VERB TENSE (http://www.monash.edu.

au/lls/llon

line/grammar/tense/index.xml)

Present simple or continuous Click on the highlighted text for an explanation of the tenses in use. Language in context Over 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.
[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 exercise Language in context Over 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. 1. Second present continuous verb in the passage: 2. Third present continuous verb in the passage: 3. Fourth present continuous verb in the passage:

Notes on present continuous A present continuous verb always includes: is (singular) or are (plural) or could/should/would/may be + an -ing verb Examples 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 exercise Language in context Over 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. 1. First present simple verb in the paragraph: 2. 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.) 3. Business cycles follow phases of rapid growth (expansion) and slow growth (recession). 4. In the pursuit of organisational objectives, feedback from clients is very important.

Present simple and continuous compared

The present simple tense

The present continuous tense

The present simple may be used to The present continuous may be used to describe habits and permanent situations. 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 continuous may describe The present simple may describe general situations or activities which are occurring rules and principles and established facts. 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 perfect Click on the highlighted text for an explanation of the present perfect tense in use Language in context Over 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 <www.abs.gov.au>

[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 1 Language in context Over 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 fallen Type the four remaining present perfect verbs into the boxes below. Check your answers as you go. 1. Second present perfect tense verb:

2. Third present perfect tense: 3. Fourth present perfect tense verb: 4. Fifth present perfect tense verb:

Present perfect exercise 2 Language in context The 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. 1. First present perfect verb: 2. Second present perfect verb: 3. Third present perfect verb: 4. Fourth present perfect verb:

Notes on the present perfect A present perfect verb always includes: has (singular) or have (plural) + a past participle Past participles usually end in -ed: contributed, resigned, completed but may be irregular: fallen, grown, made, been, become Examples couples have contributed average household size has fallen

A present perfect continuous verb includes: has (singular) or have (plural) + been + an -ing verb Examples couples have been contributing average household size has been falling A present perfect passive verb includes: has (singular) or have (plural) + been + a past participle Examples the report has been reviewed prices have been increased Present perfect and simple past compared The present perfect tense links the past and the present. It can be contrasted with the past simple tense.

The past simple tense The past simple tense may describe completed activities and past situations

The present perfect tense The present perfect tense may describe activities or situations which began in the past and are still continuing

In 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 The present perfect may describe completed activities without linking them to the activities whose impact is felt in the present present

They 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 specified

With present perfect verbs, indefinite time expressions may be used

They 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 perfect Click on the highlighted text for an explanation of the past perfect tense in use. Language in context Over 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 <www.abs.gov.au>
[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 exercise Language in context Over 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. 1. First past perfect verb: 2. 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. 3. It was announced that he had resigned from his position at the bank for personal reasons. 4. Several senior employees had left the company by the time the new manager arrived. 5. Until the new software was purchased, the staff had struggled to keep the accounts records up to date.

Notes on past perfect tenses A past perfect verb always includes: had (for singular or plural) + a past participle Examples 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 verb Example 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 participle Example 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 event Example 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 compared

The past simple tense

The past perfect tense

In 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 past

more recent past

present time

senior employees had left.

new manager arrived.

Both events were in the past, but one occured earlier than the other.

Further examples

Comments This is an example of reported speech. The actual announcement was: "He has resigned for personal reasons".

They announced that he had resigned for personal reasons.

When he took over, productivity had been declining is an example of the had already been declining for two past perfect continuous tense. years. Before the installation of the new line, productivity had been very low. Until the new software was purchased, the staff had struggled to keep the accounts records up to date. There is no past simple verb here, but the installation is the more recent action. Here, the passive voice is used to describe the more recent action, software was purchased.

Tense review Enter 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. dramatically.

Over the last twenty years, the average size of households (fall) 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) living longer. Therefore, they (spend) children later in life, and are

more time living in couple-only families, home. However,

both before they have families and after their children (leave)

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. 1. Yes, the present perfect verb has fallen 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. Yes, the present perfect verb has grown is used here to describe a continuing trend. The
average size of households began to grow twenty years ago and has continued to grow.

3. Yes, the present perfect verb have contributed is used here to describe 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.

4. Yes, the past simple verb were is used here to describe a past situation which is no longer
the case.

5. Yes, the past perfect verb had fallen is used here to describe 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.

6. Yes, the present continuous verb are now havingis used here to describe a trend which may
be temporary and is occurring right now. Note the position of now, which is not part of the verb.

7. Yes, the present continuous verb are spending is used here to describe a trend which may
be temporary and is occurring right now.

8. Yes, the present perfect verb have left - 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).

9. Yes, the past simple verb lived is used here to describe a past situation which is no longer
the case.

10. Yes, the past perfect verb had increased 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).