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Consistency of tense
Modals Review A
Review B
Verbs do a lot of work in sentences. They show actions and states of being. They even take different forms to show time. flies
flew
will fly
The tense of a verb indicates the time of the action or state of being expressed by the verb.
Perfect tenses indicate that something happened or existed before a specific point in time.
Past Present Future
Past
Past Perfect
Present
Present Perfect
Future
Future Perfect
She Gwenhadplaysininlastband jazzthree years. She has willplayedthe concert tomorrow. will have played violin before then. April. She played guitarten a for well.by Gwen played a year as band. Gwen play in in concerts
smile
[is] smil ing smile d [have] smile d
choose
[is] choos ing cho se [have] cho sen
expresses an action or a state of being that occurred at an indefinite time in the past is usually formed using the helping verb have or has plus the past participle
Mike has been in several parades.
He has played the drum in all of them.
expresses an action or a state of being that ended before another past action or state of being occurred is usually formed using had plus the past participle
After Maria had gone home, Kim was bored. She asked her dad about the time that he had been a lifeguard at the beach.
expresses an action or a state of being that will occur is usually formed using will or shall plus the base form
My family will ride the train to Chicago. We will be arriving at five oclock.
(Progressive form)
expresses an action or a state of being that will end before another future action or state of being is usually formed using will have or shall have plus the past participle
By the time you receive this letter, she will have returned home. After this trip, he will have been to Chicago three times.
4. The team will practice for an hour with no break. (Change to future perfect progressive.)
5. My sister dances well. (Change to past.)
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Consistency of tense
To describe events that occur at the same time, use verbs in the same tense.
past tense past tense
present tense
present tense
For events that occur at different times, use verbs of different tenses to show the sequence of events.
past tense past perfect tense
Consistency of tense
The pitcher wished that he had practiced more before the game. The action of wishing happened after the action of practicing was complete.
For events that occur at different times, use verbs of different tenses to show the sequence of events.
past tense present tense
Consistency of tense
Yesterday, Nina told us that her brother works every week at the senior center.
The action of telling occurred at a specific time in the past. The action of working occurs now.
Consistency of tense
On Your Own Proofread the paragraph for unnecessary changes of verb tense. Change the verbs to make the tenses consistent. (1) I was in my room Saturday morning, planning to study for two hours. (2) To my surprise, Nancy Chang drops by. (3) She dashed into the house, runs up the stairs, and calls my name. (4) What she wanted was a fishing companion. (5) As I get my fishing gear together, I was so happy. (6) On our way to the lake, we notice some dark clouds. (7) We wished we checked the weather first.
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A modal is a helping verb that is joined with a main verb or an infinitive to express an attitude toward the action or state of being of the main verb.
Helping verbs used as modals can ought could shall may should might will must would
Modals
Modals
Modals
Yes, you may borrow my sweater. My clothes closet may be too full.
The modal must is used most often to express a requirement. Sometimes, must is used to express an explanation.
Requirement
Modals
Modals
Reggie ought to study harder for math quizzes. The next quiz ought to be more difficult than the last one.
Likelihood
Modals
Modals
Terrell should leave soon to catch the bus. All students should get to school on time.
Obligation
Possibility
The modal would is used to express the conditional form of a verb. In other words, it is used to express a situation that is contrary to fact.
If the weather had been more pleasant, they would have gone on a picnic.
Modals
Mrs. Chang would be happy to prepare food if you bring the plates and forks.
Modals
Would can also be used to express future time in a subordinate clause when the main verb in the independent clause is in the past tense.
past tense verb modal expresses future time
They promised us that they would bring the music. promised us that they would bring the music.
Main clause
Subordinate clause
Modals
Would is sometimes used to express an action that was repeated in the past
Every day she would wake early and feed the hens.
an invitation or offer
Would you like a nice, fresh salad?
a polite request
Would you please bring me those books?
Modals
On Your Own Supply an appropriate modal for each sentence.
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Review A
Change the tense of each boldface verb to the tense indicated in parentheses.
1. The otter swam to the edge of the pond. (present perfect) 2. Our class will read Shakespeares Macbeth. (future progressive) 3. The three sisters regularly meet for lunch. (past) 4. Each student chooses a lab partner. (past perfect) 5. Wasps were entering the house through the torn screen. (present)
Review B
Supply an appropriate modal, helping verb, or main verb to complete each sentence correctly. The hints in parentheses will help you. 1. Colleen _____ almost reach the light bulb. (shows ability) 2. Jack _____ repair the bicycle tomorrow. (future tense)
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