How to Write English Sentences using Verb Tenses

 How to Write English Sentences using Verb Tenses

When writing English sentences the writer may have a simple subject or a combination of
subject and an object. To describe any actions or states of being the writer must use a verb
or verbs to show who or what initiated, experienced or received the action or state of being.

The selection of verb and verb tense provides the writer with a wide variety of choices
when expressing the relationships between the subjects, objects and external factors such as time.

The following is a simple set of examples of verb tenses and sentences.

SIMPLE PRESENT
1. [verb]
I study English everyday.

SIMPLE PAST
1. [verb + ed]
Two years ago, I studied English in Canada.

SIMPLE FUTURE
1. [am/is/are] + [going to] + [verb]
I am going to study English next year in Canada.
2. [will] + [verb]
I will study English tomorrow.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1. [am / is / are] + [verb + ing]
I am studying English now.

PAST CONTINUOUS
1. [was /were] + [verb + ing]
I was studying English when you called this morning.

FUTURE CONTINUOUS
1. [will be] + [verb + ing] 2. [am /is /are] + [going to be] + [verb + ing]
I will be studying English when you arrive today.
We are going to be studying English next year in Canada.

PRESENT PERFECT
1. [has /have] + [past participle]
I have studied English in several Canadian cities.

PAST PERFECT
1. [had] + [past participle]
I had studied English before I moved to Canada.

FUTURE PERFECT
1. [will have] + [past participle]
I will have studied all the verb tenses by the end of today.
2. [am/is/are] + [going to have] + [past participle]
We are going to have studied all the chapters by five o'clock.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
1. [has/have] + [been] + [verb + ing]
I have been studying English for two years.

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
1. [had been] + [verb + ing]
I had been studying English for two years before I moved to Canada.

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
1. [will have been] + [verb + ing]
I will have been studying English for one hour by the time you arrive.
2. [am/is/are] + [going to have been] + [verb + ing]
We are going to have been studying for three hours.

The process of writing an English sentence is much easier when the writer starts with a
basic thought and systematically experiments with all of the sentence types and
English parts of speech, phrases, clauses and verb tenses to see how to accurately
express the complete thought.

If you liked this page of English grammar explanations and samples and would like more -
you can buy the 96 page grammar summary "Blueprint for English" eBook (for 5 dollars)and
get the SentenceMaster practice word cards.

Special Note for ESL English as a Second Language Teachers

Using the practice word cards in this challenge format is an excellent method of focusing the student's attention
on the 28 to 40 words in use. Teachers can confirm that the students know the various functions of the words
by parts of speech. Any missing information can be an excellent opportunity for teaching vocabulary,
language comprehension and context.

Teachers can use the Sentence Master practice word cards to teach the 1000 most used core English language words and
demonstrate the wide variety of context variations used in written English communication.

After the students have mastered the creation of many sentences using the original six word cards - you can replace
one or more cards, add some cards or start with six new cards. When students need additional complexity and advanced
skills practice there are 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, word challenges and the grid quiz.

Using the practice word cards can help ESL English teachers focus attention, stage the learning step by step,
expand vocabulary, teach grammar, context, and comprehension and even have some fun.