TOEIC | Grammar: Verb Tense
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TOEIC Grammar Guide – Verb Tense

Introduction

Every sentence has a subject and a main verb. Verbs describe what the subject is doing. To be able to show exactly what the subject does at any time, verbs have different forms and tenses. In order to speak and write English correctly, you must learn the various verb forms and tenses.

Learning Hint:

To use verbs accurately, learn the standard verb forms and tenses. Memorize common irregular verb forms that do not follow standard forms.

Verb Forms

Verbs have five forms:

Form
Verb Example
Irregular Verb Example

Infinitive

walk

run

Past tense

walked

ran

Past participle

walked

run

Present participle

walking

running

–s or –es form

walks

runs

The only verb with more than 5 forms is be

Form

Verb

Infinitive

be

Past tense

was (for I / he / she / it); were (for we / you / they)

Past participle

be, been

Present participle

being

–s / –es form

—

The verb be also has 3 present tense forms (am, is, are) while all other verbs have one.

Infinitive Form

The infinitive form is the plain or dictionary form. It is used when the verb’s action happens in the present and the subject is a plural noun or the pronouns I, we, you, or they:

I go to work.

You cook very well.

We live downtown.

They help me.

Past Tense Form

The past tense shows the verb’s action happened in the past. It is usually made by adding -d or –ed to the infinitive. The past tense is formed differently for most irregular verbs:

We lived downtown.

They helped me.

I went to work. (Irregular verb)

Past Participle and Present Participle Form

The past participle is used with the verb have (have / has / had) to create the present and past perfect tenses. The past participle form is also used to modify nouns and pronouns. One example is the phrase sliced bread.

The past participle is usually the same as the past tense form. Only some irregular verbs have a past participle that is different than their past tense form.

We have lived downtown.

They have helped me.

I have gone to work. (Irregular verb)

The present participle is made by adding -ing to a verbs infinitive form:

Working

Buying

Eating

The present participle can modify nouns and pronouns. One example is the phrase running water. When used as a noun (example: smoking is bad), the present participle is known as a gerund. The present participle is also used to create the progressive tense.

-S Form

The -s form of a verb is made from the infinitive of the verb. This form is used when the verb’s action is in the present and the subject is third-person singular. Third-person singular is a singular noun (examples: desk, John), or a singular indefinite pronoun (examples: everybody, someone), or the personal pronouns he / she / it.

How the -s form is made depends on the last letter of the verb:

Verb Ending

To Make Third Person Singular

Example

s

add -es

Pass – It passes

sh

add -es

Wish – Everyone wishes

ch

add -es

Watch – She watches

consonant + y

change y to i and add -es

Try – He tries

Any other letter

add -s

Drink – He drinks

Verb Types

Irregular Verbs

Many verbs do not follow the rules to make the different forms. They are called irregular verbs. No single rule explains how to make their past tense and past participle forms. The irregular verbs must be memorized. These are some of the common irregular verbs:

Infinitive
Past Tense
Past Participle

choose

chose

chosen

do

did

done

drink

drunk

drank

eat

ate

eaten

give

gave

given

forget

forgot

forgotten

lie

lay

lain

let

let

let

see

saw

seen

sleep

slept

slept

throw

threw

thrown

write

wrote

written

Helping Verbs

Another important type of verb is the helping or auxiliary verb. Helping verbs show tense and can show person, number, voice or mood. These verbs combine with a main verb to form a verb phrase. A main verb is an infinitive, a present participle or past participle. These are verb phrase examples:

will give

has been working

can go

Some helping verbs combine with main verbs to show time and voice. These helping verbs are shall, will, have (has / had), do (does / did) and the forms of be (am / is / are / was / were / been / being):

We will live downtown.

We did not live downtown.

They shall help me.

They were helped.

I have been working.

I had worked.

Modal Verbs

Helping verbs such as can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, and would are used to add extra meaning to main verbs. These helping verbs are called modals. They show a necessity, possibility, ability, permission, prediction or responsibility:

You should write that report.

We must go.

He can carry heavy objects.

I might leave.

The helping verb do (does) or its past tense did is used together with the infinitive of a verb to ask questions, make the negative form, or to show added importance:

Does she work this week?

Do they go to school?

Where does he live?

Where did they live?

She does not sleep well.

She did not sleep well.

You do work every day.

He does run on weekends.

Verbals

A verbal (nonfinite verb) is no longer a verb. It is a verb form used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. A verbal can never be a main verb.

Verbal
Example
Verb Form

Noun

Running is great exercise.

present participle

Adjective

Blocked printers cannot print.

past tense

Adverb

We were ready to work.

to + infinitive

Verb Tenses

Tense shows the time of a verbs action or being. There are three verb tenses: simple, perfect, and progressive. Each tense has past, present and future forms.

Note: Because tense shows time, a time word in a sentence helps to decide what tense is being used. Most time words can only go with a certain tense. These are some examples:

Present

Past

Future

Progressive

often

yesterday

tomorrow

now

every hour / day / week

last week / month

next week / month

today

every month/year

last year

next year

this month

usually

amount of time + ago

in + amount of time

for + amount of time

sometimes

 
 
 

today
 
 
 

for + amount of time

 
 
 

Simple Tense

The simple tenses show that an action or state of being is past, present, or future. The present tense shows action that is happening now as a person speaks or writes. The present tense is also used to describe actions that are factual or habitual (commonly repeated over a period of time). The present tense uses the verbs infinitive or the -s form for third person singular subject.

The past tense shows action that has finished as a person speaks or writes. The past tense uses the verbs past tense form.

The future tense shows action that has not happened yet as a person speaks or writes. The future tense uses the helping verb will or shall plus the verbs infinitive.

Tense

Regular Verb: Walk

Irregular Verb: Run

Present

I / you / we / they walk.

He / she / it walks.

I / you / we / they run.

He / she / it runs.

Past

I / you / we / they / he / she / it walked.

I / you / we / they / he / she / it ran.

Future

I / you / we / they / he / she / it will walk.

I / you / we / they / he / she / it will run.

Perfect Tense

The perfect tenses show that an action was or will be finished BEFORE another time or action happens. The perfect tenses are made with the helping verb have (have / has / had) plus the verbs past participle. All subjects use had for the past perfect tense. All subjects use will have or shall have for the future perfect tense. The infinitive have or has for singular third person is used for the perfect present tense.

Examples:

Tense

Regular Verb: Walk

Present Perfect

I / you / we / they have walked.

He / she / it has walked.

Past Perfect

I / you / we / they / he / she / it had walked.

Future Perfect

I / you / we / they / he / she / it will have walked.

Tense

Irregular Verb: Run

Present Perfect

I / you / we / they have run.

He / she / it  has run.

Past Perfect

I / you / we / they / he / she / it had run.

Future Perfect

I / you / we / they / he / she / it will have run.

The present perfect tense can also show that an action started in the past and is still going on in the present.

Examples:

He has lived downtown. (Action is finished at the time it is written.)

He has worked for three hours. (Action started in the past and is still going on.)

She has always written in a diary. (Action started in the past but continues now.)

Progressive Tense

The progressive tenses show continuing action. They can also show how long an action has been going on for an amount of time in the present, past, or future. A verb’s present participle joins with some forms of the verb be (am, is, are, was, were) to make the simple progressive tenses.

Tense

Example

Present Progressive

I am working.

You / we / they are working.

He / she / it is working.

Past Progressive

I / he / she / it was working.

You / we / they were working.

Future Progressive

I / he / she / it / they / we / you will be working.

The past progressive can show an action that happened in the past and was not finished:

He was doing his work. (He was working, but he may not have finished the work.)

The perfect tense form plus been plus the verbs present participle makes the perfect progressive tenses:

Tense

Example

Present Perfect Progressive

I / you / we / they have been working.

He  / she / it has been working.

Past Perfect Progressive

I / he / she / it / they / we / you had been working.

Future Perfect Progressive

I / he / she / it / they / we / you will have been working.

Not all verbs can make a progressive tense. Verbs that have qualities not able to show change cannot make the progressive tense. These are some of the verbs:

be

guess

seem

see

believe

include

think

smell

cost

like

understand

taste

desire

love

want

need

doubt

remember

wish

have

Examples:

Incorrect:           She is being pretty.

Correct:             She is pretty.

Incorrect:           That is owning to him.

Correct:             He owns that.

Incorrect:           They are wanting a raise.

Correct:             They want a raise.

TOEIC | Grammar: Verb Tense
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Not by works of righteousness.

–This by no means asserts that such works ever had been done, and then produced, as it were, before the bar of God, and weighed and found insufficient; but it simply maintains that to

win

salvation such

must

be done. Sad experience, more forcibly than any theological assertion, has demonstrated to us all the utter impossibility of any of us, even the holiest, ever, even for one day, doing the works of a purely righteous man.

(5)–This by no means asserts that such works ever had been done, and then produced, as it were, before the bar of God, and weighed and found insufficient; but it simply maintains that tosalvation suchbe done. Sad experience, more forcibly than any theological assertion, has demonstrated to us all the utter impossibility of any of us, even the holiest, ever, even for one day, doing the works of a purely righteous man.

But according to his mercy.–As there was nothing in us which called for such a salvation, as there were no acts of ours which deserved reward, His gift of salvation, which includes (Titus 3:7) eternal life, was owing entirely to His divine love which saw and pitied our misery, our endless suffering. Out of this hopeless state the eternal pity lifted us, and put us into a state of salvation. The next clause specifies the outward and visible sign of the salvation our loving God was pleased to ordain in His Church, namely, “baptism;” but here great care must be taken properly to understand what St. Paul meant by this baptism, to which he attributed so great power. In St. Paul’s mind it was no mere observance, but was a sacrament, in which all that was inward properly and completely accompanied all that was outward. In another place the Apostle has grandly paraphrased his words here. In the Galatian Letter (Galatians 3:27) he writes how “that as many as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ,” that is, have entered into vital union with Him–a blessed state, which most surely leads to life eternal, if the baptised only remain faithful.

By the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.–Seeing, then, that God has saved us by His own act, independently of any work of ours, we ask, How has He effected this? The words we are here considering give the answer to the question. The Greek should be rendered, “by the laver of regeneration,” &c. Then, by means of the laver of regeneration, &c, has God put us into a state of salvation. In other words, He has effected this by means of “baptism” (for the laver here can only signify the baptismal font, and is called the laver of regeneration because it is the vessel consecrated to the use of that sacrament), whereby, in its completeness as a sacrament, the new life in Christ is conveyed. Baptism, then, is the means through which we receive the saving grace of Christ; in its laver we are born again to a new life, in it we receive strength through the Holy Ghost constantly to renew and to develop this new life, for it is not only the laver of regeneration but also of renovation by the Holy Spirit. But baptism is here understood in all its completion–the outward visible sign accompanied with the inward spiritual grace. In the case of one who is come to years of understanding seeking baptism, repentance and faith in the promises of God are absolutely required. In the case of infants, who have also from the very earliest times been, through this same laver, enrolled in the communion of Christians, the same profession is required, only they make it by their sureties, and directly that they have come to years of discretion they solemnly and publicly assent to what had been already affirmed in their name. Thus, by means of the laver of regeneration, &c, or, in other words, by baptism in all its completion–the outward act being accompanied with the inward faith–He saved us, that is, put us into a state of salvation. Of the difference between “regeneration” and “renovation,” the first, “regeneration,” is well explained in the words of the collect for Christmas Day, which speaks of the “regenerated” as “made God’s children by adoption and grace.” The second, “renovation,” the same collect goes on to speak of, when it prays that “the regenerated” “may daily be renewed by the Holy Spirit.” The first, “regeneration,” is spoken of by St. John in his words, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7); the second is alluded to by St. Paul when he wrote, “the inward man is renewed day by day” (2Corinthians 4:16).

Verse 5.

– Done in

for

of

, A.V.;

did ourselves

for

hare done

, A.V.;

through

for

by

, A.V.

By works

(

ἐξ ἔργων

);

i.e. in consequence of.

God’s kindness and love to man did not spring from man’s good work as the preceding and producing conditions (comp.

τῶν ἐν

δικαιοσύνῃ

); the particular description of the works wrought in a sphere or element of righteousness (Alford and Ellicott).

Which we did ourselves

; emphasizing that they were our good works, done by us in a state of righteousness. All this, as the cause of our

salvation

, the apostle emphatically denies. -Not, etc.,

but according to his mercy he saved us

. The predisposing cause, the rule and measure of our salvation, was God’s mercy and grace, originating and completing that salvation.

Through the washing of regeneration

(

διὰ λουτροῦ παλλιγενεσίας

). Here we have the means

through

or

by

which God’s mercy saves us. The

washing

or rather

laver

of regeneration (

λουτρόν

)

–

found elsewhere in the New Testament only in

laver

or

bath

in which the washing takes place. The nature or quality of this bath is described by the words, “of regeneration” (

τῆς παλιγγενεσίας

); elsewhere in the New Testament only in

ἕως πάλιν γένωμαι

, but in what sense is not quite clear,

Παλιγγενεσία

, therefore, very fifty describes the new birth in holy baptism, when the believer is put into possession of a new spiritual life, a new nature, and a new inheritance of glory. And the laver of baptism is called “the laver of regeneration,” because it is the ordained means by or through which regeneration is obtained.

And renewing of the Holy Ghost

.

It is doubtful whether the genitive

ἀνακαιγώσεως

depends upon

διὰ

or upon

λούτρου

. Bengel, followed by Alford, takes the former, “per lavacrum et renovationem;” the Vulgate (

lavacrum regenerationis et renova-tionis Spiritus Sancti

), the latter, followed by Huther, Bishop Ellicott, and others. It is difficult to hit upon any conclusive argument for one side or the other. But it is against the latter construction that it gives such a very long rambling sentence dependent upon

λούτρου

. “The

laver

of regeneration and of the renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” And it is in favor of the former that the “laver of regeneration” and “the renewing of the Holy Ghost” seem to describe very clearly the two parts of the sacrament, the outward visible sign and the inward spiritual grace; the birth of water and of the Holy Ghost. So that Bengel’s rendering seems on the whole to be preferred.

Renewing

(

ἀνακαινώσεως

); only here and

ἀνακαινόω

is found in

καινὴ κτίσις

, the “new creature” of

καινότης ζωῆς

of

καινότης πνεύματος

of

παλαιὸς ἄνθρωπος

)

and

“the new man” (the

καινὸς ἄνθρωπος

) of

παλιγγεσία

. The connection of baptism with the effusion of the Holy Spirit is fully set forth in

Greek

He saved

ἔσωσεν

(esōsen)

Verb – Aorist Indicative Active – 3rd Person Singular

To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

us,

ἡμᾶς

(hēmas)

Personal / Possessive Pronoun – Accusative 1st Person Plural

I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

not

οὐκ

(ouk)

Adverb

No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

by

ἐξ

(ex)

Preposition

From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] righteous

δικαιοσύνῃ

(dikaiosynē)

Noun – Dative Feminine Singular

From dikaios; equity; specially justification.

deeds

ἔργων

(ergōn)

Noun – Genitive Neuter Plural

From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

we

ἡμεῖς

(hēmeis)

Personal / Possessive Pronoun – Nominative 1st Person Plural

I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

had done,

ἐποιήσαμεν

(epoiēsamen)

Verb – Aorist Indicative Active – 1st Person Plural

(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

but

ἀλλὰ

(alla)

Conjunction

But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

according to

κατὰ

(kata)

Preposition

A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

His

αὐτοῦ

(autou)

Personal / Possessive Pronoun – Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular

He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

mercy,

ἔλεος

(eleos)

Noun – Accusative Neuter Singular

Pity, mercy, compassion. Of uncertain affinity; compassion.

through

διὰ

(dia)

Preposition

A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[the] washing

λουτροῦ

(loutrou)

Noun – Genitive Neuter Singular

A bath (of water, not the vessel), water for washing, washing. From louo; a bath, i.e., baptism.

of new birth

παλινγενεσίας

(palingenesias)

Noun – Genitive Feminine Singular

A new birth, regeneration, renewal. From palin and genesis; rebirth, i.e. spiritual renovation; specially, Messianic restoration.

and

καὶ

(kai)

Conjunction

And, even, also, namely.

renewal

ἀνακαινώσεως

(anakainōseōs)

Noun – Genitive Feminine Singular

Renewing; a renewal or change of heart and life. From anakainoo; renovation.

by [the] Holy

Ἁγίου

(Hagiou)

Adjective – Genitive Neuter Singular

Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit.

Πνεύματος

(Pneumatos)

Noun – Genitive Neuter Singular

Wind, breath, spirit.

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NT Letters: Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we (Ti. Tt.)

for, A.V.;for, A.V.;for, A.V.);God’s kindness and love to man did not spring from man’s good work as the preceding and producing conditions (comp. Galatians 2:16 , and the notes of Bishops Ellicott and Lightfoot). Done in righteousness(); the particular description of the works wrought in a sphere or element of righteousness (Alford and Ellicott).; emphasizing that they were our good works, done by us in a state of righteousness. All this, as the cause of our, the apostle emphatically denies. -Not, etc.,. The predisposing cause, the rule and measure of our salvation, was God’s mercy and grace, originating and completing that salvation.). Here we have the meansorwhich God’s mercy saves us. Theor ratherof regeneration (found elsewhere in the New Testament only in Ephesians 5:26 , in exactly the same connection – is theorin which the washing takes place. The nature or quality of this bath is described by the words, “of regeneration” (); elsewhere in the New Testament only in Matthew 19:28 , where it seems rather to mean the great restoration of humanity at the second advent. The word is used by Cicero of his restoration to political power, by Josephus of the restoration of the Jews under Zerubbabel, and by several Greek authors; and the LXX. of Job 14:14 have the phrase,, but in what sense is not quite clear,, therefore, very fifty describes the new birth in holy baptism, when the believer is put into possession of a new spiritual life, a new nature, and a new inheritance of glory. And the laver of baptism is called “the laver of regeneration,” because it is the ordained means by or through which regeneration is obtained.It is doubtful whether the genitivedepends uponor upon. Bengel, followed by Alford, takes the former, “per lavacrum et renovationem;” the Vulgate (), the latter, followed by Huther, Bishop Ellicott, and others. It is difficult to hit upon any conclusive argument for one side or the other. But it is against the latter construction that it gives such a very long rambling sentence dependent upon. “Theof regeneration and of the renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” And it is in favor of the former that the “laver of regeneration” and “the renewing of the Holy Ghost” seem to describe very clearly the two parts of the sacrament, the outward visible sign and the inward spiritual grace; the birth of water and of the Holy Ghost. So that Bengel’s rendering seems on the whole to be preferred.); only here and Romans 12:2 , and not at all in the LXX. or in classical Greek. But the verbis found in 2 Corinthians 4:16 Colossians 3:10 . The same idea is in the, the “new creature” of 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:15 , and theof Romans 6:4 , and theof Romans 7:6 , and in the contrast between the “old man” (the”the new man” (the) of Ephesians 4:22-24 . This renewal is the work of the Holy Ghost in the new birth, when men are “born again” of the Spirit ( John 3:5 ). Alford is wrong in denying its application here to the first gift of the new life. It is evidently parallel with the. The connection of baptism with the effusion of the Holy Spirit is fully set forth in Acts 2 . (see especially ver. 38; comp. Matthew 3:16, 17 ).