary and is occurring right now.Present continuous exerciseLanguage in contextOver the last twenty years, the average size of households has fallen dramatically. The number of one person households has grown, due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one parent families. Couples having smaller families have also contributed to the fall in household size.In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. By 1996, this had fallen to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple only families. People are now having children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they are spending more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children have left home. However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. By 1991, this had increased to 40%. This increase has, to some extent, countered the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79 p. 81)There are four present continuous verbs in the 'Language in context' passage above.The first present continuous verb in the passage is are having.Type the three remaining present continuous verbs into the boxes provided. Check your answers as you go.Second present continuous verb in the passage:Third present continuous verb in the passage:Fourth present continuous verb in the passage:Notes on present continuousA present continuous verb always includes:is (singular) or are (plural) or could/should/would/may be + an -ing verbExamples People are now having children later in life.The company is changing its marketing approach.The company should be changing its marketing approach.The present continuous tense is also known as the present progressive tense.Present simple exerciseLanguage in contextOver the last twenty years, the average size of households has fallen dramatically. The number of one person households has grown, due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one parent families. Couples having smaller families have also contributed to the fall in household size.In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. By 1996, this had fallen to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple only families. People are now having children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they are spending more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children have left home.However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. By 1991, this had increased to 40%. This increase has, to some extent, countered the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79 p. 81)There are two present simple verbs in Paragraph 2 of the 'Language in context' passage above.Type these verbs into the first two boxes below. Check your answers as you go.First present simple verb in the paragraph:Second present simple verb in the paragraph:Identify and type in the present simple verb from each of the sentences below. (These examples are not from the passage.)Business cycles follow phases of rapid growth (expansion) and slow growth (recession).In the pursuit of organisational objectives, feedback from clients is very important.Present simple and continuous comparedThe present simple tenseThe present continuous tenseThe present simple may be used to describe habits and permanent situations.The present continuous may be used to describe a temporary trend or situation.People now have children later in life and live longer.They spend more time living in couple-only families.People are now having children later in life and are living longer.They are spending more time living in couple-only families.The present simple may describe general rules and principles and established facts.The present continuous may describe situations or activities which are occurring right now.Business cycles follow phases of rapid growth (expansion) and slow growth (recession).As prices rise, the purchasing power of money declines.Target marketing helps sellers identify marketing opportunities better.Australia is currently experiencing a period of rapid economic growth.The housing sector is benefiting from low interest rates and rising divorce.Companies are increasingly embracing target marketing.Present perfectClick on the highlighted text for an explanation of the present perfect tense in useLanguage in contextOver the last twenty years, the average size of households [1]has fallen dramatically. The number of one person households [2]has grown, due largely to the ageing of the population, as [3]has the number of one parent families. Couples having smaller families [4]have also contributed to the fall in household size.In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. By 1996, this had fallen to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple-only families. People are now having children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they are spending more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children [5]have left home.However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. By 1991, this had increased to 40%. This increase [6]has to some extent countered, the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79, Australian Government Publishing Service, ACT, p.81) Copyright in ABS data resides with the Commonwealth of Australia. Used with permission ABS [1]This is a present perfect verb. It is used here to describe a continuing trend. The average size of households began to fall twenty years ago and has continued to fall.[2]This is a present perfect verb. It is used here to describe a continuing trend. The number of one-person households began to grow twenty years ago and has continued to grow.[3]This is part of a present perfect verb. In this sentence, 'as has' is a brief way of saying: and the number of one-parent families has grown too.[4] Have contributed is a present perfect verb. It describes a contribution to the fall in household size (couples having smaller families), which began in the past and is continuing.Note the position of 'also', which is not part of the verb.[5]This is a present perfect verb. It is used here to describe a completed activity (their children left home) which has an impact on the present (the parents live in a couple-only family).[6] Has countered is a present perfect verb. It is used here to describe the current effect of the 1981-1991 increase in the percentage of children living with their parents: it has to some extent countered the fall...Note the position of to some extent, which is not part of the verb.Present perfect exercise 1Language in contextOver the last twenty years, the average size of households has fallen dramatically. The number of one person households has grown, due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one parent families. Couples having smaller families have also contributed to the fall in household size.In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. By 1996, this had fallen to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple only families. People are now having children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they are spending more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children have left home.However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. By 1991, this had increased to 40%. This increase has, to some extent, countered the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79, p. 81)There are five present perfect verbs in the 'Language in context' passage above.First present perfect tense verb: has fallenType the four remaining present perfect verbs into the boxes below. Check your answers as you go.Second present perfect tense verb:Third present perfect tense:Fourth present perfect tense verb:Fifth present perfect tense verb:Present perfect exercise 2Language in contextThe general manager, William Benson, has recently become aware of personnel problems in the Production Department and feels that he should intervene. The new production manager, Gary Johnson, has, over the last year, made a number of changes to work rosters and division of responsibilities. Although productivity in the Department has improved, many employees are dissatisfied with the new arrangements and several of them have resigned.There are four present perfect verbs in the passage above.Type each present perfect verb into its corresponding box below. Check your answer, then scroll to the next question.First present perfect verb:Second present perfect verb:Third present perfect verb:Fourth present perfect verb:Notes on the present perfectA present perfect verb always includes:has (singular) or have (plural) + a past participlePast participles usually end in -ed:contributed, resigned, completedbut may be irregular:fallen, grown, made, been, becomeExamples couples have contributedaverage household size has fallenA present perfect continuous verb includes:has (singular) or have (plural) + been + an -ing verbExamples couples have been contributingaverage household size has been fallingA present perfect passive verb includes:has (singular) or have (plural) + been + a past participleExamples the report has been reviewedprices have been increasedPresent perfect and simple past comparedThe present perfect tense links the past and the present. It can be contrasted with the past simple tense.The past simple tenseThe present perfect tenseThe past simple tense may describe completed activities and past situationsThe present perfect tense may describe activities or situations which began in the past and are still continuingIn 1976, 60% of families were couples with children.In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents.The number of one person households has grown.Over the past twenty years, the average size of households has fallen.The past simple may describe activities without linking them to the presentThe present perfect may describe completed activities whose impact is felt in the presentThey completed the research in 1972.They arrived yesterday.They have completed the research. (meaning: a short time ago; here it is).They have arrived. (meaning: a short time ago; here they are).With past simple verbs, the time may be specifiedWith present perfect verbs, indefinite time expressions may be usedThey completed the research in 1972.They arrived yesterday.The number of one person households grew last year.They have just completed the research.They have already arrived.The number of one person households has grown recently.Past perfectClick on the highlighted text for an explanation of the past perfect tense in use.Language in contextOver the last twenty years, the average size of households has fallen dramatically. The number of one person households has grown , due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one parent families. Couples having smaller families have also contributed to the fall in household size.In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. By 1996, this [1]had fallen to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple-only families. People are now having children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they are spending more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children have left home.However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. By 1991, this [2]had increased to 40%. This increase has to some extent countered, the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79, Australian Government Publishing Service, ACT, p.81) Copyright in ABS data resides with the Commonwealth of Australia. Used with permission ABS [1]This is a past perfect verb. It describes an activity which was completed by 1996. The past perfect may be used to describe the earlier of two points in the past. The year 1996 is in the past. The time before and up to 1996 is in the earlier past.[2]This is a past perfect verb. It describes an activity which was completed by 1991. The past perfect may be used to describe the earlier of two points in the past. The year 1991 is in the past. The time before and up to 1991 is in the earlier past.Past perfect exerciseLanguage in contextOver the last twenty years, the average size of households has fallen dramatically. The number of one person households has grown, due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one parent families. Couples having smaller families have also contributed to the fall in household size.In 1976, 60% of families were couples with children. By 1996, this had fallen to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple only families. People are now having children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they are spending more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children have left home.However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents. By 1991, this had increased to 40%. This increase has, to some extent, countered the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only.(Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79 p. 81)There are two past perfect verbs in the 'Language in context' passage above.Type these verbs into the first two boxes below. Check your answers as you go.First past perfect verb:Second past perfect verb:Identify and type in the past perfect verb in each sentence below. These examples are not from the 'Language in context' passage.It was announced that he had resigned from his position at the bank for personal reasons.Several senior employees had left the company by the time the new manager arrived.Until the new software was purchased, the staff had struggled to keep the accounts records up to date.Notes on past perfect tensesA past perfect verb always includes:had (for singular or plural) + a past participleExamples They announced that he had resigned for personal reasons.He reported that productivity had declined.A past perfect continuous verb includes:had (for singular or plural) + been + an -ing verbExample When he took over, productivity had been declining for two years.A past perfect passive verb includes:had (for singular or plural) + been + a past participleExample The new software had been purchased before his arrival.Note:The past simple tense is used when events are described in the order in which they occurred.Example In March 2005 she started a management course at Monash University. Three months later she found a part-time job.Note:The past perfect tense is used when, in describing the past, we briefly refer to an even earlier eventExample When she began her part-time job in June 2005 she had already started a management course at Monash University.Past perfect and simple past comparedThe past simple tenseThe past perfect tenseIn 1976, 60% of families were couples with children.In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 lived with their parents.By 1996, this had fallen to 51%.By 1991 this had increased to 40%.It is easier to understand the past perfect tense if you think of it as an earlier past tense.1996 was a date in the past The fall to 51% occurred before 1996.It was completed by 1996.1991 was a date in the past The increase to 40% occurred before 1991.It was completed by 1991.Earlier past events or situations are indicated by the past perfect tense. The past simple tense and the past perfect tense are often used in the same sentence. Several senior employees had left the company by the time the new manager arrived.This can be shown on a time line earlier pastmore recent pastpresent timesenior employees had left.new manager arrived.Both events were in the past, but one occured earlier than the other.Further examplesCommentsThey announced that he had resigned for personal reasons. This is an example of reported speech. The actual announcement was: "He has resigned for personal reasons". When he took over, productivity had already been declining for two years.had been declining is an example of the past perfect continuous tense. Before the installation of the new line, productivity had been very low. There is no past simple verb here, but the installation is the more recent action. Until the new software was purchased, the staff had struggled to keep the accounts records up to date.Here, the passive voice is used to describe the more recent action, software was purchased. More examples of tenseIf you have completed the Language and Learning Online grammar tutorial on articles, you may find it useful to explore more examples of articles in use.To search for examples of language use, you can use a web concordancer. The Virtual Language Centre (VLC) Hong Kong has a very user-friendly concordancer, as well as a number of other language learning materials you may wish to explore.Remember, you can print out the grammar notes on article use from this tutorial before you begin to investigate more examples.Before proceeding, you may find it useful to print this worksheet for future reference.What to search for How to access and use the Web Concordancer How to examine the concordance examples What to search forYou could begin by searching for some of the nouns that appear in the tutorial on articles From Language in context passage 1 Internet; world; medium; future, communication; computer; signal; machine; computer; email; letter; relative; time; information; site; minute; problem; access; message; child; control; project; industry; user; ID; age; parent; account.From Language in context passage 2 change; market; development; accounting; role; past; practice; model; behaviour; environment; taste; cost; need; process; complexity; operation; marketplace; report; response; recommendation; basis; discussion.As well, you may wish to use the web concordancer to investigate examples and patterns of article use or non-use with other nouns in their different contexts.Or, you could use the concordancer to explore the meanings and use of other words or phrases that you would like to become more familiar with.How to access and use the web ConcordancerGo to the Virtual Language Centre (VLC) Select the Web Concordancer link on the homepage.On the next page, select Simple Search under English.On the next page: Type in your search word in the blank box (the singular noun form).Select equal to for exact matches (i.e., only singular forms), or contains to bring up both singular and plural forms.Select a corpus. (If you are investigating nouns from the articles tutorial, you may find the Computing or Business and Economics corpus files most relevant for your purposes. You can search other files later if you wish to explore more examples.)Select Sort Left. (This will group the examples with common articles preceding the noun, and will enable easier comparison of the patterns of usage.)Leave other settings as default.Click on Search for concordances.On the next page you can Study the list of one-line examples containing the search word.Link to Lexicon entries(dictionary definitions and grammatical descriptions) at the bottom of that page.Double-click on a concordance line if you wish to see the full context of a one-line example.You may wish to experiment with other setting options as you become more familiar with the concordancer.How to examine the concordance examplesLook at examples of the same word used with different articles or no article. Try to work out why a particular article was used or why no article was used. Try to work out how the use of different articles affects the meaning. (Consider whether the reference is definite or indefinite, specific or general, singular or plural, countable or uncountable).If a word appears without an article in the singular form, you can safely assume that it is being used in an uncountable sense to talk about something in general. Can you find some examples.Uncountable nouns cannot take a/an and cannot be made plural, but they can take the to indicate a specific reference. Can you find some examples?Some uncountable nouns can also be used in a countable sense, that is, they can take a/an and can be made plural. Can you find any examples?Tense reviewEnter the correct verb tense into each box in the following passage. The base form of the verb is supplied in brackets. Then check your answers by clicking on the button next to each box. Over the last twenty years, the average size of households (fall) dramatically. The number of one-person households (grow) due largely to the ageing of the population, as has the number of one-parent families. Couples having smaller families (contribute) to the fall in household size. In 1976, 60% of families (be) couples with children. By 1996, this (fall) to 51%. Part of this change can be attributed to the increase in one-parent families with dependent children, but most of the change is due to the increase in the proportion of couple-only families. People (have) children later in life, and are living longer. Therefore, they (spend) more time living in couple-only families, both before they have families and after their children (leave) home. However, children are leaving home later. In 1981, 34% of children aged 20-24 (live) with their parents. By 1991, this (increase) to 40%. This increase has, to some extent, countered the fall in the couples with non-dependent children only. (Source: ABS Yearbook Australia 1997, Number 79, Australian Government Publishing Service, ACT, p.81) Copyright in ABS data resides with the Commonwealth of Australia. Used with permission ABS Copyright © 2009/12/22Language and Learning, Monash University - ABN 12 377 614 012 grammarANDtense